Based on reports from Spring Practice and the 2008 Orange and Blue game I have some observations I’d like to share regarding Gator football.  In an attempt to lend some cohesion and organization to my thoughts I will separate each rumination by section.  In this section I will look at the Running Back situation.
 
GATOR RUNNING BACKS
 
What a difference a year makes.  Last year being a running back at Florida carried about as much importance as being a paramedic at an ER Physicians convention - if something needed to be done it seemed like everyone else would be doing your job.  Of course it’s not like Florida was devoid of a running attack.  Tim Tebow rushed for a bruising 895 yards and 23 touchdowns while averaging 4.25 yards per carry while Percy Harvin rushed for 764 yards on a spectacular 9.2 yards per carry.  While impressive statistically it can’t be stated enough that neither of these players was a “running back” per se.  In fact you had the dilemma of either risking your Heisman Trophy winning quarterback by sending him up the middle or taking your most explosive and big play wide receiver out of the passing game by lining him up in the backfield and handing him the ball.
 
This dilemma exists no longer.  I expect both Tebow AND Harvin to continue to carry the ball but I also expect their attempts to be nearly halved making BOTH more effective weapons.  The first game breaker I’d like to see on the field is Chris Rainey.  There isn’t much left to say about Rainey as he put on a show during the Orange and Blue game.  His combination of speed and elusiveness make him a game breaking back in the mold of Noel Devine of West Virginia or C.J. Spiller of Clemson.  In other words the kid is a big play threat who will get the ball in a variety of ways.  He’s essentially another Harvin (though not as big) that allows you to play while keeping Harvin in the pattern as a receiving threat.  Look for Rainey to deliver a lot of big plays if he can remain healthy.

Another player who had a coming out party in the spring game is Emmanuel Moody.  Although Moody was expected to be the number one back after he transferred from USC he had struggled at times with the offense and with ball security.  However anyone who watched him run in the O&B game had to be amazed to see that kind of power, speed and cutback ability on the field.  Yes, I know, I know, Meyer stated that if he couldn’t keep the ball in his hands he wouldn’t see the field.  Well don’t worry, he has all of summer and fall to focus on rushing fundamentals.  I mean come on now, Kestahn wasn’t exactly earning the nickname All-State (the Good Hands People) last year.  The difference is that Moody fumbles after ripping off a 30 yard run while Moore would cough it up after a 3 yard run.  Big difference folks.  Expect both players to be much improved in that regard though with that being a primary focus of new Running Backs coach Kenny Carter.
 
Now don’t expect the presence of Rainey and Moody to mean that Kestahn Moore will fall off the face of the earth for Florida.  Kestahn is still a big strong bullish runner who can pound it up the middle as well as anyone.  Should he actually manage to KEEP the football he’s a player who will always gain positive yards for you.  You won’t see Moore reversing his field and risking an 8 yard loss trying to break the big one.  Moore is also an excellent in protecting Tebow from blitz packages and he’s big and strong enough to slow down a hard charging Middle Linebacker or Defensive End.  Moore will see plenty of time on the field even if he isn’t a considered a primary run threat.  The funny thing is that if he holds onto the ball he may still end up with as many carries as last year if not more.
 
Although not as strong as Moore another back being lost in the mix is Mon Williams.  Williams is big and strong enough to be a power runner while having the elusiveness and cutback ability that Kestahn lacks.  Should KMo have another bout of fumblitis you should expect Mon to be the big back called on to get the tough yards and buy Tebow some time.  Williams still needs to become comfortable in the offense (don’t forget he was out for all of last fall with his ACL injury) but with this being his 3rd year at Florida I expect him to be further along than Moody (who might not become comfortable till around mid-season).  If Moore can’t practice ball security and Moody takes longer to grasp the offense Williams looks to find himself in the position to be the feature back in 2008.
 
By now some may say I am forgetting about that incredible little jitterbug Brandon James.  Well . . . call me crazy but BJ is really more of a special package type player who will never get major minutes unless by necessity (read major injuries . . . like an explosion in the RB wing of the Florida dorms).  He’s a spectacular athlete on special teams and in the open field but I just can’t get all that excited about a running back who looks like he could be knocked out cold by my 8 year old son as a major contributor.  Look for Brandon to have a few special plays designed for him that get him out on the wing or put him in the flat for a short pass or screen play.