Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Tennessee

Bernardo de la Paz · Sep 17, 2017

Loved the play of true freshmen. Davis, Wilson and Toney all look like they will be great players. CJ still scares the crap out of me, pick sixes notwithstanding.

Gardner shouldn't be on the field if he can't learn to wrap up. He's just throwing himself at people shoulder first hoping to knock them down. You can hit with your shoulder AND wrap your arms around them.

Interesting note on the offense, there were really only two 3 and outs the entire game. What killed us as far as getting the defense rest was the timing of the turnovers. All three were in the second half, with both fumbles occurring on the first play of the drive after big gains and the pick coming on second down.

cover2 · Sep 17, 2017

DaddyGator said:
Damnation, but that kid's got an arm. Just like Nuss drew it up (cough, cough). On your scripted observation, Cover, why, for the life of Zeus, can't this coaching staff pick up the pace when calling the game in real time?

That is a head scratcher and has been. It looks like they aren't confident in what the kids can do in real games, which leads to rarely taking chances (risk/reward) and consistently playing not to lose, and that often winds up,providing just the opposite. To wit, I think it was clear we were playing 50/50 to try and get in field goal range, Mac would have been happy with the tie and taking what I think would have been a difficult job with a worn out D and a muddling O. Frank's changed that on the last snap. I think this staff has done a poor job getting these kids fundamentally and technically prepared. They look like they do more talking than walking in practice, but that's just my opinion.

GatorJB said:
Was it just me or did it seem like Mac was somewhat disappointed at the end of the game? When I saw his demeanor I had a feeling that Mac never intended to go for the win. I watched 15 sec of his press conference and he still acted like he had a death in the family. What is his deal?

I think Mac is reeling from the punch in the mouth he has gotten from the noise about how those two east titles weren't as impressive as he might have believed. It might also be dawning on him that this HBC in the SEC gig isn't as easy as he surmised. And just maybe he's finding out that developing the kids he's recruited, good boys all mind you, but a lot of 3* caliber, isn't the quick way to compete with the best. They aren't 3* because they can't be taught or don't have some talent, but many are behind the higher rated players because they are physically lesser or haven't played against higher competition. It takes more time to get them functional. Personally, I think that he, as was mentioned by Fire Foley in another thread, that he isn't very detail oriented. Translated, he leaves that to the staff, who don't look to be real great with the details either, and doesn't require the corrections to be made as needed. Again, just my opinion based on what I've seen and am still seeing.

Bernardo de la Paz · Sep 17, 2017

Also, how does Mark Thompson continue to completely miss his assignment on blitz pickup? It's like the guys running by him are invisible.

bayou gator · Sep 17, 2017

Great breakdown, Cover. I think Franks could be a special player, if he just had a good O line, and a good OC. I feel like we may never get to see the best of him if he ends up stuck with these coaches the whole time he is here (that's been kind of the case with a lot of players over the last few years).

Fortunately, we were playing one of the very few coaches who happens to be worse than our own, and God was smiling down on his beloved Gators. Any victory over 10RC should be celebrated, and that's what I did last night, but we have a long way to go. Talent-wise, overall we are too slow on offense, and too small on defense. These kids need to grow up fast, and we seriously need to add some elite talent to the program this year. Add to it all of the undisciplined play and you end up with the clusterf*ck we saw on the field for 3+ hours yesterday. I'm going to stand by my words from last week: we will continue squeaking by the marginal teams (like 10RC), but I fear we are going to get clobbered again by the big boys this year.

T REX · Sep 17, 2017

Mac gets a reprieve from me temporarily. My biggest fear is that UT and Mich aren't that great of teams. And he looked like we lost after the game...not won. Weird.

Concrete Helmet · Sep 17, 2017

Swamp Donkey said:
I'd like more than six tosses on intermediate or long routes but I guess that is heresy for a Saban coach so I guess six would be an improvement. Hell, I'd try to punish them every time they snuck safeties into the box

If we were a fully functioning D1 offensive team with a decent play caller and QB who could read this on his own I'd say go for it anytime it were there also....We ain't there yet and I'm not thinking Franks is at this point in his development....We don't need him forcing throws down the middle of the field if ya know what I mean. I agree with your thought that a half dozen intermediate/long shots per game is pretty pathetic but we are who we are and at least it would be better than yesterday....We did not attempt a pass longer than 10 yards down the field until the game winner... :headslap:

Marine1 · Sep 17, 2017

T REX said:
Mac gets a reprieve from me temporarily. My biggest fear is that UT and Mich aren't that great of teams. And he looked like we lost after the game...not won. Weird.

I suspect he was a little different in the locker room. I doubt he will show any real excitement in pressers all year. They're going underground. If you read Gardner's tweet (since deleted) and several players comments it is clear many are reading message boards and social media and developing a "us against the world" mentality with the corresponding bonding. I think it's probably a good thing and the negativity will drive them. But I would rather they just stayed offline and focus on the positivity of the Swamp. The stadium was electric yesterday and not only on the last play. They should just thrive on that excitement.

Concrete Helmet · Sep 17, 2017

Bernardo de la Paz said:
Also, how does Mark Thompson continue to completely miss his assignment on blitz pickup? It's like the guys running by him are invisible.

Interesting point and one that I noticed also. My thought is that if the back is not carrying out a fake then there is no reason for him to commit to a spot where he thinks the blitz is coming from....yet he does it time and time again. IMO he needs to stay a couple of steps closer(back) to the QB instead of running right up to the los because he not giving himself as wide of an angle to find where the blitz is coming from...

T REX · Sep 17, 2017

Marine1 said:
I suspect he was a little different in the locker room. I doubt he will show any real excitement in pressers all year. They're going underground. If you read Gardner's tweet (since deleted) and several players comments it is clear many are reading message boards and social media and developing a "us against the world" mentality with the corresponding bonding. I think it's probably a good thing and the negativity will drive them. But I would rather they just stayed offline and focus on the positivity of the Swamp. The stadium was electric yesterday and not only on the last play. They should just thrive on that excitement.

Great. Maybe he'll develop into a real coach. We can always hope. But to think that any "noise" wasn't deserved is beyond stupid. AGain, we should enjoy the win vs UT. I have no doubt there will be plenty of opps to bang on the staff this year.

Marine1 · Sep 17, 2017

There will always be noise. The team can either use it as they are doing now....use the hate to unite them or ignore it altogether. I would prefer the latter but given these are 18-21 yr old kids they are attracted to social media and message boards like magnets. I suspect they are virtually incapable of ignoring it so we'll live with them using it to bond as a team. Not a really a bad thing. Looking at the video in the post game locker room shows it was lit...as the kids would say. Very fun to watch.

ChiefGator · Sep 17, 2017

Concrete Helmet said:
Interesting point and one that I noticed also. My thought is that if the back is not carrying out a fake then there is no reason for him to commit to a spot where he thinks the blitz is coming from....yet he does it time and time again. IMO he needs to stay a couple of steps closer(back) to the QB instead of running right up to the los because he not giving himself as wide of an angle to find where the blitz is coming from...

I noticed this as well, I think that his brain does not work that fast, on one play he seemed to be thinking do I block first or run my dump down route. The right answer is block first then release to make yourself available for a dump down.

ppinesgator · Sep 17, 2017

I get out of bed on Sundays just to read Cover2s takes on the game. Just a couple thoughts:

The "bend don't break" defense is characteristic of how Shannon coaches, according to several University of Miami friends I have. (I know, I should choose them more carefully, but they live all around me!) It's a real contrast to Muschamp's single coverage, blitz package style. It isn't as exciting either. And when your offense as coma-inducing as ours is, it make for some really, really dull football.

Both those coaches were playing to not lose. Never seen such conservative playing on both sides of the ball. That is, until to Heave to Cleve......

NavetG8r · Sep 17, 2017

GatorJB said:
Was it just me or did it seem like Mac was somewhat disappointed at the end of the game? When I saw his demeanor I had a feeling that Mac never intended to go for the win. I watched 15 sec of his press conference and he still acted like he had a death in the family. What is his deal?

I said before, he looks like a man who's been told he's done at the end of the season.

Swamp Donkey · Sep 17, 2017

Imagine how excited they could be if they were allowed to score points, didnt struggle to beat poor teams, and get blown out by any decent team.

That would really help the clubhouse, huh?

78 · Sep 17, 2017

ppinesgator said:
I get out of bed on Sundays just to read Cover2s takes on the game. Just a couple thoughts:

The "bend don't break" defense is characteristic of how Shannon coaches, according to several University of Miami friends I have. (I know, I should choose them more carefully, but they live all around me!) It's a real contrast to Muschamp's single coverage, blitz package style. It isn't as exciting either. And when your offense as coma-inducing as ours is, it make for some really, really dull football.

Both those coaches were playing to not lose. Never seen such conservative playing on both sides of the ball. That is, until to Heave to Cleve......

Announcers were discussing that during the Michigan game, how Shannon prefers a straight-up rush rather than blitzes. That's all well and fine when you have the right personnel up front, but we haven't been getting enough pressure on the QB, which puts extra pressure on the DBs.

Lake Gator · Sep 17, 2017

cover2 said:
P/S I usually like what Gary Danielson adds in his analyses, but when he suggested that inserting LDR would be a good move, I was ready to fire him and reunite him with Verne at whatever care facility he resides in. Jiminey Crickets!

C2, thnx for your insight.

One bright spot was the frequent rotation on the defensive line giving backups and youngsters valuable big game experience. Frosh Tedarrell Slayton is a big ol' boy whose bull rush on third and goal caused Vols QB to misfire. Frosh Kyree Campbell was credited with half a sack. Experience can only help.

As slow as J Taylor is at right tackle, he moved his butt well on a flanker screen and abused the Vol defender he was responsible for springing Gator receiver for positive yards.

We badly need depth at linebacker. Many mistakes made are correctible with good coaching. Are you open to taking a position on Mac's staff? :chomp:

Gatorraid81 · Sep 17, 2017

GatorJB said:
Was it just me or did it seem like Mac was somewhat disappointed at the end of the game? When I saw his demeanor I had a feeling that Mac never intended to go for the win. I watched 15 sec of his press conference and he still acted like he had a death in the family. What is his deal?

I figured it was the pressure of the job getting to him with not meeting the fan base's expectations so far. Maybe there a personal matter going on like a family illness or something (hope not). Definitely not the tone you may expect from a guy that just won a ballgame in miraculous fashion. Maybe it's just finally dawned on him that he's gonna have to cut ties with his buddy Nuss.

Concrete Helmet · Sep 17, 2017

ChiefGator said:
I noticed this as well, I think that his brain does not work that fast, on one play he seemed to be thinking do I block first or run my dump down route. The right answer is block first then release to make yourself available for a dump down.

I agree and noticed this last year and in the Michigan game. The problem there lies with the coaches correcting it. Are they seeing it? Sometimes I wonder if they watch the film. It's a simple adjustment just as many things in football are IMO. Our athletes aren't being instructed as well as a lot of other teams and it shows up on the field game after game. The other issue is I believe well prepared coaches for the opposing team are noticing as well and exploiting these deficiency's in our protection.

Lake Gator · Sep 17, 2017

Gatorraid81 said:
I figured it was the pressure of the job getting to him with not meeting the fan base's expectations so far. Maybe there a personal matter going on like a family illness or something (hope not). Definitely not the tone you may expect from a guy that just won a ballgame in miraculous fashion. Maybe it's just finally dawned on him that he's gonna have to cut ties with his buddy Nuss.

All of the above and dealing for two weeks with massive hurricane damage that affected his family and entire team one way or another; the uncertainty of whether a Tennessee game would be played and where; all the while mired in the psychological quicksand of the stinker they laid against Michigan. Yeah...it takes a toll.

Bernardo de la Paz · Sep 17, 2017

And don't forget this relentless pursuit

Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Tennessee

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