Meyer plays it safe with QBS
Florida football coach Urban Meyer is breaking tradition for the first time in seven years.
When he started the Circle of Life drill at Bowling Green, the coach always saved the last head-to-head showdown of the spring for his two quarterbacks.
But this year, Meyer said the closest that Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will come to participating is by grabbing a bag of popcorn and watching the show.
"Can you imagine?" Meyer asked Saturday. "I'd have to have seven cops walk with me if he ever got hurt in the Circle of Life."
When a reporter suggested that backup quarterbacks Cameron Newton and John Brantley carry on the tradition, Meyer entertained the possibility.
"That's a good thought," he said with a sly grin. "I don't know."
John Brantley played nearly at full-speed for the first time this spring. He has been held out of scrimmages since partially dislocating his left shoulder during the offseason.
"I don't know that we got to get a real evaluation on him," Gators offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "We kept him limited, but it's great for him now to get back in the flow of things. You just see a change in his demeanor because instead having to stand around and signal on the side all day, he's out there getting to play the game."
Fall prospects
Meyer said he has seen much more energy from the defensive line this spring, and part of that can be attributed to freshman Matt Patchan.
Though he's listed as an offensive lineman, he has worked with the defense, and Meyer said he expects Patchan to make an immediate impact.
"I feel like I can contribute there," Patchan said. "I go into offensive meetings every day after defensive meetings, so I'm doubling up on that. I'm trying to do double duty with everything. I think they're having me at defense right now for awhile, and then we'll see what the future holds."
Running back Mon Williams, who sat out last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, also earned Meyer's praise.
"We officially welcomed him back to Florida football," Meyer said.
Mullen said Williams probably had his best day of the spring, and the coach is anxious to see if he can keep up the intensity.
"Any time a running back is coming off of a knee injury, it's always going to take some time," Mullen said.
Injury report
WR Louis Murphy has been plagued by chronic headaches and didn't practice. Meyer said Murphy should be cleared to play next week. ... OG Mike Pouncey sprained his left ankle at the beginning of practice and stayed on crutches for the rest of the day. Fellow OL Carl Johnson left practice in a sport-utility vehicle after taking a hit to his arm. Meyer said he believes Johnson dislocated his finger, but that both players will be fine. ... Freshman CB Jeremy Brown sported a wrapped left shoulder after suffering a deep bruise Friday. He said his movement is somewhat limited, but the injury isn't serious.
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