Notebook: Pounceys dealing with tragedy

Offensive linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey missed practice Tuesday to be with their stepfather while he recovers from a railcar accident he was in Monday.

Rob Webster was caught between two railcars at a feed store in Lakeland, according to family friends, and was in critical but stable condition at a hospital there.

Florida coach Urban Meyer said he was in Lakeland on Monday night to meet with the Pounceys and their family.

“I’ve talked to the family and out of respect for the family I’m just going to pray for them and take care of them,” Meyer said after Tuesday’s practice. “They’re all part of our family and I really rather not say anything else. At the appropriate time, I’ll talk about it.”

Meyer said the twins are expected at practice today and should play Saturday against Florida State.

“They’re very resilient, they’re very determined young men,” quarterback Tim Tebow said. “I know that’s what their family would want is for them to come out here to play with their whole heart.”

FSU talk

A win Saturday would declare UF the state champions. Both UF and FSU defeated Miami earlier this season. More importantly, a win gives the Gators eight straight heading into the SEC Championship Game against Alabama and keeps them in contention for the national championship.

Sophomore cornerback Joe Haden said he realized preparation for this game was a bit different when he noticed the game plan packet the team received at the beginning of the week was much thicker than the others this year.

“The scouting report is like they’ve been looking at (the FSU game) the whole season,” Haden said.

While Meyer has made an attempt to not mention the implications surrounding this game, he has made it clear to his players that the environment they are heading into will be unlike any other they’ve seen this season.

“The thing that concerns us is this is an environment that we have not had (to deal with),” Meyer said. “The Tennessee environment was like this, but I remember the middle of the first quarter wasn’t because we had a couple of big plays. Sustaining tempo, bring your toughness, bring your great defense and togetherness is how you win on the road. We’re beating that up pretty good this week.”

Haden at QB?

When Meyer named punter Chas Henry as the third-string quarterback and receiver/running back Percy Harvin the fourth guy after Cameron Newton’s dismissal, there was one player who felt he should have been considered.

Henry might have the job now, but it was Haden who finished his career at Friendly High School in Ft. Washington, Md., with more than 4,000 yards passing and nearly 80 touchdowns.

Haden said Meyer never even approached him about the opportunity to throw, but that it isn’t stopping him from pursuing the chance to get under center.

“I want to show coach Meyer my arm a little bit before practice (Wednesday),” Haden said jokingly. “I might throw little out routes to (Louis Murphy); see if he likes it.

“He hasn’t even come to me. He’s trying to make sure I know how to play corner.”

Injury Updates

Meyer said redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Lawrence Marsh (MCL sprain) didn’t practice, but could play Saturday. … Fellow sophomore Brandon Antwine (back) practiced Tuesday after Meyer said Monday he would miss Tuesday and Wednesday. Meyer said Antwine will be held out of certain drills, but will practice today. … Redshirt sophomore linebacker A.J. Jones (PCL sprain) practiced at what Meyer said was about 90 percent healthy and should play. … Freshman defensive lineman Matt Patchan’s MCL sprain could keep him out for weeks, according to Meyer.