|
|
Post by wahhappen on Nov 19, 2023 14:35:41 GMT -5
So we continued to see some of the same… Etienne inexplicably getting three touches in the first half and then blowing up in the second half when given the opportunity, missed tackles, all around poor defense, dumb mistakes at the end of the game involving clock management, etc. But then there were some positives such as the offense seemed ok in the second half, play calling was better, and Max Brown looked pretty good to me in terms of raw talent. His pocket presence was lacking, but he made some plays and his arm strength looked better than I was expecting. Also, the commentators were referring to our offensive coordinator — honestly, no idea what that was all about. So, I guess I am left wondering, is this an attempt by RDB to change some things up or is this just desperation? Is Missouri even any good? I don’t know what to think.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Nov 19, 2023 14:59:40 GMT -5
So we continued to see some of the same… Etienne inexplicably getting three touches in the first half and then blowing up in the second half when given the opportunity, missed tackles, all around poor defense, dumb mistakes at the end of the game involving clock management, etc. But then there were some positives such as the offense seemed ok in the second half, play calling was better, and Max Brown looked pretty good to me in terms of raw talent. His pocket presence was lacking, but he made some plays and his arm strength looked better than I was expecting. Also, the commentators were referring to our offensive coordinator — honestly, no idea what that was all about. So, I guess I am left wondering, is this an attempt by RDB to change some things up or is this just desperation? Is Missouri even any good? I don’t know what to think. I just want to know how you leave a receiver wide open to pick up 4th and 17 needing one play to seal the deal. |
|
|
|
Post by bimigator on Nov 19, 2023 15:29:10 GMT -5
And the only productive receiver on their team at that. Should have had him tripled up. Inexcusable.
Billy's post game presser was tough to watch.
|
|
|
|
Post by g8rfan on Nov 19, 2023 18:24:16 GMT -5
I didn’t watch the game due to a prior commitment but I did see some highlights this morning. I guess next week will be the battle of the backup QBs against FSU. I’m just kinda burned out on this team right now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mojave Gator on Nov 19, 2023 18:44:02 GMT -5
I didn’t watch the game due to a prior commitment but I did see some highlights this morning. I guess next week will be the battle of the backup QBs against FSU. I’m just kinda burned out on this team right now. We have decided not to have a watch party for the FSU game in Las Vegas. Attendance this year has been abysmal, and interest in the team is close to nonexistent. Besides it being a holiday weekend and us lined up for an epic beatdown, and collectively we decided that it wasn't worth it to pursue it. Think about that. This is Florida-FSU, an event that we once had 120 people present for. |
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Nov 20, 2023 0:09:11 GMT -5
The whole broadcast was odd. Made odder still by the fact that Palmer should have the inside scoop on gator football as much as anybody in the country. I missed the first part because of dad duty, but saw Mos post about a qb coach having offensive coordinator added to his title, and I kept hearing about great play design by OC Rob sale. Even as we have no QB coach, Sales job title hasn’t changed (always been listed as OC as well as one of 2 line coaches because ya know process) and Napier is running around with his play sheet clearly calling the game. So I don’t know if Jesse is just lazy or was trying to put a pro gator spin on things. He’s pretty bad so I’m guessing it’s just being lazy.
That said, the game plan was better. It’s inexplicable to me that etienne had half the touches that Johnson did going into the 4th. Also picking nits compared to other stuff but when you’re looking for a last second miracle why wouldn’t you have etienne on the field?
I really have no idea how to take max browns performance because I have so little faith in this staff, possibly even less after this game. The read option game and offense generally with him and etienne in the backfield was far and away the most effective out offense has looked against a real defense all year, and it wasn’t close. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t at least have a package of plays for a kid with a better arm and a lot faster especially since you’ve got deep threats out wide and an explosive play waiting to happen in etienne. There is even less reason for graham mertz to come back as the starter than I thought and I didn’t think there was much reason. Mertz have us everything he could. I appreciate it. It would be a fitting and apt send off if his most exciting play as a gator was also his 2nd to last. He should go to some small school where the windows are bigger and the rush doesn’t come so fast or as scarily and put up some awesome numbers.
And despite all that along with Mizzou doing everything possible to lose that game, we weren’t having it. Lot of talk about etienne running out of bounds on that 3rd down play and Mizzou not having to burn a timeout but per ESPN we called timeout after the first down run. Then ran 2 more times. I don’t remember it, but it sounds about right. Then and I really don’t know what it’s going to take for Napier to call a spade a spade and admit maybe sunbelt coordinators can’t make the jump straight to DC in the SEC we let burden run down the seem at about 75%, sit down in a hole in the zone and basically make an uncontested catch on 4th and 17. It was bizarre. He just ran a comeback route 3-5 yards beyond the sticks and there was a huge hole in the middle of the defense.
So, with another staff or if Napier had given me any reason to believe that this might stick, that he might have watched brown and said “damn, maybe this is better than completing 70% of our passes and still losing and only scoring in garbage time,” I’d be really happy with what we saw because there was stuff to build off there, but I’m beaten down at this point, so I’m just gonna hope for the best. Hopefully the class stays together and some semblance of common sense is applied moving forward. Napier is going to start off as the coach in 24, if we struggle I have to believe that somehow some way nature will take its course I suspect it will take the bull gators threatening to pull money, but surely this can’t continue. I really hope he surprises me and does the whole CEO approach, gets and stays out of the way, and makes staff changes that need to be made. I’ll believe it when I see it, but here’s hoping. Go gators
|
|
|
|
Post by wahhappen on Nov 20, 2023 10:12:30 GMT -5
The whole broadcast was odd. Made odder still by the fact that Palmer should have the inside scoop on gator football as much as anybody in the country. I missed the first part because of dad duty, but saw Mos post about a qb coach having offensive coordinator added to his title, and I kept hearing about great play design by OC Rob sale. Even as we have no QB coach, Sales job title hasn’t changed (always been listed as OC as well as one of 2 line coaches because ya know process) and Napier is running around with his play sheet clearly calling the game. So I don’t know if Jesse is just lazy or was trying to put a pro gator spin on things. He’s pretty bad so I’m guessing it’s just being lazy. That said, the game plan was better. It’s inexplicable to me that etienne had half the touches that Johnson did going into the 4th. Also picking nits compared to other stuff but when you’re looking for a last second miracle why wouldn’t you have etienne on the field? I really have no idea how to take max browns performance because I have so little faith in this staff, possibly even less after this game. The read option game and offense generally with him and etienne in the backfield was far and away the most effective out offense has looked against a real defense all year, and it wasn’t close. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t at least have a package of plays for a kid with a better arm and a lot faster especially since you’ve got deep threats out wide and an explosive play waiting to happen in etienne. There is even less reason for graham mertz to come back as the starter than I thought and I didn’t think there was much reason. Mertz have us everything he could. I appreciate it. It would be a fitting and apt send off if his most exciting play as a gator was also his 2nd to last. He should go to some small school where the windows are bigger and the rush doesn’t come so fast or as scarily and put up some awesome numbers. And despite all that along with Mizzou doing everything possible to lose that game, we weren’t having it. Lot of talk about etienne running out of bounds on that 3rd down play and Mizzou not having to burn a timeout but per ESPN we called timeout after the first down run. Then ran 2 more times. I don’t remember it, but it sounds about right. Then and I really don’t know what it’s going to take for Napier to call a spade a spade and admit maybe sunbelt coordinators can’t make the jump straight to DC in the SEC we let burden run down the seem at about 75%, sit down in a hole in the zone and basically make an uncontested catch on 4th and 17. It was bizarre. He just ran a comeback route 3-5 yards beyond the sticks and there was a huge hole in the middle of the defense. So, with another staff or if Napier had given me any reason to believe that this might stick, that he might have watched brown and said “damn, maybe this is better than completing 70% of our passes and still losing and only scoring in garbage time,” I’d be really happy with what we saw because there was stuff to build off there, but I’m beaten down at this point, so I’m just gonna hope for the best. Hopefully the class stays together and some semblance of common sense is applied moving forward. Napier is going to start off as the coach in 24, if we struggle I have to believe that somehow some way nature will take its course I suspect it will take the bull gators threatening to pull money, but surely this can’t continue. I really hope he surprises me and does the whole CEO approach, gets and stays out of the way, and makes staff changes that need to be made. I’ll believe it when I see it, but here’s hoping. Go gators Yeah, that pretty much sums up my thoughts. It is difficult to get too excited about any of the positives when history has shown this staff lacks the ability to build upon them. On the Etienne out of bounds play, it was not a smart play by him, but we bumbled our way into the situation to begin with. Also, with a timeout coming ahead of the play, wouldn’t one of our 300 coaches emphasize the importance of staying in bounds if we were trying to run clock? Perhaps we thought that play was going to go for six or pick up a first down — or — maybe it was the responsibility of one of the players on the field and he heard a different word and told Etienne to run out of bounds. Who really knows? Doesn’t much matter when you give up a 4th and 17 and subsequently any other passing plays the opposition needs thereafter to close out the game. Or How about not being a pussy and try to move the ball instead of playing for a field goal with so much time remaining knowing your defense sucks balls? I am completely baffled by this coaching staff. |
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Nov 20, 2023 11:32:02 GMT -5
Yeah, pulling the rip cord to rely on your defense generally and in that game specifically (with their kicker being the best in the country) was stupid. You played not to lose and you lost. It's what we are right now. I really feel like Palmer was on a mission to validate Napier and company as I look back at it. The whole "if Etienne doesn't run out of bounds on that play you have to wonder if they didn't have the timeout to call on 4&17 to draw up that play what would have happened," is hilarious to me given:
A) the play "design" was have their best player run 3-5 yards past the sticks and we'll throw you a 50/50 ball. Of course it was not a 50/50 ball because he was somehow wide open with a 3-4 yard radius of open grass.
B) Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that when one team takes a timeout the other team is allowed to meet and make adjustments, etc. right? There either was confusion (again) coming out of a timeout or everybody knew their assignment and the defensive play call didn't account for Luther Burden hooking up right past the chains.
It's egregiously bad coaching as always and we should be looking for 2 new coordinators, 3 if you count special teams. There's a reason Saban hired AA as a position coach even though he had been a DC for a couple years. There's a reason that Armstrong took the move despite a demotion in title. He, unlike his current boss, seemingly understands that DC in the Sunbelt and the SEC is not apples to apples which is why nobody hires with that pattern except for us. I don't expect it to change because Napier is bound and determined to show that what worked in Louisiana can be every bit as effective at UF.
|
|
|
|
Post by bimigator on Nov 20, 2023 11:41:14 GMT -5
You can always count on our coaches to call a timeout when it isn't needed.
|
|
|
|
Post by bimigator on Nov 20, 2023 11:50:20 GMT -5
Do you remember that Zook game against Miami in 2003, when we were up 33-10 with 20 minutes left in the game and they came back to beat us 38-33?
That's how I felt at the end of the Missouri game. We have the ball; we're in field goal range with under 2 minutes; all we have to do is bleed a little time off the clock before kicking the game winner. And yet I knew we'd lose.
|
|
|
|
Post by g8rfan on Nov 20, 2023 16:37:26 GMT -5
Do you remember that Zook game against Miami in 2003, when we were up 33-10 with 20 minutes left in the game and they came back to beat us 38-33? Zook used to drive me nuts with that “prevent” defense early in the 3rd with any lead at all. So many teams just picked that scheme to the bones forcing him to go back to the regular scheme in the 4th. That shit shaved years off of my life I’m sure. |
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Nov 21, 2023 12:34:16 GMT -5
Do you remember that Zook game against Miami in 2003, when we were up 33-10 with 20 minutes left in the game and they came back to beat us 38-33? That's how I felt at the end of the Missouri game. We have the ball; we're in field goal range with under 2 minutes; all we have to do is bleed a little time off the clock before kicking the game winner. And yet I knew we'd lose. Had the Defense on it's heels and couldn't stop the read option game. They literally could not stop Brown and Etienne in the read option game, it was the single most dominant stretch of offensive football replete with explosive plays that we've seen this season. If he had run the read option I would kind of get it, but 3 straight common variety hand-offs first 2 in between the tackles and the third a stretch play to the weakside of the field where getting pushed out of bounds is infinitely more likely. It made no logistical sense, especially for a coach who espouses "scared money don't make money." I've seen speculation that Brown's fumble on the hand off to Johnson where they missed the mesh point made RDB conservative, but that doesn't make sense given that it was a stretch play to the weakside of the field. It was just plain weird. Losers figure out a way to lose. This staff cannot be defined as anything but losers as currently assembled. |
|
|
|
Post by wahhappen on Nov 21, 2023 16:31:49 GMT -5
Do you remember that Zook game against Miami in 2003, when we were up 33-10 with 20 minutes left in the game and they came back to beat us 38-33? Zook used to drive me nuts with that “prevent” defense early in the 3rd with any lead at all. So many teams just picked that scheme to the bones forcing him to go back to the regular scheme in the 4th. That shit shaved years off of my life I’m sure. The thing is, is back then players still wanted to play at UF. Luckily we made a move before it got so bad recruiting tanked and winning stopped. Fast forward to now, and we have a perfect storm of shittiness that needs to be handled before it spirals out of control. You can tell me all day long that the reason recruiting is bad is because of coaching turnover, but we all know at the end of the day winning is what brings in recruits. It is all about a winning culture. It doesn’t matter if you maintain the same consistent haircut for 5 seasons, if you don’t have consistent performance on the field that looks like you could take that next step, blue chippers aren’t coming to town. I honestly don’t know how Mullen screwed up so badly. He almost had to try to sink the program during year 3. There is no reason why he couldn’t have been at least consistently mediocre until he found his next destination. |
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Nov 23, 2023 0:06:20 GMT -5
Interesting theory on Mullen. I really dislike Mullen and always have (at least since he blew the undefeated season that should have been against ole Miss as OC). I think he had Brian Johnson and McGoober left more talent than we realized for the first 3 years. By the middle of year 3 he was convinced he had “earned” an NFL job so he stopped recruiting and had his agent float rumors about nfl interest which was a laughable move that garnered a predictable response and collective eye roll from the NFL. What followed was a year and change long pout where he did absolutely nothing. Stricklin finally made the move way too late but in what was unequivocally a huge detriment to the program and made less than no sense allowed him to finish the season, destroying the recruiting class and alienating some of our best players in the process. Copeland and diabete along with numerous others.
That said, this goes beyond bad coaching or even poor hires in my opinion. It’s flat out systemic at this point. All you need to know is that staring down the barrell of our 3rd straight losing season for
The first time since a stretch that began during World War 2, it is assumed that Napier gets another year and some people are saying 2 more. Think about that, we’re about to reach depths not seen in 76 years, and it would be “spoiled” to make a move. If that’s not at least slightly insane to anybody else maybe I’m the crazy one, I’ll own it and wait for the turnaround that’s going to come because, um, at one point we had a top 5 class based on commitments? Hokey dokey. At this point we have fans, seemingly a lot of them, that feel the reason recruiting is down is because of negativity on social media. I don’t know how you explain the last 3 classes sucking balls when everybody was positive and then at least hopeful but I guess recruits just discovered Facebook and Twitter late in this cycle.
|
|
|
|
Post by wahhappen on Nov 23, 2023 21:32:02 GMT -5
Yeah, that is kind of my point on Mullen. I did not like the hire, and never thought he would be good enough to win championships. But had he not completely turned a blind eye to the program, he probably could have sustained just enough success to find his way to Washington, Carolina, or whatever other traditionally bad managed team would have him. Unless he was aiming for head coach. That is laughable. But, hey, Ron Zook was hired as head coach at Florida so you never know.
|
|
|
|
Post by tapsgator on Nov 27, 2023 13:18:38 GMT -5
Yeah, that is kind of my point on Mullen. I did not like the hire, and never thought he would be good enough to win championships. But had he not completely turned a blind eye to the program, he probably could have sustained just enough success to find his way to Washington, Carolina, or whatever other traditionally bad managed team would have him. Unless he was aiming for head coach. That is laughable. But, hey, Ron Zook was hired as head coach at Florida so you never know. He was totally aiming for head coach. His agent leaked that he was open to offers when the Cowboys job came open. |
|
