Theater of Operations, Florida Vs. LSU: Reviewing The Gators' Running Game
by FlaGators on Oct 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
in Florida Football Analysis
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PrintIf someone tells you that a picture doesn't say a thousand words, they're lying. The picture above of Chris Rainey tells at least that many. The Gators' running game, when it mattered, against the mighty LSU Tigers, was nonexistent. Mike Gillislee did a good job in garbage time, but there must be a reason why he only plays in garbage time, right?
I'd be the wrong person to ask, because I have no idea what that reason is. In fact, I couldn't even venture a guess. I know the knock on him that he fumbles too much, but that can't be the only reason he hasn't gotten consistent meaningful minutes over the last two-plus years.
Will Muschamp and company have since said that things are changing in regards to Gillislee and the running game. Believe you me, I'd love to see it. But Muschamp isn't the first Florida coach who has said that. Actual changes remain to be seen.
You know what, though? I'm tired of focusing in on negative things over the past two weeks, let's take a look at some of the positive runs the Gators had on Saturday.
(The SEC Digital Network's video highlight feed was horrible for some reason. If a picture is somewhat blurry, please blame them, not me.)
Play No. 1: Chris Rainey's 25-yard run:
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
The outline is a rough guess as to the run Rainey makes here. It's all him, because the offensive line got absolutely lit up on this play.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
At this point, Rainey realizes that he isn't going to make it to the outside and that he must cut back inside.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Nowhere to go. There are three LSU defenders within striking distance of Chris Rainey. At this moment, Gary Dainelson of CBS Sports yells, "Be patient!" He was exactly right.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Rainey makes a quick cut to his left, which makes all three defenders miss (one dives in an attempt at a tackle), and he is off to the races.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
An absolutely fantastic block helps Rainey out here. Unfortunately, I can't make out the player or number.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
He is finally caught by Tyrann "Trey Burton is as soft as cotton" Mathieu.
Play No. 2: Mike Gillislee's 12-yard run: (Yes, sometimes just 12 yards are extremely positive. Baby steps!)
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
This is a simple draw play from the shotgun formation.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Gillislee is in the process of making a fantastic cut inside, which allows him to pick up a blocker.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Gillislee is directly behind Jon Halapio (blocker) in this photo. Halapio makes the key block on this play.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Gillislee avoids the previously unblocked defenders, and...
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
...makes it all the way to the LSU 46 for a Florida Gators first down.
Play No. 3: Chris Rainey's two-point conversion run:
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
If this play doesn't scream "Charlie Weis and the New England Patriots," I don't know what ever will. Chris Rainey will take the direct snap, make a cut and score for the successful two-point conversion. But that isn't the best part. Watch Jacoby Brissett on the play.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Brissett does his best Tom Brady impression here. While the ball is directly snapped to Rainey, Brissett acts as if the snap is too high.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Whether or not the fake worked to the fullest extent (it fooled the one player circled in green), I like it.
(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)
Rainey dives in to complete the play. Very well done by all parties.
The Gators did gain 113 yards on the ground, which is by no means terrible. But they didn't run well when it mattered. The fact that Jeff Demps only had two rushes (ankle injury) certainly added to the issue. But I think that some good is going to come from that.
After all, Mike Gillislee made a good impression on this coaching staff.
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Idk if it’s his ridiculous hair or his ridiculous name, a combination of both, and add in the fact he plays at a school I can’t stand whatsoever, but I really don’t like that Mathieu kid at all.
And it’s sad to think this, but that 2 pt. conversion was the best thing I saw all day.
2011 Gators Defense: "We be overrated, yo"
Ridiculous nickname is an understatement. I don’t get it at all. Maybe the fact that I don’t get what is so special with the honey badger has something to do with it. Mostly because I’m 100% positive that I’ve seen many animals show that much aggression? I don’t know.
Apparently nobody from LSU has ever been out-flanked by about thirty Geese while on vacation in Michigan before. Which doesn’t sound like much, but I tell you what, one of the most frightening experiences of my life. Especially because one of them (I guess the alpha male) chased us the entire 100 yards back to the cabin we were renting. He even slammed and bit (and nearly came through) the screen door we shut behind us.
It was like the ghost of Cujo had taken over this particular Goose. Stupid Canadian Geese.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
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Dude...geese don't mess around...
There’s a monastery just outside ATL that used to have a flock of particularly nasty ones that lived in a pond on the grounds…same experience…took some bread to give ’em and the more we gave…the more aggressive they got until one actually bit me…so i threw down the bag and half attacked it…and the other half chased us all the way back to the car and actually started pecking and freaking out all over it…
Freakin’ nutsy nasty creatures…
You may not like what I have to say...but somebody has to say it...
by gatorhippy on Oct 11, 2011 1:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow. Just furthers my thinking in that a Goose (from Canada) is something you don’t mess with. Period. They just yeah … not anymore.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
The Florida Gators - The most despised team in all of college football - Which is fantastic.
haha yeah they are nuts. i am now imagining 30 geese owning the honey badger and it is making me lol.
2011 Gators Defense: "We be overrated, yo"
I’m pretty certain that at least five of the geese, if they so chose to, could have invaded any country on the planet successfully in about five minutes.
The baddest honey badger in the world wouldn’t have lasted 10 seconds with the weakest goose of the flock before being killed.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
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haha. down goes the honey badger with the stupid hair cut.
2011 Gators Defense: "We be overrated, yo"
All day long.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
The Florida Gators - The most despised team in all of college football - Which is fantastic.
Gillislee
The only way we or anyone can know if he’s our best back is to PLAY HIM MORE. In all of his appearances this far he’s done nothing but impress. Auburns defense is better against the pass than the run so this would be an ideal week to try him more and see what he can do against a more normal defense that isn’t full of NFL players like LSU and Bama.
by gatorempire127 on Oct 11, 2011 2:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I remember seeing him two years ago break a few long runs after initial contact and thinking “damn, I don’t know who that was but that dude is Gator fast and runs angry too.” I of course assumed you would want to play someone like that full time, but was disappointed last year when he was limited. Same feeling prior to this season and same let down thus far at his role in the offense.
The above could be used to describe my thoughts on Omarious Hines as well, who I can see as a Cornelius Ingram type TE…god that guy was a beast.
by Ghost of the Purple Porpoise on Oct 11, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Hines.
Yeah, I don’t know. He is either impressive when his number is called, or he isn’t. I just don’t know.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
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Agreed, I just haven’t seen enough of him…I guess he isn’t technically listed at TE this year, but hell I would take more TE production from anyone at this point, whether it be him or Reed or Christian. I’m surprised that in a “pro-style” offense that we haven’t seen more of that, especially from a Belichick disciple. (See: Hernandez, Aaron)
Would seem an easy way to get our young QBs transitioned into the passing game aside from using the dreaded bubble screen…
by Ghost of the Purple Porpoise on Oct 11, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That makes perfect sense. I think that from a positional standpoint, losing AC Leonard to an injury early on, changed things in a variety of ways. None of them seeming good. But yeah, with all the talk about two-TE sets (for passing) that we read about in the off-season and during camp, you’d think that there would be more production.
Like you, I don’t care who it is, but I’d like to see some improvement.
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Ingram
One of my all time favorites. I also think we have a couple guys with that potential. Leonard has the same build as Ingram but we haven’t seen enough of him to know what exactly he can do. Christain has shown flashes and Hines has always been a dark horse big play threat. It’s just a case of them developing into what they can and should become
by gatorempire127 on Oct 11, 2011 4:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
C.I. was fantastic. Better hands than anything else, in my opinion. Which is saying a lot. I totally agree with your assessment of the TE corps on the roster. But for some of them (especially Hines) it is getting to the point in which they can’t use “inexperience or youth” as an excuse.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
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Very true
If Hines and christain don’t have at least one or more break out games this year I think Bust label will be in full effect.
by gatorempire127 on Oct 11, 2011 5:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed.
Editor at Alligator Army - The Florida Gators Blog
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Right on queue
If you go over to the gators site on espn.com you’ll see an article that reads “Gillislee to get more carries vs. AU” thank you Will Muschamp and Cheeseburger Charlie for seeing what were seeing go gators.
by gatorempire127 on Oct 11, 2011 3:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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