Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Arkansas

[cover2]

As disappointing as this game was, I can't truthfully say I'm shocked. Having watched us in Jax last week, and even though I'm glad for the victory against UGA, my feeling afterward was that I just watched a very mediocre SEC team defeat a poor SEC team. When you beat a weak sister, it doesn't necessarily mean you are good or even getting better. You simply did what you were supposed to do. I am no less convinced of that feeling after watching us get blasted today by the Hogs.

We didn't look prepared, mentally or schematically, and that is an all too familiar impression for which there is no acceptable explanation IMO. Too easy to simply say that we were still drunk from our victory over the Dawgs. The problem is much deeper. The term for Mac in this regard that has popped up some is "Players' Coach." This is not a compliment by any means and belies an unwillingness to demand excellence in preparation and execution on a consistent basis. To me, "Players' Coach" is too much friend, not enough hard ass. Sad thing is that most of these type coaches are usually good to better recruiters! Thus far, we aren't even getting that, comparatively speaking. To say the least, my confidence is waning.

But enough from this sidewalk prophet...here's a few thoughts on the game:

• Aaron Taylor, whether you like him or not, made a very profound statement regarding LDR. Early on, he said that the pick six wasn't really Luke's fault (and it wasn't), but when the team is struggling it is his responsibility to bring them to a better place in terms of offensive efficiency (paraphrased). Clearly, he could not. I'll say this again: even though he has been a good leader among his teammates (or so we are told), and a good kid, he is not good enough to change the complexion of a game on his arm or with his legs like the good ones can. With the OL regressing and thus nulling the running game, we were, to put it kindly, f**ked. Sadly, I don't think Mac makes a change unless we get beat by LSU (and there is presumably nothing left to play for except a mid-level bowl and "wait 'til next year"). I understand why Luke was the starter and has played the lion's share, but I think it is time to get another look. That notwithstanding, Jake Allen, if you're listening, you better be a stud or quickly become one!
• Offensive Player of the Game? Why, Duke Dawson, of course!
• Stat of the game: UF 1/11 on third downs. No excuse for this other than lack of want to by us and a load of it by the Hogs.
• Sounds like we have some key injuries (Davis, Anzalone, and Dillard particularly). These are guys we need and I can only hope that somebody can step up in their places. LB is a real concern.
• Yet again, we seem to have put ourselves in the position of needing somebody else to win for us (UGA to give UK another loss, Bama to rough up LSU, etc.). That sh!t ain't gonna cut it. At some point, you've got to have the attitude and desire to take what you want, not wait for it to be handed to you. At least take care of your business if you're in the position of need.
• Not many offensive bright spots, but I was glad to see Scarlett involved in the passing game. I know there was a thought that he couldn't do that part, but I think he can and should be used as such. Maybe that's due to some good coaching thus far?
• Speaking of Scarlett, and the running game, I thought we were going to have some success running off tackle early on. This was a weak point that Arkansas had displayed, but evidently they got stronger or we lost confidence. Of course, the OL didn't engender much on this Saturday, not to mention a whole lot this season.
• Defensively, we got pushed around. Arkansas pretty much did what they wanted on the ground and we had periods where we didn't cover very well at all. This group is either guilty of believing the press clippings and expecting the opponents to bow before them or they're only good and consistent against inferior teams. I'd like to think they are better than what we saw today, but until they defeat an equal or better team, I think I know. Mac's record against ranked teams, as has been pointed out, doesn't inspire a lot of hope in this changing soon.
• For once, I'd like to not hear Mac say something about "I like this team." We all assume that, but it makes me think that they're emotionally fragile and have to be constantly reassured. I'd really like to hear him say "We got our ass beat and we've got to find some guys, players and coaches, who cannot allow this to happen." I'm not going to hold my breath unfortunately.
• Crazy thought popped into my head this afternoon...what if Mac's next stop (whenever that happens) is with the Raiders and Jack Del Rio?! Crazy, I know but your mind goes to strange places when we are getting dominated like Marcellus Wallace by the Gimp.

Still a lot to play for, but as mentioned earlier, it's squarely on us. The team and coaches either rises (as we've all been waiting for) or they confirm what a growing number are thinking. This is the worst I've felt about a 6-2 record (or equivalent) than I can remember. But I'm looking forward to being pleasantly surprised in the upcoming games. A plate of crow would be welcomed. Tell me what you think and Go Gators!

 

[GatorStud]

Sorry Cover, I'm still trying to man up after watching that debacle. Be with you shortly on your takes.

The lack of mental toughness and the predictability is really bugging me now... we're in the SEC, a huge problem if winning is your goal. I concur, it has that Zook feel to it in the sense that players liked Zook, but it took the task master M3 to whip the lion share of Zook's players into the powerhouse Champs we again long for. Like you, unhappily, my benefit of a doubt and optimism is fading. Go Gators!

 

[FireFoley]

Here is what I think. You could have saved all the verbiage and said this team and especially the coach is just a big plate of Horse Shyt. Butters is a joke of a coach and anyone who thinks we WILL control our SEC destiny is delusional. thankfully losing a game to the storm means one less loss on the year. I mean Jewish, or Lutheran or whoever it was that we are not playing would have probably clobbered us by double digits.

 

[rogdochar]

If we had that UGa gifted Eason, I think the Mac-treatment would be a desire-enema.
Eason would lose his "fire" and play casually, ho-hum. Wow ?

 

[cover2]

Here is what I think. You could have saved all the verbiage and said this team and especially the coach is just a big plate of Horse Shyt. Butters is a joke of a coach and anyone who thinks we WILL control our SEC destiny is delusional. thankfully losing a game to the storm means one less loss on the year. I mean Jewish, or Lutheran or whoever it was that we are not playing would have probably clobbered us by double digits.

Bad on you for wasting your time reading it ;)

 

[GatorJ]

Cover – one thing that I really liked about your takes this year is that they are fair and very realistic. I have felt that many times under Muschamp you had painted a much rosier picture than what was actually going on. Because of your experience, I think a lot of posters look for your take. I appreciate that you have been very honest this year. There are some major concerns.

I think most people would not be on pins and needles as much if recruiting was not such a disaster. But combining our future outlook with our current production, it's leaning toward a toxic mix.

 

[OcalaGator83]

Good post cover, and I always look forward to your thoughts.

I think the reason so many of us are already off the bandwagon is that we're just trying to find anything that is improving over what we had under Chump, and I can't think of a single thing. McElwain was supposedly hired to fix the offense, the offense is just as bad as ever. The defense is good but with the talent departing after this season next year looks to take a big step back. Recruiting is not good and I don't expect it to improve much after today's debacle.

I think we have a guy who realizes he's getting paid no matter what, he doesn't seem to have any fire in the belly. Its rubbed off on the team. They are never prepared to play, the gameplan rarely makes much sense, and we never, ever change up what we're doing. Guy has no feel for the game at all in my opinion.

 

[cover2]

Cover – one thing that I really liked about your takes this year is that they are fair and very realistic. I have felt that many times under Muschamp you had painted a much rosier picture than what was actually going on. Because of your experience, I think a lot of posters look for your take. I appreciate that you have been very honest this year. There are some major concerns.

I think most people would not be on pins and needles as much if recruiting was not such a disaster. But combining our future outlook with our current production, it's leaning toward a toxic mix.

Thanks J. In retrospect, I know that I thought we had made a decent hire with a guy that was widely regarded as the AC who would be a good HC. He did some good things like recruiting some great defenders and having a good defense much of the time and 2012 was a good season. But he also showed that there was a giant disconnect where offense was concerned and from an emotional standpoint, he just couldn't get out of his own way. Dumb me, so I'm a little more real this year instead of the guy who always looks on the bright side. I also am finally coming to terms with the fact that the game has changed more than I might have been willing to admit. Thus, you get more what I really think as opposed to what I want things to be.

I also agree with your last statement and I fear we might not be pleasantly surprised in February.

 

[TN G8tr]

Well Cover as always you put it just like it is. I'm not liking what I see and what the future holds. We have some serious issues and right now LDR, being a great kid, just ain't it.

 

[MertzJay26]

Nice post Cover.

Only thing I disagree with is the first pick, that was clearly LDR's fault. He threw it into really tight coverage and late-- DB got his hand in there before the ball got there.

 

[ATXGator]

Cover nailed it. I keep going back to the mental piece. I feel like Mac's teams jut don't play with energy. There is no sense of urgency. It is more like they are going through the motions and that is on Mac 100%

 

[cover2]

Well Cover as always you put it just like it is. I'm not liking what I see and what the future holds. We have some serious issues and right now LDR, being a great kid, just ain't it.

Serious issues, indeed. I think this team would probably be in contention for champs in Mac's old conference...and that is a far-reaching problem, don't you think?

 

[GatorBart]

I spent the afternoon at a memorial, and it was a very beautiful, touching, loving ceremony. Didn't really think much of the game until I got home and checked the scores.................................when does basketball season start again?

 

[maheo30]

The play that led to Arky's first td was either a pass interference or LDR's fault. The ball hit the defenders arm. The receiver never had a chance. It never should have been thrown. LDR decided he was going to make that throw presnap no matter what.

 

[TN G8tr]

Serious issues, indeed. I think this team would probably be in contention for champs in Mac's old conference...and that is a far-reaching problem, don't you think?

Yes it is. Mac had got to make some changes with the staff.

 

[MidwestChomp]

Only position Mac would have with the Raiders is popcorn salesman.

 

[cover2]

Only thing I disagree with is the first pick, that was clearly LDR's fault. He threw it into really tight coverage and late-- DB got his hand in there before the ball got there.

Maybe. Coverage was tight, but the fact that the ball bounced up into another defender's hands was a bit flukish. I most concerned that it was yet another example of Luke making up his mind where he was going to throw it without ever considering another route. If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting.

I keep going back to the mental piece. I feel like Mac's teams jut don't play with energy. There is no sense of urgency. It is more like they are going through the motions and that is on Mac 100%

This is what is inexcusable to me and the reason for my "Players' Coach" comments. It is almost a theme with our guys at this point.

 

[cover2]

Only position Mac would have with the Raiders is popcorn salesman.

Fans gotta eat

 

[FireFoley]

Nice post Cover.

Only thing I disagree with is the first pick, that was clearly LDR's fault. He threw it into really tight coverage and late-- DB got his hand in there before the ball got there.

In fairness to LDR he did throw into coverage, but look at the play call and look at the situation and all the routes were identical. It is clear that our genius coaching staff scripted the first 400 plays of the game regardless of situation and the first play was going to be that 5 wide where all 5 basicall run 5-yd stop routes. That is the famous Ed Zaunbrecher, Larry Fedora, Cousin Eddie play where if the D is in zone coverage Which ark was most all day) every window is going to be clustered with people. We had the ball on our own 10 yd. line for heaven's sake, so instead of going right to the script, some times you have to deviate based on the location of the ball. but our Moron coach is not that smart and showed for the zillionth time that he has no idea what risk/reward means!

 

[GatorStud]

Nuss is a Mess (Michigan fans must be laughing)