Florida center Maurkice Pouncey participated in full-contact drills for the first time this month on Tuesday, moving the Gators one step closer to solidifying a starting five on the offensive line.
"He went against the defense today for the first time," coach Urban Meyer said. "You could pick his energy up out there. When him and [quarterback Tim Tebow] are in the lineup, it elevates play a lot."
Pouncey overcame a torn labrum in his shoulder, but that's not why he was held out last week. Along with Tebow, linebacker Brandon Spikes and a few others, Pouncey stayed on the sidelines so the backup players could get more experience.
That didn't sit well with Pouncey, who said he confronted offensive coordinator Steve Addazio about it.
"We had a little going back and forth," Pouncey said. "He tried to hold me out, and I just told him I didn't agree with it, basically."
Meyer said he doesn't expect to name his starters on the line until next Wednesday, and Pouncey will either play center or left guard, depending on how left tackle Matt Patchan, left guard Carl Johnson and backup center Sam Robey perform in practice.
THE D-LINE DOZEN: UF defensive line coach Dan McCarney said Monday he hopes to have a 12-man rotation on the line, a goal that would give Meyer the most depth he has ever had at the position.
"The best D-line we've had was probably in 2006, and we didn't have that many," Meyer said. "Any time you can get a rotation going, you have a chance to be pretty good. I don't see 12 -I see eight - but he's a little more positive than I am."
MEYER NOT SET ON STARTING KICKER: Meyer added that the kicking battle between returning starter Jonathan Phillips and Caleb Sturgis is still undecided.
"Phillips is going to get the nod if he's close," Meyer said. "He has earned that, and it means they'll both kick."
