After Wednesday’s practice – the Gators’ first of the spring in full pads - Florida offensive linemen Antonio Riles and Cameron Dillard made it known that the team needed to tighten up and come out with more energy moving forward.
Riles mentioned the Gators on Wednesday coming out “a little slow” and letting “things that we can't control get the best of us," while Dillard hinted at the team needing to come out with a better mindset.
On Friday during his 20-plus minutes meeting with the media, UF head coach Jim McElwain reiterated that sentiment.
“Didn't feel like we had a great practice on Wednesday, and I say that generally,” McElwain said. “We had a lot of guys that worked their tails off, don't get me wrong. I just think the overall attitude to come and attack each day the way that you need to I don't think was there, and the responsibility as players to understand that they're playing at the University of Florida, and with that comes a little responsibility, and part of that responsibility is to come to work and work your tail off in practice. I'm not sure we did.
“Now, again, we had some guys that did too,” he continued. “So it isn't everybody in the program, but we need to get a little bit better, and obviously we'll practice today and tomorrow and hopefully see a little bit more energy as we attack each drill. That's kind of what we're looking for, because we do need to get a little bit better each day, there's no doubt about it.”
As far as the performance of both the offensive and defensive lines on Wednesday, McElwain felt both sides didn’t play with great pad level.
“It’s something that we’ve gotta get much better at, and we’ve gotta get better at being able to run the football, obviously,” McElwain said. “And that starts with taking, getting your second step in the ground and moving forward and not taking steps back. And we need to continue working on that. Now good thing is, we’ve got some good point of attack guys on defense who really make you work. And so hopefully that will help us, going against good players like that all the time too.”
These next few practices will see McElwain’s team focus a good amount on situational drills. After working on third downs last week, Florida will focus on red area work Friday while the team is in shells. During the Gators' full-pads practice Saturday, the group will participate in a combination of both, according to McElwain.
He added that Florida will participate in work reminiscent of a 128-play scrimmage in UF’s ninth spring practice, which is set to take place later next week.
"Yeah, hopefully get a little bit better,” McElwain said. “There’s a lot we need to get done. Each day’s an opportunity to get a little bit better, and each day’s an opportunity to work on something new and get something fixed form the previous practice. Like every day, that’s our goal. I’m not sure that we did at some spots last Wednesday, so today’s another opportunity. We’ll see if our guys are ready to go attack the day or not."
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver Alvin Bailey (back), defensive end Jordan Sherit (leg) and linebacker Kylan Johnson (undisclosed) are all expected to sit out of Friday's practice and will continue to be evaluated.
When asked about the specifics of Johnson's injury, McElwain was evasive.
"Leg, arm, shoulder, something," McElwain said. "He can't go, so ... body part, how's that? He's got a body part ... upper body and lower body, somewhere in there."
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RELATED LINKS:
VIDEO: Open portion of Gators Wednesday spring practice
Florida Spring Practice: Wednesday Quick Hitters
VIDEO: Open portion of Florida's Monday spring practice
Photo Gallery: Florida Gators Monday spring practice
ITG Spring Practice Update: Week 1
Florida Spring Practice: Day 1 Quick Hitters
Florida Spring Practice: Day 2 Quick Hitters
Florida Spring Practice: Day 3 Quick Hitters
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