The Haden smoke screen
Are the Gators really going to let cornerback Joe Haden play some quarterback in the Wildcat formation this season, or is this just a ruse to give UF opponents one more thing to worry about (and prepare for) this season?
This comes into question after what’s happened over the last several days.
Last Friday, Urban Meyer said Haden was getting some work at quarterback and that he could see some playing time on offense.
On Monday, Haden, who threw for 7,000-plus yards in his high school career, said he worked out with the quarterbacks and receivers over the summer and that he’s been working with quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler every day after practice.
Then, at UF’s media day on Tuesday, Loeffler claimed he has not worked with Haden at all.
So, is this Haden talk just a smoke screen?
Meyer was asked after Thursday morning’s practice.
“I do think he’ll play offense,”Meyer said with a smile. “Write a big story about it and send it out to everybody. Well-thought-out smoke screen.”
But earlier in post-practice meeting with the media, Meyer said he’d like to see Haden playing some quarterback.
“I just hope we can develop enough corners that we can use him on offense,” Meyer said. “He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s one of those football guys. He’s one of the top five athletes I’ve coached. He’s that good.”
Maybe we’ll see Haden at quarterback. Maybe we won’t. We’ll have to wait until to season to find out (the Tennessee game, I’d guess).
Robbie Andreu has been The Sun’s college football beat writer since 1993. He covered every game of the Steve Spurrier coaching era. The only game he’s missed since he has been in Gainesville is the 2006 Florida State game in Tallahassee. He happily stayed home for that one because of the imminent birth of his second child. Before coming to The Sun in March of 1993, Andreu worked for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel for 10 years, covering a variety of sports, including the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, professional golf and baseball (playoffs and World Series). He also worked in Clearwater and Bradenton. He graduated from UF in 1977.
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Woo hoo… 3 weeks to go !!!
Lets get this party started . Go Gators !!
Best season in history coming to the swamp near you !!!
by Gator N8n
Haden is an athlete, natural born. It would not suprise me to see this and in a big game see hiom pass one down the sideline to a wide open receiver. He can throw the rock and would probably start at another university or be a great back up.
by Mike Plant