Meyer challenges 2nd-team O-line

Bloody Tuesday is a practice day for Florida coach Urban Meyer to break areas of his team down before building them back up.

This Tuesday was no exception. Meyer was troubled by the performance of his second-team offensive line in practice. A breakdown in protection, Meyer said, caused one of his backup quarterbacks (likely second-teamer Cameron Newton) to take a blindside hit.

Meyer addressed the group after practice and the words weren't pleasant.

"Everyone has a job," Meyer said. "You walk in a place of business, and there are some guys who don't quite work as hard as other guys. And the difference between football, a tough sport, a violent sport, now if someone doesn't do their job there's a chance that someone is going to get free and hit the quarterback in the back of the head.

"That happened in practice today. And it's not a starter, it's a guy that's obviously got more interest in other things than to protect the quarterback's backside."

Translation - Meyer will lean heavily on his offensive line starters in Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener at The Swamp against Tennessee. The line already has suffered a blow with preseason All-SEC first team tackle Phil Trautwein out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his foot. Freshman Maurkice Pouncey has filled in admirably, but any other injuries could prove problematic if the backups don't improve.

"All due respect to our first two teams, this is now the SEC and Tennessee," Meyer said. "The twos have to be accountable and right now they're not. Some are, but a pretty good chunk are not."

Anderson progressing

Sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson (sprained knee) practiced Tuesday after enduring what Meyer called a "minor setback" on Monday.

"He's still gimped but Anthony Pass, our trainer says he's a go Saturday, full go," Meyer said. "It's not the mcl (sprain), he just kind of hyperextended his knee and I think it's just because he hasn't been out there practicing much."

Anderson made his season debut Saturday against Troy, appearing in just a handful of plays after sitting out the season-opener against Western Kentucky. Meyer said he's comfortable with Anderson, freshman Joe Haden and sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis at the corners. Redshirt freshman Jaues Rickerson also has shown signs of progress.

"Rickerson has done some good things," Meyer said. "He's the next guy in the game."

Receiver shuffle

With senior Andre Caldwell out with a sprained right knee, Meyer expects Riley Cooper, David Nelson and Louis Murphy to see more snaps. Junior Cornelius Ingram will probably become even more of a focal point of the offense after his breakout seven-catch, 105-yard performance last Saturday against Troy.

"Riley, Jarred (Fayson), CI, Nelson," Meyer said, when asked who he expects to fill the void left by Caldwell's injury. "Right now I'd probably say it's Riley and Murph are the two top guys."

Etc.

Meyer said freshman Major Wright will play an important role on special teams, but likely won't replace senior Kyle Jackson as the starter at free safety, "He's going to play a lot of defense for us as well, but he's not starting as of now," Meyer said. "we still have another Wednesday practice." ... Meyer moved the start of practice from 4:30 to 2:30 p.m. because of the threat of rain in the area ... Meyer has encouraged all fans to wear blue for Saturday's nationally-televised game, "I got 150 e-mails so I did say that, but I'm not a cheerleader," Meyer said. "I think it would be kind of neat for recruiting to see that, but I'd rather take a couple of first downs."

Contact Kevin Brockway at 352-374-5054 or brockwk@gvillesun.com.