Florida Gators Sunday Notes

by mlmintampa on Sep 19, 2010 9:57 AM EDT in Florida Football

KNOXVILLE TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Omarius Hines #82 of the Florida Gators fights for extra yardage against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18 2010 in Knoxville Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Omarius Hines Bandwagon is picking up passengers after Hines' 36 yard run off a fake punt in the third quarter. To consider how big that play was, remember Tennessee had just tied the game 10-10 and was forcing a 3-and-out. Instead, Florida converts with the fake and scores a go-ahead touchdown. Without Hines' play, granted on a great call by Urban Meyer, this may not have been a 31-17 win for the Gators.
The St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald give credit to John Brantley for handling a big crowd and converting seven 3rd downs throwing the ball (UF converted eight 3rd downs). The Palm Beach Post calls it Brantley's worst game. Yes, UF needs to get the plays in quicker and Brantley could be less wild, but his worst game? Get off it. You can't have a best or worst of anything when it is your first road and first SEC game. Brantley need to take care of the ball (no picks) and move the chains (the seven converts). If you're complaining that he doesn't scramble or isn't throwing for 300 yards on a team with better running backs than receivers, stop following the team and watch Auburn instead.
Jeremy Brown had what might have been called a "puke and rally." After being beaten on Tennessee's score to tie the game at 10-10 (Brown got caught looking at Matt Simms, not WR Denarius Moore), Brown picked off a pass that led to the eventual winning touchdown. He needs to step up since teams are not throwing to Janoris Jenkins' side of the field.
Speaking of the defense, they limited UT's rushing attack that had been averaging 136 yards per game to only 23 yards and two 3rd down conversions on Saturday. I don't think UF will do that against Alabama, but I don't really care either. Florida has to worry most about winning the divisional games for any tiebreakers to go to the SEC Championship Game.
The Gators offense showed they are a running team with 49 attempts for 150 yards, even when it was clear Tennessee was going to clog the middle. But if you keep pounding, you will gain yards and soften the defense. It's like a boxer pounding the body. You're not going to knock anyone out, but you'll be winning on the scorecards.
Jordan Reed, Trey Burton and Robert Clark were not bad in moving into new spots due to Chris Rainey's suspension. Reed and Clark each had a catch, while Burton scored a touchdown out of the Wildcat. I like Reed and Burton in because they are bigger guys and can handle the ball. But note that instead of lining up Hines or Reed at tight end, UF would use an extra tackle in that spot. The Gators would rather put a big body there and announce they are running, rather than hoping a tight end doesn't get blown up.

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For the record, I think that Jeremy Brown will step his game up. Once he gets used to always having the ball thrown his way. He did good, IMO, because you are right, they just are not going to throw to Ja. Jenkins side of the field. Maybe when Moses comes back (if he can get back on the field) they can do a rotation of sorts to keep the pressure off of him and Brown.

The Once and Future King

by FlaGators on Sep 19, 2010 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Hines?

;-)

Get out of my House!

by ECFIVESTER on Sep 22, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

NIce collection of thoughts and links, MLM...

I’ll be honest and hadn’t paid much attention or many visits here in past seasons…

You do a damn fine job!!!

~Proud to say I was already on the OH-Train before the season…and he’s definitely showing what he can do…hell of a run on the punt fake and some nice moves to get the extra bit of yardage at the end…

~Anybody that thinks that was Brantley’s worst game yet probably shouldn’t be writinng about football…The kid has never thrown a pick in his career…looked poised in an extremely hostile environment and threw catchable balls all day behind pretty good protection…the fact that opponents are sitting back a bit on at the safety and that a true Gator deep threat has yet to emerge are all that’s hampering his yardage…and that’s not really his fault…

~Brown just made a few rookie mistakes…I fully expect him to get coached up and that to straighten right up…when it does the run game has to hold up…which it seems to be…Gators are only giving up around 93 per game on the ground…thats a nice number…

~The Bama game could get real interesting if everyone stays healthy in the front 8…our depth at end and DL has officially gone from weakness to strength in almost one season…that’s where were killing teams in the rush and Bama isn’t as deep in the OL as we are in the DL…Bodes well, but….

~Would really like to see more Gillislee mixed in with Demps…just to get him more reps and try to get him ready for the future…and to lessen the wear and tear on Demps…

~I noticed that they were sticking an extra OL in there as well…I think it’s just another one of those ’it’s just who we are right now" things…Didn’t feel like anything was missed with Rainey out…

On my own notes: Seemed like Pridemore had a bit of a better game this week…errant snaps make me nervous; even when it’s just one…that game marked the first time the Gators have won six in a row over Tennesee…

Good solid win over an SEC opponent on the road…take it every time…

You may not like what I have to say...but somebody has to say it...

by gatorhippy on Sep 19, 2010 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Brantley's game

Brantley was basically a rookie q.b. on his first trip into hostile territory as a starting quarterback. There were some glitches on ball handling (hand-offs and shotgun snaps) as well as some overthrown balls but that was to be expected.In some instances Brantley was trying to take advantage of a taller receiver resulting in the receiver having to jump so high to make the reception that they were out of shape to get yards after catch. these are all matters of finesse and they will come with time. I just hope we don’t get a receiver hurt in the mean time. All-in-all, it’s progress. Go Gators!

by renegator on Sep 19, 2010 9:32 PM EDT reply actions