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With age comes wisdom: Experience abundant on `06 Florida team
2006-08-08
by Leonard Butts
of The Daily Times Staff

The Florida Gators have something that no other SEC team has this season -- a senior quarterback with three years of starting experience.

That plus 14 returning starters and 20 seniors makes coach Urban Meyer's squad the team to beat in the Eastern Division.

``The teams I've been fortunate enough to be around and that have had great success are driven by seniors,'' Meyer said. ``I'm anxious to get around these guys and see if they can provide the leadership we need.''

At the center of Florida's successful 10-3 season last year was quarterback Chris Leak, who had to adapt to Meyer's style of coaching and offense. Despite the change in offensive philosophy, Leak managed to throw for 2,639 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just six interceptions.

Although Parade All-American, freshman quarterback Tim Tebow is drawing a lot of attention while waiting in the wings, the Gators are still Leak's show.

``He had a very good year in the spread offense,'' Meyer said. ``He won more games that he's ever won. His completion percentage was higher. He threw half as many interceptions.

``The only criticism of Chris Leak right now, in my opinion, is that he has not won a championship.''

Leak says he has become more of a vocal leader after a year in the Meyer system and has confidence that he can captain the team.

``Coach from day one said that he wanted to build this system around me and strong players like me,'' Leak said.

``I just have to go out and think about my teammates and be their leader.''

It will be easier for Leak to lead this season if his receivers stay healthy. Production dropped offensively last year as starters went to the bench with injuries then picked up when they returned.

``He (Leak) had some very good statistics early in the year. Most importantly, I think we won the first four games,'' Meyer said. ``The common denominator is he had a healthy group of receivers on the outside.''

Three of those receivers are back as senior starters. Dallas Baker, the second leading pass catcher last season, anchors the group. He was the MVP of last year's Outback Bowl victory over Iowa. Jamalle Cornelius and Andre Caldwell also return.

In the backfield, starter Deshawn Wynn will try to duplicate last year's feat of leading the ground game with 621 yards. Meyer wasn't all that happy with his running backs, however, and expects more in 2006.

``A group of three running backs was not near what the University of Florida should expect,'' Meyer said. ``Markus Manson and Deshawn Wynn are back. Completely different attitude and work ethic, which is all you really care about.'' Manson rushed for 365 yards last season.

Meyer also singled out Kestahn Moore, a sophomore, as having worked hard to prepare for this season.

Defensively, the Gators will be replacing three of the four starters in the secondary, as well as a defensive end and a linebacker.

Meyer's focus, however, is more on developing a team attitude than on having individual players carry a team.

``Toughness is the number one element,'' he said.

The Gators host Southern Mississippi and Central Florida before opening SEC play in Knoxville against Tennessee on Sept. 16.