Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Alabama

AugustaGator

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Call it what you want, but what is not easy for me personally is to watch us struggle for going on 8 years now. And yes, despite winning the SEC East for two consecutive years, I think we are struggling. Maybe those two tiaras would mean a little more if we hadn't entered the SECCG on the heels of two losses at the hands of F$U (the two-point offensive outburst game in '15 was a lot more competitive than this year's version IMO) and then followed them up with the Bama beatings. But hey, it's Bama and I guess it should be ok to just be able to show up and wait for the second-place trophy presentation (not saying that is what you specifically are implying, but I get the feeling that there are some who are fine with it being like that)? Sorry, but my moral victory days are gone.
What has been constant over the 8 years?

Not a moral victory. I just admit we got our asses beat.

However, I am not willing to tarnish the university to win a football games. UF does not exist for football. I don't want anymore Percys (Prima Madonna's above the team rules) or Hernandez's (criminals).
 

cover2

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What has been constant over the 8 years?

Not a moral victory. I just admit we got our asses beat.

However, I am not willing to tarnish the university to win a football games. UF does not exist for football. I don't want anymore Percys (Prima Madonna's above the team rules) or Hernandez's (criminals).
I don't believe I said anything about tarnishing the university and didn't mean to imply such. I'm looking for better coaching, planning, recruiting, and player development than I've seen for the last while.
 

AugustaGator

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I don't believe I said anything about tarnishing the university and didn't mean to imply such. I'm looking for better coaching, planning, recruiting, and player development than I've seen for the last while.
Oh, I agree. I just dont want to win at all costs.

Personally, something else is wrong than just Mac. Wheels were coming off in 2009. Mushchump and now Mac. Maybe it is Fooley.
 

cover2

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Oh, I agree. I just dont want to win at all costs.

Personally, something else is wrong than just Mac. Wheels were coming off in 2009. Mushchump and now Mac. Maybe it is Fooley.
I think there's more as well and though it's taken me a little while to digest, I think JF and his staying mired in what used to work, UF recruiting itself, etc. is a factor. Mac just happens to be the current guy in the Captain's chair and so far he's pulling in more minnows than anything else, and not just in recruiting IMO.
 

TLB

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It's taken me a few days to catch up to this thread. The wife took me away for the weekend (late birthday gift) and we left the kids with friends. Ended up in DC catching the game at Acre121 with the DC Gator Club. 100% Gator support in there, even the staff had Gator shirts on. That was nice. That's about all that was nice.

She told me before we left that I'm not allowed to get mad during the game. I explained I expect us to get our 4$$ kicked, don't worry. Then, rather than getting kicked in the nuts from the get go we actually showed signs of life and potential with the opening drive. I knew better, I'd seen this before. I told her we won't get consistency on offense after the scripted drive. I missed the blocked punt (thank goodness) but the returned XP for 2 points was an evil attempt to bring hope. My wife was beside herself until I explained the return is only 2 pts, not 7. She still doesn't get that. Still, 16-9 means we have a chance....then life took that flicker of hope and twisted it, stomped on it, and burned it...then pi55ed on it. And life got worse than the beatdown that I anticiapted.

3 INTs, a blocked punt for a TD, all the other crap....miserable. I was quite upset, as I expected, and she's gets mad at me for getting upset. What am I supposed to be, joyful our QB just punked us again?

There were definitely things I felt better about than I expected. The scripted drive scored, unlike against F$U. The effort by the offense that got us to 1st and Goal from the 2, and the effort the offense gave early in the second half told me they hadn't quit and do a few things right....just not enough, and not well enough or consistently enough, but still better than the complete shutdown from last year. They simply didn't have enough (players, coach, ,etc) going right to be effective. Unlike last year with Treon where you had NO hope, this offense showed sparks. Additionally, the depleted defense did better than I thought. Part way through the 2nd Qtr I told my wife to watch the defense give up and fold like all 3 games last year. I didn't see that happen. They didn't have the horses to compete, but IMO, they didn't quit either....they simply wore down.

Am I 'just happy to be there'? No, but I'll take it over the alternative. I believe the month off allows us to get healthy again enough to compete with Iowa. I'll have to wait and see if the coaches use that time to build more than a one-drive-script. I don't expect to see a QB other than AA, nor do I expect his performance to change significantly from what we've seen thus far. Defense should be solid and keep us in the game, if they don't check out (start their NFL dream now). I want to view last year's bowl debacle as Mac teaching a lesson on what happens when players don't keep focus as an effort to keep focus this year. "Happy to be there" in this bowl game will make me officially give up on Mac. Winning the game, as I know we 'can', will make a statement.
 

EuroGator

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Part II

I still haven't been able to get the presser to load and watch it, but have read where Durty reports that one of his responses was "We're just glad to be here" regarding thevSECCG and the outcome. If that's so, then the message I think many, including recruits, are hearing is that we're ok with being mediocre, winning more than we lose and being the best of the worst in our conference. Mac also seems to be saying I did the best I can with the players I inherited. He talks about getting better but the product on the field when we are tested, punched in the mouth, says otherwise. My confidence in his ability to get this thing turned anytime soon eroded some more last night.

Reading that comment on the board before I could watch the press conference gave me the wrong impression too. The context was not the SECCG and the outcome. It was in the context of commitment to the program. The reporter referenced how that week had a bit of a theme of commitment to the program (implying Mac's commitment vs. considering the Oregon job), then he asked if Coach Mac wanted if there were any specific steps he would like to see taken in [Mac's own] program to get you to the next level. In other words, he was invited to criticize the support, facilities, etc. If he would have said anything, people here would have crucified him. He didn't. ...and he get's it for that too.

I'm not saying I'm satisfied with the results so far, but like others have said, let's at least restrict our discontent to what actually happens. Let's not go making stuff up to hate the guy for. Here's the question queued up. It was right at the end of the press conference. I think he did the right thing by deflecting to (mostly) say he's happy to be here and he loves his team.

 

Bama&GatorFan

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It's taken me a few days to catch up to this thread. The wife took me away for the weekend (late birthday gift) and we left the kids with friends. Ended up in DC catching the game at Acre121 with the DC Gator Club. 100% Gator support in there, even the staff had Gator shirts on. That was nice. That's about all that was nice.

She told me before we left that I'm not allowed to get mad during the game. I explained I expect us to get our 4$$ kicked, don't worry. Then, rather than getting kicked in the nuts from the get go we actually showed signs of life and potential with the opening drive. I knew better, I'd seen this before. I told her we won't get consistency on offense after the scripted drive. I missed the blocked punt (thank goodness) but the returned XP for 2 points was an evil attempt to bring hope. My wife was beside herself until I explained the return is only 2 pts, not 7. She still doesn't get that. Still, 16-9 means we have a chance....then life took that flicker of hope and twisted it, stomped on it, and burned it...then pi55ed on it. And life got worse than the beatdown that I anticiapted.

3 INTs, a blocked punt for a TD, all the other crap....miserable. I was quite upset, as I expected, and she's gets mad at me for getting upset. What am I supposed to be, joyful our QB just punked us again?

There were definitely things I felt better about than I expected. The scripted drive scored, unlike against F$U. The effort by the offense that got us to 1st and Goal from the 2, and the effort the offense gave early in the second half told me they hadn't quit and do a few things right....just not enough, and not well enough or consistently enough, but still better than the complete shutdown from last year. They simply didn't have enough (players, coach, ,etc) going right to be effective. Unlike last year with Treon where you had NO hope, this offense showed sparks. Additionally, the depleted defense did better than I thought. Part way through the 2nd Qtr I told my wife to watch the defense give up and fold like all 3 games last year. I didn't see that happen. They didn't have the horses to compete, but IMO, they didn't quit either....they simply wore down.

Am I 'just happy to be there'? No, but I'll take it over the alternative. I believe the month off allows us to get healthy again enough to compete with Iowa. I'll have to wait and see if the coaches use that time to build more than a one-drive-script. I don't expect to see a QB other than AA, nor do I expect his performance to change significantly from what we've seen thus far. Defense should be solid and keep us in the game, if they don't check out (start their NFL dream now). I want to view last year's bowl debacle as Mac teaching a lesson on what happens when players don't keep focus as an effort to keep focus this year. "Happy to be there" in this bowl game will make me officially give up on Mac. Winning the game, as I know we 'can', will make a statement.
If you are looking for sunshine, the Gators scored two touchdowns against Alabama's first string defense. That is more than a lot of other teams can say.
 

stephenPE

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If you are looking for sunshine, the Gators scored two touchdowns against Alabama's first string defense. That is more than a lot of other teams can say.
and if apple would have quit giving them the ball back maybe two more...............
 

Gator Fever

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Reading that comment on the board before I could watch the press conference gave me the wrong impression too. The context was not the SECCG and the outcome. It was in the context of commitment to the program. The reporter referenced how that week had a bit of a theme of commitment to the program (implying Mac's commitment vs. considering the Oregon job), then he asked if Coach Mac wanted if there were any specific steps he would like to see taken in [Mac's own] program to get you to the next level. In other words, he was invited to criticize the support, facilities, etc. If he would have said anything, people here would have crucified him. He didn't. ...and he get's it for that too.

I'm not saying I'm satisfied with the results so far, but like others have said, let's at least restrict our discontent to what actually happens. Let's not go making stuff up to hate the guy for. Here's the question queued up. It was right at the end of the press conference. I think he did the right thing by deflecting to (mostly) say he's happy to be here and he loves his team.



I think people would like to see more fire with a question like that. We know things need to be corrected and we are going to get them corrected etc. even if it is questioning other factors with the program some. Our players know that performance isn't acceptable and we are going to right the ship etc. Mac this whole season just seems to go into some shell when we lose and the reporters ask about the bad stuff. I would rather him snap at the reporters to show he cares but follow up with the we are going to get this fixed line.
 

Durty South Swamp

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Reading that comment on the board before I could watch the press conference gave me the wrong impression too. The context was not the SECCG and the outcome. It was in the context of commitment to the program. The reporter referenced how that week had a bit of a theme of commitment to the program (implying Mac's commitment vs. considering the Oregon job), then he asked if Coach Mac wanted if there were any specific steps he would like to see taken in [Mac's own] program to get you to the next level. In other words, he was invited to criticize the support, facilities, etc. If he would have said anything, people here would have crucified him. He didn't. ...and he get's it for that too.

I'm not saying I'm satisfied with the results so far, but like others have said, let's at least restrict our discontent to what actually happens. Let's not go making stuff up to hate the guy for. Here's the question queued up. It was right at the end of the press conference. I think he did the right thing by deflecting to (mostly) say he's happy to be here and he loves his team.


The mental gymnastics you just performed to justify a coach flat out saying hes just happy to be here when asked about what must be done to improve are truly impressive. Kudos to you.

Regarding making stuff up... I stated exactly what the reporter asked, and his exact response. The only thing that's been made up is your BS attempt to spin his answer into a positive. Again, kudos. :lol:
 

EuroGator

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The mental gymnastics you just performed to justify a coach flat out saying hes just happy to be here when asked about what must be done to improve are truly impressive. Kudos to you.

Regarding making stuff up... I stated exactly what the reporter asked, and his exact response. The only thing that's been made up is your BS attempt to spin his answer into a positive. Again, kudos. :lol:

Hey Durty, I don't post a whole lot around here like some of you, so I appreciate how active you've been of late trying to comment on everything I write on here. However, it's really not necessary. I'm pretty secure in who I am without all your attention - making sure that I know you're tracking what I've got to say. :lol:

As for the content, you can believe what you'd like. I didn't intend to comment on your post, but rather on the comment and how it was portrayed on this board. If you were the only one commenting about it, then yeah, you misconstrued it. If the shoe fits, wear it. However, I didn't intend it to be about your post - I didn't and still don't care about your take enough to go search for your thoughts on it. I included the video and I stand by what I said happened there. Since I replied to C2, I'd love to get his take on it. ...but now we have your take on it too. Thanks.
 

EuroGator

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I think people would like to see more fire with a question like that. We know things need to be corrected and we are going to get them corrected etc. even if it is questioning other factors with the program some. Our players know that performance isn't acceptable and we are going to right the ship etc. Mac this whole season just seems to go into some shell when we lose and the reporters ask about the bad stuff. I would rather him snap at the reporters to show he cares but follow up with the we are going to get this fixed line.

What people would like is winning and looking competent while doing so. I remember well how people responded when Will 'Midline' Muschamp got fiery. In fact the whole 'we'll get it fixed' is mocked so much it's a running joke dating back to Ron Zook. When he's asked about 'specific steps he would like to see taken' (in the context of commitment to the program) to get them to the next level, is not the right time and place to address those necessary steps. He alluded to them so people would know he's got thoughts on it, but he didn't and (in my opinion) shouldn't have gotten fiery about that in that context.

I can understand wanting more fire about the performance of the team. I don't really care about it, but I get it if it would make you feel like he cares more or that it would demonstrate that he has qualities you believe are necessary for someone to succeed in his position.
 

cover2

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...I included the video and I stand by what I said happened there. Since I replied to C2, I'd love to get his take on it. ...but now we have your take on it too. Thanks.
I finally got to listen to the presser and actually listened to the last question several times just to make sure I was understanding what was asked and what was answered. To Mac's credit, he finished the question regarding commitment to the program being a theme (the week of the SECCG) and what specific steps (Mac) has taken to get to the next level with "I'm proud of the team because I know what they've been through!" However, his initial response was that we're "Just happy to be here. Coached our tails off with the guys we've got. It is what it is!" My response after reading some posts but not hearing the text of the presser and this specific question was:

...then the message I think many, including recruits, are hearing is that we're ok with being mediocre, winning more than we lose and being the best of the worst in our conference. Mac also seems to be saying I did the best I can with the players I inherited. He talks about getting better but the product on the field when we are tested, punched in the mouth, says otherwise.

I don't know that my initial feelings have changed a whole lot. Mac never really answered regarding specific steps taken to get to the next level. Might have been too much to go into at that moment, but to me, "Just happy to be here" engenders the feelings expressed in my first impression. Hindsight I know, but I would have liked to have heard something like I know we're depth-depleted (which was discussed a little in the presser) and we really worked to get the guys who we're going to have to depend on in the game ready for the competitive level Alabama will bring so that when we have to rely on them, we have a chance to execute our calls, plays, game plan, if you will. Maybe I'm expecting too much, but my opinion is that we have obvious problems at many if not all levels in the football program and beyond winning the East, there hasn't been a lot to indicate to me that a positive turn is on the immediate horizon. I can't make myself feel happy about the state of affairs if the process calls for more years of the same as we've seen lately. Time, I believe, is of the essence whether any of us like it or not.
 

GatorStud

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Reading that comment on the board before I could watch the press conference gave me the wrong impression too. The context was not the SECCG and the outcome. It was in the context of commitment to the program. The reporter referenced how that week had a bit of a theme of commitment to the program (implying Mac's commitment vs. considering the Oregon job), then he asked if Coach Mac wanted if there were any specific steps he would like to see taken in [Mac's own] program to get you to the next level. In other words, he was invited to criticize the support, facilities, etc. If he would have said anything, people here would have crucified him. He didn't. ...and he get's it for that too.

I'm not saying I'm satisfied with the results so far, but like others have said, let's at least restrict our discontent to what actually happens. Let's not go making stuff up to hate the guy for. Here's the question queued up. It was right at the end of the press conference. I think he did the right thing by deflecting to (mostly) say he's happy to be here and he loves his team.

I finally got to listen to the presser and actually listened to the last question several times just to make sure I was understanding what was asked and what was answered. To Mac's credit, he finished the question regarding commitment to the program being a theme (the week of the SECCG) and what specific steps (Mac) has taken to get to the next level with "I'm proud of the team because I know what they've been through!" However, his initial response was that we're "Just happy to be here. Coached our tails off with the guys we've got. It is what it is!" My response after reading some posts but not hearing the text of the presser and this specific question was:

...then the message I think many, including recruits, are hearing is that we're ok with being mediocre, winning more than we lose and being the best of the worst in our conference. Mac also seems to be saying I did the best I can with the players I inherited. He talks about getting better but the product on the field when we are tested, punched in the mouth, says otherwise.

I don't know that my initial feelings have changed a whole lot. Mac never really answered regarding specific steps taken to get to the next level. Might have been too much to go into at that moment, but to me, "Just happy to be here" engenders the feelings expressed in my first impression. Hindsight I know, but I would have liked to have heard something like I know we're depth-depleted (which was discussed a little in the presser) and we really worked to get the guys who we're going to have to depend on in the game ready for the competitive level Alabama will bring so that when we have to rely on them, we have a chance to execute our calls, plays, game plan, if you will. Maybe I'm expecting too much, but my opinion is that we have obvious problems at many if not all levels in the football program and beyond winning the East, there hasn't been a lot to indicate to me that a positive turn is on the immediate horizon. I can't make myself feel happy about the state of affairs if the process calls for more years of the same as we've seen lately. Time, I believe, is of the essence whether any of us like it or not.

Shadowing this conversation... Gator fans are a vicious group to be sure as most confetti loving, prime time addicted fan bases are. However, I think we are also pretty smart fans and definitely in-tune with the vibe of our team/players. With that, I think Mac would be given all the latitude of some development time and infrastructure remodeling (within his contract window)... if his RECRUITING prowess was in order. I really feel the boards (fans in general) temperament on Coach Mac is two fold. Typical coach rhetoric is not translating to the field in any real measurable or meaningful way as seasons progress and the lack of "real" play makers (sought hard by our rivals or top programs) being flipped/committed to Florida. This is where the "smart/tradition rich/dedicated" fan aspect comes into play. We've seen the result of coaches in the past having rhetoric that did not translate into fact. They had to be fired and we moved on. With Zook and Muschamp, there was at least a semblance of recruiting prowess, which bought a little more patience watching offense below fan expectations. Mac has the double whammy going and our hunger for about a decade has made us cannibals. For most of us (IMO), it's hard to see a fine gourmet meal being promised/served when the mom isn't at the grocery store gathering up the "special" "expensive" ingredients.

:cool:
 
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stephenPE

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For most of us (IMO), it's hard to see a fine gourmet meal being promised/served when the mom isn't at the grocery store gathering up the "special" "expensive" ingredients.
:burn:

Stud maybe Studs Terkel with that imagery.
"
I always love to quote Albert Einstein because nobody dares contradict him.

I hope for peace and sanity - it's the same thing.

I want, of course, peace, grace, and beauty. How do you do that? You work for it.
"
 

rogdochar

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.. Gator fans are a vicious group to be sure ... For most of us (IMO), it's hard to see a fine gourmet meal being promised/served when the mom isn't at the grocery store gathering up the "special" "expensive" ingredients. :cool:

We want Jimmy Johns.
:burn:

I always love to quote Albert Einstein because nobody dares contradict him.
"

So smart that he thought that hairdo was the best look ?
 
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Durty South Swamp

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I didn't intend to comment on your post, but rather on the comment and how it was portrayed on this board.
LOL... it was my comment bro. You're the only one that's spinning his statement positively, and you're the only one who stated someone is making anything up.

"let's at least restrict our discontent to what actually happens. Let's not go making stuff up to hate the guy for."

I hope you don't take this post the wrong way or get offended though, I'm not commenting on your post, rather on the comment...
:lmao2:
 

EuroGator

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Shadowing this conversation... Gator fans are a vicious group to be sure as most confetti loving, prime time addicted fan bases are. However, I think we are also pretty smart fans and definitely in-tune with the vibe of our team/players. With that, I think Mac would be given all the latitude of some development time and infrastructure remodeling (within his contract window)... if his RECRUITING prowess was in order. I really feel the boards (fans in general) temperament on Coach Mac is two fold. Typical coach rhetoric is not translating to the field in any real measurable or meaningful way as seasons progress and the lack of "real" play makers (sought hard by our rivals or top programs) being flipped/committed to Florida. This is where the "smart/tradition rich/dedicated" fan aspect comes into play. We've seen the result of coaches in the past having rhetoric that did not translate into fact. They had to be fired and we moved on. With Zook and Muschamp, there was at least a semblance of recruiting prowess, which bought a little more patience watching offense below fan expectations. Mac has the double whammy going and our hunger for about a decade has made us cannibals. For most of us (IMO), it's hard to see a fine gourmet meal being promised/served when the mom isn't at the grocery store gathering up the "special" "expensive" ingredients.

:cool:

Great post. I agree that Mac has a two-fold problem - not producing results that are consistently better on offense and not satisfying the recruiting requirements.
 

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