- Oct 5, 2017
- 2,315
- 6,296
Good Morning and Welcome to "social distancing". Or as the boss says, "work from home". Today, I'll put up what I'm sure may end up being a controversial All-Decade Team for Offense. I know people debate whether it's 10-19 or 11-20, but I'm going with the beginning for two reasons:
Team of the Decade - Offense
QB
Kyle Trask (2016-Current) - Okay, I know what some are thinking, that it has only been one season. However, this guy just threw for almost 3,000 yards without playing much the first two games of the season. He put up passing numbers we haven't seen since Rex Grossman, did it in Mullen's offense, and Mullen has acknowledged openly he resisted the fact that team should have been passing oriented for a few weeks. Also, its not like there's much competition. He did better than Franks and did better more consistently than Grier (spare me the 8 minutes against UT and half against Ole Miss speech while forgetting Mizzou, UK, most of UT and other performances while getting suspended). Only Law would argue for Brantley or Diskel here (maybe Coach too!). The rest don't come into consideration in my view. So yes, it's one season, but it is a hell of a season that through the air was something we haven't seen in a long time. Next year, he should only be better with hopefully an Offensive line worth something and run game support.
RB
Lamical Perine (2016-2019) - This is probably the toughest choice because there have been quite a few good ones at this position, but for me there was just one. A running back who bought himself a bus ticket to Gainesville in hopes of being noticed. A guy who for four years worked hard and produced highlights on the field in both the rushing and passing game. While doing it behind some of the worst O-lines UF has had for a long time. A guy who with long TD runs jump started the offense at FSU in 2018, shut down Michigan in 2018 and Auburn in 2019. While making several big catches in the passing game such as the catch and run at Vandy in 2018 to set up points at the end of the half or that TD catch against Mizzou. Or the dragging of future All-Pro Jamal Adams in Baton Rouge in 2016 with the SEC East on the line. All while splitting time with guys like Jordan Scarlett, Malik Davis, and Damion Pierce along. A guy who didn't just perform, but has a good story. Honestly, in a decade of crappy offense, this guy is my offensive MVP of the decade for what he did and the 4 years of doing it. Imagine if he wasn't handicapped by the first two years in MacNuss world.
Mike Gillislee (2009-2012) - This running back from DeLand was arguably underutilized in '10 and '11. Especially with two coaches whose philosophy of "DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!" didn't make since with Demps and Rainey, but you know, they did it anyway. When, in his senior season, he was given the chance to be something Florida has rarely seen this decade THE, not a, THE featured back he rewarded it with a 1,000 yard season. Something that has been a rare feat in over a decade. A good portion due to the running back by committee approach we've seen consistently. His tight rope TD at A&M is the single highlight I most remember him for and his tough running against LSU in '12 lead to one of the most satisfying wins of the Muschamp era.
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor, and Jordan Scarlett. I would add that Demps and Rainey's best years were '08 and '09 in my opinion and they definitely declined after Tebow and Co. left and the frustration that was '11.
Receiver
Demarcus Robinson/Antonio Callaway - I'm going to make these two one entry because both are similar stories. Guys that when playing could be difference makers for the team and put up highlights. Both were saddled in the worst passing offenses Florida has had in forever, and both got out when they could. Both also had a penchant for trouble off the field. Imagine though, if you will, if they played at the same time what kind of offense we could have had. Oh wait, that was 2015 and Mac still couldn't be consistent with it, even with Grier as described above.
Van Jefferson - Two years at UF and both were massive in a receiver by committee situation. Yes, there were times I gave him grief, but he also had some great highlights himself. My favorite will always be his ridiculous improvisation to get behind the FSU defense and score wide open in 2018.
Tyrie Cleveland - A receiver who gave us many big highlights, the two most notable being the massive TD catch for 99 yards from Austin Appleby in Death Valley in 2016 and of course, the "Heave to Cleave". A guy who worked hard for 4 years and was saddled with Mac for 2 years. Granted, those two years gave us his two biggest highlights, but it also hindered development. Cleveland whether though catches or being someone the defense had to account for, and thus opening space, was a big reason for the passing productions in 2019. Full disclosure, his longevity and consistency over 4 years gives him the nod here for me over some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions: Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond, Deonte Thompson, Trevon Grimes.
TE
Jordan Reed- Look up in the Sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a fumble inside the 10 due to a nonsensical Superman attempt...ok, that was a bad highlight. Seriously, out of who we've had, this guy was the best TE of the decade and put up some great numbers for a guy stuck in a Muschamp offense. Not to mention he was the best QB on the 2010 team. Never tell me there aren't behind the scenes politics after watching the microcosm of 2010 that was the last drive of the first half in Tally.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Pitts.
Utility (Guys I can't put in a box)
Trey Burton - Without Trey Burton, the beginning of the decade would have been much, much worse. This guy ran, caught, did what he could for what were some of the most inept offenses in college football. 6 TD's in one game, even if it was Kentucky, is still an amazing feat.
Kadarius Toney - Truly, the human highlight reel. Where Harvin dazzled fans with speed and one cut and go's, Toney dazzles with with speed and a billion cuts, spin moves and escapes that leave fans wondering why he sees such limited touches. He changed the 2018 Carolina game. He's had many other highlights. Now, with less of a committee at WR, he could have a major year when healthy in 2020.
Offensive Line
In a bad decade for the line, here are the best in my opinion.
T - DJ Humphries
T - Chaz Green
G - Marcus Gilbert
G - John Halapio
C - Mike Pouncey
If I missed someone you think should be on here, agree, disagree, let's have fun. Since we don't have Spring football yet, time to discuss a delayed team of the decade.
***Edit- Putting WR's in a particular Order
- Our slide began in '10 with the Offensive stylings of Addazio w/o the talent of Tebow and Company and I'd like to consider the decade over.
- I'd like to consider Spurrier coming in '90 as the beginning of the decade so at least I'll be consistent.
Team of the Decade - Offense
QB
Kyle Trask (2016-Current) - Okay, I know what some are thinking, that it has only been one season. However, this guy just threw for almost 3,000 yards without playing much the first two games of the season. He put up passing numbers we haven't seen since Rex Grossman, did it in Mullen's offense, and Mullen has acknowledged openly he resisted the fact that team should have been passing oriented for a few weeks. Also, its not like there's much competition. He did better than Franks and did better more consistently than Grier (spare me the 8 minutes against UT and half against Ole Miss speech while forgetting Mizzou, UK, most of UT and other performances while getting suspended). Only Law would argue for Brantley or Diskel here (maybe Coach too!). The rest don't come into consideration in my view. So yes, it's one season, but it is a hell of a season that through the air was something we haven't seen in a long time. Next year, he should only be better with hopefully an Offensive line worth something and run game support.
RB
Lamical Perine (2016-2019) - This is probably the toughest choice because there have been quite a few good ones at this position, but for me there was just one. A running back who bought himself a bus ticket to Gainesville in hopes of being noticed. A guy who for four years worked hard and produced highlights on the field in both the rushing and passing game. While doing it behind some of the worst O-lines UF has had for a long time. A guy who with long TD runs jump started the offense at FSU in 2018, shut down Michigan in 2018 and Auburn in 2019. While making several big catches in the passing game such as the catch and run at Vandy in 2018 to set up points at the end of the half or that TD catch against Mizzou. Or the dragging of future All-Pro Jamal Adams in Baton Rouge in 2016 with the SEC East on the line. All while splitting time with guys like Jordan Scarlett, Malik Davis, and Damion Pierce along. A guy who didn't just perform, but has a good story. Honestly, in a decade of crappy offense, this guy is my offensive MVP of the decade for what he did and the 4 years of doing it. Imagine if he wasn't handicapped by the first two years in MacNuss world.
Mike Gillislee (2009-2012) - This running back from DeLand was arguably underutilized in '10 and '11. Especially with two coaches whose philosophy of "DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!" didn't make since with Demps and Rainey, but you know, they did it anyway. When, in his senior season, he was given the chance to be something Florida has rarely seen this decade THE, not a, THE featured back he rewarded it with a 1,000 yard season. Something that has been a rare feat in over a decade. A good portion due to the running back by committee approach we've seen consistently. His tight rope TD at A&M is the single highlight I most remember him for and his tough running against LSU in '12 lead to one of the most satisfying wins of the Muschamp era.
Honorable Mentions: Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor, and Jordan Scarlett. I would add that Demps and Rainey's best years were '08 and '09 in my opinion and they definitely declined after Tebow and Co. left and the frustration that was '11.
Receiver
Demarcus Robinson/Antonio Callaway - I'm going to make these two one entry because both are similar stories. Guys that when playing could be difference makers for the team and put up highlights. Both were saddled in the worst passing offenses Florida has had in forever, and both got out when they could. Both also had a penchant for trouble off the field. Imagine though, if you will, if they played at the same time what kind of offense we could have had. Oh wait, that was 2015 and Mac still couldn't be consistent with it, even with Grier as described above.
Van Jefferson - Two years at UF and both were massive in a receiver by committee situation. Yes, there were times I gave him grief, but he also had some great highlights himself. My favorite will always be his ridiculous improvisation to get behind the FSU defense and score wide open in 2018.
Tyrie Cleveland - A receiver who gave us many big highlights, the two most notable being the massive TD catch for 99 yards from Austin Appleby in Death Valley in 2016 and of course, the "Heave to Cleave". A guy who worked hard for 4 years and was saddled with Mac for 2 years. Granted, those two years gave us his two biggest highlights, but it also hindered development. Cleveland whether though catches or being someone the defense had to account for, and thus opening space, was a big reason for the passing productions in 2019. Full disclosure, his longevity and consistency over 4 years gives him the nod here for me over some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions: Freddie Swain, Josh Hammond, Deonte Thompson, Trevon Grimes.
TE
Jordan Reed- Look up in the Sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's a fumble inside the 10 due to a nonsensical Superman attempt...ok, that was a bad highlight. Seriously, out of who we've had, this guy was the best TE of the decade and put up some great numbers for a guy stuck in a Muschamp offense. Not to mention he was the best QB on the 2010 team. Never tell me there aren't behind the scenes politics after watching the microcosm of 2010 that was the last drive of the first half in Tally.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Pitts.
Utility (Guys I can't put in a box)
Trey Burton - Without Trey Burton, the beginning of the decade would have been much, much worse. This guy ran, caught, did what he could for what were some of the most inept offenses in college football. 6 TD's in one game, even if it was Kentucky, is still an amazing feat.
Kadarius Toney - Truly, the human highlight reel. Where Harvin dazzled fans with speed and one cut and go's, Toney dazzles with with speed and a billion cuts, spin moves and escapes that leave fans wondering why he sees such limited touches. He changed the 2018 Carolina game. He's had many other highlights. Now, with less of a committee at WR, he could have a major year when healthy in 2020.
Offensive Line
In a bad decade for the line, here are the best in my opinion.
T - DJ Humphries
T - Chaz Green
G - Marcus Gilbert
G - John Halapio
C - Mike Pouncey
If I missed someone you think should be on here, agree, disagree, let's have fun. Since we don't have Spring football yet, time to discuss a delayed team of the decade.
***Edit- Putting WR's in a particular Order
Last edited: