Gators get a rest
Florida coach Urban Meyer gave his weary, leg-heavy Gators a day off from practice Thursday, canceling the morning workout as a reward for two weeks of heavy work in the heat.
Meyer has done this in the past.
This break seems well-deserved, because by all accounts this has been perhaps the toughest, most competitive preseason camp the Gators have had under Meyer. This all goes back to Meyer’s desire to keep this team focused and from falling complacent, something the 2007 team did following the national championship in 2006.
It’s hard to get complacent on UF’s practice field because there are so many players competing for playing time and starting roles. Some of the most intense battles are occurring among players (younger and older) who are killing to earn a spot of Meyer’s special teams.
Talking to several players earlier this week for a story I’m working on, they all said if you take a play or two off in practice, you could lose your job. That’s how competitive it is.
At least for a day, the Gators were able to enjoy a break from all the intensity, the hitting and the heat.
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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by Florida News – 8/21/09 | MrSEC.com