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Gator Football Position Overview: Special Teams

By Thomas Goldkamp

ImageThe Florida Gators should have one of the best and most well rounded special teams units in the country in 2008, with the only question mark at the kicker position. Return specialist Brandon James will be a nightmare for opposing teams and punter Chaz Henry has one of the strongest legs in the nation.

True freshman Caleb Sturgis is expected to be a great kicker for Florida, but looked shaky during spring practice.

The return game for the Gators should once again be lethal in 2008, behind speedster Brandon James. James made a living running back punts and kickoffs last year and he should show more of the same ability this year.

SEC Football: What's your weakness?

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By Michael Inglis 

Auburn: The Tigers most glaring weakness in their receving core. Their returning leading reciever is Senior Montez Billings who had just 321 yards and 1 TD last season. This year, as most of us know, Auburn will be running a new offense, the spread. A big part of the spread is throwing the ball even if it is a run first scheme. Take a look at Florida, Missouri, and Oregon, for example. In a spread offense you will usually have 3, 4, or 5 recievers on the field at all times. Hopefully, for Auburn fans someone will step up.

2008 Season Preview #3: Tennessee Volunteers

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Joseph will be breaking down each of the 2008 Florida Gators' opponents and making predictions game by game before the season starts for GatorTailgating.com. This is the next article in this series. Please feel free to give your input and make your opinions known throughout the series by commenting below.

Position Overview: Safety

By Thomas Goldkamp Image

Florida was supposed to enter the 2008 season fairly comfortable at the safety position. Sophomore Major Wright returns to lead what should be a pretty solid unit, capable of producing some big plays. Wright was supposed to be joined by senior Dorian Munroe, but Munroe went down with an ACL injury during the summer and will miss the 2008 season.

Wright will be the hard-hitting, smash-mouth anchor of the unit and his play-making ability was one of the few positives for the Gator secondary last season.

Wright made play after play last year, forcing fumbles at critical junctures and even showing some good instinct against the pass and coming up with an interception or two. If he continues to improve, he could be one of the best safeties in the SEC next year.

Date Opponent Result/Time
8/30 vs. Hawaii 12:30PM
9/6 vs. Miami (FL) 8PM
9/20 at 18 Tenn. 3:30PM
9/27 vs. Ole Miss TBA
10/4 at Arkansas 3:30PM
10/11 vs. 6 LSU 8PM
10/25 vs. Kentucky TBA
11/1 at 1 Georgia 3:30PM
11/8 at Vandy TBA
11/15 vs. S. Car 3:30PM
11/22 vs. Citadel TBA
11/29 at FSU TBA

Preseason Rankings
  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. USC
  4. Oklahoma
  5. Florida
  6. Missouri
  7. LSU
  8. West Virginia
  9. Clemson
  10. Auburn
  11. Texas
  12. Texas Tech
  13. Wisconsin
  14. Kansas
  15. Arizona State
  16. Brigham Young
  17. Virginia Tech
  18. Tennessee
  19. South Florida
  20. Illinois
  21. Oregon
  22. Penn State
  23. Wake Forest
  24. Alabama
  25. Pittsburgh

Preseason Rankings
  1. Georgia
  2. USC
  3. Ohio State
  4. Oklahoma
  5. Florida
  6. LSU
  7. Missouri
  8. West Virginia
  9. Clemson
  10. Texas
  11. Auburn
  12. Wisconsin
  13. Kansas
  14. Texas Tech
  15. Virginia Tech
  16. Arizona State
  17. Brigham Young
  18. Tennessee
  19. Illinois
  20. Oregon
  21. South Florida
  22. Penn State
  23. Wake Forest
  24. Michigan
  25. Fresno State

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