[Lefty Noob]

Ian Fisher, a reporter for the Independent Florida Alligator, did a story yesterday on the Gators spring practices in which head coach Urban Meyer had some real good things to say about his quarterback, Chris Leak.

"[Leak is] a completely different human being right now," Meyer told Fisher during an interview. "It has something to do with confidence, it has something to do with leadership, it has something to do with commanding respect, and he's doing a heck of a job."

He apparently also had some praise for DE Jarvis Moss, as well as sophomore CB Avery Atkins, redshirt freshman OL Ronnie Wilson and true freshman OL Maurice Hurt, who the coach said would be playing right away.

What does everyone think about the Gators chances in 2006?

[wvuauthor]

They also had a great recruiting class Lefty. I am not so sure that any of those guys will see the field this year though.

I have always felt that Leak is overrated, so I am anxious to see if this info. is true. I am predicting 2 or 3 losses for the Gators...

[Lefty Noob]

I agree with you about Leak. I've never been his biggest fan, either. But he's now had a full year in Meyer's system, so it'll be interesting to see just how much he's picked up. 2 or 3 losses in a tough conference sounds about right, if they're a good team. Though I haven't checked out their schedule for sure to know for sure where those losses might come.

[wvuauthor]

I think that is the great thing about the SEC; they could get beat by anybody. You never know who is lurking around the corner...

[tidejunky]

I have to respectfully disagree with your assesment of Chris Leak. I believe Chris Leak could have been a heisman candidate in a more pocket passing offense... what he is not is an option roll out pass quarterback. None the less Meyer is insistant on reinventing the wheel in the SEC, this will not happen he will again abandon this system mid season and realize that a d-lineman on an SEC team is as fast as a DB in the WAC. I will give him props for recognizing this last year, however I feel he chocked it up to the new offense and Leaks ability to run the new offense. Tebow will have more success but ultimately this offense is destined for failure and Meyer (being the coach he is) will recognize this early enough to right the ship, but too late to win a National Championship in the next few years.

[Lefty Noob]

Hey, that's fine. I've been wrong before, tidejunky. I've just never been impressed with his performance in big games, and I'm not necessarily talking numberwise. He doesn't seem like a leader, and I think he's gotten rattled too easily throughout his career. Maybe it has to do with confidence, like Meyer said. In that case, this season will be his litmus test.

[wvuauthor]

I think that this season will show everybody what Leak is made of; and in my opinion that is not much. Maybe its because of the offensive scheme, maybe its his confidence.

Either way, if the Gators do plan on running the table he will need to step up.