Theater of Operations, Florida Vs. Georgia: Reviewing The Gators' Offensive Performance

For two games, against the LSU Tigers and the Auburn Tigers, the Florida Gators' offense was nonexistent. Make that three: that trend continued this past Saturday as the Gators fell to the Georgia Bulldogs by the score of 24-20.

Actually, on second thought, the offense was really half nonexistent. John Brantley did his best Byron Leftwich impression, played on one good leg, and gave the Gators something resembling a passing game. For the first half of the game, anyway.

I was going to start with a side-by-side spreadsheet of offensive statistics for both the Gators and Bulldogs, but that got too depressing. I ended up resolving to do one for the Gators instead. At the time, that seemed not that depressing, but upon a second look ... yeah, it was still very depressing. So I never got around to making one. (You can check out the boxscore for yourself, if you don't believe me. I do want to warn you though, the second half isn't even close to being good.)

But then again, it isn't like anything about the month of October was all that great. Maybe we should be used to it by now?

Play No. 1: Jeff Demps' 72-yard pass reception:

 

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

This play is classic Jeff Demps. All he is going to do is catch the ball out in the flat and then work his magic.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

You'd think, based on the first picture, that Jordan Reed (yellow square) would have been in perfect position to make his block. Nope: He gets beat on the block and Demps has to make a move a lot sooner than planned. Everyone else takes care of their assignments. 

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Due to the downfield blocking (yellow square), all Demps has to do is make the first guy miss. Mission accomplished.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Demps avoids another tackle.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Here, he slips another.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Demps ends up gaining 72 yards on the play. Trey Burton makes a very nice little block here. It was also clear on this play that Demps still isn't 100 percent healthy, because if he was, there is no way he is caught.

Play No. 2: Andre Debose's catch for a first down:

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

The wide receivers on the roster have had a few knocks laid upon them this year. (Ed.: This is one way of putting it!) Not getting open, bad route running, not catching the ball ... the list could go on and on. Andre Debose, on this play, does everything as well as a wideout really can.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

This is a perfect example of a throw that neither Jeff Driskel or Jacoby Brissett have shown they can make. The ball leaves Brantley's hand at the exact moment that Debose begins his move to stop and turn around.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Look at Debose's positioning here: He's almost two yards past the first down marker, and he is now square to the football. Excellent job.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Debose completes the catch for the first down. Perfect execution by Brantley on the throw and Debose on the catch. Also, additional props go out to Debose for not trying to gain yardage; he avoided getting tackled on the wrong side of the first down marker, which happens far too often.

Play No. 3: John Brantley's 31-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Reed:

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Ah, the fourth down touchdown passes. Florida had one of them and Georgia had two. We'll get to Georgia's tomorrow when we give a breakdown of the Gators' defense, but, for now, here is Florida's.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Georgia brings the heat. Understandable, no, because it is fourth down?

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Brantley notices the pocket collapsing around him and realizes that he has to move forward to avoid taking a sack. Very smart move.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Brantley now has plenty of room to get off the throw. With all this movement, it's no wonder his ankle was killing him by the fourth quarter.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Reed has his man beat by about three yards. Also, if you don't notice where the ball is at this point (red circle), it's right next to the first down marker.

(Photo courtesy of the SEC Digital Network)

Reed makes the catch for the touchdown.

In case you hadn't noticed, all of these plays came in the first quarter. There is a good reason for that, and it's not just that the first quarter was apparently the only quarter in which the Gators actually did anything on offense: CBS and the SEC Digital Network didn't really have any other offensive plays other than these (well, uh, except the two fumbles) to review.

Anyway, overall, it was good to have John Brantley back. It's clear to me (and others) that even a limited Brantley is better than any other option the Gators currently have at quarterback.