Meyer defends defensive improvement

Wednesday’s practice marked exactly a week of spring football for Florida.

It hasn’t been perfect, but for the moment, UF coach Urban Meyer is satisfied with how far his defense has come since the fall.

“We’re improving on defense,” Meyer said. “I’m not very pleased, (but) I’m pleased with what the defense has done in the last couple days.”

The last two practices have ended with the offense having to run because of losing to the defense in 11-on-11 drills.

Meyer said the two most encouraging things he’s gathered from practice so far have been the defense’s improvement and the play of the secondary.

“From what I see and what I hear (safeties) Major (Wright) and Dorian (Munroe) are doing a very nice job,” he said. “I feel good about the safeties. … I really like the corners and our two safeties are playing very well.”

While the defense has progressed, the offense has looked lost at times and with the exception of sophomore receiver Percy Harvin — who could miss the rest of the spring with a heel injury — no one has emerged as a consistent playmaker.

While Meyer said he’s concerned with the lack of the production out of the offense, he admits that he’s tinkering with running the no huddle, which could be a reason for the poor play.

“On offense, we’re not going to be a full-time, no-huddle team. We’re just forcing ourselves to mess with it a little bit,” Meyer said. “We’re tempted to go back to what we were because we were a decent offense a year ago.”

Patchan plays both ways

Meyer said after Monday’s practice that he didn’t think the defensive line had progressed. On Wednesday, it looked as though he might have a solution.

Enter freshman and early enrollee Matt Patchan. The 6-foot-6, 238-pound offensive lineman from Seffner worked at defensive tackle and Meyer said Patchan’s immediate future could be on defense.

“We moved him full-time defense right now and he’s getting his extra work on offense,” he said. “We need help on defense and I think he’ll get on the field faster that way.”

Rainey improving

The speed of freshman running back Chris Rainey was never in question. Just one look at his tapes from his days at Lakeland High shows that. He looks just as fast in practice as well.

The only real highlights from the offense during the 11-on-11 drills came from the 5-foot-9 Rainey, who seems to hit another gear when he cuts up the field to the outside.

“Chris Rainey comes out the back end a bunch,” Meyer said. “He came out for about a 70-yarder here. When he gets open, you can’t catch him.

“He’s 175-plus (pounds) or 176, 177 and he’s holding the ball (and doing) all the things we couldn’t let him play last year (for) he’s really improved.”

Injuries

Meyer said Harvin missed Wednesday’s practice and had an MRI on his injured heel. … Sophomore corner Markihe Anderson left practice early after colliding with a teammate in the end zone. Meyer said Anderson bruised his knee, but should be fine. … Redshirt freshman offensive lineman James Wilson was limited at practice with sore knees, Meyer said. … Redshirt freshman receiver Paul Wilson said Wednesday that he dislocated his kneecap Monday during the circle of life drill, but should be able to run in two weeks. Wilson wore a brace and was on crutches at practice.