I think this "freshmen backs struggling" is more of a message to Taylor to hold on to the ball than he's not producing.
Woody On Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 12:59 PM, Shane Ford <[email protected]>wrote: > *Notebook: Jones improving* > ** ** > ** ** > Matt Jones, right, has not been able to participate in preseason camp > because of a viral infection. But, his chances of being cleared for the > season opener seem to be increasing.**** > *Doug Finger/Staff photographer* **** > By Zach Abolverdi > Gainesville SUN Correspondent**** > *Published: Monday, August 19, 2013 at 11:57 a.m.* > *Last Modified: Monday, August 19, 2013 at 11:57 a.m.* > ** ** > Florida starting running back Matt Jones' physical condition is improving > as he recovers from a viral infection that has sidelined him for all of > preseason camp.**** > UF coach Will Muschamp said earlier this month that Jones lost around 10 > pounds fighting the infection, but his weight is now back up and he's able > to work out.**** > “He's about up to 223,” Muschamp said Monday. “When this happened he was > 226. I'll know a little bit more as we move through the week, but he's been > jogging and moving around a little bit more, which is good.”**** > There is still no timetable on Jones' return, but he's getting some blood > work done Monday and his chances of being cleared for the season opener > seem to be increasing.**** > “All I know is he is progressing very well,” Muschamp said. “I get a daily > update. He feels good, he's doing more and more every day from a workout > standpoint and that's all I know. We're playing it by ear.”**** > Muschamp and his staff have been preparing for the possibility of Jones > missing the season opener against Toledo.**** > “We've planned that way the whole time,” he said. “Any time you have > something like this and you're in uncharted waters and you're uncertain of > it, you always plan without the player.**** > “That's what I do through camp all the time. We'll be in the middle of a > scrimmage and I'll say, 'So and so's down.' I don't tell the staff before, > but now we've got to make an adjustment. That's what happens in the game. > This guy's out. What are we doing? We've got to make adjustments on the run > in a game situation, knowing what I know we will do.”**** > *Freshmen backs struggling***** > Muschamp announced the pecking order behind Jones at running back is Mack > Brown, walk-on Mark Herndon and former safety Valdez Showers, who just > moved to the position last week.**** > Surprisingly missing from the rotation are freshmen Kelvin Taylor and Adam > Lane, who players and coaches spoke highly of prior to Monday. **** > Taylor was expected to compete with Brown for the backup job, while Lane > has been the toughest tailback to tackle in camp according to defenders.** > ** > But Muschamp needs to see them reduce their fumbles and improve in pass > protection before they move up the depth chart.**** > “Number one is ball security,” Muschamp said. “You've got to take care of > the football. That's the number one thing. They're very talented runners, > (but) so much more goes into it other than just running the football. ... > We like to make sure the quarterback is protected.**** > “They've got to take a step. Very pleased with both guys. They're going to > help us this year. How much, their role, will depend on how they continue > to develop. It's a long season. They're going to help us this year.”**** > Muschamp said Showers' move to offense is permanent right now. **** > “He's got great top-end speed. He's got really good ball skills. He can do > a lot of different things for us as far as lining up at receiver, lining up > in the backfield. A tough guy to account for a defensive coordinator. Been > very pleased with what he's added for us offensively,” Muschamp said.**** > *Defensive starters named***** > Muschamp revealed the starters at safety and linebacker during Monday's > media availability.**** > “Marcus Maye and Cody (Riggs) right now are guys that I think have taken a > step forward,” Muschamp said when asked about the starting safeties. > “Jabari Gorman has played extremely well. We've got three guys that we feel > good about.”**** > With Antonio Morrison suspended, Neiron Ball (weakside), Mike Taylor > (middle) and Ronald Powell (strongside) will start at linebacker. Their > backups are Darrin Kitchens, Alex Anzalone and Daniel McMillian. **** > As for Morrison, Muschamp said his two-game suspension is still in place > “at this time.”**** > *This and that***** > Muschamp said cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy and wide receiver Solomon Patton > are the players taking reps on kickoff return, while cornerback Marcus > Roberson is returning punts exclusively. ... Muschamp believes fullback > Hunter Joyer (hamstring), offensive guard Jon Halapio (torn pectoral > muscle), defensive tackle Damien Jacobs (patella) and cornerback Vernon > Hargreaves III (shoulder) will be ready for game week. Receiver Raphael > Andrades (turf toe) is out for 10 days.**** > ** ** > > -- > -- > GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! > 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions > 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions > 2008 National Football Champions | > Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), > Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "GatorNews" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > -- -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "GatorTalk" group. 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