4/4: Easley shining as defense beings to solidify
With the Florida Gators 2011 spring practice in full swing, a number of the team’s defensive players were made available to the media to begin the fourth week of action. The defensive front seven seemed like a more cohesive unit than they were one year ago, as evidenced by some of the news and quotes provided on Monday.
EASLEY BECOMING EXPLOSIVE
Asked to pick a defensive teammate shining this spring, everyone pointed to sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who barely played last year and was in the dog house due to alleged attitude and personal problems. The story is quite the opposite this season, with players raving about how dominant he has been coming off the line.
“This defensive line I can definitely say is a big difference from last year. Easley – that’s probably the fastest I’ve ever seen somebody get off the ball,” junior linebacker Jon Bostic said. “As soon as the center says ‘hut,’ Jon Harrison is two yards in the backfield. His get-off is crazy. Sometimes when you pause the film and just look, every other defensive lineman is taking half a step or one step and he’s taken two or three.”
Sophomore buck LB Ronald Powell concurred. “Easley is so explosive off the ball. His get-off is just ridiculous,” he said. “It makes it hard for guys to block him because by the time they snap the ball and get ready for the block, he’s already past them.”
Not only has Easley’s play improved, his attitude has as well. Part of the reason he is still wearing the orange and blue is because his classmates picked him up when he was down. “I was one of the guys that was sticking with him, talking to him,” Powell said of Easley’s struggles in 2010. “Coming into this thing, we all chose to come here together, so we decided to stay here together.”
Fellow sophomore DT Sharrif Floyd deferred the attitude talk but spoke about Easley’s ability on the field. “Maturity-wise, I guess that’s a good question for him,” he said. “On the field he takes care of his stuff and he’s doing a great job of firing off the ball. He’s gotten more explosive than last year.” He also said that the duo can cause “a lot of problems” if they work at it. “He’s got that get-off-the-ball penetration, and I’ve got the power. [It’s a] great combination, going to cause a lot of havoc,” he said.
The Gators’ defense may be ahead of the offense at this point, but Bositc said Monday that doesn’t mean they aren’t giving his unit fits during practice. “Just all the different looks they’re giving us. They run a lot of different combination routes with the receivers, the way they’re running routes,” he said. “[It] is actually helping us out as a defense [because] we may need to change this, may need to change that.”
Floyd believes the offensive line as a whole is “starting to come together more” even though they are dealing with a massive amount of injuries. Powell agreed, pointing out two players in particular who impress him on a day-to-day basis. “Jon Halapio is a beast, man-child, doing great things on and off the field,” Powell said. “[He’s] just a great guy. You’d never know he’s the type of player he is when you see him off the field. He’s kind of a cuddly guy. On the field, he’s rough – rough. […] Chaz Green is a great player. Definitely going to be an outstanding tackle for the Gators.”
DEFENSE MORE DETAILED BUT ALSO MORE FUN
For a young group of players, having to learn a brand new defense from the ground up can be difficult. Florida’s front seven seem to be adapting to it well overall.
“I wouldn’t say the concepts are too hard, it’s just really a lot of plays – a lot more plays than in the past,” Bostic said before discussing the style of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. “I like it. I know a lot of the younger guys like it, too,” he added. “He sits down and makes sure you understand the concepts and what’s going on out there on the field. He talks everything through with you.”
Powell shared Bostic’s opinions about the coaching staff’s teaching methods. “I love the way the coaches are getting after us and making us better,” he said. “If you want to be great, you got to be pushed.” He also commented about his new hybrid position on the defense. “I love it. I think it’s good for me, definitely gives me an opportunity to make some good plays and do big things for the Gators this year.”
With such limited time in the spring, Floyd realizes what matters now is doing the best they can on a practice-by-practice basis. “We’re making great progress and learning more each day, just getting better and doing what we can do,” he said.
QUOTES
Easley on his struggles in 2010*: “I was just a freshman going through a phase. I’m over it now and I’m going on to the season. […] Almost every freshman gets homesick. I went through it. Now, this is my home.”
Easley on what the team is trying to accomplish*: “We’re playing as a team. Everybody wants one goal – to win a national championship. Everyone is striving for one thing. That’s what you want on a team.”
Easley on if he was going to transfer*: “I never thought different. I never thought I was going anywhere else.”
Powell on freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel’s personality: “He’s a funny dude – real funny. Definitely serious about his plays and his books and stuff like that, but he’s real funny off the field.”
Powell on the defense coming together: “I knew a lot of these guys had it in them. It was just a matter of when we were going to start showing our talent.”
Powell on the best hit he’s seen this spring: “Matt Elam came down and hit Mack Brown – one of the biggest hits I’ve seen.”
Quotes marked with * are courtesy of The Gainesville Sun.
