Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Coach Urban Meyer has often said he wants Florida to be the fastest team in the country. He might have accomplished that with his fourth team.
A dozen Gators run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds or less. That includes true freshman running back Jeff Demps, who ran a 10.25-second 100 meters at the AAU Junior Olympics.
Sophomore cornerback Joe Haden was asked what Florida football players he would select for a sprint-relay team.
Haden picked Demps, redshirt freshman running back Chris Rainey, wide receiver Percy Harvin and redshirt freshman wide receiver Deonte Thompson.
“Louis Murphy (a senior wide receiver) would be my alternate,” Haden said. “I would be the sixth man.”
Haden has run 4.34 in the 40.
Block Party: Florida’s Brandon James is one of the best kick returners in the country. But he’s not the only special-teams problem for Florida opponents.
Meyer places as much emphasis on blocking kicks as returning them.
In Meyer’s first three seasons at Florida, the Gators blocked 17 kicks (11 punts, four field goals and two extra points). They blocked punt this season (against Miami).
Big And Fast: Although the Gators defeated UT 59-20 last season, the Vols still made a favorable impression on Florida linebacker Brandon Hicks, who was playing in his first SEC game.
“Oh my God, I had never seen a 300-pounder run that fast,” Hicks said. “A pulling guard running that fast . . . What in the world?”
Punting Power: Florida sophomore Chas Henry is punting better.
He ranks second nationally with a 48.3-yard average on 11 punts. He has had six punts of 50 or more yards and has put four inside the 20-yard line.
Heisman Heckler: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow isn’t just a running/passing threat. He also plays a role on Florida’s special teams.
He heckles placekicker Jonathan Phillips.
“When he lines up for a kick (in practice), I’ll be yelling as loud as I can,” Tebow said. “ ‘If you miss this kick, we’re going to lose to Tennessee.’
“We try to put as much pressure on him as we can.”
Voice Of Experience: Meyer likes bringing back former players to prep his younger players on a variety of subjects, such as road games.
Sophomore safety Ahmad Black said former Gator Vernell Brown addressed the team this summer on playing at Neyland Stadium.
“He told us their fans are nasty and throw things at you,” Black said. “So I’m prepared for the worst.”
Extra Points: Although Florida has won 16 of the last 22 games against UT, the Vols still lead the series 19-18. … In 16 of the last 18 UT-Florida games, the winning team has rushed for the most yards. … Meyer is trying to open a season 3-0 for the seventh time in his eight-year head-coaching career.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 36
SmokeDog72 writes:
“Oh my God, I had never seen a 300-pounder run that fast,” Hicks said.
Must have encountered Fulmer on "Seafood Night" at Golden Corral.
NorthfaceCB writes:
We throw things at opposing teams? Didn't know that.
SmokeDog72 writes:
I know one thing we don't throw at opposing teams: challenging defensive schemes to dissect.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
I've never seen so many John Adams' articles in such a short time. He seems very very happy about this game??
tripper writes:
DC- found you, are you not going to answer my question about the 7 heads ?
bluetick writes:
10.25 is smokin' for a high school student!(referring to AAU) There isn't a lot of difference though in 4.3 and 4.5 or 4.6 in the 40. It's not breakaway speed comparing it to others who run fast also. It only comes into play if they have defenders chasing them. I see James as being the biggest threat since he is so low gravity and also fast.. can make sharp turns and etc... My favorite return specialist though and probably always will be Willie Gault. I got to see him run back a few in the days.
tripper writes:
I can't believe this is our sportswriter john adams that wrote this story. If we had the real John Adams he would say, "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity," Go Vols !!!
newtonrail writes:
My seats in Section Q look across the end zone where the visiting team enters and exits the field, and I've never seen anything thrown at their players. Never seen their players react like something was being thrown at them. I'm sure it's probably happened, but just as sure persons would be ejected. They might get away with it easier after game, although there is a ring of police looking at them.
tripper writes:
what a crock of s***. has anyone ever been down to gainesville. point made.
cdonsbach writes:
40 yard dash times don't necessarily translate into fast-moving football players and if they get smashed in the face enough times they move even slower.
GO VOLS, hit them as hard as possible on every play. Make them afraid of you and make them want the game to be over as soon as possible.
DekanGator writes:
Bluetick I respectfully Disagree. you saying.
There isn't a lot of difference though in 4.3 and 4.5 or 4.6 in the 40.
That is the type of speed that can get you around a corner on a sweep, Defenders have to take a Different angle chasing which can give you and Extra 7-8 yards.
IM gussing here, but I think in a 40 yd Dash the difference between a 4.3 and a 4.6 is about 5-6 yards.
Vol fans, The name that has not come up all week on this site is Emanul Moody, I think he will carry the ball more than any player On the Gators.
Good luck vol fans .. I expect a typical SEC game!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Damn dog "they blocked punt this season" was against Miami? Them fools mus be hard core!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
DeKanGator is right. 4.6 is your average SEC linebacker and 4.3 is blazing speed.
ZR writes:
I beleive what Bluetick is saying is that once Harvin runs down and scores a touchdown, he will not have to wait long at all to celebrate with the other gator skill players who run 4.5 and 4.4.
leedsvol2007 writes:
While there is no substitute for speed its effect can be minimized with proper technique.
We have some guys that can run as well such as Berry, Rogan, Jones, Morley, Vinson and Creer to name a few.
The challenge for our guys this week is more mental than physical.Physically we are not that different from Florida the question is will we be in the right place using the proper technique and can we hold on to the football.
If we are sound we can win.
GoVols!
CoverOrange writes:
Dekan, more like 2.6 yards (assuming steady speed from start to finish). And since Chavis spots our DBs 10 yards on every play we'll be in the tunnel before you catch up.
Bigger_Al writes:
Adams gets to hang out with his heroes this week. The Gator coaches and players will actually talk to him! John, this is what it would be like if you moved to a different town! (At least until your weasily-ways turn them against you.)
Volalumnus writes:
16 of the last 22
Volalumnus writes:
shouldn't coaches be coaching instead of creatively finding ways to play shell games with injury reports.
May explain: 16 of the last 22
99gator writes:
this is for sjt18 if he's out there and everyone else who wonders why the media kisses florida's rear even after a season where tennessee wins the east.
16-6 in the last 22 against tennessee.
15-3 in the last 18 against georgia.
so, this is why florida is treated as the "top dog" despite georgia having the best record in the sec the last 10 years or tennessee having the most trips to atlanta of any school in the division since 2000.
which is why this saturday is big. you want respect.....beat florida.
SemperVol writes:
“He told us their fans are nasty and throw things at you,” Black said. “So I’m prepared for the worst.”
I don't really think that's true. Most airborne objects I've seen thrown at Neyland are directed toward the officiating crew.
You have to really pi$$ us off to get something thrown at you.....like Jabar Gaffney's winning "grab" in 2000.
Volalumnus writes:
Hamilton Must Go
Volalumnus writes:
No speed limit and Chavis and company will be inviting record speed tests instead of trying to put an outright halt to trespassing on Shield-Watkins field.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Re: UT fans throwing things at UF players. Not only have I not seen any such thing, at least not on any large scale, but didn't the SEC a few years ago virtually force UF to move their student section from behind the visiting bench because of the repeated and constant barrages of foreign objects on them? Not only that, but a Tennessee license plate or any display of UT orange outside The Swamp seems to constitute a license for abuse from Florida "fans". In fairness, it's not just us; fans all across the SEC regard visiting G'ville as the ugliest, meanest road trip in the conference. You would think by now they would learn to win, or occasionally lose, with a little dignity, but I guess they just haven't grown up to that extent yet. Their fans don't deserve their team--and vice-versa. GO VOLS!!! BEAT THE GATORS--BAD!!!
sameolvolalum writes:
Having similar talent and presuming both teams will go all out-----execution, avoiding mistakes and the kicking game will determine Saturday's outcome. Some things never change. Go Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TDTN- Why did the journey to the Grail start Saturday instead of agin UCLA?
Did we waste spring and fall practice or did we have new charts?
dlobh writes:
Chavis said in the video that "if you coach long enough, it will happen again" about getting 59 scored on the Vols. So he's already resigned to the fact that it will happen again. A coach should never say that. More something like "we will do everything in our power to make sure that never happens again". He needs to go.
Regarding fans in Knoxville throwing things at the FL players, if it happens, we're even. I've been to the Swamp 3 times and seen some pretty gross stuff thrown by their fans.
abnermc writes:
99, if you want respect, show up in Atlanta in Dec. With all the talent Fla has Meyer should be fired w/ 9-4 year. 4 LOSSES!
CoverOrange writes:
The only think we throw at Florida players is Florida fans.
rabidvol1998 writes:
99 - good point. We need to put up or shut up.
I'll be there cheering for the put up.
Go Vols
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
I remember Skeets Nehemiah in the NFL also. He was fast, until he ran into a wall (SS). I think he wears a life vest walking around now and a bell so people know where hes at. Build up as much speed as you can Gators, and then let Berry, Morley and company decleat your monkey azzes. GO VOLS
threehundredbowler writes:
speed kills.Fla in a romp.
TommyJack writes:
No romp. No more beat-downs.
jasonn1970 writes:
If this becomes a track meet Florida will surely win. If Tennessee can turn this into a physical type of game they will surely win.
volindaphne writes:
Well said 99gator.......
threehundredbowler writes:
has tennessee blocked 17 kicks in Fulmers 15 years as head man?
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