Orange & Blue Spring Game Thread

Gator Fever

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Nussmeier is alleged to be a coordinator who can adapt to his talent. What sort of evidence is there to suggest he can adapt to an athlete with Toney's skillset?

See Michigan...
 

78

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See Michigan...

I'm waiting for some of our positive-minded fans to jump in and say, "But he was recruited as an ATHLETE. We very well may end up using him to return punts or play the slot or some other situational role."

Here's how I'm conflicted. Three out of every four positive comments about the quarterbacking last night were directed at Toney. The coaching staff has invested precious capital in a guy who they may not have the ability to maximize his potential.

I mean, think about this for a moment. We could go into 2017 with either of these disparate talents at starting quarterback: A guy who has absolutely no mobility in the pocket and can get sacked four times a game or a guy whose versatility puts him two steps beyond the playbook's ability to capitalize on it.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Nussmeier is alleged to be a coordinator who can adapt to his talent. What sort of evidence is there to suggest he can adapt to an athlete with Toney's skillset?
The truth is that Nusschamp can put up a 100th ranked offense with damn near anyone playing QB.
 

Theologator

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I'm waiting for some of our positive-minded fans to jump in and say, "But he was recruited as an ATHLETE. We very well may end up using him to return punts or play the slot or some other situational role."

Here's how I'm conflicted. Three out of every four positive comments about the quarterbacking last night were directed at Toney. The coaching staff has invested precious capital in a guy who they may not have the ability to maximize his potential.

I mean, think about this for a moment. We could go into 2017 with either of these disparate talents at starting quarterback: A guy who has absolutely no mobility in the pocket and can get sacked four times a game or a guy whose versatility puts him two steps beyond the playbook's ability to capitalize on it.

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this.

We won't know until we get into the meat of the schedule and SEC teams have film on our starter.

I thought Franks looked like what I've been reading. Big arm, impressive deep throws & struggling with touch & accuracy. He looked good - but against walk-on DBs.

Toney looks like he has Percy or Rainey style quickness and speed - more so than anyone since either of them. (I'm not suggesting Rainey was at Percy's level, just noting the shiftiness and quickness is similar, and Toney is bigger.)

I disagree with the Nuss & Mac bashing. The passing plays are often there but the QB situation has been the worst I've seen since the late 80's. Execution is also the coaches' job to a degree but the players have to make plays. And we lost our starting QBs each of Mac's 2 seasons.

These are his guys now. Let's see if they can play.
 

TLB

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Only watched Q1 so far

Link for those that want the full game

My thoughts:

We only saw Franks for a half, but he had his moments. Also Had some miscues. More on that in a moment. Scarlet ran hard as usual, and appears to be the lead back. Looks like we have some guys on the D line primarily end , that will really help us. Clayton and Zuniga really stood out. The deep ball to Hammond on the opening drive was really a thing of beauty.

He also missed on I believe the very next play an open Hammond for and score , as well as Powell later on in the end zone. Crossing routes and that little stutter out and come back with the slant is a staple of Macs offense . Frank's needs to complete that one nine times out of 10, for us to move the football consistently .

1st O against 2nd D
1. Franks stares down his WR
2. Franks made a few throws, but the misses were the slants and seams he has to hit for us to move the ball as Gatorbait25 points out
3. Franks made the dump off to Scarlett easy to catch and go, I'll give him that one, and it didn't necessarily appear to be the primary pass
4. Scarlett will be fun. But we'll need some passes to back the D up and give him room.
5. Play calling inside red zone was Run-Run-Run. Maybe that's part of the vanilla spring game, but c'mon man...try ONE throw?
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2nd O against 1st D
6. Trask was running for his life
7. DE's made some noise (see #6)
8. OL depth is scary as hell (see #6 and #7)
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Special Teams
9. Punter will get plenty of stats this season
10. Massey on PR? Is Nord still ST coach? WTF?
 

Swamp Donkey

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I remember some of you guys predicting another Meyer-led SEC title after the 2010 spring game.
I really dont remember that. Some of us knew the Smurfense was never going to wrok but I remember even the pumpdrs being pretty guarded, wodried about so many transfers and whether or not Leyer was ever really going to be back. i distinctly remember an almost unanimous lack of faith in Daz.
 

Swamp Donkey

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Play calling inside red zone was Run-Run-Run. Maybe that's part of the vanilla spring game, but c'mon man...try ONE throw?
Come on, man. That IS Nusschump ball spring or fall.
 

Swamp Donkey

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I disagree with the Nuss & Mac bashing. ..
Its not bashing, it is recognition of the amazing amount of suckage on his resume. He hasnt just been terrible here, he has been terrible at three straight Power Schools. Few people get the opportunity to suck that much.

He deserves reognition for 115th. He worked hard to earn that.

The passing plays are often there but the QB situation has been the worst I've seen since the late 80's...
The schemes are terribly basic. Yeah checkdowns are there and yeah teams often play loose zones bc the just dont fear the Nussfense in the slightest. Frankly we could start every drive on the opponents 2 yard line and very rarely acore a TD.
 

Omar's Coming Yo!

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J, I'm talking about who is taking the field this year. Least talented defense in a long long time.

Top ten? I just don't think that's realistic.
I don't think this defense will be in the top 75. Its going to be bad. The young and talented 2007 defense with multiple top nfl picks finished #47 in total defense.
 

TN G8tr

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Only watched Q1 so far

Link for those that want the full game

My thoughts:



1st O against 2nd D
1. Franks stares down his WR
5. Play calling inside red zone was Run-Run-Run. Maybe that's part of the vanilla spring game, but c'mon man...try ONE throw?
-------------
2nd O against 1st D
6. Trask was running for his life
7. DE's made some noise (see #6)
8. OL depth is scary as hell (see #6 and #7)
-------------
Special Teams
10. Massey on PR? Is Nord still ST coach? WTF?

1. I was thinking the same thing. He'll have to fix that.
5. One drive in the second there was some passing in RZ. Franks rifled it hard and behind the receiver in the EZ.

6, 7, 8. That was against the 1's on D. So I expected that. Our OL depth is the best that it's been in years. A little shaky on them but I give some credit to the DL and Shannon was not holding back.

10. Agreed. If Massey is on any STs I think someone should throat punch Nord. I am sure he'd be dangerous but lets get the kid some playing time on the field before another potential injury.
 

cover2

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Got watch the replay last night but missed the first possession by #1 offense. Sounds like Frank's made a couple of nice throws in that one. I'm inserting some quotes and adding comments that go along with some of the things I observed:
I enjoyed the game but Mac's teeth are even more yellow and Nussmeier is even more pathetic.
Not really about the scrimmage, but they showed a clip of Mac getting doused after the bowl game and the blue Gatorade looked eerily like the Crest Tartar Control Mouthwash I have on my bathroom shelf! Coincidence?

They are what we thought they were, the least talented Gator team since 1979.

Frankly, the 2s looked gawdawful. Like not good enough for the scout squad. There was literally no difference between them and the guys wearing #38 and #39. Depth is going to rear it's ugly head at most positions other than DE once we start getting a few injuries.
Certainly some evidence in this regard to give credence to Law's perspective. But it's still a little early and it was another 1 vs. 2 scrimmage (which usually speaks toward a few agendas by the HC ;)). I think I'm maybe a little more worried about some defensive depth for the first time in a while than our usual OL question. I agree with Law that DE looked solid but questions are there for the interior and maybe the secondary and LB positions beyond the starters. Had a few names on the injured list that could help change the depth issues along with any potential first year phenoms.
  1. Home from the O&B game. We will have enough Def players but the LBs will have to stay healthy. We all know the O line will be better with their experience and depth. We have a RB and some WRs. Franks is better than Trask but I dont see a huge jump to Felipe from LDR. He throws too hard on short passes. I aint gonna say we are fckd and Mac had them going against multiple defenses not just a base Def. but we will see when Franks hits the big stage in Dallas. If we can just pass a little better we can hang with meat chicken awhile for sure and even win.
  1. Agreed about Franks. Certainly better than a year ago. Made some nice throws but still couldn't help but think he looked a little "Driskel-ish" in a few instances (e.g. hard overthrow to Scarlett on the open swing and completely stared down the receiver on the TD throw against two lesser DBs). Trask was constantly under pressure behind the #2 OL and looked rattled, making several poor decisions. I think, however, it is important to note that he looked like a completely different QB the possession he had with the 1's. That said, I'm hard pressed to believe he will ever start a meaningful game if ever.

The good:

1. The runningbacks. Scarlett and Perine are stars.
2. Camrin Knight at LB. He's 6'3, 245-250. He did a nice job on the goal line. He'll contribute this year.
3. Toney. He's exciting with the ball in his hands. Too bad he's just an athlete pretending to be QB.
4. Jeremiah Moon. He flies to the ball. I want to know why he hasn't gained a bit of weight though. Like Knight, he'll be very useful in certain situations.
5. The receiver position looks loaded. We are dangerous. Sadly, I get the feeling it will go to waste.

The bad:

1. Franks and no one else. He scared me more than impressed. I see a guy who might throw 30 touchdowns with 25 picks. Trask looked like a 2 star. Toney is a receiver pretending to play QB. LDR is easily the backup right now and maybe the starter.
2. The o-line. They made me want to vomit.
Ditto on all the good. Scarlett is the man and Perine a solid #2. Toney should have his on little package at QB and then work at slot IMO. Young LBs show promise and given depth questions better be ready. Love the receivers but get the same feeling they will not be utilized to full potential. Hope we are wrong. As for the bad, I'll skip to the OL. Wasn't quite ready to vomit as they did create some rush lanes (both 1's and 2's), but pass pro was still inconsistent, even non-existent at times with the 2's. They can and should be better, but there is a big consistency piece that has to be polished considerably based on what was on display.

We only saw Franks for a half, but he had his moments. Also Had some miscues. More on that in a moment. Scarlet ran hard as usual, and appears to be the lead back. Looks like we have some guys on the D line primarily end , that will really help us. Clayton and Zuniga really stood out. The deep ball to Hammond on the opening drive was really a thing of beauty.

He also missed on I believe the very next play an open Hammond for and score , as well as Powell later on in the end zone. Crossing routes and that little stutter out and come back with the slant is a staple of Macs offense . Frank's needs to complete that one nine times out of 10, for us to move the football consistently . As for trask that was a bit of a disaster. Throwing in a triple coverage for an easy pic, and literally throwing it directly to Marcel on another play. Nearly resulting in a Garcia pick.


Looks like we have a play maker in toney. Loved seeing him
Take a shot and get backed up, after firing that touchdown pass. Looks like our biggest problems again Will come down to execution in the red zone. Toney can help us here. Biggest downer for me had to be Thompson putting it on the ground yet again, at this point he simply can't be trusted and a remotely competitive game.
Franks was indeed the best QB, but how good is really and maybe the better question is how good will he be when the real season rolls around? Agreed about Zuniga and Clayton and thought Duke, Marcel, and Vosean Joseph had some very good moments. 1st D should be solid. Depth development will be extremely important for this side of the ball to continue holding opponents in check until we see whether the O can be more productive. Agree about Thompson. Looks like a man against boys on several plays, but if he can't be trusted to secre the ball, he will disqualify himself (if he hasn't already).

I'm not overflowing with confidence, but I keep trying to sooth it a little by reminding myself it was another disjointed spring scrimmage. Biggest keys appear to be, in no particular order as all are keenly important, 1) QB play; 2) OL consistency; 3) Defensive depth development; 4) more potent offense that is more efficient in the red zone (coaching to attack, score, and put the opponent on their heels rather than control the clock).

I personally think we've got a lot to do still and a short time to get there. We'll see.
 

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