- Sep 8, 2014
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Sounds like Scarlett is happier w/ LDR at QB:
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Scarlett-Del-Rios-return-can-help-Gators-make-statement-48185110?utm_source=247Sports Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=161011_175655_Florida Gators&utm_content=Image
Scarlett: Del Rio's return can help Gators make statement
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After six quarters of offensive ineptitude, Florida will return starting quarterback Luke Del Rio. The Gators have waited around for even longer than normal to prove that their offense isn't broken, it just needs the veteran hand it was counting on going into the season to provide the right chemistry.
At 4-1 and right in the thick of the SEC East race, Del Rio's return from a sprained MCL in his left knee may be coming at just the right time for a Florida team that has a newfound chip on its shoulder after hearing the gripes about the offense and even talk that the team tried to "dodge" last week's game against LSU.
"I feel like we can make a good statement coming back," running back Jordan Scarlett said. "We've got Luke Del Rio coming back. Not knocking (Austin) Appleby at all, it's just that Luke is a little bit more comfortable with the offense and understanding points and stuff like that. I think we'll do a lot better come Saturday."
Scarlett spoke of the team being ready to play with a chip on its shoulder after listening to loads of negativity surrounding not only their play, but the program's handling of the LSU game as Hurricane Matthew approached.
At the end of the day, they're ready to remind everyone why they're the defending SEC East champs and prove that the last few weeks were a fluke, simply a product of being without their starting quarterback.
"It's an advantage because the DBs have to take account for him now, they're not all just playing the run," Scarlett said. "Luke takes a little bit of load off my shoulders. He has everybody in command. He's like a general. He calms everybody down in tough situations and brings us all together."
Simply understanding how to get the offense into the right looks and out of bad ones could make a world of difference for an offense that has had 12 of its last 18 drives end in a three-and-out or a turnover dating back to the second half of the Tennessee game.
Keeping the chains moving will not only reduce the number of quick drives Florida has, but it'll also relieve some of the pressure on the defense.
"It’s big," starting center Cameron Dillard said. "He’s definitely helped us out a lot on offense, and he’s a guy that can go out there, get the job done. It’s great to have him back."
Del Rio doesn't think Florida needs to do anything special. He's not overselling what his return could do for the offense.
The Gators simply need guys they can count on to execute. In his first three starts, the redshirt sophomore did just that. It's his goal to make sure he -- and the rest of the Florida offense -- continue to do so moving forward.
"It’s going back to really just everybody just doing their job," Del Rio said. "It’s a block here, getting off of a press here; it’s very little things. It’s not like we’re letting eight people loose in the backfield every play. Just do your job on every play and stop worrying about what everybody else is doing and do what you have to do and we’ll be fine."
http://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Scarlett-Del-Rios-return-can-help-Gators-make-statement-48185110?utm_source=247Sports Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=161011_175655_Florida Gators&utm_content=Image
Scarlett: Del Rio's return can help Gators make statement
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After six quarters of offensive ineptitude, Florida will return starting quarterback Luke Del Rio. The Gators have waited around for even longer than normal to prove that their offense isn't broken, it just needs the veteran hand it was counting on going into the season to provide the right chemistry.
At 4-1 and right in the thick of the SEC East race, Del Rio's return from a sprained MCL in his left knee may be coming at just the right time for a Florida team that has a newfound chip on its shoulder after hearing the gripes about the offense and even talk that the team tried to "dodge" last week's game against LSU.
"I feel like we can make a good statement coming back," running back Jordan Scarlett said. "We've got Luke Del Rio coming back. Not knocking (Austin) Appleby at all, it's just that Luke is a little bit more comfortable with the offense and understanding points and stuff like that. I think we'll do a lot better come Saturday."
Scarlett spoke of the team being ready to play with a chip on its shoulder after listening to loads of negativity surrounding not only their play, but the program's handling of the LSU game as Hurricane Matthew approached.
At the end of the day, they're ready to remind everyone why they're the defending SEC East champs and prove that the last few weeks were a fluke, simply a product of being without their starting quarterback.
"It's an advantage because the DBs have to take account for him now, they're not all just playing the run," Scarlett said. "Luke takes a little bit of load off my shoulders. He has everybody in command. He's like a general. He calms everybody down in tough situations and brings us all together."
Simply understanding how to get the offense into the right looks and out of bad ones could make a world of difference for an offense that has had 12 of its last 18 drives end in a three-and-out or a turnover dating back to the second half of the Tennessee game.
Keeping the chains moving will not only reduce the number of quick drives Florida has, but it'll also relieve some of the pressure on the defense.
"It’s big," starting center Cameron Dillard said. "He’s definitely helped us out a lot on offense, and he’s a guy that can go out there, get the job done. It’s great to have him back."
Del Rio doesn't think Florida needs to do anything special. He's not overselling what his return could do for the offense.
The Gators simply need guys they can count on to execute. In his first three starts, the redshirt sophomore did just that. It's his goal to make sure he -- and the rest of the Florida offense -- continue to do so moving forward.
"It’s going back to really just everybody just doing their job," Del Rio said. "It’s a block here, getting off of a press here; it’s very little things. It’s not like we’re letting eight people loose in the backfield every play. Just do your job on every play and stop worrying about what everybody else is doing and do what you have to do and we’ll be fine."
