Gators dealing with injuries

TAMPA — Florida coach Urban Meyer emerged from his summer hibernation both beaming and bleary-eyed.

Meyer arrived from a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to address reporters at Thursday's Florida Sports Writers Association college football media days. While Meyer was pleased that his Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow won an ESPY for college male athlete of the year, he was concerned about some injuries heading into the beginning of fall practices in early August.

Meyer said incoming freshman defensive lineman Omar Hunter could be held back at practices when two-a-days start in two weeks because of back problems. Also, Meyer already has done some reshuffling in the secondary after starting strong safety Dorian Munroe was lost for the season with a torn ACL he suffered during voluntary summer workouts.

"We lost a safety that was one of my favorite players, my favorite people," Meyer said.

Meyer said junior Cade Holliday will move from receiver to safety to help add depth to the secondary.

"There's a chance one or two other players might move over," Meyer said.

"Right now you have Ahmad Black, Bryan Thomas, Will Hill and now Cade Holliday along with Major Wright so you still have personnel. The other guy, Janoris Jenkins, is an athlete. He's a person we've talked about."

The news on the injury front wasn't all bad. Meyer said Thomas (knee) should be ready for the start of two-a-days. Freshman defensive lineman Matt Patchan (pectoral muscle strain) is out of a sling but has not been cleared to lift weights yet.

Meyer said junior receiver Percy Harvin was ahead of schedule in rehabilitation following offseason surgery on his right heel.

"He's full speed," Meyer said. "What happens sometimes with the race-horse-type guys, when you work one part of the body another part takes over and you start having hip flexor, hamstring issues. We're still being cautious, but he's opening up."

Tebow comes into the season as the starting quarterback and the face of Florida, but Meyer said the race for the backup QB spot remains open between sophomore Cameron Newton and redshirt freshman John Brantley.

Brantley missed last April's spring game with a broken hand.

"I think Cameron probably has the upper hand because he played, but Johnny

Brantley is a very talented guy that's had a pretty good summer," Meyer said. "You know, he broke his hand, he hurt his shoulder, but when you talk to our players about throwing the football, there's no question who the best pure pocket passer is, and that's Johnny Brantley."

Meyer said he doesn't anticipate Tebow running as much as he did last season, when he gained 895 yards and scored 23 touchdowns on 210 carries.

But he didn't guarantee a limit or set number of carries.

"Win the game," Meyer said. "That's all I can tell you. If we have a 1,500-yard rusher in the backfield, then we're good to go. At the end of the day, we have to be on the left-hand column in the scoreboard. It's a long season and we play the No. 1 schedule in the country with no Division I-AAs. So yeah, we're going to have to win those games."

Meyer attended the ESPY award ceremony with Tebow on Wednesday night and was impressed with the tribute to Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre and the team awards given to the New York Giants and Boston Celtics.

"The individual award was great and Tim certainly is very deserving," Meyer said. "But the award I hope for next year is a great team award."