Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Gator update, more work for Brantley and Pouncey

“Coaching a team that has urgency is a positive thing,’’ Meyer said. “Mistakes are part of football. It’s much easier to coach a team that is urgent. The bottom line is to get it fixed. I’d imagine with the trust of our staff and of our players, we will get most of those things fixed.’’ While the errant snaps dominated the headlines following Saturday’s win, Meyer pointed out the team’s perimeter blocking was also an issue after looking at film. It wasn’t until Jeff Demps’ 72-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that gave the Gators a 27-12 lead did the season-opening crowd of 90,178 at The Swamp finally take a collective breath. “If we clean up the mechanics and block the edge, early in the first quarter there were a bunch of big plays to be had and we didn’t have them,’’ Meyer said. As for all those errant snaps, Meyer and his coaching staff identified three key elements: Pouncey’s technique, Brantley’s focus, and the sweat that both players dealt with in the hot and humid September conditions. They have talked to Pouncey about making sure to keep his wrist locked on the snap, to Brantley about remaining focused on the ball as it floats to him through the air, and to both about ways to prevent moisture from playing a role in the exchanges. “It wasn’t all Mike’s fault,’’ Brantley said. “It was obviously my fault also. “I don’t know if it was the heat, the sweaty hands, I don’t know what it was. We’re figuring that out. We are going to eliminate all those for USF.’’

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