How much is the emphasis on protecting the University of Florida's franchise quarterback, Tim Tebow?

Well, there have been times even its walk-on-water head football coach, Urban Meyer, couldn't get close to Tebow.

Take the week of Heisman Trophy ceremonies in New York for example. "I was getting physically pushed in the back by security at Times Square ... because they thought I was like hanging around Tim trying to get an autograph or something," Meyer told reporters.

Of course, Meyer admits, "I was ... I wanted to get a Christmas present for my son."

Frankly, the Gators are more worried about linebackers with injurious intent than fans — and present-seeking coaches — with Sharpies, which is why, beginning with the Aug. 30 opener against Hawai'i, we'll likely probably see Tebow managing the ball more and running with it less.

The Warriors' defense figures to be the first test of Florida's intent to take some heat off its Heisman Trophy winner and open up a more diversified running game, if it can.

Last year Tebow rushed the ball 210 times — an average of 16 times a game — and twice the total number of carries as anybody else on the team. His carries were the most by a Florida player, quarterback or running back, in three seasons.

For one thing, Tebow was darn good at it. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and scored 23 touchdowns, the most by an individual rusher in school history. His season yardage (895 yards) was the third-highest total over the past decade at UF. "For a defense, with what he gives them, it can be like playing against a 12th player," said UH associate head coach Rich Miano.

For another, the Gators' running game just wasn't that productive without Tebow.

But like a wishbone quarterback, all that use makes Tebow a target for pounding on every play. Carrying the ball 27 times in a game, as Tebow did against Mississippi, is begging for punishment. Word was, as the season went on, teams were instructing defenders to get a piece of him every play. Which, even at an imposingly sturdy 6 feet 3 and 240 pounds, can take its toll over time.

With the national championship hopes of the fifth-ranked Gators riding squarely on the shoulders, knees and ankles of Tebow this season, Florida knows it can be a ligament tear away from playing its postseason in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

So, that has meant an effort to generate a varied and stand-alone running game. USC transfer Emmanuel Moody, redshirt freshman speedster Chris Rainey and freshman Jeff Demps, the world junior recorder holder in the 100 meters, are among the new options available against UH.

All calculated to assure Tebow stays in one piece long enough to bookend Heisman Trophies.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.