Gators spring practice news and notes – 04/07

With the Florida Gators 2010 spring practice now in full swing, there is plenty of newsworthy information around the program. Rather than publishing it all in long form, OGGOA thought it would be best to lay it out piece-by-piece. We continue this series with a look at the team’s practice from Wed., April 7.

Absences/Injuries:
» Redshirt senior running back Emmanuel Moody returned to practice after missing two days with a right quad injury. He did not participate in full as he is working his way back.

» Redshirt sophomore cornerback Adrian Bushell missed his second consecutive practice after returning to pads for the first time last Friday. The team is not given any particular reason for his recent absences.

Scrimmage happenings:
» Redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Debose once again participated in full practice, including 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills.

» Redshirt sophomore WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. used Wednesday’s practice to prove he has what it takes to get major playing time this season, grabbing a few touchdowns and getting plenty of separation in coverage.

» Redshirt sophomore CB Jeremy Brown got some work in the stead of senior CB Moses Jenkins with the first-team defense after putting together a nice day of work.

» Junior safety Will Hill had a return touchdown on a botched snap by redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley. He also nearly picked off three balls at various times throughout practice.

» Speaking of miscues, redshirt junior WR Chris Rainey had a rough day overall due to his dropping the ball. This is the first time all spring that he has struggled.

» Junior defensive end William Green is slowly but steadily improving and earning the respect of the coaching staff for his hard work.

Other notes:
» After practice, head coach Urban Meyer gave a bold and aggressive speech to the team about staying out of trouble. “No stealing, no drugs, no weapons!” he bellowed. “There’s a good decision and a bad decision. Make that good decision! […] We have a drug policy here! You smoke marijuana, you won’t play football!”

Interesting quotes:
» WR coach Zach Azzanni on Meyer’s post-practice speech: “I think he’s having fun out here coaching again. There’s new blood around, he’s excited about the team and it’s kind of reinvigorated him. He has a unique way of getting the most out of people. And I love it. All of us coaches follow his lead, and we go as he goes.”

» Sophomore linebacker Jon Bostic on Meyer’s speech: “[He was just] reiterating everything he says every day. He tells it a different way, but he just wants to keep telling us, keep telling us, because sometimes it takes a while to get through. That’s a good thing, though. It just shows he cares. He doesn’t want us to get in any trouble.”

» Freshman QB Trey Burton on being tackled during practice: “Wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve got to get game speed. I don’t have a problem with it, I know my coach knows I don’t have a problem with it.”

» Burton on what is he working hardest on before the 2010 Orange & Blue Debut: “I have to learn all these plays and formations, that’s my main focus.”

Special thanks to the Orlando Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post for the above quotes.