The Future, Gators?
by mlmintampa on Dec 1, 2010 12:29 AM EST
in Florida Football
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The Patron Saint of Hoping Things Work Out In The Future
It's time to stop dwelling on this craptacular season. John Brantley was bad, Mike Pouncey can't play center, Steve Addazio is an idiot and Urban Meyer took the year off. It's over. Move on.
At the minimum, we know that Florida needs a new quarterback, a new wide receiver, a tight end (not Trey Burton; doing three things at a below average level is not a qualification for playing time), three offensive linemen, both ends, two linebackers, and our two best defensive players, Ahmad Black and Janoris Jenkins. UF will also need a defensive line coach, offensive coordinator and probably new quarterbacks and tight ends coaches (they played an entire season without a tight end, what was that guy paid for?).
Reenforcements are on the way, but only Jeff Driskel looks to provide an instant impact, and that is as someone chasing a job. If Urban was willing to yank around Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd and Andre Debose, who worked their asses off on game days, don't expect the 2011 freshmen to get playing time they have earned or deserve. For me personally, I still can't get over how little Omarius Hines and Debose were used. Urban can't use the practice or playbook excuse, because Percy Harvin sucked as a practice guy, but played because he would murder people on gamedays. Debose could be that guy. It is a crime that Debose had more touches as a returner than offensive player.
Much of what the Gators do in 2011 is dependent on the players taking the initiative and improving themselves. In 2007, after thinking he was a failure, Brandon Spikes reasserted himself and became the core of a National Championship defense. That needs to be Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic. Will Hill, after showing his talent but also lack of focus, needs to finally grow up. Matt Elam appears to be on his way to being a great player, but he cannot get lazy. As for the line, Dominique Easley, Leon Orr and William Green all need to meet the expectations set for them when they came on campus. As for Easley, I really want him to be a success because he and Floyd could be the foundation of the Gators' new defense.
For the Gators offense, we might see a holding pattern as we wait to see the fate of Addazio and Scot Loeffler. Florida will need a new offensive coordinator, which could result in the demotion of Addazio and removal of Loeffler. This isn't the NFL where you can have an offensive coordinator and QB coach. Florida's done it for two years and it has sucked. UF needs a QB coach who can call the offense.
If Brantley returns, it will force Meyer's hand to either change the offense to the 2005 version or Meyer will roll hard with the spread to eliminate Brantley from the race. If that is the case, I'd much rather see Driskel start from day one. Burton is a smart kid and Jordan Reed works hard, but neither has the package that Driskel will have. In addition, UF can clean house at receiver with Carl Moore graduating and Stone Hands Thompson (hopefully) getting sent to the glue farm. UF's fleet at receiver is just waiting to explode, led by our boys Omarius and Andre.
As angry or as upset as we are right now, it's time to get over it. Everyone has bad years and we got the bonus of a distant head coach and ignorant offensive coordinator. That's the way it goes. Just shine the flashlight and think about the future.
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As much as I'd like to look to the future, I'm not counting the proverbial chickens before they hatch.
I’m staying grumpy till the offense is pried – officially – from the bald man’s clammy hands.
"This is one of those cases in which the imagination is baffled by the facts." - Adam Smith, on the Florida offense.
Orr sucked so bad at dline that he was moved to OLine
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
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My fear is that the basic common sense perspective detailed in this article...
… will go completely ignored, and next year, none of these obvious deficiencies are corrected.
I just have this bad feeling that Meyer has his head stuck in the sand when it comes to Adazzio, Brantley, and his defense.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
That's exactly my fear
This year there were absolutely no changes done or any attempt of the coaches acknowledging the true issues of the team so what is to say that they acknowledge them after the season.
ugh
pull back for a moment and look at next year as a non-gator. we are screwed. o-line, decimated. secondary, decimated. qb, still in shambles with our best hope being a true freshman. inexperience all over the field from young guys not getting snaps this year. and all this is true whether daz is back or not.
sorry, but from where i’m sitting next year should be even worse this year’s nightmare.
by travy on Dec 1, 2010 7:50 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
At safety..next year..as of right now..
Will Hill, Josh Evans and Matt Elam figure to be back. If Elam and Hill get it together, that’s an above average combo.
At cornerback…
Moses Jenkins will be back (there are worse CB’s out there), Josh Shaw, Cody Riggs (who got a lot of good playing time this year), and Jeremy Brown will be back. That’s an above average group.
The Once and Future King
while i agree we do have some depth returning in the secondary, we are still looking to replace a couple of all timers and i see no one outside of elam at ss who is even close to jenkins and black. the corners remind me of the ‘07 group who were good players but got eaten alive by elite receivers. i also wouldn’t be surprised if will hill says fukit and turns pro too.
i think (hope) the d-line and linebackers will improve and will stuff the run better but we’re going to be painfully reminded of how great life has been with haden-jenkins-black back there shutting down the future pros of the sec (thankfully this year’s 3 headed monster will be playing on sundays next year).
Yeah. I agree. But Joe Haden was one of those that was torched a lot in 07. And look what happened to him in 08 and beyond. He’s was drafted very high in the first round in last year’s draft. Not saying that is going to happen again, I’m just saying.
The DL I have no doubt will improve. Just on the basis that McCarney is gone. As for the LB’s…there are tons of players looking for time. Ball, Finley, Ajagbe, Kitchens, Jenkins and others. Surely 3 or 4 of them will step up and take care of business.
The Once and Future King
haden and jenkins started as freshmen in ‘08. ’07 was pierre-louis and andersen if i’m not mistaken. the point is, no lockdown corners = less ability to stack the box and blitz and i’m not sure i’d call any of our returning players lockdown. but hopefully a d-line that will start wreaking havoc on opposing qb’s will cover up for us.
Haden was a freshman in ’07 and was the first ever true freshman to start at corner for UF on opening day. Jenkins was ’08.
That is correct
And it is also correct that he was his horrrrible freshman year. But he was a QB in HS, so you can see why he was so bad as a freshman.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
I have high hopes for Josh Shaw and Riggs
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Driskel v Jordan/Burton
Exactly what package does Driskel bring? He just looks like yet another version of the great white hope. Reed has not even had adequate time practicing the QB position, and he is a freshman. He is clearly the best choice.
Reed could be a fantastic tight end
He has the build and size for it. But if we are going to make a change might as well start fresh, and scrap all three QB from this past year, and go with a new guy. The skin color of the new guy has nothing to do with him being chosen over Reed, Burton or Brantley. It’s the appeal of hey, we can build around this guy for the next 4 years.
Get out of my House!
Driskel has a better arm. Plus, with Driskel coming in January, Reed will not have that much more of an advantage in learning the offense.
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
http://www.alligatorarmy.com
Everything you just said about Driskel was said about Brantley. Remember, he has a better throwing arm than Tebow. Yeah, right. Brantley completely sucks. It’s not just that he’s unfit for the spread. He can’t even throw towards the offensive targets or adjust. But, wow, he looked so good in high school, according to his fans. Why on earth should we expect more from Driskel? Why on earth should he not sound like the Great White Hope (whether intended or not)?
Your Great White Hope critique is Epic Fail when people were begging for Jordan Reed or Trey Burton. People just want a big dude who can run and throw. The fans who check out a guy’s parents and religion before rooting for them have more problems than who their favorite QB is.
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
http://www.alligatorarmy.com
Regardless of Driskel’s hype, Gator fans are going to build it up because they want to believe that the new guy has got to be better than the three stooges we do have. I don’t know if Driskel is the answer, he’s got Alex Smith written all over him (imo) but Alex Smith was great in college. I don’t care how he is in the NFL.
Tyler Murphy, the redshirted freshman, has been a forgotten man in all this simply because, why believe that the answer is already there? I don’t see him as coming in and improving that drastically, and since Driskel is projected to join the team in January for the Spring, I would expect a more even footing between the two of them, that would give Florida, 4 to 5 quaterbacks going into the spring with Brantley, Burton, Reed, Driskel and Murphy. That’s too many cooks, especially since 4 of those are underclassmen.
Get out of my House!
I’ve actually been wondering about this myself… there’s this lovefest over a high school QB and I think we already have a very good QB who only needs to be developed by a GOOD offensive coordinator. If Meyer finally dumps Addazio, a good OC can do wonders with Jordan Reed… IMO, Driskel should wait his turn unless Reed turns out to be a bust. But so far, indications are he can be a very good QB.
http://www.firesteveaddazio.com
Fire Steve Addazio.
Sooo...
Fire the OC, QB coach and TE coach, bench the current QB triumvirate in favor of a true frosh (I remember this being a no-no back when I first said Brantley should be benched) and bench the caoching staff’s favorite WR (Deonte). Add to that the natural turnover of the roster and you’re looking at a ton of change over one offseason. I agree that most of those moves make sense, but the fact of the matter remains that 2011 might be another lost year even if such sensible change is pursued. Never mind the fact that Meyer won’t make even half of those moves…
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
Andre Debose
I want Andre Debose…to be touching the ball….on offense….24/7. He is a weapon machine….USE HIM DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you're not a Gator, you're Gatorbait!
Looking at the Depth Chart.
Reed should be the starter at QB and get virtually all snaps therein. Demps and Rainey should split the carries at RB, with Gillislee to be used as more of a power back and mop up man (sorry Brown). I’d like to see the following guys get the touches at WR, in order: Debose, Hines, Hammond Jr. and Burton. I’m curious to see if the actual TE on the roster – Parks and Christian – are used in lieu of our QB depth at the position. An OL of Nixon, Wilson, Robey, Harrison and Patchan from left to right looks relatively sound, so that’s a pleasant surprise.
On defense, I’m curious to see if the DL of the future – Powell, Floyd, Easley and Trail – take any jobs from the more veteran bunch of Green, Howard, Hunter and McCray. There is no depth in the LB corps, so I wonder if a DE or two are converted to join J. Jenkins and Bostic as starters/contributors there. Starting safeties Hill and Elam look nice, but guys like Brown, M. Jenkins, C. Riggs and J. Shaw at the CB spots worries me.
All in all, I’d say the defense looks like the 2007 bunch (tons of talented, inexperienced players likely one year away from dominance) while the offense could be just about anything. If Meyer makes the right choices on offense, then they could be a dangerous unit that’s hard to prepare for and that no defense wants to face. My money is still on another rough season in 2011 (v.Bama, @LSU, @Auburn, v.Georgia, @SC, v.FSU and the bowl game all look tough) but 2012 should be shaping up to be another run at championships!
MileHighReport.com member since 02/06/07, promoted to "Position Coach" (i.e. new staff writer) on 02/16/10!
I wouldnt be suprised to see Howell as a starting out side line backer.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Is there hope on the horizon?
http://www.annarbor.com/community/news/michigans_offensive_coordinator_seeking_other_jobs/
http://www.firesteveaddazio.com
Fire Steve Addazio.
Rich Rod
I just talked to a friend who is a Michigan Alum and he told me Magee doesnt usually call plays…RR does. He also said RR is out at Michigan and thats why Magee is looking elsewhere before he gets canned to. I would honestly be open to bringing both of them in. Now before I get slammed and called retarded….Magee and Rich Rod had awesome teams at WV…especially on Offense. Magee is also credited with helping get South Florida football up and running. If they are both out at UM i dont see them both getting lots of offers. Even if we dont get them both…we HAVE to get Magee. Rich Rod is still a great coach. Remember, he didnt even really get a first year recruiting class and lloyd carr left the team bear…with not ONE quality player. To Rich Rods Defense…the teams did get better each year…and even if you say he is an overrated coach who deserves to be fired…..he still is a good recruiter and a good Offensive Coach.
Wish List in Order:
1. Hire Rich Rod as OC/Associate Head Coach. Hire Magee as Assistant OC/OL Coach. Reduce Addazios salary significantly and keep him as a recruiter or just fire him all together.
2. Hire Magee as Associate Head Coach/OC. Demote Addazio to just OL/Recruiter
3. Hire Mike Leach as Associate Head Coach. Demote Addazio to OL/Recruiter
4. Hire Tim Tebow as Offensive Guru(he would literally be every Offensive position coach plus coordinator) because after all Timmy is second to only god. Fire everyone else.
If you're not a Gator, you're Gatorbait!
I disagree...
Rich Rod is an idiot. He had several good players when he took over at Michigan, including one of the best QB’s in the country (Ryan Mallett) and he scared them all away. He didn’t care to gradually put his system in place; he was impatient and wanted the offense and everything else to change 100% as soon as he walked in the door. He failed to put together a halfway competent defense year after year. Without Denard, the team would have been lucky to win more than 3-4 games this year.
He is ignorant, arrogant, and is constantly being threatened with punishment for repeated NCAA violations. No thanks.
One more for the good guys!
you talking about urban rodriguez?
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Tim Tebow is the answer to all our questions.
After this season he is the only one that we cannot doubt. He has the heart, drive and balls to do whatever is necessary to win. Tim is not married (buried) with children and has no distractions from the game. If Tim has a bad day, he’ll sit down and talk about it and then tell you what he’s going to do to fix it, no politics, no bullshit, no secrets. Come home Timmy, we need you. The fire left Gainesville when you did.
I... don't know.
But, what the hell, the last time we hired an ex player with a Heisman trophy it didn’t work out so bad.
Maybe Danny as HC, Tim as OC? Bring back Spurrier as AD?
Crystal Trophies: we would mint them.
"This is one of those cases in which the imagination is baffled by the facts." - Adam Smith, on the Florida offense.
Yeah Hook
I almost threw in something about Lassie being optional as in “Lassie come home” but I didn’t think it would be necessary. It was. My point was that there is not enough credibility left in Gainesville to wad a shotgun shell. I’m thankful for all the players that played their hearts out but the coaching staff has left me wondering if this past season was a joke.
Even “really terrible comments” are traffic right Mim?
I figured you were joking
I was a little tired, so I just asked to be sure.
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Wow. Back-to-back days of some really terrible comments. First, someone says Maurkice Pouncey was a bad center, now someone wants Tebow to quit the NFL to coach at Florida. This is turning into a Yahoo blog.
mlmintampa
UF C/O 06
http://www.alligatorarmy.com
Haha. I really didn’t know what to say to either comments so I just left them alone.
The Once and Future King
My comment was extremely sarcastic. If the “tebow is second to only god” comment wasnt enough or the “have him coach every position” wasnt enough then i guess lightning striking you in the ass wouldnt be enough for you to notice SAR-CASM. I dont think the guy saying pouncey sucks was sarcasm tho.
If you're not a Gator, you're Gatorbait!
by Gators1 on Dec 2, 2010 11:30 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
mlm isn’t talking about any of your posts. This one is @renegator. The other was about Maurkice Pouncey as you noted, and I don’t think it was either.
The Once and Future King
Driskel/Brantley
Everything you just said about Driskel was said about Brantley. Remember, he has a better throwing arm than Tebow. Yeah, right. Brantley completely sucks. It’s not just that he’s unfit for the spread. He can’t even throw towards the offensive targets or adjust. But, wow, he looked so good in high school, according to his fans. Why on earth should we expect more from Driskel? Why on earth should he not sound like the Great White Hope (whether intended or not)?
Brantley does have a better arm than Tebow
Meyer squandered and screwed him by being so rigidly committed to a system. Fit your system to your players, not your players to the system
This team will improve in '10... on its 16-16 conference record over the last 4 years.... after losing 20 games in the last 4 years... after having the 7th worst major-conference defense... after not even winning its own division in the ACC in the last 4.
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I haven't seen Brantley
make any throws that Tebow couldn’t. I have seen him miss multiple throws that Tebow could actually hit.
Your "news" good or bad might come today..
2pm players meeting, 3pm coaches and all stuff including Foley. There is going to be something.
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