UF's Rainey could be in for a big season

Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey played with Chris Rainey back in high school at Lakeland. He knows how good he can be. But he also knows his Gator teammate's downfalls better than anyone.

"Just because he's talented . . . in college football if you don't know your plays it doesn't matter how you are,'' Pouncey said.

One play from a year ago sticks out in Pouncey's head to describe what Rainey needs the most.

"Everybody remembers that play,'' Pouncey said. "It was supposed to be an option play and he ran like he was getting a handoff and about got his head taken off (against South Carolina).''

But he oozes of talent. So Florida running backs coach Kenny Carter made it a point to hang around Rainey as much as possible in the off season.

"We spent a lot of personal time together because you have to establish the foundation of a relationship with the young man before you have to worry about what he's going to be as a player,'' Carter said. "So when we challenged him, and I challenged him to really mature as a person. And everything else transitioned into football. And he's taken ownership into really making sure he does things in the right way, and it's really helped him become a better player.''

Rainey has the skills to be a great player. But he wasn't serious at times in the last years in Gainesville. Coaches seemed a little frustrated at his happy-go-lucky attitude. But Carter thinks the Lakeland native is growing up.

"He has really stepped up,'' Carter said. "He wants to be a good player. And he knows that his window of opportunity of excuses is closed. So it's either put up or shut up.''

Rainey understands his time has arrived - especially with Percy Harvin gone to the NFL.

"(Carter) wants me to play on another level,'' Rainey said.

What did the coach and the player talk about all summer?

"Doing the right things,'' Rainey said. "Doing your job.''

With so much talent in the Florida offense, Rainey realizes opportunity is limited. You have to take advantage of the chances you get.

"If you go out there you better do your job and the next person better be ready to do their job,'' Rainey said. "We're all good friends and we play as a team.''

Rainey realized a long time ago that expectations are huge.

"(Fans) will see you and they'll yell, 'We expect an undefeated season' and all that,'' he said. "We're ranked no. 1 but we can't look at that.''

After picking up 652 yards on 84 carries while scoring four touchdowns running with the football as a redshirt freshman, the experience is now there. Carter thinks the maturity is coming. Offensive coordinator Seve Addazio calls Rainey "dynamic.''

He also sees a player that, like Carter said, is starting to see the big picture.

"He's realizing he's got other things he needs to do now, too, like how good is the top end of his route when he's in an empty (backfield set),'' Addazio said. "So, he's become more detailed on everything right now.''

UF coach urban Meyer says Rainey's attitude is like "night and day.''

"His attention to detail and maturity are raised. His demeanor . . . I can't say enough good things about Chris,'' Meyer said. "I'm anxious to see him contribute now. He was a role player last year, which means we simply handed him the ball and hoped everything worked out.''

Added Meyer: "Playing tailback in this offense, you need to do more than run to your right or run to your left. . . . He's going to be a much different player (this fall).''