Truth Takes: The Lost Decade All-Decade Team Offense

GatorTruth133

Alethea
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2017
2,303
6,263
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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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:

Double Gator Dad

Founding Member
Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
4,988
8,400
Founding Member
Not to nitpick but I cannot see Cleveland at the top of the list for WR.
If you take away a couple of big plays you don’t see much production. He lives and dies with speed only with below average hands and average route running.

When you consider the punt and kick returns with the receptions, I have to put Calloway at the top. We all know about his discipline problems but when he was on the field he was always a threat.

I agree with Jefferson (he possesses all the skills Cleveland lacks) and Demarcus Robinson. We will all wonder what Robinson could have accomplished in a real offense.

I am happy that the lost decade is finally over
 

FireFoley

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Nov 19, 2014
9,013
14,787
Not a bad list Truth, but sadly with a lineup like that you are not going to beat any good teams. Oh wait, we did not beat any good teams. So the shoe did fit. Good work anyway.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
Agree that Cleveland probably doesn't crack my top 5 WR's of the last decade, top 10 for sure.

I'd add J. Taylor to the OL.
 

GatorTruth133

Alethea
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2017
2,303
6,263
Not to nitpick but I cannot see Cleveland at the top of the list for WR.
If you take away a couple of big plays you don’t see much production. He lives and dies with speed only with below average hands and average route running.

When you consider the punt and kick returns with the receptions, I have to put Calloway at the top. We all know about his discipline problems but when he was on the field he was always a threat.

I agree with Jefferson (he possesses all the skills Cleveland lacks) and Demarcus Robinson. We will all wonder what Robinson could have accomplished in a real offense.

I am happy that the lost decade is finally over

I didn't mean to do WR in any particular order. Just putting people down in multiple sets.

Agree that Cleveland probably doesn't crack my top 5 WR's of the last decade, top 10 for sure.

I'd add J. Taylor to the OL.

I have mixed feelings on the big guy. And to reiterate, I didn't mean to make either the RB or WR in a top to bottom order. I'd put him at 4 of the 4 mentioned, honestly.


***I'll edit to avoid confusion
 

Double Gator Dad

Founding Member
Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
4,988
8,400
Founding Member
WGAF.

Nome of them won a ring.

Which players in UF history would have won rings given the dysfunctional coaching they had to overcome?

Blaming players for this is as ridiculous as judging NFL QB’s based on winning Super Bowls.

An NFL QB can’t overcome an inferior roster and college football players can’t overcome poor coaching so place the blame where it belongs in the AD’s office
 

stephenPE

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jul 20, 2014
20,385
15,395
Yeah lets shyt on these gators accomplishments. Great idea.
some of us have been :poop: on it since Urban moved on................but it makes for great sport even if it is
v1.bTsxMTg1NTk5NTtqOzE4MzYyOzEyMDA7MTUzNjsyMDQ4
 

stephenPE

Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jul 20, 2014
20,385
15,395
Mike Gillislee (2009-2012) - This running back from DeLand was arguably underutilized in '10 and '11
I should have added this to my post................Lord I loved Gilly. You could always see the boy had great skills. And after his 5 carries he was on the bench. I was like AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE THAT CAN THIS BOY CAN RUN THE BALL..............................
 

neteng

Fuga!
Lifetime Member
Oct 15, 2018
6,084
16,194
The only offensive players worth mentioning during this span of time would be the great kickers/punters we had (yes ... punters ... best offensive player for several years). The rest ... who freaking cares ...

This thread will not be mentioned over the next decade for all team threads unless the search parameter includes dumbest topics for a thread.
 

GatorTruth133

Alethea
Lifetime Member
Oct 5, 2017
2,303
6,263
The only offensive players worth mentioning during this span of time would be the great kickers/punters we had (yes ... punters ... best offensive player for several years). The rest ... who freaking cares ...

This thread will not be mentioned over the next decade for all team threads unless the search parameter includes dumbest topics for a thread.

Forgot Special Teams, will Add Sturgis and A time at Punter because damn, they’ve all been quality since Wilbur and I’m not choosing between Christy and the Townsends
 

GatorJ

Founding Member
Hopeful
Moderator
Jun 11, 2014
20,998
33,558
Founding Member
Forgot Special Teams, will Add Sturgis and A time at Punter because damn, they’ve all been quality since Wilbur and I’m not choosing between Christy and the Townsends

Piniero is also one of our best kickers ever.
 

neteng

Fuga!
Lifetime Member
Oct 15, 2018
6,084
16,194
Defense and kicking ... that is about the only bright spot we had during the last decade. Except for that one year we couldn't make a freaking extra point.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    31,642
    Messages
    1,615,651
    Members
    1,642
    Latest member
    fishermb