If the Gators practice behind a blue tarp, what does it mean?
by mlmintampa on Aug 4, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
in Florida Football
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PrintIf you were planning on seeing John Brantley and Will Hill in flimsy jerseys and mesh shorts, you'll have to wait until next year. In a state where you can see a Major League or NFL training camp for free and without restrictions, the Florida Gators have closed all practices starting Thursday.
Missing out on a few hours of drills isn't a big deal. But we will have no idea as to who is doing good and who is doing bad in camp. In a season with a lot of question marks, we won't have answers until September.
I think the scope and level of Florida's rebuilding is the reason why we have to wait until September to see how good everyone is. Two days of camp usually won't tell you the starters, but it would at least show who was in shape. But it could show who was ready and who wasn't. This is Urban Meyer's way of protecting a young team from an inquisitive press corps and demanding fans. Andre Debose can run an out -route in peace, even if you're steamed about not being able to watch practice.
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I think it is a good idea and if I was a coach at the college level or professional level I would do everything in my power to make sure that every single one of the practices were behind closed doors.
The Once and Future King
also agreed
and it kinda takes some pressure off he players to try and be perfect around the press, obviously they want to be the best they can but i would think having the press there would put extra pressure on the players and cause more mental mistakes
by gatorempire127 on Aug 4, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't
Open and Closed practices each have their place.
With this crew of young, inexperienced, and extremely under-pressure group to whom the media has been over-analytical towards already (“John Brantley is a ‘Real Quarterback’ you say?”), absolutely, keep it closed.
Last year, I wish there were more open practices. Senior players, get crowd noise in there, get the media asking questions so they get PR experience with it if things get tough, give the fans some more opportunities to see outgoing seniors.
But, I pretty much trust Urbs knows what he’s doing, so I can’t complain.
by The Commenter Formerly Known as Not You on Aug 4, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Or just maybe
Urban doesn’t want the Jeremy Fowlers of the world interviewing his players and then twisting their words around to create controversy that really isn’t there? Or the Mike Bianchis of the world focusing on the negative aspects of Gator football?
Practices are closed. Not post-practice media sessions. The difference being that now the media just repeats what Meyer and the players say, instead of being able to see what was going on.
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
http://www.alligatorarmy.com
Have to disagree..
If you’re worried about your players being distracted by a few media members sitting on the sidelines, even if for just a couple days of “open practice,” it doesn’t exactly instill a lot of confidence that they’re going to be ready come Sept. 4. NFL training camps are attended by thousands and those guys somehow find a way to stay focused.
+1
They better get used to playing in front of thousands of people, they have to play in the “Swamp!”
"I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness."
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." --Napoleon.
although i would absolutely love to agree with you.
i think im gonna have to disagree. The Big House is probly the loudest but hey i could be wrong. definately the loudest in the SEC.
by gatorempire127 on Aug 5, 2010 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The Big House is QUIET
You will never see a quieter 110000 football fans than in the Big House.
It’s unnerving.
by The Commenter Formerly Known as Not You on Aug 5, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
"Those guys"
Are not 18 to 22 year old kids. It’s not our confidence in them that matters, it’s the confidence within the coaches and the players that has a bearing on the season. This is a time of intense game preparation that UF does not necessarily want the world to see. We’ll hear the music when the maestro is ready.
by renegator on Aug 4, 2010 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's coming! It's coming!
Get that vein ready…….Bang It! It is going to be one hot son of a bitch in the Swamp though. I can’t wait for the kick off but I’m hydrating now. I hope I heard wrong but I think the first two games are going to be noon starts. I’m trying to get my mind around that. Dammit, it’s hotter than a blistered p..sy in a pepper patch.
Early starts in September
I don’t have tickets to the cocktail party and I won’t be travelling to Knoxville so those games will be watched in air conditioned comfort. The first two are gonna be sweatfests.
Go Gators!
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