While the status of senior left guard Jim Tartt, who is struggling to regain strength in his surgically repaired shoulder, is decided weekly, the rest of the offensive line's depth has finally come into place.
Redshirt sophomore Carl Johnson has been a stable component on the line ever since redshirt sophomore Marcus Gilbert went down with a sprained ankle.
"Carl Johnson, we were very concerned about that a couple weeks ago," Coach Urban Meyer said on Monday. "He was still in the maturation phase, and he's done a great job. … We're starting to get that depth back we thought we'd have. The last two weeks, that group has controlled the game."
Meyer said Tartt, a team captain, could still play this week against Georgia. Redshirt freshman James Wilson and redshirt sophomore Maurice Hurt have also provided depth on the offensive line.
HOW TO MOTIVATE: Meyer must have found the right way to motivate his team to avoid the letdown he was afraid of last week against Kentucky.
When asked what was the key to motivating a team, Meyer had a quick answer.
"Play good teams," he said. "This year we have a mature team. We were very immature last year. I saw that offensive line prepare last week because of the team we played (Kentucky was one of the top-rated defenses in the conference). The best form of motivation is pressing play (on film of an opponent). It's not rah-rah and what color pants we're wearing."
DEMPS EARNS WEEKLY AWARD: Freshman running back Jeff Demps - who blocked his second punt of the season Saturday against Kentucky - was named the Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday.
"I agree with the SEC on their choice," Meyer said jokingly.
According to Meyer, Demps' special team success is intertwined with how much of a threat Brandon James is at returning the ball.
"Our first year we didn't have great personnel running down on punts," Meyer said.
Meyer remembered having to adjust his plan on the punt coverage against LSU in his first year at UF because the Tigers had such a dynamic returner, Skyler Green.
NEWTON STILL HURTING: While quarterback John Brantley has gotten the majority of the backup snaps so far this season, Cameron Newton is still recovering from a high ankle sprain.
Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said Brantley was not the official backup quarterback, and Newton's injury has been the main reason why Brantley has gotten snaps when Tim Tebow was out.
"He's dealing with that ankle sprain a little bit like (Emmanuel) Moody," Meyer said. "He dings it, and we're just being very cautious. We're trying to be smart. It's not bad. Three weeks ago he re-hit it again. We saw him gimping around, and he could hardly function, and now he's starting to get back."
