News from Gators: Offense ‘modified quite a bit’ for Dogs
With Florida coming off an open date, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Sunday that he expects to see some new things -– “some interesting twists” — from the Gators’ offense on Saturday in Jacksonville.
Correct, according to Florida coach Urban Meyer.
“I’m not going to share much with you, but we have modified quite a bit,” Meyer said today during his weekly news conference, which can be viewed on Florida’s website. “I’m obviously not going to say, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do,’ but things are modified.”
Perhaps more importantly, the open date gave Florida a chance to get healthier, Meyer said.
“The injury issue, the personnel issue, is real, so that’s going to help, I’m thinking,” he said.
Running back Jeff Demps has been limited by a foot injury since the Sept. 18 game at Tennessee. (”We got smacked with an injury that just devastated us because we’re not dynamic enough,” Meyer said.) Demps ran on a treadmill Monday and was expected to practice for 20 to 25 snaps, Meyer said.
Meyer also said there is “good news” about the status of placekicker Caleb Sturgis, who has missed Florida’s past three games because of a stress fracture in his back. “We’re going to try him this week,” Meyer said, “and see what happens.”
Defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who suffered a sprained ankle in the Oct. 16 game against Mississippi State, will be “good to go” against Georgia, Meyer said.
As for wide receiver Chris Rainey: Meyer said a decision will be made Thursday on whether Rainey will play against Georgia. Rainey was dropped from the team after he was arrested last month for allegedly sending a threatening text message to a former girlfriend. He was recently reinstated to the roster.
Florida will enter Saturday’s game on a three-game losing streak and with an offense that is ranked No. 9 in the SEC and No. 89 in the nation.
Meyer noted in his news conference that Florida already has committed more turnovers this season (14, including eight in the past three games) than in all of the 2008 national-championship season (13). He also said the Gators’ running backs have accounted for only four plays of 20-plus yards this season compared to five in one game (Florida State) last season. Working to improve such deficiencies was a big point of emphasis in practice last week, Meyer said.
Asked if his team feels a sense of desperation, Meyer said: “I like the word ‘urgency’ instead of ‘desperation.’ ‘Desperation’ sounds awfully desperate. ‘Urgency’ sounds urgent.”
Click here for UGA news: Branden Smith will play Saturday, barring setback, Richt says.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
152 comments Add your comment
GaGator
October 26th, 2010
8:57 am
I see several folks are trashing Rainy, that’s really hard to understand when Georgia has had 11 arrests this year, plus an Athletic Director——have you no shame?
Jborodawg
October 26th, 2010
9:05 am
IF we come out ready to play from the git-go…and IF we score on our first possession….we have a good chance. I can also see the Dawgs pressuring Pouncey into some bad snaps to Brantley. That’ll help. So, IF we score first; IF we win the turnover battle; IF we don’t allow Flawduh the big play on O; and IF we play mistake-free (EG no “stupid” penalties like false start; no time outs in the first five minutes)…
…..the Dawgs win.
StatesBurr
October 26th, 2010
9:05 am
GAGator: Please… do you have a daughter? I have friends who are FLAGators and they despise the fact this guy may re-join the team. How low can Myers stoop…
Bt the way I am truly embarassed by the previous AD for Ga.
AltamahaDawg
October 26th, 2010
9:09 am
Well, OBVIOUSLY he put in some changes. He scored 7 points last time out. Whatever they are working on is probably good for a quick 14 because we have to identify it and see if we can adjust.
But its still a much better situation to have to defend something that was put together in a matter of days, rather that defending something that has been rolling along for several years.
StatesBurr
October 26th, 2010
9:15 am
Sounds like a little more than TINKERING is to be done: One philosphy to another: Pro Set or Spread??
Florida needs a makeover on offense. The Gators must decide during the bye week whether to tailor the offense more to struggling QB John Brantley or remain a spread-option and get true freshman QB Trey Burton more involved.
Old Dawg
October 26th, 2010
9:17 am
So Urban’s got some new tricks on offense……Hmmmmmm…. do you suppose Georgia might have a trick or two on defense….and offense as well. Go Georgia WHOMP THOSE WATERLIZZARDS!!!!
AltamahaDawg
October 26th, 2010
9:26 am
GaGator, if somebody wants to trash our guy for not giving his proper middle name, then we can trash your guy for threatening to kill somebody. deal?
I do believe most of the questions about the Rainey incident had more to do with the handling of it, VS trashing him personally anyway. There is no shame in how UGA has handled any of ours, including the AD.
superDawg
October 26th, 2010
9:41 am
GaGatur fla.can’t beat anybody.
From here on out ........AD McGarity will be watching
October 26th, 2010
9:46 am
From here on out, UGA’s AD, Greg McGarity, will be watching. He drew a pay check from the U of F Gators for 18 years and he knows what it takes to win at the very highhest NCAA levels. He is also a UGA grad. He was also a UGA athlete. While at UGA, he was a winner in tennis. He knows how to compete at the highest level of sports.
He will not want to view the usual swan dive by UGA in this game, now that he is running the Dog bone yard. He also wants to guage the level of overall talent and how it is used or NOT used. He also will want to view how Richt rallies his troops after the disastrous 1-4 start. THAT to me, was the coupe de gras for Richt and his staff. The summer of fun was a terrible team distraction caused by selfish AJ, Caleb and now gone Dontavious and Washuan and Tavarres and now gone Mettenberger. THEY HURT UGA with their selfishness.
Short of a trip to the Dome ……………..UGA and Richt will be under the gun ……………..Mcgarity does not want to year in and year out run a 8-5 program. No …………he will be watching.
UGA class of 71 & 73
Typical Gator Fan
October 26th, 2010
10:24 am
Gator fan
October 25th, 2010
8:09 pm
is Georgia going to be wearing all Red this year…yes, that is exactly what I was referencing.
Gators Win 35-21.
I can’t wait to see the Fightin’ Gators in their new uniforms on Saturday!
Dawgs Tell
October 26th, 2010
10:51 am
The game will be decided by our pass defense.Urban will use the run to set up the pass.Our defensive backs takes bait on the run all the time.They look for the big hit and not the receiver down field.Hope our Defense is ready because play action will be used a lot.GO DAWGS!
Mobile Dawg
October 26th, 2010
11:14 am
I sure hope we don’t have to listen to CMR in his post game news conference saying “well, some of the things they ran we didn’t see in practice” aka, post game comments from MS.
Jonkdawg
October 26th, 2010
11:20 am
Alrite now GaGaytor…..its gonna be a low-score game uga17 gaytors12
jack bull
October 26th, 2010
11:47 am
modified? meaning, we’re going to line up in the shot-gun, and throw the ball, because they really don’t cover anyone, just a small area and are always looking into the back-field, therefore, we will be wide open. It’s not rocket science when playing against us, is it?
Snoop Dawg
October 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
What do you call mass confusion? Father’s day in the Swamp!!
uncle kirk
October 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
Florida is gonna teak their helmets for the game. They will be painted gatorskin. Say it ain’t so Urban…..sounds desparate.
EricADawgFan
October 26th, 2010
12:58 pm
REMEMBER WHAT THE FLORIDA GATORS DID TO THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS LAST YEAR. COACH MEYER CALLED TIME OUT IN THE 4TH QUARTER TO ADD INSULT TO THE HAMMERING THEY PUT ON THE DAWGS LAST YEAR OUT OF REVENGE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE WHEN THE DAWGS WENT ON THE FIELD TO CELEBRATE THE TOUCHDOWN SCORED ON THEM. THE DAWGS BEAT THE GATORS THAT PREVIOUS YEAR. SO COACH MEYER HELD A GRUDGE FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR JUST TO DO THAT TO THE DAWGS. SO THIS YEAR, LET’S RETURN THE FAVOR. LETS RUN THE NUMBERS UP ON THE GATORS CMR. DON’T GIVE UP ANY TOUCHDOWNS. SCORE AT LEAST 50 POINTS ON THE GATORS, AND THIS TIME, LEAVE NO DOUBT!!!!!!!
nofairweather
October 26th, 2010
2:22 pm
how about that quote by meyer haha he’s a genius
Bigdog24
October 26th, 2010
2:58 pm
If your a dog fan and your going to Florida I suggest you download this song for the trip.
http://www.jfareal.com the song is called Go Dawgs by j. fareal or you can just google him.
Gator Chomp
October 26th, 2010
3:27 pm
If Meyer play’s Rainey then we are desperate not urgent.
LHardingDawg
October 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
Who’s to say Georgia can’t throw something new at the Gators they hav’nt seen this year. Can only the Gators play that game?
DAWGS 2010
October 26th, 2010
4:25 pm
UGA has more players at the skill position tham UF,Murray,Green,Ealey,King,Charles,White,TKing,Durham and our defense is meaner and plays with an attitude,thanks to Grantham.Justin Houston is a monster and can’t be stopped.UGA defense not getting off the field on third and long a concern.UF gonna try and run option or something different on offense but Dawgs have more talent UGA 31 UF 17
I hate florida
October 26th, 2010
5:27 pm
As someone who has attended both universities, one would think I would be neutral for this game.
Fact: Florida is full of spoiled, trolling fans that are just jerks.
Hope Richt will shove this one up Urban’s butt. He’s a jerk and deserves a good punch in the mouth.
AFDawg
October 26th, 2010
7:27 pm
Note for UGA Coaching Staff. Use our depth to keep the players fresh — I’m guessing FLA will be installing the hurry up offense and run primarily out of the shotgun mixed with some wildcat. They’ll also try and run the option on us with Burton. Our Defensive Ends need to take the quarterback hard and fast (without hesitation) on every pitch attempt. GO DOGS!!!!!
X Dawg K
October 26th, 2010
7:32 pm
UGA beats uf this year like a rented mule. Their offense is terrible, their players have quit and their run defense gives up big yards. The UGA RBs will have a big day against that D-line (over 200 yards) and Murray will light it up (3 TDs). Dawgs win in a rout: 39-10—book it!
BAMADAWG
October 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
I see OSU’S stud just got himself a DUI. It’s everywhere, not just us!!!!!
Fair and Balanced
October 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
Rainey will play. You can bank on it!
Dean Tate
October 26th, 2010
9:58 pm
Florida will lose. You can bank on that.
Pat Robertson
October 26th, 2010
10:05 pm
Meyer’s sins are catching up with him.
Dalai Lama
October 26th, 2010
10:07 pm
I prefer to call it karma, but it amounts to the same thing.
Bail Bondsman
October 26th, 2010
11:33 pm
I do more business in Athens than any other college town… Thinking of opening another office there!
Cousin Curtis
October 27th, 2010
12:18 am
Yo, sensor. What’d I say wrong?
Cousin Curtis
October 27th, 2010
12:18 am
A$$?
Cousin Curtis
October 27th, 2010
12:19 am
Retarded?
Cousin Curtis
October 27th, 2010
12:20 am
A’right, kiss my a$$. Retard.
Cousin Curtis
October 27th, 2010
12:24 am
(Can I say I’m tired of my team getting the $hit kicked out them every year?)
Chris Rainey
October 27th, 2010
8:34 am
Ok,Damon give the girl’s phone number
papadawg
October 27th, 2010
9:47 am
This may be the only thing for the winner to crow about this season. Total lackluster game
I-DOG
October 27th, 2010
12:19 pm
It was a good win at KY, but the D continues to have problems getting off the field. KY’s 2nd drive was a good example of our inability to get off the field despite having our opponent in 3rd and long (even 3rd and 14 in one case on that drive).
We stop them for negative 2 yards and first and 2nd down a few times and then they convert 4 straight 3rd and long situations despite KY only converting about 1/3 of their 3rd downs all season (prior to UGA game). 1/3 includes the 3rd and short KY faced against other opponents and 3rd and 9 to 15 looked awfully easy against our Dawgs.
Extending that drive by 8-10 unecessary plays is a disaster for the defense because it wears them down. We looked pretty tired in the 4th quarter as we got worn down by some long drives including that second drive that should have been no more than a 6 play drive and a punt.
Richt must beat FL this year while FL is down. When will FL be this bad again? It is similar to tech really needing to beat UGA. When will tech face a 4+ loss UGA team again? This is a MUST win for UGA.
Party school
October 27th, 2010
12:23 pm
Brantley is not an option threat so changing the offense is exactly what they needed to do. Be afraid dawg fans be very afraid.
Party school
October 27th, 2010
12:25 pm
When’s the last time UF lost 4 in a row? When’s the last time uga won 4 in a row? Game is close but UF wins. You know it in your heart.
I-DOG
October 27th, 2010
12:28 pm
Offensively, I did love the fact that we did not abandon the run after it was working. Too many times in the past, we would run the ball for 5-10 yards 2 or 3 times in a row an then throw it 3 straight times. When the other team can’t stop your run, you just keep pounding on ‘em. I like the fact that we did that to Kentucky.
I LOVED seeing the toss sweep used on the first play of the game (went for 4 yards which isn’t going to hurt us). That leaves the defense guessing on a run or a pass the next play (which I believe was a fake toss sweep and then a short pass to AJ for another nice little gain) The 2nd time we used the sweep, it went for a short touchdown run.
It would be nice to see it a few times against the Gators.
takedowndawg
October 27th, 2010
3:57 pm
typical gator fan, um modifying his offense this week is code word for “GET RID OF THE BALL in two secs. boy, Houston has you in his sights!” Seriously, Brantley will attempt to throw short underneath passes to the TE, and slants to receivers etc. Hope Gamble, Dent and Houston slap a few of those babies down, intercept and then let Murray and Company take it to the house.. Consequentially , our corners and LBs must jam their receivers near the line of scrimmage for those TWO SECS. Believe me, it works. Go DAWGSSSS!!!! It has been a long wait for this Saturday.
I hate florida
October 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
did i say i hate florida?
suck it, gators. this one will be ours.
now quit trolling UGA sites and go back to your nasty swamp.
papadawg
October 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
Question is will Meyer have chest pain if the Gators lose
Patrick
October 27th, 2010
7:50 pm
GaGator
October 26th, 2010
8:53 am
This won’t be the first time Georgia has come to Jax with a supposedly better team and lost.
Let’s just see what happens on the field instead of in your imaginations.
Georgia going to Atlanta is a joke, if Florida can’t beat Georgia, they sure can’t beat SC.
==========================
You match up well with SC. UGA has a speedy and devastating pass rush. Brantley will have more time to beat SC than UGA
Goerge Jetson
October 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
Any offense works if the O-Line blocks!!! Lets see !!!!
Real Dawg Now
October 27th, 2010
8:54 pm
Modified offense? Get real—not much you can do in 2 weeks. UF will be running the same stuff. Hopefully, Brantley runs the option—he’s terrible. The UGA D will eat florida’s bad offense alive. Ga 37 Fl 13—Dawgs roll to an easy win—mark it down!
Stinger
October 27th, 2010
11:14 pm
Missy State 29 UAB 24. UAB > than UGA. Blahhhhh Haaaaa LMFAO
SatillaDawg
October 27th, 2010
11:40 pm
How ‘Bout Them Dawgs!
Glory, Glory, to Old Georgia!
Time to kick some Gator butt.
Go Dawgs!