- Jun 12, 2014
- 8,950
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Founding Member
For the second Saturday in a row, I'm starting an article while the game is still in motion at the end of the third quarter, but the outcome already determined. 35-9 Mizzou 
. Looks like we're gonna have to be satisfied with the prospects of a new coach on the horizon, as the possibility of enough wins for a winning season and a bowl bid are quickly evaporating, which would cement this season as a wash. Gonna get worse before it gets better, I guess (to use a tired quote where our Gators are concerned). Before I get into the specifics, let me say that I'm a little surprised at the effort I'm seeing from the players, despite losing their HC and the guy, who for many of them was the one who got them to come to Gainesville. I thought they would respond more positively to Shannon as the interim, but this looks more like we're in the eighth quarter against UGA. As I type, the Tigers score again to go up 42-9. Not much good in the way of an audition for whoever that next guy will be, players or current staff. On that happy note, lets dissect a little:
*Zaire as the starter was slightly better, but not enough to make a winning difference. He made some nice throws (and a couple of poor ones) and extended some plays with his legs, but was victimized by poor OL play on several snaps. His running ability did not translate into either a threat or give pause to the Tigers' D in terms of their aggressiveness. I'd say at this point he still needs to be the starter, but his play has to elevate along with that of the entire group O (no sh!t, right?).
*OL was poor today. Couldn't block the run effectively nor was pass pro very good. "A strength of the team" still resonates. This unit was dominated by MISSOURI. Not Bama or another good team. Here's my quandary: Coach Davis is obviously popular with his players and gets some recognition as a recruiter from what I read, yet his unit has not gotten that much better if you look at the whole of the season and in their second year under his supervision...are they just not that good, brain dead, or is he not getting it done? My thinking shifts to the responsibility of the position coach, bolstered by the modest improvements we have seen in a few games and how well they have blocked the run. I just feel like they could be coached to better consistency. Or is this game just part of the malaise? Remember we didn't do any better against UGA unless you are excited by what was accomplished against their ERW's late.
*The D was manhandled, again, by MISSOURI! They shoved five yard runs up our tailpipe all game. I joked with @Gator98MD in the box that we needed him to remove this Tiger impaction! Nobody stood out really positively and many of the same mistakes stood out, like missed tackles, poor technique and fundamentals (e.g. early on we had a DL blast through on a line to blow up a draw play, but he was out of control with his weight so far over his feet that he couldn't break down and make the tackle; instead, the back simply deked to the side and ran upfield for a nice gain while the DL just collapsed while trying to stop his momentum). The back seven was not real good either. Among the LBs, Reese made a couple of plays, but not a lot beyond that from this unit. That we are starting a walk-on is quite telling and reminding of how long the recruiting ball has been dropped. Among the secondary, Henderson, despite his pick where he was the only open player, is likely on his way to the Shands burn unit. Two interference penalties and two long receptions conceded will leave several scars. Just poor play from top to bottom.
*I've gotten onto the players, and deservedly so for their effort and play, but coaching definitely plays a part. That dynamic didn't just start, obviously, but you have to think that Shannon was going to have them energized more than they were. He said the right things at his presser, but maybe one week and after the change it wasn't enough time to affect the culture that McElwain had built (not with Butch Jones' bricks, but his own straw and mud, perhaps)? Something tells me that constantly being told they "played their tails off" and "I still like this team" in losses sends a subliminal message that it's ok to lose as long as those in charge think we did ok. Not a winning plan IMO. To wit, one of the best messages I ever heard about came from Jim Hughes, past HC at Colquitt County (Moultrie, GA) high school. Coming off a State Championship in the mid '90's, the Packers were playing in a preseason Classic in the GA Dome against one of the ATL area powers. They were behind, but driving to score a late TD which would have given them the victory. They got down to the goal line with seconds left, but were stopped short on the final play. They had played hard, as they always did, but came up just short in a game that was essentially meaningless in terms of their region record and determining whether they would make the playoffs. The exhausted Packers circled their coach at midfield, awaiting his post-game words that would give them not only comfort, but an impetus for the season ahead. What Hughes told them was this: "Get your GD 0-1 @sses on the bus! We've got work to do!" Doing what it takes to be a winner has to be a priority! I don't know that all our players know this.
*I keep hearing from some that we have a lot of talented players who just aren't being utilized, particularly on offense due to our 19th century offensive approach. I'm going to disagree a little. Beyond Davis, Cleveland, Toney, and maybe a couple more (you name 'em), the talent we have is raw and under-developed. Thus, they're not in a position to provide the consistent threat to a D that would make a difference. Can't really apply the "but if" argument where the offensive scheme is concerned, even though you and I know it's putrid, because there's nothing else where these players are concerned to compare it with. The bigger issue that the new HBC has to tackle is how can he get enough quality players in the next cycle to start making a difference? We've known this for how many years now? Problems 1b and 1c are can we get the current roster, many of whom are potentially talented, to develop much beyond where they are now and are there any current staff members I can keep that are getting the job done (Seider is likely the best I can come up with)? Or does he have to clean the whole house and find a complete staff to come in?
*Did I mention Special Teams looked terrible again? Outside of downing a punt inside the five and covering one for little to no return, both coverage units stunk. Eddy didn't kick 'em out of the end zone like he usually does and Kick Cover was finally exposed to be as poor as their sister unit Punt Cover. Both return teams were bad and Powell's muff kinda set the tone. But is anyone really surprised?
45-16 loss to MISSOURI. Our suffering continues. A piss poor Seminole bunch suddenly looks a lot better, not to mention Muschamp and his 'Cocks. UAB? Who knows at this point
? Looking forward to the new hire is going to be our Christmas and New Years, I guess. Beyond that, I can hope that we at least get a better effort in the remaining games. Even if we lose, but play hard, it's better, right? Yeah, I know, not much. Hope isn't a plan to win necessarily, but it's what I'm reduced to and I'll still be pulling hard. No need for our efforts as fans to mirror what we saw on the field today!
Go Gators!
*edit* Penalties! Good Lord we are so undisciplined. If this can improve from now until the end of the season (and I know we aren't off to a great start under the interim), that will be a positive that we have to have.
. Looks like we're gonna have to be satisfied with the prospects of a new coach on the horizon, as the possibility of enough wins for a winning season and a bowl bid are quickly evaporating, which would cement this season as a wash. Gonna get worse before it gets better, I guess (to use a tired quote where our Gators are concerned). Before I get into the specifics, let me say that I'm a little surprised at the effort I'm seeing from the players, despite losing their HC and the guy, who for many of them was the one who got them to come to Gainesville. I thought they would respond more positively to Shannon as the interim, but this looks more like we're in the eighth quarter against UGA. As I type, the Tigers score again to go up 42-9. Not much good in the way of an audition for whoever that next guy will be, players or current staff. On that happy note, lets dissect a little:*Zaire as the starter was slightly better, but not enough to make a winning difference. He made some nice throws (and a couple of poor ones) and extended some plays with his legs, but was victimized by poor OL play on several snaps. His running ability did not translate into either a threat or give pause to the Tigers' D in terms of their aggressiveness. I'd say at this point he still needs to be the starter, but his play has to elevate along with that of the entire group O (no sh!t, right?).
*OL was poor today. Couldn't block the run effectively nor was pass pro very good. "A strength of the team" still resonates. This unit was dominated by MISSOURI. Not Bama or another good team. Here's my quandary: Coach Davis is obviously popular with his players and gets some recognition as a recruiter from what I read, yet his unit has not gotten that much better if you look at the whole of the season and in their second year under his supervision...are they just not that good, brain dead, or is he not getting it done? My thinking shifts to the responsibility of the position coach, bolstered by the modest improvements we have seen in a few games and how well they have blocked the run. I just feel like they could be coached to better consistency. Or is this game just part of the malaise? Remember we didn't do any better against UGA unless you are excited by what was accomplished against their ERW's late.
*The D was manhandled, again, by MISSOURI! They shoved five yard runs up our tailpipe all game. I joked with @Gator98MD in the box that we needed him to remove this Tiger impaction! Nobody stood out really positively and many of the same mistakes stood out, like missed tackles, poor technique and fundamentals (e.g. early on we had a DL blast through on a line to blow up a draw play, but he was out of control with his weight so far over his feet that he couldn't break down and make the tackle; instead, the back simply deked to the side and ran upfield for a nice gain while the DL just collapsed while trying to stop his momentum). The back seven was not real good either. Among the LBs, Reese made a couple of plays, but not a lot beyond that from this unit. That we are starting a walk-on is quite telling and reminding of how long the recruiting ball has been dropped. Among the secondary, Henderson, despite his pick where he was the only open player, is likely on his way to the Shands burn unit. Two interference penalties and two long receptions conceded will leave several scars. Just poor play from top to bottom.
*I've gotten onto the players, and deservedly so for their effort and play, but coaching definitely plays a part. That dynamic didn't just start, obviously, but you have to think that Shannon was going to have them energized more than they were. He said the right things at his presser, but maybe one week and after the change it wasn't enough time to affect the culture that McElwain had built (not with Butch Jones' bricks, but his own straw and mud, perhaps)? Something tells me that constantly being told they "played their tails off" and "I still like this team" in losses sends a subliminal message that it's ok to lose as long as those in charge think we did ok. Not a winning plan IMO. To wit, one of the best messages I ever heard about came from Jim Hughes, past HC at Colquitt County (Moultrie, GA) high school. Coming off a State Championship in the mid '90's, the Packers were playing in a preseason Classic in the GA Dome against one of the ATL area powers. They were behind, but driving to score a late TD which would have given them the victory. They got down to the goal line with seconds left, but were stopped short on the final play. They had played hard, as they always did, but came up just short in a game that was essentially meaningless in terms of their region record and determining whether they would make the playoffs. The exhausted Packers circled their coach at midfield, awaiting his post-game words that would give them not only comfort, but an impetus for the season ahead. What Hughes told them was this: "Get your GD 0-1 @sses on the bus! We've got work to do!" Doing what it takes to be a winner has to be a priority! I don't know that all our players know this.
*I keep hearing from some that we have a lot of talented players who just aren't being utilized, particularly on offense due to our 19th century offensive approach. I'm going to disagree a little. Beyond Davis, Cleveland, Toney, and maybe a couple more (you name 'em), the talent we have is raw and under-developed. Thus, they're not in a position to provide the consistent threat to a D that would make a difference. Can't really apply the "but if" argument where the offensive scheme is concerned, even though you and I know it's putrid, because there's nothing else where these players are concerned to compare it with. The bigger issue that the new HBC has to tackle is how can he get enough quality players in the next cycle to start making a difference? We've known this for how many years now? Problems 1b and 1c are can we get the current roster, many of whom are potentially talented, to develop much beyond where they are now and are there any current staff members I can keep that are getting the job done (Seider is likely the best I can come up with)? Or does he have to clean the whole house and find a complete staff to come in?
*Did I mention Special Teams looked terrible again? Outside of downing a punt inside the five and covering one for little to no return, both coverage units stunk. Eddy didn't kick 'em out of the end zone like he usually does and Kick Cover was finally exposed to be as poor as their sister unit Punt Cover. Both return teams were bad and Powell's muff kinda set the tone. But is anyone really surprised?
45-16 loss to MISSOURI. Our suffering continues. A piss poor Seminole bunch suddenly looks a lot better, not to mention Muschamp and his 'Cocks. UAB? Who knows at this point
? Looking forward to the new hire is going to be our Christmas and New Years, I guess. Beyond that, I can hope that we at least get a better effort in the remaining games. Even if we lose, but play hard, it's better, right? Yeah, I know, not much. Hope isn't a plan to win necessarily, but it's what I'm reduced to and I'll still be pulling hard. No need for our efforts as fans to mirror what we saw on the field today!Go Gators!
*edit* Penalties! Good Lord we are so undisciplined. If this can improve from now until the end of the season (and I know we aren't off to a great start under the interim), that will be a positive that we have to have.
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