Theater of Operations, Florida Gators Season Review: The Running Backs, Part Two
by FlaGators on Jan 20, 2012 10:30 AM EST
in Florida Football Analysis
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PrintPreviously, the Season Review editions of Theater of Operations took a look at the quarterbacks (Part one, part two, part three) and running backs (part one). Today, we continue with the running backs by focusing on departing senior Jeffery Demps.
Just like Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps is another one of those "scat-backs" that the Gators seemed to prefer during the Urban Meyer era. Though Demps' best year for the orange and blue was probably 2009, his 2011 season was on par with the other two.
Demps finished the season with 569-yards rushing and 172-yards receiving. All six of his offensive touchdowns came of the rushing variety, but then again, Demps was never all that much of a threat receiving so that shouldn't be all that surprising. What is surprising though, is that in 2011, Demps had the lowest average per rush in his career. Then again, because the offense was more of a pro-style offense than in years past, I guess it actually isn't surprising.
The only three games of the season in which Demps was even a factor (read: games in which he amounted for more than 50-yards rushing) were Florida Atlantic, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. Yeah, we'll focus on those three games.
Play No. 1: Demps' 35-yard touchdown run against Florida Atlantic:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
I'm like 99.9% sure, that the only thing you can't teach in sports is speed. Sure you can refine it, but realistically, you're either fast or you're not. Demps (yellow circle) is as we all know, fast.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Here Demps (yellow circle) is about to hit the first hole. Look up the field though, the blockers are already setting up.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
As Demps (yellow circle) hits the second hole, you'll notice that there is only one defender that can catch him.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
...and that defender (green circle) has the angle advantage and everything. But Demps (yellow circle) has other ideas.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Yeah, Demps just kicks it up a notch and blows the defender away for the touchdown.
Play No. 2: Demps' 84-yard touchdown run against Kentucky:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Here we go again with the speed. Also, if I'm not mistaken, this is the longest play (not counting special teams) of Demps' (yellow circle) career.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Seeing pictures like this (and the one in the previous play above) kind of makes you wonder where this blocking was all season right? Yeah, me too.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Let's see how many defenders (green circles) Demps (yellow circle) outruns on this play shall we? So far, I count three. Yes, I see the guy at the bottom of the screen as well, just wait a second more will you! Jeez.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
That makes two more defenders (green circle) that Demps (yellow circle) blew past on this play. Now, I'm horrible at math, but I count five.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Right?
Play No. 3: Demps' 52-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Apparently, speed isn't the only thing that Demps (yellow circle) brings to the table.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Demps (yellow circle) gets the pitch out wide and there is only one defender he has to beat for a touchdown. Notice though, the great one-on-one block in the middle of the screen.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
The majority of the time with Demps (yellow circle) a play like this would end at the 50-yardline.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Not this time however. Demps puts an inside-outside juke move on the defender (yellow square) which of course makes for an easy touchdown.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
The defender still has no idea where Demps is at (yellow square) as he heads towards the endzone (yellow circle).
As we all know by now, Demps has decided to give up on football and focus on the London Olympics this summer. While Demps' decision is definitely more expected than surprising, it'll be interesting to see if he ever gives the NFL a chance in the future. Of course if he does well this summer, maybe he will stick with a USA Track and Field career in the same way that former Gator wide receiver John Capel has done.
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Just here to comment that the orange unis are the best
October 28th, 2011-- a date which will live in infamy--
OTTOTD.com
I don’t like the orange unis or the brown field. What was the deal with our grounds crew this season anyway?
In all kinds of weather...
"The Clemson ones"
Hahaha totally agree! They are ugly! I remember walking into the 2010 LSU game and scratching my head about those orange unis. After that game as we were walking towards the midtown bars I said to a buddy “They looked like Clemson in those jerseys” and my buddy replied “They played like Clemson too.”
by GoGators82 on Jan 20, 2012 11:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Haha, yeah. Though it’s getting to the point in which I refuse to acknowledge that we played LSU in 2010. Selective memory and all…
Editor at Alligator Army.
I made the trip all the way from LA for that game, and sat right behind the LSU boosters in the 8th row of the East stands. We were going back and forth with this family that had the most annoying kid. Then we had to just sit back and take it after LSU’s holder miraculously completed that bounce pass to his kicker. Coincidentally, that was also the only game the Gators have lost that I have attended since graduating in 2005, which includes a run of LSU in ’06 and ’08, Tennessee in ’07 and ’09, and Miami in ’08. It was horrible. Really a down moment. I have really hated the orange unis ever since.
Ugh. I hate sitting next to people that are like that. But yeah, seems like you’ve got a nice run of victories going. Also, can’t say I blame you for hating the orange unis since then. If I’d have traveled that much and seen a game like that, I’d have been… yeah, like you.
Editor at Alligator Army.
Unis don't make the game
I know college fans are often superstitious but seriuosly we just sucked last year and this past year.
Brent Pease for UF!
Obviously. But it still matters. One night if you drink too much tequila and get sick, even the smell of tequila in the future might make you nauseous. It could have happened with any alcohol, but because you chose to overindulge in tequila that particular night, tequila is the drink that does it. Same principle with the orange unis.
I’m very superstitious. I can honestly say, that I am 100% responsible for the Gators 2006 SEC Championship Game victory against Arkansas.
I was with my girlfriend at the game (who is now a little more, but that’s another story for another day) and before the game starts she buys an SEC Championship Game long sleeve t-shirt for herself.
We go sit in our seats for the first half of the game. I’m on the left seat, she is on the right. The long sleeve t-shirt is over my right shoulder.
The Gators are winning!
At halftime, we get up, get something to drink, etc … well, right before halftime ends, we get back to our seats, and for some reason, we switch seats. I’m not on the right seat, and she is on the left. Also, she is wearing the long sleeve t-shirt that was on my right shoulder.
THE GATORS START TO LOSE!
She looks at me… the Gators are now losing 21-17. She now says, “You want to switch seats don’t you”
I said “Yep”
As we’re switching seats, the Gators are getting ready to punt. Well, we get in our correct seats, and the Gators call time-out. She then turns to me and says: “I bet you need the shirt over your shoulder”
I said: “You know it”
She laughs and right as she hands me the shirt and I put it over my shoulder, Arky fumbles the punt and the Gators recover for a touchdown.
The Gators would go on to win, and we didn’t move the rest of the game from our location or the shirt. There were a few Arky fans sitting in the row behind us, and they asked us if we could switch back.
I just laughed.
Now I ask you … Is that just coincidence? Or is it just part of a bigger issue. Considering similar things have happened to me at 2006 Tenn, 2006 Vandy, 2008 UT, 2008 and 2009 SEC Championship Games…
Editor at Alligator Army.
I fully believe this. My girlfriend (also now a bit more) bought me a Tim Tebow jersey before the 2008 season. I wore it while watching every game that year except 1 – Ole Miss.
I went on to wear it every game the next season until of course the Gators lost the SEC championship to Alabama.
I haven’t worn it since.
Yes! See, ECFIVESTER! I does indeed matter. Uniforms matter, what fans wear, matters … and so on. It’s all tied together in ways that nobody (even Stephen Hawking) can’t understand.
Editor at Alligator Army.
I still don't think the orange unis are bad luck
just better reserved for games against weaker opponents.
Brent Pease for UF!
Seriously Cali
I now blame you, and not Carlos Dunlap, for us losing to Saban in 2009. WTF possessed you to not wear it?
Brent Pease for UF!
I did wear it. That was the last time. It had obviously used up all its mojo. I retired it AFTER the loss to Bama, not before.
ok … maybe I put the blame back on Dunlap … but maybe you switched up your routine and that ruined the mojo that week. Did you think about that???
Brent Pease for UF!
BTW … you’re Fresh Prince .gif over at EDSBS is hilarious. Well done, sir.
Editor at Alligator Army.
I also believe it
Back in 2007 I was dating a girl who wasn’t really into college football but was willing to make the effort whenever she could get off of work on a Saturday. We hooked up with the local Gator Club to see the games on the large screens with our own private bar etc. What games did we make it out to see together?
Auburn
LSU
Georgia
Michigan
Yeah.
Not the only reason we broke up but…
I witnessed the Kentucky - Western Kentucky derpfest of '11 and survived to tell the tale
It didn't rain a whole lot last fall.
You can fiddle around with this if you don’t believe me.
by Andy Hutchins on Jan 21, 2012 4:52 AM EST up reply actions
I enjoy the Orange tops
but they are not the best. I believed they should be saved, and used maybe once every two years, same with the orange bottoms.
and I will always love the blue on blues. Partly because they remind of the 95 and 96 teams.
Brent Pease for UF!
The blue on blues are nice. But if the uniform is blue in any way, I’m partial to the white top, blue bottoms. Because, well, beating FSU in the Sugar Bowl for the Championship.
Also, upon seeing the Gators come out of the tunnel wearing that uniform combo (white top, blue bottoms) …. Bobby Bowden said: “These aren’t the same Gators.”
The rest, they say, is history.
Editor at Alligator Army.
NIcely done
I enjoy that combination as well. But for home games … blue on blue.
Brent Pease for UF!
We don't wear white tops at home though ...
so now I’m confused. is it the White on White or the White on Blues that you love for away games?
Brent Pease for UF!
White on blues, but my favorite combo overall is the white on whites. Like we wore for the Outback bowl against Penn State.
Editor at Alligator Army.
Why was Rainey so much more favored than Demps this season?
Chris Rainey (carries) 171 (yards) 861 (avg)5.0 (long) 47 (TDs)2
Jeff Demps (carries) 98 (yards) 569 (avg)5.8 (long) 84 (TDs)6
Those are the stats for this year, I’ll never understand why Rainey was so favored over Demps the past two seasons. To me, those kids should have been much more balanced in their use here
Remember, Demps was kind of but not really, maybe a just a little bit – banged up this year.
Editor at Alligator Army.
by FlaGators on Jan 20, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I always liked Demps more as a starting RB. As great of a player as Rainey is, he didnt seem as sure footed as Demps did. Rainey always looked like he was going to tip over.
by GoGators82 on Jan 20, 2012 12:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
True. Though when Demps first showed up, just like Brandon James did, he’d be running so fast that he’d fall over. But yeah, Rainey always looked like he was leaning to one side too much and then he’d slip.
Editor at Alligator Army.
But yeah, the misuse of a player here and there this past year (and other years of late) are a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away.
Editor at Alligator Army.
Rainey's always been more versatile than Demps, even when both are healthy.
And so he’s been used in more ways.
by Andy Hutchins on Jan 21, 2012 4:53 AM EST up reply actions
Demps
will always hold a special place in my heart, between his game against Arkansas a few years back (believe it was 2009), the Kentucky run, and many others where he just amazed me with pure unadulterated speed. The kind you have wet dreams over …
And to top it off, he actually was willing to take on defenders and attempt to push for the extra yardage. How Rainey got the start and more carries over Demps this year and in years past will baffle me for the next few seasons till we get the next good Gator back.
Brent Pease for UF!
Your first paragraph, sums up why I loved Percy Harvin as a Gator.
Your second paragraph, made me “Sigh.”
Editor at Alligator Army.
Yeah
I think getting Percy and Demps on the same team back then was one of reasons why I loved the 2008 team. Just game changers everywhere. We had Tebow, Harvin, Hernandez/Ingram, Caldwell, Cooper, Nelson, Demps, Rainey, Sometimes-good Moooooo-dy, and that was just the offense.
Just Percy and Jeff were reason enough to know that we would be exciting, Tebow just made it into the stuff Movies are made of and legends live up to.
Brent Pease for UF!
Got tears in my eyes just looking at that
It’s no coincidence that every single member of that group that’s gone has seen success in the NFL except CI, who’s been sidelined with knee issues.
Oh, and you forgot Murphy.
I witnessed the Kentucky - Western Kentucky derpfest of '11 and survived to tell the tale
Good catch
with Murphy. I usually lump him and Caldwell together for some reason.
Brent Pease for UF!
Shocked, SHOCKED
…this post did not include video =)
I feel awful for those Kentucky defenders
They had perfect angles on him, but there was nothing they could do. They simply were not going to catch him.
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