Florida's offense to switch gears



Tim Tebow will run things much differently than Chris Leak

HOOVER, Ala. - Florida coach Urban Meyer made no secret of the fact that he couldn't do everything he would have liked the past two years on offense because of the style of play that Chris Leak used at quarterback, as a limited runner.

But this year, the lid may come off the offense as the defending national champions have moved on to a new quarterback with a different style of play. While Chris Leak, who graduated and signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears, was a true pocket passer, sophomore Tim Tebow likes to run with the football.

Is one better than the other? Time will tell. But for now, it's best for Gators followers to just realize . . . it will be very different.

CBS announcer Gary Danielson laughed when asked at Thursday's SEC Media Days to compare Tebow to Chris Leak.

"The difference between NASCAR and golf," Danielson said. "Chris Leak really was helped by Tim Tebow. He learned that you've got to be tough to play quarterback. You can't just be pretty. And to Chris's credit, he took the challenge and accepted the challenge. He never was going to be a spit in the sand type of quarterback. But he learned that he couldn't shy away from being tough and he did the best he could. And within his framework it helped.

"Tebow benefited from Chris Leak because he found out that playing quarterback is more than tug-of-war and being tough. You've still got to hit what you're throwing at. So it was a perfect situation for both guys."

While Chris Leak was more a touch passer and finesse player, Danielson said the jury is still out on Tebow's ability to win big.

"We all know Tebow can perform on the stage," Danielson said. "I'm not sure yet if Tebow can hit the high notes because this offense demands a 65 percent passer (in completion percentage) to work. Is Tebow going to be a 55 percent passer or a 65 percent passer? You've got to get the ball to those weapons. You've got to do it, they're too good not to get it to them. You're not going to run sweeps and win the SEC."

One of the most anticipated coming-out parties in Florida football history, however, is being greeted with eager anticipation.

Meyer says Tebow has that something special that makes him a winner. As a true freshman, he had several huge runs and some clutch passes when coming in off the bench to spell Chris Leak in key moments. Now it's his show to run for an entire game.

"We have a quarterback that obviously has a lot of experience, is very talented," Meyer said. "He's got the 'it.' Everybody wants the 'it' in that position. That's a competitor, intelligent, a guy that will do anything for the team to help you win."

He also has a deep stable of fast, talented receivers.

"I think there are going to be a lot more explosive plays," senior receiver Andre Caldwell said. "Tebow's got a lot stronger arm. I think there will be a lot more passes downfield and there's going to be a lot of excitement watching us.

"It's going to be a lot different with a lot more weapons out there and a new quarterback behind center."

One thing Florida quickly had to do was move on and put the 41-14 win against Ohio State last January for the national title behind it.

Gators safety Tony Joiner, one of just two returning starters on defense, said that happened almost immediately after the championship win.

"If you live in last year then you won't win this year," the senior vowed.

It's an attitude the Gators are taking into August, with preseason practice starting next Sunday.

"Our training camp is going to be really hard," promised Meyer. "It's going to be really hot, like it always is. We're going to find out what kind of team we are. Are we able to handle the hard? I don't know that. The hard is the ability to go on the road and come from 10 points down and win that game.

"Two years ago, we had a football team that couldn't do that. We were 1-3 on the road, not very tough. Last year, (departed defensive lineman) Ray McDonald against Ohio State on fourth down and one made a play in the national championship game. The year before, he had two ACL surgeries going on at the same time. That's an element of toughness that we had. Our middle linebacker last year was extremely tough. He was the apex of our defense. That's Brandon Siler (who left for the NFL after his junior season). I don't know this year."

That question of toughness, along with leadership, will be key.

"I like the personnel," Meyer said. "I like the athleticism. It's just the intangibles. I can't let you know where we're at with that right now."

He's also very excited about what Tebow could bring to the offense -- which, as Danielson called it, will be more NASCAR than golf. More physical and more trying to run over and past people than trick them will precision plays.

"If that position's a legitimate threat, it changes what you see on defense," Meyer said. I think that's the biggest thing I'm looking forward to seeing."

Ready or not, it's Tebow's turn to drive. But will he steer UF back into SEC and national title contention or off the track?

"The strength of this conference is, there's not a lot of coulds in this conference, there's a lot of shoulds," Danielson said. "And there are eight teams that think that they should win the conference. It's hard. Shoulds are hard. I'm not sure (how UF will finish). They have a lot of good players. They've got an innovative coach. They've got a great leader. I'm sure they've got potential replacements (for departed stars).

"But here's what's different in this conference. There's not a team that is head and shoulders, it's eyebrows and eyelashes better than everybody else. Florida proved that last year. No matter how good you are, there are still going to be three or four games where you've got to find a way to win."

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