TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gators Pass Chemistry Test

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICK ELLIOTT

melliott@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Whatever It is, the Florida Gators have it.

On their way to a No. 3 ranking, a 9-1 record and a spot in the SEC Championship Game, the Gators have shown the ingredients commonly demanded by any winning football team: size, strength, skill, speed and preparation.

Plus one extra talent that is far more rare.

"The chemistry of this team borders on phenomenal," Coach Urban Meyer said.

The most effective teams are more than just a collection of talent. They become greater than the sum of their individual parts. Despite what many coaches are inclined to insist, the delicate balance of cohesiveness, common vision, role taking and leadership is rarely found.

"I've been a coach for 25 years. How many great chemistry teams have I had?" Meyer said. "Three, maybe four. It's uncommon to have a team with great chemistry."

It's as rare as a team that has won its last six games by an average score of 50-10.

The Team That Paintballs Together ...

Looking back, quarterback Tim Tebow believes something special started happening during spring drills, and then through offseason workouts conducted by strength coach Mickey Marotti.

The Gators held a team paintball outing just before spring practice. During the summer, different individuals organized cookouts and similar group gatherings.

"It started happening in the offseason with a lot of hard work and Coach Mick doing a great job of not just working with us and pushing us to the limit, but doing stuff to bring us together," Tebow said. "... I think that's where it started to grow."

All For One

Several times early in the season, Meyer made comments along the lines of, "This team is really starting to grow on me," but it was against Kentucky he knew there was something special.

"We blocked a field goal and Major Wright ran it back a ways," Meyer said. "The entire team mauled him on the sideline because they understand the effort. They have an appreciation for what each other does."
Share The Wealth
On a team with an abundance of playmakers and all-star candidates, the workload has been well-distributed, meaning individual numbers have not flourished.

Take Percy Harvin. One of the most dynamic players in the country, Harvin is averaging less than four receptions per game and 53 yards rushing.

"This team, we love each other," Harvin said. "It's not selfish. We've got a lot of playmakers and we've got a mix of who can do what in every situation."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT