Nick West/ Alligator Staff
UF safety Tony Joiner runs through drills during Wednesday's football practice. Joiner had missed practice since Friday because of personal reasons.

Last week, UF wide receiver Chad Jackson said he and his fellow receivers would be the best group in the country.

According to their coach, though, they've got a long way to go.

"The University of Florida needs to have the best receivers in America," wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales said. "Are we there right now? I would say we're very, very far off from that right now."

Gonzales said the talent exists in the UF receiving corps, but they haven't worked hard enough. He compared the UF receivers to the ones he coached at Utah the last two years.

"One of the reasons why we were so good at the last place is because those guys worked," Gonzales said. "They were overachievers. Now what I need to get my guys here who are physically blessed talent-wise - they need to become overachievers. When we can do that, I'll say we got a good group."

Jackson and redshirt junior Jemalle Cornelius stood out for their work ethic, Gonzales said. However, he wasn't happy with Wednesday's practice effort.

"We're taking small steps; today, I think we took a step back," he said.

NOT-SO-FULL BACK

Meyer's offense eliminates the fullback position. That presented a problem for two UF players.

Former fullbacks Eric Rutledge and Billy Latsko were moved to linebacker. Meyer was impressed with one.

"They're doing good," Meyer said. "Latsko is a little further ahead. Latsko is going to play, though; he's doing really well."

Meyer said Rutledge's speed is a problem.

Position aside, both just really want to play, Meyer said.

"You're dealing with two - all they want to do is play," Meyer said. "Latsko - you can tell him, 'Your position is going to be hanging off that goalpost for the whole game.' 'OK, coach, I'll go do it.'"

DEFENSIVE REVENGE

Meyer has dubbed Wednesdays and Saturdays winner-loser days. On Saturday, the offense won on the last play.

On Wednesday, there wasn't any competition.

"Defense kind of handed it to the offense today, which you'd probably expect this time of year," Meyer said. "I think there were some positives on defense. Can't think of a whole lot of positives on offense except it was a good attitude."

While the defense left practice, the offense had to run around the practice fields.

JOINER RE-JOINS

Sophomore safety Tony Joiner returned to practice Wednesday after missing practice since Friday for personal reasons.

"I'm glad to be back out here," Joiner said. "Feeling good, feeling good."