Gators gain this year
Instead the same regression
Only hope is Lagway
(did I do that right Haiku)?
Praises:
Kam James - everyone knows the play made on the interception... however the most impressive play he made was in the 3rd quarter tracking Restrepo down 50 yards from the LOS.
Special Teams - Smack made his kicks, Crenshaw was solid and Dike did well on the punt return.
Boone taking accountability for his play in postgame interview. Much respect for him.
Lagway's potential - that TD drive gives Gator fans hope on what this season is.
Postulates:
I had written a whole novel that got deleted (dang mouse pad on laptops)... here goes some big picture thoughts and underplayed items:
> This game was the litmus test - a midterm exam that if you flunk you were going to have to drop the class.... Going against a coach who was hired in the same time period, who came from the "Saban" tree, who coaches in the same state, and who has made as many bizzare coaching decisions as you (but has been better at recruiting) - everything was the same... 1st game - so no excuse of being worn down by schedule... a home game... there's bombing the exam and there's BOMBING the exam...
> I hate that my expectations have gone to expecting to win every game in blow out fashion to just hoping we're competitive and can find a way to win.
> Every year we are preached that we're more disciplined, stronger and have learned from past mistakes. Florida fans are Charlie Brown and the coaching staff is Lucy... they promise it'll be different but the ball keeps being taken away.
- 3 preventable plays led to 21 points or minimum 15 more points than expected.
a) Everyone knows about Boone's ROP - which changed sure FG to TD (4 pts)
b) Douglass ROP - led to a TD (7 pts)
c) Denson not properly wearing his mouthpiece (Q2 127 mark)- which completely evaporated any momentum from MJ TD (explain more detail shortly)
- another TO called immediately after returning from break - showing not ready on offensive to go
> Denson not wearing mouthpiece (it's just dangling) and why this was one of the biggest plays of the game and underrated:
Play happens at 1:34 Q2 on 1 & 10 at Miami 37 yd line - The 4th play after MJ TD
Denson tackles Brown inbounds after 8 yard gain (127 on clock) and his helmet pops off during tackle
Instead of clock running and Miami rushing to line and keeping up tempo - limiting play selection... The clock stops - Miami gets to reset and collectively catch their breath... Denson is removed from the game and clock doesn't start until snap.
Miami gets 1st down, deep pass completion, incomplete and TD and still has 45 seconds remaining in half and of course our response is a sack to close 1st half
- Boone ROP play - was the biggest play of the game and how Florida responded to it. With game at 330pm - the first quarter was the hottest part of the game. Florida can only last 4 plays on first drive, Boone's play gives Miami 2 additional plays and 4 additional points.. Florida now has to try to burn some clock to give the D a break and make Miami's D stay out there - they instead only last 4 plays - continuing an East/West (outside the hashmarks offense) and it back fires. In addition they catch a break when instead of going for it on 4th and 5 from the 41 they punt and Miami immediately turns ball over. Was the play calling philosophy changed to be less aggressive downfield in the hopes of having a more sustainable drive - something which Florida ultimately proved it was incapable of doing
When they finally tried a deep N/S - throws were not even close to completion.
- Look at # of plays Miami ran in 1st half vs. Florida - wore them out
> only made 1 first down on offense (in garbage time) and gave up 50% 3rd down conversions
> What happened to "Scared Money don't make Money" - Miami was more aggressive on offense and was rewarded. Why didn't we go for 4th on 5 on Miami territory or fake a P when the D was clearly gassed and outclassed?
> line of scrimmage was dominated on both sides of ball - maybe recruiting higher caliber Offensive lineman instead of taking remaining scraps and leftovers
> Lost Turnover battle 2-1
> Lost sack battle 3-1
> Florida scoring while Mertz was in the game consisted of a 1 play drive and a possesion where the D put the O into FG range to start
> Middle 8 - Florida outscored 14-7 and allowed Miami to score TD's right before HT and immediately after - causing score to go 17-14 to 31-14... game over
> Thought MJ was tentative first 2 series but ran more decisively starting the 3rd series
> Coaching staff clearly made statement on other RB's not being ready to pass block as MJ was only back playing each series when game was in doubt
> Thought officiating was fine and only called clear and obvious... for those wanting ROP on Mertz injury - rusher allowed one step from pass - well within rules.
> If Napier is smart - he's been given a gift from the Gods... with Mertz sustaining a concussion - gives Napier an easy excuse to start Lagway vs Samford and have him start the remainder of the season... it's a lost year (I know overreaction but 2+years hasn't shown anything different). Mertz is a luxury backup and give Gator fans hope for the future and have this year be meaningful in giving Lagway the experience he needs for next year. Plus the OL & TE have proven they are not able block long enough for a Mertz to be effective - so use Lagway's skills to improve the OL's chances at success... It might allow for more than bubble screens and passes to the flat. (which those posts to Tre were beautiful and missing with Mertz - which his first completion between hash came when score was 31-10)
> Desmond Watson - a lot has been said about him - I give him props - it's clear he's still a work in progress - but he definitely showed greater endurance than last season. I pray that he continues to develop and takes advantage of the resources Florida provides.
> Here's hoping for more playing time for our true freshman and underclassmen - as it's clear the current upperclassmen will not be appearing on any all SEC lists at the end of the season.
I really wanted Napier to succeed and I've been an apologist and backer ... but after getting this midterm exam back - it's clear Florida is no longer relevant in the college football landscape and that's completely unacceptable and a complete overhaul will be required. If it comes to that I hope that it's never Kiffin or Urban as we still need men of character and leadership to develop our future generation.
Instead the same regression
Only hope is Lagway
(did I do that right Haiku)?
Praises:
Kam James - everyone knows the play made on the interception... however the most impressive play he made was in the 3rd quarter tracking Restrepo down 50 yards from the LOS.
Special Teams - Smack made his kicks, Crenshaw was solid and Dike did well on the punt return.
Boone taking accountability for his play in postgame interview. Much respect for him.
Lagway's potential - that TD drive gives Gator fans hope on what this season is.
Postulates:
I had written a whole novel that got deleted (dang mouse pad on laptops)... here goes some big picture thoughts and underplayed items:
> This game was the litmus test - a midterm exam that if you flunk you were going to have to drop the class.... Going against a coach who was hired in the same time period, who came from the "Saban" tree, who coaches in the same state, and who has made as many bizzare coaching decisions as you (but has been better at recruiting) - everything was the same... 1st game - so no excuse of being worn down by schedule... a home game... there's bombing the exam and there's BOMBING the exam...
> I hate that my expectations have gone to expecting to win every game in blow out fashion to just hoping we're competitive and can find a way to win.
> Every year we are preached that we're more disciplined, stronger and have learned from past mistakes. Florida fans are Charlie Brown and the coaching staff is Lucy... they promise it'll be different but the ball keeps being taken away.
- 3 preventable plays led to 21 points or minimum 15 more points than expected.
a) Everyone knows about Boone's ROP - which changed sure FG to TD (4 pts)
b) Douglass ROP - led to a TD (7 pts)
c) Denson not properly wearing his mouthpiece (Q2 127 mark)- which completely evaporated any momentum from MJ TD (explain more detail shortly)
- another TO called immediately after returning from break - showing not ready on offensive to go
> Denson not wearing mouthpiece (it's just dangling) and why this was one of the biggest plays of the game and underrated:
Play happens at 1:34 Q2 on 1 & 10 at Miami 37 yd line - The 4th play after MJ TD
Denson tackles Brown inbounds after 8 yard gain (127 on clock) and his helmet pops off during tackle
Instead of clock running and Miami rushing to line and keeping up tempo - limiting play selection... The clock stops - Miami gets to reset and collectively catch their breath... Denson is removed from the game and clock doesn't start until snap.
Miami gets 1st down, deep pass completion, incomplete and TD and still has 45 seconds remaining in half and of course our response is a sack to close 1st half
- Boone ROP play - was the biggest play of the game and how Florida responded to it. With game at 330pm - the first quarter was the hottest part of the game. Florida can only last 4 plays on first drive, Boone's play gives Miami 2 additional plays and 4 additional points.. Florida now has to try to burn some clock to give the D a break and make Miami's D stay out there - they instead only last 4 plays - continuing an East/West (outside the hashmarks offense) and it back fires. In addition they catch a break when instead of going for it on 4th and 5 from the 41 they punt and Miami immediately turns ball over. Was the play calling philosophy changed to be less aggressive downfield in the hopes of having a more sustainable drive - something which Florida ultimately proved it was incapable of doing
When they finally tried a deep N/S - throws were not even close to completion.
- Look at # of plays Miami ran in 1st half vs. Florida - wore them out
> only made 1 first down on offense (in garbage time) and gave up 50% 3rd down conversions
> What happened to "Scared Money don't make Money" - Miami was more aggressive on offense and was rewarded. Why didn't we go for 4th on 5 on Miami territory or fake a P when the D was clearly gassed and outclassed?
> line of scrimmage was dominated on both sides of ball - maybe recruiting higher caliber Offensive lineman instead of taking remaining scraps and leftovers
> Lost Turnover battle 2-1
> Lost sack battle 3-1
> Florida scoring while Mertz was in the game consisted of a 1 play drive and a possesion where the D put the O into FG range to start
> Middle 8 - Florida outscored 14-7 and allowed Miami to score TD's right before HT and immediately after - causing score to go 17-14 to 31-14... game over
> Thought MJ was tentative first 2 series but ran more decisively starting the 3rd series
> Coaching staff clearly made statement on other RB's not being ready to pass block as MJ was only back playing each series when game was in doubt
> Thought officiating was fine and only called clear and obvious... for those wanting ROP on Mertz injury - rusher allowed one step from pass - well within rules.
> If Napier is smart - he's been given a gift from the Gods... with Mertz sustaining a concussion - gives Napier an easy excuse to start Lagway vs Samford and have him start the remainder of the season... it's a lost year (I know overreaction but 2+years hasn't shown anything different). Mertz is a luxury backup and give Gator fans hope for the future and have this year be meaningful in giving Lagway the experience he needs for next year. Plus the OL & TE have proven they are not able block long enough for a Mertz to be effective - so use Lagway's skills to improve the OL's chances at success... It might allow for more than bubble screens and passes to the flat. (which those posts to Tre were beautiful and missing with Mertz - which his first completion between hash came when score was 31-10)
> Desmond Watson - a lot has been said about him - I give him props - it's clear he's still a work in progress - but he definitely showed greater endurance than last season. I pray that he continues to develop and takes advantage of the resources Florida provides.
> Here's hoping for more playing time for our true freshman and underclassmen - as it's clear the current upperclassmen will not be appearing on any all SEC lists at the end of the season.
I really wanted Napier to succeed and I've been an apologist and backer ... but after getting this midterm exam back - it's clear Florida is no longer relevant in the college football landscape and that's completely unacceptable and a complete overhaul will be required. If it comes to that I hope that it's never Kiffin or Urban as we still need men of character and leadership to develop our future generation.
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