Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said sophomore Sharrif Floyd would play defensive end in the team’s base package and would slide inside to play tackle in nickel packages.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators looking for physical, fast defense under Quinn

By TOM GREEN | Aug. 31, 2011

Dan Quinn’s shirt said it all Wednesday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Wins, losses not the only concern for first-year coach

By GREG LUCA< | Aug. 31, 2011

Will Muschamp faces a difficult task as a first-year coach in the Southeastern Conference, but the odds are stacked in his favor.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

The Mailbag: Fun with math, Muschamp’s intensity, finding Furman

Aug. 31, 2011

After a successful debut, The Mailbag is back for the opening week of football season, and judging by the questions we received, you guys are fiending for some pigskin. That being said, let’s kick it off.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Reliving last season the only remaining option

Aug. 30, 2011

What year is it?

Florida sophomore cornerback Cody Riggs injured his thumb in practice but said he should be ready to go on Saturday against FAU.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Corner situation muddled with Riggs in cast

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 30, 2011

Sophomore Cody Riggs appeared in front of reporters Tuesday with a cast on his right hand, further jumbling an already unsettled situation in Florida’s secondary.

Gators offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said he’ll be looking for minimal mistakes against FAU on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Weis to unveil new pro-style offense Saturday

By TOM GREEN | Aug. 30, 2011

Charlie Weis came in with a plan when he became offensive coordinator on coach Will Muschamp’s staff.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Florida releases preliminary depth chart; Weis, Quinn will be on field this season

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 29, 2011

Gators coach Will Muschamp released the first depth chart since spring on Monday, and while there were some surprises, there’s also a catch.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

The Rally: Pivotal position — offensive line or secondary?

Aug. 29, 2011

Tyler: I know this sounds boring to the casual fan, but you need to watch the offensive line Saturday. If the group plays well this year, the offense will thrive. And if the offense thrives, the Gators will exceed the ho-hum expectations we all have thrust upon them.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

New season, same expectations for Brantley

Aug. 29, 2011

This time last August, John Brantley joked about chucking the ball out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the season opener.

Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger, who will retire at the end of the 2011 season, said Florida “certainly” should win Saturday’s game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Coaches: Unlikely paths intersect Saturday

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 29, 2011

With 1:48 left and the Gators trailing by four, UF quarterback Wayne Peace was in trouble. His running lanes were completely closed and his first passing option — the tight end — was covered.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Coach’s tirade not what it seems

By MATT WATTS< | Aug. 28, 2011

Forget waiting until Sept. 3. Those eager to see Coach Boom in action need only look to Wednesday night’s press conference.

After nearly transferring a season ago, sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley said he is well adjusted to life in Gainesville. He said he had trouble with the move from Staten Island, N.Y.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No longer homesick, DT Easley ready to step up

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 28, 2011

For much of last year, there were questions about whether then-freshman defensive tackle Dominique Easley would make it to a second season in a Florida uniform.

Florida running back Jeff Demps missed all of spring practice and summer workouts, but he said coaches have been helping him get up to speed in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ pro-style offense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Demps making up for lost time, Brantley update, Hunter mentoring line

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 25, 2011

After missing all of the spring and summer practice seasons, it’s natural that senior running back Jeff Demps could be a few steps behind.

Sophomore safety Matt Elam is reportedly the leader of the defense and will be counted on to fill the void left by Ahmad Black.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Talented Elam leading secondary

Aug. 25, 2011

Will Muschamp has joked this offseason that he is only coaching certain safeties this year: the ones who play well.

Florida coach Will Muschamp said several starters may lose their jobs after he cut Wednesday’s scrimmage short because players were not focused.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Frustrated Muschamp cuts practice short

Aug. 24, 2011

Coach Will Muschamp ended practice about 30 minutes early Wednesday night, but it was far from a reward.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Koehne in mix to start after switch to guard

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 24, 2011

Offensive lineman Kyle Koehne may not be a household name for Florida fans. But the sophomore is a well-known commodity among his brothers in the trenches.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Brantley: Confidence on the rise or still a nervous wreck?

By TOM GREEN< | Aug. 24, 2011

With practices closed off to the media and the public — and limited bits of actual information coming from anyone associated with the Gators — reporters, fans and outside observers alike have had to take coach Will Muschamp and his players at their word.

Florida junior Lerentee McCray (34) appears to have claimed the starting job at strong-side linebacker alongside Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins after playing a limited role at defensive end last season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McCray in line to claim vacant job at strong-side linebacker

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 24, 2011

When Lerentee McCray switched to defensive end in fall 2009, his days roaming the middle of the defense appeared to be behind him.

Although Florida coach Will Muschamp recently tried to dismiss it as a rumor, running backs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey have reportedly been taking snaps in a version of the Wildcat formation in practice.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp limiting information released

By TOM GREEN | Aug. 23, 2011

Gators coach Will Muschamp is looking for any competitive edge he can get entering his first season.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson, who ran for 700 yards on 112 carries last season while splitting time with Mark Ingram, is expected to be one of the conference’s best backs in 2011.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Conference loaded with talent at running back

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 23, 2011

Coach Will Muschamp recently credited the Southeastern Conference’s dominance to the league’s defensive lines, but it’s the running back position that may be the most talented.