Gainesville Times picks local boys at #4

[TenGator1]

2009 record: 13-1, 8-0 in SEC (1st in East Division, lost to Alabama in SEC Championship Game, 32-13); beat Cincinnati in Sugar Bowl 51-24

Returning starters: 6 on offense; 6 on defense

Strength: Offense and defensive secondary. Although Tim Tebow is gone, the Gators still have plenty of playmakers that are capable of scoring lots of points. Junior John Brantley steps in as quarterback and will take his first snap as starter when UF opens the season against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 4. An exceptionally accurate passer, the Gators should be even more dangerous through the air with Brantley as the triggerman. Junior wide receiver Deonte Thompson is expected to have a breakout season, along with junior Chris Rainey, who moves from running back to slot receiver. Speedster Jeff Demps (100-meter dash NCAA champ), Emmanuel Moody and Mike Gillislee all are capable of breaking big gains at running back behind a veteran offensive line. The o-line is led by preseason All-American Mike Pouncey, who replaces his brother Maurkice (first-round draft pick by Steelers) at center, moving over from guard. Although the secondary lost All-American cornerback Joe Haden and safety Major Wright, this should still be a strength with the return of junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins and safeties Ahmad Black and Will Hill.

read more at...........http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20100622/ARTICLES/100629884

 

[AK Gator]

There really isn't much to debate in that profile because it says what we've all been saying this off season. The offense will change a ton between last season and this season, but it is still just as dangerous as it was before. The defense is going to be the main concern, with the D-line have the most pressure to, well, get pressure. I think that the competition for starting spots on the line will definitely force some players to rise to the top and get ready to handle the responsibility of being a full time starter without heralded stars lining up next to them. One of the biggest stories of the off season, and the season itself, is going to focusing on just who it is that will step up and become the guy on the D-line. There are certainly a large group of people who are hoping it will be someone like Easley who will be around for 3 or 4 years.

 

[O-town Gator]

John Fineran wrote an article over at GC about the weight of pre-season rankings; one thing I do want to say about the other sports media outlets he cited is that any of them who ranked Boise State over Florida are idiots. Until their strength-of-schedule gets tougher and they prove themselves week in and week out against teams other than cupcakes, I won't give Boise two cents to go to the moon.

Anyway, here's the link to the article: http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/around_the_sec_bama_no_1_uf_no_4/9390