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Post by tapsgator on May 3, 2024 13:21:27 GMT -5
All the talent on earth doesn’t matter. The guy can’t coach at an SEC level. He really can't and he's bound and determined to show that his "infrastructure" works in the SEC which it doesn't. It would be much more entertaining if this was happening at another school or if there was any indication that the administration isn't buying his bullshit or that the fanbase would force the administration to act. Instead we're just circling the drain. It's the worst version of Groundhog's Day possible for a Gator fan. Napier fans are pigs in shit though.
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Post by tapsgator on May 3, 2024 11:29:28 GMT -5
Get ready for it: hailfloridahail.com/posts/florida-football-in-the-end-the-gators-wind-up-with-a-talented-2024-class-01hwy8j99edw"Zandamela's commitment moved the Gators up to No. 7 in 247's composite team recruiting rankings for 2024, reflecting the impressive overall haul Napier has put together. With 33 total new additions between high school signees and transfers, Florida has reloaded its roster with an experienced combination of high-upside talents and proven veterans." Sounds great right? A real deal? Here's the only problem: That doesn't account for the guys who left via the portal which is what created room for 33 additions (because it damn sure wasn't the NFL). Next year Princely will likely go 1st round, Etienne by round 2, Scooby Williams will probably get drafted, and so on and so forth. Add to that Joshua Braun who was all SEC but not good enough for our Offensive line department, Tarquin who wanted better coaching, Leonard who will play for a better team, Kamari Wilson and McLellan, and so on and so forth and then you get what we see on the field on Saturdays. But I do so love a good company line.
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Post by tapsgator on May 3, 2024 10:04:52 GMT -5
Which means that we will bring him in, and he will be touted as a major addition to the program. Even with all the red flags he's too good a prospect for us to honestly have a shot at.
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Post by tapsgator on May 3, 2024 9:58:22 GMT -5
I'm almost at the point where I hope we go ahead and give him 5 years. Let's just see how it goes. That allows him, what, 6 full recruiting cycles to get rid of all of the Mullen recruits? And then 4 full seasons plus the lost "really difficult schedule" season of 2024 to get things back on track. Is that enough time? I legitimately want CWT to get a fair shake and have every opportunity to be successful. If on the off chance he still sucks at that point, then we can just chalk up the additional two years as market research and maybe people will start to wake up in the future. That seems like a spoiled view. His contract is for 7 years. Fully guaranteed along with his crack band of assistants because scared money don't make money and Scott Stricklin is never scared. He said we wouldn't like him at first, so that covers the last 2 years, he's been very transparent about the fact that it has been hard to figure out NIL and how to practice but I hear he's turned the corner and now not only is idifferent than the last 2 years, it's like an NFL practice. He also has had to deal with kids that he didn't really want but he had to take to see how much they wanted to be here and once he figured out that they took plays off and couldn't block he showed them the door. Plus that schedule! WHOO, the schedule. Fortunately it gets much easier next year when we play the exact same SEC schedule but flip home and away games. I also think we need to give it at least 5 more years to see how the new GM position and the inventor of defense Ron Roberts develop. Plus, the buyout. Man the buyout. at this point it would cost, get ready for it, almost 3.5% of the cost of the renovation project at the Swamp to buy him out. UF simply cannot find that kind of money in their budget. It's not fair to even ask. I can't believe we're even talking about this. I envision us going 7-6 at some point, we will probably need to give him an extension in that case. 5 years seems about right. If we manage to beat FSU at any point in time? 10. The guy is ingenuous, a real deal Billy with a steady style as consistent as his hairstyle, and anybody who knows him well enough will tell you he can really coach the football. At some point in the far off future I could see him turning the reins over to Russ Callaway but I don't even want to think about life without Billy. The Hot Seat is not a real thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by tapsgator on May 2, 2024 13:28:54 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on May 2, 2024 10:13:10 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 30, 2024 13:53:24 GMT -5
gatorswire.usatoday.com/lists/florida-football-recruiting-jason-zandamela-ucf-knights-gators/This article is hilarious because: 1) We're in a duel with UCF presumably because FSU flipped our top OL and overall commit a couple weeks ago which largely went unreported since it's pretty much expected at this point, but now our battles are with UCF not real programs. 2) The writer refused to use UCF in the title. Like some sort of Harry Potter thing, can't mention the big bad Golden Knights. Hopefully we get this kid so that Kiffin has a chance to develop him.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 30, 2024 13:48:12 GMT -5
But he didn't say anything about the ownership he was given for some of the things they were doing in house at the time. How do we know he is legit? It's tough for us to see it because they're in it everyday whereas repeatability is unfinished business
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 30, 2024 12:02:01 GMT -5
I want Kiffin but I didn't realize this about Fisch www.on3.com/news/jedd-fisch-reflects-on-post-it-notes-to-steve-spurrier-entry-into-coaching/That's a guy that wants to be in Gainesville just as much a CWT wanted to be in Clemson and Tuscaloosa. Gotta think that Napier's lack of Florida ties at leasts plays some part in his refusal to adjust in any meaningful (or really even nominal) way as the program sinks to depths never seen before (we've never had 4 straight losing seasons I don't believe).
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 30, 2024 11:57:18 GMT -5
I don't keep up with the "true" fans. I assume they are blaming Mullen for the lack of drafted talent and praising Napier for bringing Pearsall in to save us from having zero draft picks, right? Yep. And the only reason Pearsall got drafted in the first round was the coaching he received under Cajun Willie. I hate Mullen, his staff out recruits Napier's every day of the week, by a wide margin when he's invested, but even when he's on a show cause and day dreaming of NFL jobs, he's still a better recruiter. I really dislike Dan Mullen but he's right (to a point) on this: x.com/MarcRyanOnAir/status/1737597934596706479www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/news/dan-mullen-billy-napier-florida-troll-recruiting-rankings-national-signing-day/Where he's wrong is that averaging 11th isn't something to brag about and isn't good enough regardless of facilities.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 30, 2024 11:14:17 GMT -5
Napier would take him in a heartbeat if he could get him, I actually haven't seen anything about us being in the mix at any point other than one article the day he announced. It seems like he has talked his way off a lot of people's radar with USC now seemingly not pursuing from an objective source. A week ago a typical top 5 was:
1) FSU 2) Miami 3) South Florida 4) USC 5) Alabama
Now it seems more
1) Miami 2) USF 3) UCF 4) Utah 5) Arizona
He also just signed with Disruptive Sports (they represent 2 NFL guys, 1 Michigan WR, and 2 free agents per their website) which means he can't sign with a collective backed agency and supposedly has not taken a visit. It seems like he's a different kid. My guess is somebody with a need at CB after Spring practice will come grab him, probably a top 15 program looking to sneak into the 12 team playoff. Or maybe he goes to a UCF type place and tries to put some good things on film so he can declare early. I wouldn't even be surprised to see him go play in another pro league at this point. Either way I would be shocked if he considered UF, not because we don't need him or we actually mean the shit about "wanting to be here," but because he's too good and we don't get top 10 kids from the portal under Napier. Our best portal guys came in the first year, since then it's been table scraps even if they have a good year and people want to turn them into a Heisman contender as they finish business.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 29, 2024 12:57:11 GMT -5
Regarding Wangoy, the thing CWT and staff have going for them is the kid has no real point of reference as to the level of coaching he is getting. Could be a new CWT tactic to slow down the portal departures, only recruit kids that have never played before and then you can baffle them with your bullshit and they don't know enough to bail out on you. That's next level strategizing right there, am I right? I can't wait for him to get on campus for Fall practice and declare "they run things like an NFL franchise." He's got a 7 foot wingspan. 7 feet! It's going to be really tough to get uncontested dunks over the goal posts to celebrate TDs if we put him on defense. "Etienne scores for the 4th time, goes up for the dunk and DENIED Wangoy out of nowhere! And the Gators trail 42-7."
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 29, 2024 10:06:46 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 29, 2024 9:50:12 GMT -5
Perhaps I should have clarified - it will be exposed to those who truly believe that there is a discernible structure to this clown show. I get it. I've just lost faith and really hope in the administration and fanbase. It seems like there's just no bar to clear. It seems very en vogue to be "rooting for him because he's such a good guy." I'm not rooting for him, I'm rooting for the Gators, it would be nice if he made a complete turnaround, but nothing in his actions (or really even words) indicates that's a realistic possibility. So, I'm not so sure that rooting for the team/program and Napier aren't mutually exclusive. I'll buy that he's a good guy behind closed doors, but I find his public persona weaselly and somewhat infuriating/hilarious depending on my headspace. He's like a hybrid of McGoober and Mullen. The misplaced confidence, the pushing back on obvious facts/statements, the delusional revisionist history, the scapegoating, the whiny excuses, the evasiveness, the victim/martyr stances, all of it. He reminds me of guys I sponsor (usually for a short time) that in their mind are talking a good game and really "get it," and then go back out because change is hard no matter what, but when you don't want to change it's impossible. At least in my experience. I think he's happy with who he is. That's great for him, I like seeing people happy and comfortable in their own skin. Who/what he is is a Sunbelt coach. Evidently a fairly good one. He should go back there.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 29, 2024 9:34:33 GMT -5
The 2022 offense will end up with 6-8 guys drafted. CWT went 6-7. He should definitely keep calling plays.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 29, 2024 9:09:55 GMT -5
For the first time since 1980 the Gators only had 1 guy drafted. That is humiliating.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 26, 2024 13:31:44 GMT -5
I'm in the minority to be sure, but I'm rooting for this kid and hope he's not the QB version of Erik Gilbert. I don't necessarily feel sorry for him, but he was a victim of circumstance and an evolving environment. Gator Guard outbids Miami when Napier shows some signs of success and then after a 3 game losing streak to end the season doesn't deliver on the promise. Nobody wants to call a spade a spade, but that was a horrible look and a hint of things to come. Now we have a half ass collective that has to scramble to hold onto a top 15 class by keeping McCray and Lagway in the fold, an AD who thinks it's a good idea to upgrade luxury boxes and fatten the builder's pockets rather than fix the program, and a fanbase that just merrily buys into some of the most inane bullshit I've ever heard on repeat.
From a football standpoint the fact that UGA wants him tells me everything I need to know. He's too good for Cajun Willie. So is Lagway which is why it's imperative that we fire Napier in time to hire Kiffin who there seems to be a consensus wants the Florida job.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 24, 2024 13:47:52 GMT -5
Wow fantastic! Thanks a bunch Mojave! Certainly belongs in the Zook Hall of Fame. Cajun Billy has a long way to go to even get close to improving upon comparing the phrases, and only then can he continue to improve. He must study more. He doesn't necessarily need to study more, just faster. Studying 4 hours really fast is just as good as studying 8 hours. Especially as you get older. Last year the coaching staff was also a year younger at least those who remained. So, this year they will be a year older. The guys that seem unqualified to be in their current positions now will also be a year older next year so we're definitely moving in the right direction.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 24, 2024 13:20:06 GMT -5
“Like I mentioned before, I don’t think the place is under construction, I think it’s built, and I think this is going to allow me an opportunity to focus a little bit more on the things that matter, and play-calling’s a part of that.”So it has taken him until his third season to focus on play calling? I'm pretty sure that at this point he (or more accurately a department of analysts) just reads the canned excuses that the local honks keep spewing and repeats them in random order. So, "he told us he needed time to build his infrastructure" turns into "I've built the infrastructure so now the clock can start," it's either completely delusional, an exercise in mind control, or both. Here is my favorite part: "I think giving Russ Callaway the co-coordinator title, giving him a little bit more ownership throughout the offseason and some of the things that we do in-house." WTF does that even mean - "some of the things we do in-house"?? Is he mopping the floors and doing dishes? Or are we outsourcing some of the OC responsibilities? What, EXACTLY, is he doing? Why does the title change matter? I feel like we are all getting dumber in this process and I don't see how it all comes together for a magical transformation. CWT seems to believe it will, and he has firmly planted his flag in the "Mertz is our savior" camp. He must genuinely believe this is the year we skyrocket up to 11, I mean, 7 wins (new expectations in play). Otherwise, why talk up Graham? You would think he would be positioning for a year 4 plea deal using the "Lagway is here. Pieces are in place for the future" mantra. But, no, he is hell bent on his system and his players are ready to go this year. It will be fun seeing this all unfold. I was hopeful last year. Now I am just dumbfounded. Russ Callaway reminds him of himself. There's a quote out there somewhere about it and all. "We both played QB and then worked some on Defense" type shit. Maybe since Saban and Smart kept him as far away from actual game planning as possible he feels like that's how you train your prized pupils? I seriously think that may be it. It's amazing to me. With CWT's constant dribble and babbling in his ear the whole game Mertz may take a step back in his performance this year. For certain. I think not having Etienne or Pearsall won't help. The line may (somehow) be even worse, and there's less cupcakes on the schedule to pad stats. The only thing that could save him is garbage time. Again. If things proceed the way that I expect, this season will totally implode, and the folly of Napier's organizational approach will be exposed. Agreed, but it's been exposed to anybody paying attention and remotely objective, he's even saying the same shit he said 2.5 years ago when he was hired and sheeple are lapping it up. The company line is/has become "he's a super duper nice guy and I think he can get it done, he's just gotta figure out a way to get to 7-5." So, if 3 years in we are 0-4 in top 10 classes (our top recruit for next year recently decommitted) and Napier has a losing record, that's an accomplishment because evidently he's a nice guy. I feel like I'm going through a divorce with the majority of the fanbase. We just want different things. No judgment, but I'm not okay with 7-5 and the talent level continuing to drop. Even if Gutsy Graham is extra gutsy and finishes all the business.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 24, 2024 10:02:24 GMT -5
Yeah it'll go unanswered, but it shouldn't. I believe he has fallen (off the depth chart) and I doubt he'll be able to get up, but I've been wrong about him in the eyes of the staff and hearts of the kool-aid contingent for 3 years now so who the Hell knows?
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 19, 2024 9:53:39 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 19, 2024 9:42:42 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 19, 2024 9:40:29 GMT -5
Has anybody interviewed Tyler about the game yet? I'd like to hear his thoughts.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 18, 2024 11:46:32 GMT -5
I know not everything can be as exciting as that play or Desmond Watson being Desmond Watson, but I heard Lagway looked pretty legit. Lagway did look good. So he probably won’t play much. Of course not, he needs to see how a slow footed weak armed white guy manages the offense in order to develop properly. Next year he's probably going to play for Lane Kiffin or Texas A&M, I hope it's Kiffin. In Gainesville. Being Athletically Directed by Steve Spurrier.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 18, 2024 11:03:40 GMT -5
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 18, 2024 10:37:01 GMT -5
If anyone is interested it looks like it will be on SEC network at 8pm Eastern tonight. I’m going to watch some of it. Just for shiggles. I know not everything can be as exciting as that play or Desmond Watson being Desmond Watson, but I heard Lagway looked pretty legit.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 17, 2024 13:59:57 GMT -5
They love their company lines at Team CWT, the stupider the better:
1) Unfinished business- That would make sense if Gutsy Graham the check down man had played all 5 of his years of college football (yay COVID!) at UF instead of 80% of them at Wisconsin which ended unceremoniously when a real coach (Fickell) replaced the so-called QB guru (Chryst) who got fired for insisting on playing Graham Mertz and immediately gave the job to something called Tanner Mordecai. He has no damn business to finish.
2) Looks just like an NFL practice. How many guys on this staff have legitimate NFL experience? The real answer is 0, but let's credit Harris (a partial season as an assistant secondary coach) and Sale (a full year as a HEAD offensive line coach). So 1.5.
3) We've learned how to practice. This is quickly becoming my favorite. To paraphrase Allen Iverson:
"(learned how to) Practice? We talkin bout (learning how to) practice?"
Seriously, in year 3 under Cajun Willie Taggert the guys have really figured out this whole practicing and watching films deal. That's something else. Right?
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 17, 2024 9:58:23 GMT -5
No reports on whether this will replace the plaque or they're just going to wait until they do a statue of Gutsy Graham, but here you go, a little hump day pick me up: "Things have changed. It’s hard for you guys because we’re in it every day. For us it’s the constant messaging, the constant urgency that we have to have every single day of what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, why we’re doing it. I can see that every day. I think that it starts from the Head Coach down, and he does a fantastic job every day reminding us of what we went through, being able to use that experience on a daily basis. If there’s a day where you’re tired, it makes it a lot easier to not be tired when you think back to sitting in the locker room after the Arkansas game, stuff like that. Going to Death Valley, losing that game. Yeah, unfinished business is a big theme for us. It’s not too hard to find motivation these days." Source: gatorswire.usatoday.com/lists/florida-football-graham-mertz-spring-camp-performance/Be warned, this article includes several powerful quotes, so have a box of tissues ready. You're welcome, now if you'll excuse me I'm so fired up I'm going to walk slowly through an open door.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 16, 2024 12:50:20 GMT -5
x.com/GatorsFB/status/1779207294938747243This is the stuff of nightmares for opposing coordinators. As a DC, how can you hope to stop that level of arm talent and ability to drive the ball into tight windows? Especially since Head Coach of the Coaches of the Defensive Football of which he is the modern day Godfather and inventor of AND his fearless assistant/coachee/Defensive Coordinator in charge of coordinating the defense Titties McJiggles were so helpless to stop it? Likewise as an OC how do you combat that coverage scheme and execution and hope to possibly move the ball in the air if you do not have the competitive advantage of Gutsy Graham Mertz and his laser accurate arm cannon? I don't think there's 5 people on the planet that can make that throw against that kind of pressure, and we have one of them. The bestest one.
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Post by tapsgator on Apr 16, 2024 12:24:08 GMT -5
“We’re deeper. We’ve got more height and length. We’ve got more veteran players, and I think the young talent, the freshmen and the portal players, are going to help us,” he said. “That to go along with the changes that we made after evaluating the season, I feel good about where we’re at.” Dude our basketball team is going to be SICK next year. More height and length? More experience? Talented underclassmen from both the recruiting class AND the portal? Sign me the fuck up. Oh wait, this is football. www.onlygators.com/04/14/2024/florida-football-takeaways-dj-lagway-flashes-gators-work-in-progress-after-2024-orange-blue-game/Seriously, how many times last year did we look out there and think "you know if that guy was a little taller we would have been just fine?" We've obviously got the size, strength, speed, and gutsiness down. It goes without saying but the coaching and development are obviously beyond reproach what with Juniors in high school saying it reminds them of an NFL practice, the brand new recruiting budget, and the departments in charge of problematic units. We just weren't quite long enough or tall enough. For instance: 1) Etienne is only 5'9. Montrell Johnson (the real MJ) is listed at 5'11 up from 5'10 in high school. He's getting TALLER. That's what I call coaching. UGA is talking about starting Etienne when he's the shortest guy in their RB room. That's why we will continue to dominate Kirby Smart coached teams, he doesn't understand how to determine the RB depth chart, everybody knows you have them stand in a doorway and make a pencil mark at the top of their head. If it's too close to call you have them go back to back and move your hand horizontally to see who wins the starting job. Always check for tippy toes, to be on the safe side you should hire like 3 guys and call it a height determining and verifying department. 2) Ricky Pearsall was over an inch taller than Chimere Dike and I know that may be cause for concern, but wide receiver is probably the position where height matter the least. To my understanding as explained by Ron Roberts the inventor of modern football, catch radius is largely determined by your rapport with Graham Mertz. Plus, the Dikester averaged nearly 2 catches and was sooooo close to 30 receiving yards per game that I'm gonna give it to him. That was without Graham Mertz, probably with the guy that took his job. Gutless Gary or whatever his name is. Doesn't matter, it ain't Graham and he doesn't have a sweet Simple Jack hairstyle. 3) Similarly, some idiots have suggested that losing Princely at 6'5 was problematic, well look at this scouting report: Possesses accurate snap anticipation and timing to beat blockers off the edge. A chase-and-tackle Will prospect, Umanmielen is instinctive, reading and reacting quickly and showing the ability to absolutely fly around the field. Umanmielen has quickness in his hands and uses his length effectively. Accelerates rapidly and has a great feel for angles. He isn’t huge, but he packs a pop. He’s very good with his hands, a technician with the violence, quickness, and the long arms to ward off blockers. Umanmielen has a great motor and enough creativity to make plays late in the down as a pass rusher. His spin move is already NFL-caliber, and he displays a very good motor. For those of you who don't speak Cajun Willie allow me to translate: He's too short and takes plays off. Everybody knows it. He used to be tall and have a good motor, but when he entered the portal he starting taking plays off retroactively and shrunk. I'm surprised that NFL people haven't updated his profile to reflect that the experts at Gator Country have reviewed the tape and determined he took a lot of plays off and there's serious character concerns since he lied about how well he was coached. The fact that stuff like this is the rule and not the exception from a guy making 7.4 million dollars to coach what was the pre-eminent program in America less than 20 years ago is preposterous.
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