GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GatorBait.net checks in with notes from the open portions of Florida's fifth practice of the spring.
A Much Sharper QB-WR Link
Florida had two full days off with a rainout on Monday, and the extra time seemed to help things get a bit crisper offensively. The quarterbacks were sharp in the sessions open to the media, and the receivers did much better hanging onto passes.
While it's still early, that was the first time Florida appeared to have made real progress.
The passing game was mostly on point, with quarterbacks and receivers much more on the same page than they were in the first three practice windows we saw.
Rotating Days With First Team?
It's unclear whether Florida is rotating quarterbacks with the first team offense based on alternating days of practice or whether quarterback Will Grier is pulling ahead.
Grier has been with the first-team offense in the first, third and fifth practices now, while Treon Harris was with the first-team offense in the second practice. The fourth practice was entirely closed to the media.
So far there's been no real discernible difference in the quarterbacks in the sessions open to the media, with each flashing some good throws at times but generally being a bit inconsistent.
Grier Crisp In 11-on-11 Work
Florida runs a quick "speed ball" drill after stretching, with the team running four quick 11-on-11 plays. Grier went 4-4 passing, with Demarcus Robinson hauling in three short passes.
The most impressive throw was the last, with Grier finding Chris Thompson perfectly on a 15-yard hitch. He hit Thompson right out of his cut in front of a fast-closing J.C. Jackson for the hookup.
If there was any weakness in Grier's game on Tuesday, it was that he still throws too hard at times. Had he taken a little off one crossing pass to Thompson in the end zone, he would have had a touchdown. Instead, Thompson couldn't quite get to the bullet.
Receivers Still Having Trouble Getting Open
While the receivers were sharper as a whole, the Gators are still having major trouble getting open. That was especially clear in a red zone pass skeleton drill where first-team quarterback Will Grier had to tuck the ball and run multiple times with everyone covered.
Even Demarcus Robinson was subject to the defense's suffocating coverage on Tuesday, locked up by Marcus Maye and Vernon Hargreaves III impressively on one drill.
Route-running was a big point of emphasis in individual drills, with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier doing a lot of individual coaching with the receivers on the technique to use on individual routes.
Gators Still Shy On Talent On Offense
The defense is supposed to be ahead of the offense at this point, but it's hard to pick out any receivers who are going to step up opposite Robinson.
Freshman Brandon Powell lined up with the first-team offense in the slot Tuesday, and he'll almost certainly be a major player on the offense.
Outside of those two, though, no one has impressed. That has to change at some point for Florida.
Secondary Suffocates Offense
On the flip side, Florida's secondary looks every bit as good as advertised. The unit locked up the offense for a good portion of the open periods of practice.
Vernon Hargreaves III picked off a pass from Jacob Guy and took it to the house across the field.
Jackson flashed impressive closing speed with a tackle on Thompson in 11-on-11 work.
Other News and Notes
-- Head coach Jim McElwain was much more hands-off in Tuesday's open periods of practice than he was on Friday. He mostly stood at midfield and observed the various drills, not offering a ton of input.
-- With McElwain more of an observer, Nussmeier was much more involved. He seemed heavily focused on the receivers, particularly with their route-running. He was very hands-on in offering advice in both individual drills and pass skeleton.
-- In pass skeleton work, several receivers had impressive catches. DeAndre Goolsby and Moral Stephens both had touchdown catches between two defenders, with Harris dropping a pass perfectly over a linebacker to Stephens. Fellow tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe also had an impressive athletic play when he bobbled a pass three times before snagging it one-handed at the last second.
-- Defensive line coach Chris Rumph has been on the far side of the field for most of the work we've seen, which has made it hard to really see what's going on with his unit. But he was loud and clear on the final 11-on-11 snap in speed ball work, yelling at one of his defensive lineman for taking the wrong route to the quarterback.
-- Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins continues to work with the secondary, which appears to be the unit he will work with permanently.