Welcome to Head-to-Head, Gator Country’s new analytical series that will take a look at key positional matchups that are taking place on the practice field. There are key battles going on at numerous positions now that practice has begun. Here is a look at two key battles taking place on the interior defensive line. Obviously, this is a first look and what we’re going to report is largely based on who’s in the best physical condition and showing the most quickness. We’d love to follow these matchups all the way through until game one but we won’t have the luxury of seeing them in pads. Still, here is a good look at what we saw today and how some critical matchups are looking straight out of the chute.
NOSE TACKLE (One Technique)
#98 Troy Epps, 6-1, 292, Junior vs. #90 Lawrence Marsh, 6-5, 205 Redshirt Sophomore
EPPS: He was the first guy out Monday afternoon, playing alongside tackle Terron Sanders. Ideally we’d be able to assess these guys in full pads, but they were working out in headgear only on the first day of practice. Epps, who is a junior college transfer, worked with the first unit on the nose. Epps looked quick off the ball and hustled during each and every play. He looked as though he was in good shape and really took stock in the strength and conditioning program. I did see him shoot the gap on one play and he stayed low and fired up as he exploded through the line of scrimmage. I’m thinking that Epps benefitted tremendously from the spring and will demonstrate some fire getting off the ball without getting blown-up by the interior offensive line. Again, we’d love to be able to get a look at these guys in shells or full gear, but it’s day one and a little patience is warranted.
MARSH: He looked pretty good off the ball as well. He didn’t spend the summer eating his way out of a position although it’s obvious he gained some weight. He seems big, strong and pretty solid. He has all the necessary tools to develop into a physical threat. He is a legitimate 6-5 and he has a great wingspan. The big question is does he have the motor? I think the coaches are looking for Marsh to take the field with an attitude play after play after play. We’ll find out if he develops the necessary tools and proves to be a strong challenger for Epps. Marsh hustled today and that didn’t appear to disappoint defensive line coach Dan McCarney.
TACKLE (Three techique)
#92 Terron Sanders, 6-2, 300, Redshirt Sophomore vs. #94 Justin Trattou, 6-3, 265, Sophomore
SANDERS: Last August Sanders told me that he had lacked the intensity and consistency the coaching staff was looking for in the starting defensive tackle. Unfortunately, it didn’t develop last fall in a season marred by a high ankle sprain suffered by an illegal chop block by Georgia. He had some definite eye opening moments this past spring, but once again he lacked the consistency every play. Sanders looks as though he is in the best shape of his Florida career. He looks solid and more confident. He has the size to plug a couple of gaps but is he ready to get assertive and challenge for a position? It certainly appears so if the first day is an indicator. Sanders looked as though he was having some fun out there today. His development is huge for the Gators defense.
TRATTOU: He was undersized last season when he was called to step in and fill whatever hole needed plugging most at the moment. He is still only 265 but that doesn’t seem to bother him. Heart and effort will never be an issue with Trattou. He was quick off the snap of the ball and got upfield quickly. There is no doubt that he is stronger, quicker, and faster. There is no question eh has the desire to succeed but is that enough to defeat a much larger opponent up front? This will be one of the more interesting battles as practice goes forward.
The third team guys out there today were Jaye Howard and Javier Estopinan. Since when does Florida have third team depth at d-tackle? And this session was without the likes of Omar Hunter and John Brown. The Gators have depth they’ve never had on the inside and enough big, strong bodies that they should be able to find the right mix in 2008. If their head-to-head battles intensify and create an atmosphere of spirited competition, then this position of need from last season could evolve into a true position of strength.