|
Post by Mojave Gator on Dec 18, 2022 23:53:32 GMT -5
One that sticks with me is when the defense got a third down stop, then Oregon State picked up the first down anyway on a fake punt.
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Dec 18, 2022 23:56:20 GMT -5
Offense looked ok on the first 2 or 3 plays lol. This thing has a lonnnngggg way to go. There was nothing in this game that makes me think we won’t be 6-6 again next year or worse possibly unless we really hit gold in the portal. Literally bad at everything. I'm being careful about drawing too many conclusions, especially about the offense. When you have to turn to a quarterback who has not taken a snap in over a year and who wasn't playing for you when he last did, you're not going to have a lot of success moving the ball. Oregon State's strategy from early on was to clog the inside running lanes and force us to either throw or run outside plays that take longer to develop. Gator Facebook groups are in total meltdown. I have given up trying to have a rational discussion in any of them. We should have gotten Deion Sanders (do they really want King Nole as the face of the Florida Program?), we should have gotten Ed Orgeron, we should have gone after Brian Kelly (who I am still not convinced will be successful long term at LSU), etc. One guy said that when you go bargain shopping for a coach, you get what you pay for. Jimbo Fisher, anyone?
|
|
|
Post by Rock Gator on Dec 19, 2022 8:03:33 GMT -5
I am leaving multiple Gator FB groups for that very reason. I can't stand to argue with idiots, and that's all they really are. RG
|
|
|
Post by wahhappen on Dec 19, 2022 10:44:33 GMT -5
There have been so many head-scratching moments this season, especially down the stretch. We were in need of a culture change, so hopefully that is what is happening. We are also in need of talent on defense, offense, and special teams. Other than that, things are looking up.
We just did not have anything we did well consistently to hang our hats on this season. Our best offensive weapon (that we actually used) is headed to the NFL, so it just kind of leaves us in limbo as we head into the off-season (or “recruiting season” as Mullet called it).
The defense and receivers are so bad. Cajun Willie Taggert is going to need to do something in those areas if we are going to take a step forward next year. I am not expecting a championship, but we should start to see some improvement next season if we have the right guy. Unfortunately, talent is not a long-lasting excuse when you have the resources and geography of UF.
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Dec 19, 2022 14:40:12 GMT -5
Yeah, the end of this year was not good. Gatordoll hit it on the head when she asked if Oregon State really had better athletes. Sadly, yes, they do. They are also put in a better position to win. They weren't better when they entered college (54 on talent composite ranking to our 14), they are better now (basically end of the year ranking I think you could just about flip that). Some of that is on the previous staff and some of it is not.
Napier talks a good game, now it's time to walk the walk. What good does having a bazillion support staff do if your coordinators are tits on a bull? What exactly are the 4 strength coaches and 3 dietitians doing when we're starting 430 lbs. players? Why even bother with an OC title if the head coach calls the plays? Maybe hire a real coordinator and stop calling the plays? We're gonna be the most disciplined team in the country! Or maybe in game 12 we'll give up a key 4th down because we aren't lined up after a 5 minute review and commercial break. Also, hire another of your endless assistants as quality control of timeouts and FG/extra point decisions, because that shit is getting embarrassing.
I dunno but something needs to change. Scared money don't make money, support staff army, take ownership of your role, build the program, outwork everybody, etc. etc. None of that means jackshit if you don't actually do the stuff you're talking about. The head coach at the University of Florida is not for the faint of heart. Nobody expects perfection, at this point progress is what we're looking for. The last 3 games were an absolute and unmitigated disaster. Do something about it. Other than say "we're gonna get that fixed!"
|
|
|
Post by g8rfan on Dec 20, 2022 9:07:23 GMT -5
That’s my problem too Taps. Much like last year this team seemed to get worse every week.
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Dec 20, 2022 10:44:40 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm holding out hope, I do think he has a plan other than "keep this job as long as I can" McGoober or "I'm on a rocket ship to the stars my agent is letting the Patriots know I'm open for business" Mullen. I've heard he likes to micromanage although I find that hard to reconcile with the results of our S&C department especially on the defensive line, as well as his in game clock management and game strategy, but I'll buy the company line and assume that he's extremely detail oriented and so is his plan. I think based on this year, it's fair to start wondering if he has the capacity to execute said plan.
The record doesn't really bother me. Guys entering the draft is a reality that is here to stay, and turning down potential first round money at 21 to come back and play for a team and fanbase in your hometown when you were under-developed and over-blamed is probably a bridge too far in Richardson's case. I'll even give him a pass on the portal although watching Lee contribute in the rotation at LSU while Big Des hitches up his britches like a red neck plumber between plays is going to kind of suck. I have no idea what the plan is at either safety spot beyond Kamari Wilson, but we've got enough DBs with talent to move some guys around.
My real concern is the direction of the program. We've lost 3 guys with top 2 round grades, 3-4 with 3rd-5th stock depending on what Pearsall does, and Shorter may get drafted late. That's 7-8 guys off a team with no depth and lacking talent. Include Lee and Cox and you've got damn near a full defense leaving one way or another. Any depth we had has left via the portal. It's NSD tomorrow, what stories have we heard? Missing on Fletcher, McClain and Okunlola. Yeah we flipped Rashada, but we're getting killed on the trail and have dropped 3 spots out of the top 10 in the last week.
Maybe tomorrow there will be a bunch of flips from Miami in our favor. Maybe we get McCall, that's enough for Pearsall to come back, the Freshman are ready to play out of the gate, and/or some guys make big jumps. Maybe we figure out a way to get Etienne the ball in space and the Offensive line shows that the performance against Oregon State was the exception not the rule and they don't need a 240 lbs. guy who can throw the ball 80 yards and runs a 4.4 to keep defensive lines on their heels. Maybe we are able to find 4-5 guys to play up front on defense and 2-3 safeties in the portal. Perhaps the play calling, game management, and in-game decisions all improve drastically. Maybe Toney, um, I'll be honest I've got nothing there, if he doesn't get fired or demoted I think he will sink the ship now that most of his talent is gone. He is that bad.
Honestly I want to be on board, give me a reason. Any one of those things and I'll cling to it, but man it sucks getting nothing but bad news. I'll take any win we can get. Grayson McCall, a top 10 class overall, Pearsall coming back, anything. All I really want for Christmas is a Scott Stricklin resignation letter and an announcement that Foley is leaving the building completely. I don't feel like that's too much to ask.
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Dec 20, 2022 18:25:17 GMT -5
Do something about it. Other than say "we're gonna get that fixed!" That part is giving me Muschamp flashbacks.
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Dec 21, 2022 10:55:31 GMT -5
Do something about it. Other than say "we're gonna get that fixed!" That part is giving me Muschamp flashbacks. Yeah, as the Dooley article pointed out (still mind blowing that he wrote a decent article) I will say that he's fond of accountability and has said "we've got to coach better" myriad times at this point. "I think that anytime – I think coaching’s a lot like teaching, right? When the students don’t perform as well as you want them, too, I think as a coach and as a teacher, you’ve got to take a good look in the mirror. I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do, what our staff’s going to do." After Kentucky "Ultimately we didn’t do enough to win the game tonight, and when you’re in a leadership position, there’s only one answer: You’ve got to do better for the people that you’re leading. Players, staff, all the people that care and represent this University, right, you’ve got to do a better job." LSU "That’s my job is to have the players ready to play - we did not do that today." Vandy "It’s my job to have the team ready to play, and we weren’t as ready to play as we needed to be. The things that disappoint me are the penalties, some situational mistakes in the game, certainly a lot of things we can do from a coaching perspective." Oregon State There's similar quotes after all 7 losses. While having a stand-up guy rather than someone looking for scapegoats is refreshing coming off Mullenchamp and McGoober, I feel like there's a shelf life where it shifts from refreshing to annoying and worrisome.
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Dec 21, 2022 19:02:44 GMT -5
The same general statements over and over followed by no improvement isn't going to fly for long. We have had enough coaches who either told us that we were improving when it was obvious that we weren't (Zook), or saying that we have to fix things while detailing no real plans for doing so nor displaying any understanding of exactly whet the issues to be corrected were (Muschamp).
|
|
|
Post by gatorgibson on Dec 22, 2022 6:54:53 GMT -5
That part is giving me Muschamp flashbacks. Yeah, as the Dooley article pointed out (still mind blowing that he wrote a decent article) I will say that he's fond of accountability and has said "we've got to coach better" myriad times at this point. "I think that anytime – I think coaching’s a lot like teaching, right? When the students don’t perform as well as you want them, too, I think as a coach and as a teacher, you’ve got to take a good look in the mirror. I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do, what our staff’s going to do." After Kentucky "Ultimately we didn’t do enough to win the game tonight, and when you’re in a leadership position, there’s only one answer: You’ve got to do better for the people that you’re leading. Players, staff, all the people that care and represent this University, right, you’ve got to do a better job." LSU "That’s my job is to have the players ready to play - we did not do that today." Vandy "It’s my job to have the team ready to play, and we weren’t as ready to play as we needed to be. The things that disappoint me are the penalties, some situational mistakes in the game, certainly a lot of things we can do from a coaching perspective." Oregon State There's similar quotes after all 7 losses. While having a stand-up guy rather than someone looking for scapegoats is refreshing coming off Mullenchamp and McGoober, I feel like there's a shelf life where it shifts from refreshing to annoying and worrisome. I'm pretty sure I would be fired with similar results at my job. Not saying a firing is needed yet but I will have a really good idea by the middle of the season next year to whether or not Napier is the right guy. He has all off season to get better and coach up the talent.
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Dec 22, 2022 14:13:03 GMT -5
Yeah, as the Dooley article pointed out (still mind blowing that he wrote a decent article) I will say that he's fond of accountability and has said "we've got to coach better" myriad times at this point. "I think that anytime – I think coaching’s a lot like teaching, right? When the students don’t perform as well as you want them, too, I think as a coach and as a teacher, you’ve got to take a good look in the mirror. I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do, what our staff’s going to do." After Kentucky "Ultimately we didn’t do enough to win the game tonight, and when you’re in a leadership position, there’s only one answer: You’ve got to do better for the people that you’re leading. Players, staff, all the people that care and represent this University, right, you’ve got to do a better job." LSU "That’s my job is to have the players ready to play - we did not do that today." Vandy "It’s my job to have the team ready to play, and we weren’t as ready to play as we needed to be. The things that disappoint me are the penalties, some situational mistakes in the game, certainly a lot of things we can do from a coaching perspective." Oregon State There's similar quotes after all 7 losses. While having a stand-up guy rather than someone looking for scapegoats is refreshing coming off Mullenchamp and McGoober, I feel like there's a shelf life where it shifts from refreshing to annoying and worrisome. I'm pretty sure I would be fired with similar results at my job. Not saying a firing is needed yet but I will have a really good idea by the middle of the season next year to whether or not Napier is the right guy. He has all off season to get better and coach up the talent. I'm giving him more room than I otherwise might because of the state of the roster when he arrived, and the fact that everyone that he has brought in are freshmen, and therefore inexperienced. That said, there are some things in game planning and management that concern me. First and foremost, the defense. With all of the defensive players that we have going to the NFL draft, there is no way that the defense should have been as bad as it was. That comes down to coaching, scheme and preparation. Since there will apparently not be any changes in the staff going into next season, we are left with only blind hope that things will be better, without any reason to believe that they will be. Another was incredibly predictable offensive play calling. Why on Earth do we keep running up the middle when it is getting stuffed every single time? That puts us in third and long, with a receiver corps that has shown no ability to get open on pass routes. Other than Ricky Pearsall, who may be leaving, there wasn't a consistently reliable pass catcher in the bunch. One thing that has stuck with me from the Urban Meyer era is his obsession with getting the ball to playmakers in space. We have an incredible talent in Trevor Etienne, yet he is grossly underutilized. Running him up the middle isn't getting the ball tp him in space.
|
|