McElwain Blog: Injured Gators pushing to return
After a bye week, it's time for Jim McElwain and his Florida team to get back to business. The head coach met with the media Monday to preview the match-up with No. 3 Georgia (7-0, 4-0 SEC) and give an update on the banged-up Gators.
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* Mid-season two-deep depth chart defensive grades
* Mid-season two-deep depth chart offensive grades
* Massey hopes to see role, playbook, expanded
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* A lot of the injured Florida players are trying and pushing to play in Georgia game.
* McElwain sees Florida-Georgia as one of college football's best rivalries.
* Georgia excels at time of possession.
* Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm can hurt a defense that loads the box.
* Sophomore wide receiver Josh Hammond (back) has been added to the injury report list.
* Sophomore wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland "ran pretty decent" Sunday, but remains limited.
* Redshirt sophomore defensive end Jabari Zuniga (ankle) will be re-evaluated later in the week.
* Freshman athlete Kadarius Toney (separated shoulder) tried to practice.
* As McElwain noted last week, redshirt freshman defensive back Quincy Lenton is out.
* Redshirt freshman linebacker Jeremiah Moon is back.
* More injury updates will come Wednesday when McElwain speaks on the SEC coaches teleconference and addresses the media after practice.
* UGA game is a chance for Gators to "go get better."
* The recruiting has been "really positive," according to McElwain. Many prospects are seeing prospects for early playing time.
* McElwain acknowledges graduate quarterback Malik Zaire may get a second chance at playing time, but redshirt freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks remains the starter.
* Redshirt freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks needs to avoid getting "locked in" too early.
* Florida will have to make plays downfield against Georgia's defense, which loads the box to stop the run.
* McElwain notes that Georgia has avoided hitting the panic button on turnovers.
* Franks "continues to get a little better." McElwain thinks the first-year starter has handled some situations well.
* McElwain has seen "tons" of improvement in Georgia's offensive line.
* Asked about Georgia coach Kirby Smart's success, McElwain points to recruiting, staying the course and consistency.
* McElwain believes relationships and opportunities are helping Florida on the recruiting trail in an up-and-down season.
* McElwain brushed off question about feeling under-appreciated and possibly leaving for Oregon State. He said those kind of rumors start this time of year.
* Some players and coaches have received death threats from angry fans. Despite that, McElwain says he's not surprised by level of vitriol. He did not elaborate on the threats.
* Georgia's fastball plays help keep defenses off balance and open up the run game.
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