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Talented Gators Still Need Team Leaders

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Gators QB Tim Tebow approaches the podium to speak at the SEC Media Days Wednesday in Hoover. Ala.

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By MICK ELLIOTT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 24, 2008

HOOVER, Ala. - The traveling road show that will be the 2008 Florida Gators rolled into town Wednesday, a featured act in the Southeastern Conference's annual three-day preseason mediafest.

Colonel Parker and Elvis ... Scratch that. Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow arrived punctually for their scheduled morning interviews, greeted like rock stars by the ever-expanding citizenry of Gator Nation. Inside the lobby of the host Wynfrey Hotel, grown men, women and children shouted, reached and pleaded for pictures and autographs.

It almost looked like the movie premier for Batman, only without an arrest.

Upstairs, behind security checkpoints, a replica of the Heisman Trophy that Tebow won last year (we know this because the plaque on the bottom said so) along with a ballroom full of reporters waited patiently.

Meyer arrived first and immediately addressed his team's reservoir of talent and skill along with its need for leaders.

"Seven wins comes from talent," the Florida head coach said. "You start mixing in a little discipline, up to eight or nine wins. Somehow if you can develop a little leadership on your team, not necessarily seniors, but leadership to get you off the field on fourth down, defense, make a big play at the end of the game to win, that's when you start having great things happen for your program.

"So talent-wise, very solid football team coming back. Some experience. Discipline, much improved outfit than we had a year ago. Leadership is a question mark."

Tebow followed some 30 minutes later, proving quickly that, just like opposing defensive coordinators, the rest of the world has yet to figure out just what to make of this kid.

There were questions about his missionary work this summer in the Philippines, Croatia and Thailand and about his helping to perform circumcisions. He talked about being recognized in a German airport by a fan who did not speak English, giving talks to prison groups and his deep-rooted desire to be a role model for youth. He was unsuccessfully urged to admit that maybe, as a kid, just once, he thought about sneaking a cigarette.

And then someone wanted to know about carrying the Heisman around with him. Do you bring the Heisman Trophy with you wherever you go?

"No, nowhere."

What went into bringing it here?

"It's here? I think it's still in my house in Jacksonville. I don't think we've moved it."

This is not your grandfather's Gators. What they are is talented, and possibly very good. But no matter what, they will lead the nation in gawkers.

Beginning with Tebow and moving quickly - we do mean quickly - to a wealth of world-class speedsters, the Gators threaten to have so much sizzle the steak becomes an afterthought.

As much as preparing for opponents, Meyer's greatest task could be in keeping expectations within reason.

"The second part, that's not going to happen," Meyer said. "We're in an era where to even concern yourself with that, you're wasting your brain cells and time. The first part of that, keeping your team focused, the good thing is we've had experience with that.

"The way you do it is just make it really hard. Two-a-days are very hard, I like to think as hard as any in America. If you are worried about the dot-coms or worried about a magazine - I'm sure that's going on right now - that stops immediately next week. We're not doing a good job as coaches if we are not concentrating on Hawaii and the next practice. That's how you handle it."

All of which brought Meyer back to what already has become his drumbeat for this season - finding people to lead.

"With guys leaving early now - our championship year we had four guys on defense leave as juniors - I think the shift of leadership has to go to the young players," the coach said. "Just because you're a senior, that's not entitlement. We had some issues a year ago that weren't very good for our outfit. If you're a sophomore, you walk the walk, talk the talk, do everything the right way, you're a leader. It has nothing to do with your experience or how many years you've been in school. It's what you're willing to do and pay the price."

And then, the Gators left the building.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be

reached at (813) 281-2534 or

melliott@tampatrib.com.

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