Not a bad analysis. Balanced, acknowledging the deficiencies and looking at the improvement without going all sycophantic.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It's been a slow progression, but to deny that there has been significant improvement for the Florida offense since Jim McElwain took over would be ignoring the facts.
No, the Gators aren't exactly lighting the scoreboard on fire. No, they're not the most efficient unit out there. No, they're not perfect.
"We’re nowhere near where we’re going to be, and yet, we’re getting some parts that are actually starting to step up and realize how good they can be," coach Jim McElwain said.
The offensive improvement has been tangible. After both the total and scoring offense took a significant step back from 2014 to 2015, in McElwain's first year, the Gators have halted the reversion and begun to improve things.
This year Florida's offense is averaging 92.5 more yards per game than a year ago, while scoring an average 7.1 more per outing. At 426.5 yards and 30.3 points per game, the Gators won't exactly scare opponents. Those figures rank 52nd and 60th nationally... almost the definition of average.
But there are also signs the offense is on the cusp of breaking out. Just ask quarterback Luke Del Rio, who endured heavy (and fair) criticism after the offense struggled at times against Missouri.
"We had 530 yards of offense. It’s not like we’re not getting first downs and moving the ball," Del Rio said. "We just need to execute in the red area and stop turning the ball over on my part. Fix the little critical things, like false starts and holds."
Do that and suddenly that prolific offense Florida fans have so desperately craved since Tim Tebow left campus could return pretty quickly.
For their offensive-minded head coach, the issues for the Gators at this point boil down mostly to mentality.
"I think that part of it is understanding you can really be good if you allow yourself to be good," McElwain said. "How do you do that? How you do that is not shooting yourself in the foot with unforced errors. And yet, when an error happens, have enough confidence in your ability to come and overcome that.
"I like where we're going. I like where we're heading. We've got a ton of young guys, obviously, as you look, that are playing. At the same time, those guys, it's time that they quit being young. Let's go ahead and be as good as we can be. I'm looking forward to another opportunity to go out there and play."
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Florida-offense-showing-signs-of-real-progress-48486965
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It's been a slow progression, but to deny that there has been significant improvement for the Florida offense since Jim McElwain took over would be ignoring the facts.
No, the Gators aren't exactly lighting the scoreboard on fire. No, they're not the most efficient unit out there. No, they're not perfect.
"We’re nowhere near where we’re going to be, and yet, we’re getting some parts that are actually starting to step up and realize how good they can be," coach Jim McElwain said.
The offensive improvement has been tangible. After both the total and scoring offense took a significant step back from 2014 to 2015, in McElwain's first year, the Gators have halted the reversion and begun to improve things.
This year Florida's offense is averaging 92.5 more yards per game than a year ago, while scoring an average 7.1 more per outing. At 426.5 yards and 30.3 points per game, the Gators won't exactly scare opponents. Those figures rank 52nd and 60th nationally... almost the definition of average.
But there are also signs the offense is on the cusp of breaking out. Just ask quarterback Luke Del Rio, who endured heavy (and fair) criticism after the offense struggled at times against Missouri.
"We had 530 yards of offense. It’s not like we’re not getting first downs and moving the ball," Del Rio said. "We just need to execute in the red area and stop turning the ball over on my part. Fix the little critical things, like false starts and holds."
Do that and suddenly that prolific offense Florida fans have so desperately craved since Tim Tebow left campus could return pretty quickly.
For their offensive-minded head coach, the issues for the Gators at this point boil down mostly to mentality.
"I think that part of it is understanding you can really be good if you allow yourself to be good," McElwain said. "How do you do that? How you do that is not shooting yourself in the foot with unforced errors. And yet, when an error happens, have enough confidence in your ability to come and overcome that.
"I like where we're going. I like where we're heading. We've got a ton of young guys, obviously, as you look, that are playing. At the same time, those guys, it's time that they quit being young. Let's go ahead and be as good as we can be. I'm looking forward to another opportunity to go out there and play."
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Florida-offense-showing-signs-of-real-progress-48486965
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