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Meyer urges Tebow to take things easy

By Nick Zaccardi

Special to The Palm Beach Post

Saturday, August 12, 2006

GAINESVILLE — It is taught that running through first base is faster than diving headfirst into it.

Apparently, Tim Tebow didn't remember that instruction from his prep baseball days.

The UF freshman quarterback's story of diving headfirst onto a hardwood floor in a race highlighted Florida's Media Day on Friday.

During an off-season sprinting exercise on a basketball court, Tebow gave a failed last-ditch effort to win the event.

"I dove headfirst. It's the only way to do it," said Tebow, who should spell starter Chris Leak for snaps during his first season in Gainesville. "I probably rolled into (the wall). ... It was fun."

Freshman wide receiver Percy Harvin said Tebow had no chance to win the race.

That toughness and Tebow's strong work ethic have his teammates thinking the highly touted recruit may be too overzealous.

"He always does extra," Harvin said. "If you tell him to run 10, he'll run 12. Running stadiums, he's always the first one. He'll dive across the line on concrete. You'll just be like, 'Tim, what's wrong with you?'"

But too much work could doom Leak's heir apparent.

Although it's not serious, Tebow has been limited in training recently because of tendinitis.

"Tim Tebow's worst problem is Tim Tebow," coach Urban Meyer said. "He doesn't know how to rest his arm a little bit. We've got to teach him how to rest."

A new face: With three weeks left until the season opener, Meyer has not found a replacement for departed cornerback Vernell Brown.

Brown's cover skills are not what the team's missing, rather it's his face.

Meyer has yet to name captains for the upcoming season and is also looking for the successor to Brown as the face of Florida football.

"I have a couple of ideas," Meyer said. "Some people may think that's funny, but it's a great deal. You represent what this university and football team are about."

In a poll of players and coaches, linebacker Brandon Siler, cornerback Reggie Lewis, wide receiver Dallas Baker and fullback Billy Latsko came up as candidates.

Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen did not name Leak because he expects the quarterback to have a great work ethic and to "bring it every day."

Jackson relives losses: Safety Kyle Jackson had a self-evaluation in the off-season, watching film from Florida's losses to Alabama, LSU and South Carolina.

The junior said he will spend extra time on tackling after practice, particularly in the open field.

"You've got to grow up at some point," Jackson said. "This off-season helped me realize that."

Receiver breaks hand: Louis Murphy, a sophomore receiver, broke his hand and will be out five to six days.