Let’s clear up the emerging narrative...

[Marine1]

Some apparently are trying to diminish our victory by criticizing our coach and our QB.

(A) Supposedly our coach didn’t have us prepared and we were sluggish offensively. Well we had 11 drives:

(1) Drove the field with a 4:00 drive. FF 5-5 and would have had a td but Pitts fell down. FG.
(2) 3:44 drive end of first and start if 2Q. FF 2-2. Stopped on 4th down
(3) 2:15 5 play drive FF 2-2. TD.
(4) 1:51 4 play drive FF 3-3. TD.
(5) 1:17 FF 3-4 Hail Mary. end of quarter
(6) 3:08 drive to start 3Q. FF 2-3. TD.
(7) 5:31 11 play 84 yd drive. FF 6-6. TD.
(8) 2:17 driveFF 2-2. TD.
(9) 2:43 drive with Trask in. Punt.
(10) 2:13 drive with EJ in. TD.
(11) 2:23 end of game run out the clock.

We were stopped once on 4th down with FF.

We also punted once on Trasks drive. We didn’t score on end of halves and not sure we were even trying to.

Other 7 drives were 6 tds and a FG. Most were quick strike scores in less than 3 min. 1 long 11 play drive.

Sluggish and unprepared? Hardly.

(B) FF completed 25 passes but many were badly thrown or poorly placed.

Pass 7 slightly behind.
Pass 10 slightly behind.
Pass 22 High
Pass 24 slightly behind (maybe a td if he led Grimes)
Pass 26 high
Pass 27 high

All obviously were catchable because they were caught. Other than #24 few if any had impact on yardage due to spacing and angle of defender.

We had a scrimmage. A lot of guys played. Mullen might have called post patterns and a lot of our 2-3 minute TD drives might have resulted in 1-2 minute scores instead, maybe.

 

[JDW]

Nobody is gonna he happy until Mullen is fired and FF is run out of town on a rail...I’m cautiously optimistic...but I’m harboring some reservations about our run game and the ability for FF to progress through his reads...but we knew what we had at the beginning of the season...I don’t get the panic or the need to trash the whole program...we’re a few seasons away from really competing and we all knew this...wtf is everyone overreacting for?

 

[LongTooth]

Franks has been ok. Not as bad as some claim.

The narrative is that the OL and TEs need to block for the running game better than they have, and the LBs and safeties are sorely in need of improvement in just about every phase.

I’m pleasantly surprised by what the freshman corners showed, our pass rush is good, and we have excellent skill players on offense, but that’s not enough to counter deficiencies that really have little to do with our QB.

 

[stephenPE]

We had a scrimmage. A lot of guys played. Mullen might have called post patterns and a lot of our 2-3 minute TD drives might have resulted in 1-2 minute scores instead, maybe.

I think the more plays we run the better. For the OL the backs and for FF.

 

[Marine1]

Agree. The running game is the biggest concern on offense and online is the issue. Strangely they are pass blocking better than run blocking. I thought it would be the other way around. Our backs are solid though. I think the run game will come together.

This was a good game against weaker competition for FF to do better with his reads and progressions. I thought he did well in that aspect. You can see the progress Mullen has made with him.

He is not a Heisman candidate by any measure but he has 6 straight wins and looks much more comfortable than his early days.

 

[maheo30]

The narrative is that the OL and TEs need to block for the running game better than they have

The o-line has been better than people think in the run game. What has absolutely killed us is the atrocious blocking by our tight ends. Perine would have had a long TD run against scUM if Krull could block. Perine has a couple of chunk plays against UTM if Pitts could block. Not only are they not blocking, they sometimes don't even get in the way. To make matters worse, the o-linemen are trying to make up for our TEs shyte blocking. This usually compounds the problem with their man coming free to make the tackle. What Mullen can do about it I don't know.

 

[SeabeeGator]

Couple of counterpoints:

1) The strongest narratives I’ve seen are:

OL and TE run blocking is a significant concern for conference play.
LB will be a liability - across the field.
DB is THIIIINNN but some of the young fellas look pretty good.
FF supposed progression this offseason was a sham. About where he was last season minus the end of season rushing.

2) Sluggish start was pointed out by.... Coach Mullen going into the locker room at half. Not implying you have better insight into the player’s effort than CDM, are you?

Where do you see serious conflicts with any of this? FF looked shaky and wasn’t a willing runner against Miami and completed a ton of passes against a FCS team like the coach asked him to. Not exactly setting the word on fire.

 

[RiverRat]

You have to remember these are the same people that ran Spurrier out of town with their constant bitching and
unrealistic expectations.

I have my doubts sometimes that all these people are real Gator fans but are really Dawgs, Noles, War Eagles and anyone else that hates the Gators and are just trying to stir up the fan base.

I still think the vast majority of Gator fans support this team in a positive manner but they don't make the most noise. Its the 10 percent with their constant bitching that make the headlines.

 

[Marine1]

Couple of counterpoints:

1) The strongest narratives I’ve seen are:

OL and TE run blocking is a significant concern for conference play.
LB will be a liability - across the field.
DB is THIIIINNN but some of the young fellas look pretty good.
FF supposed progression this offseason was a sham. About where he was last season minus the end of season rushing.

2) Sluggish start was pointed out by.... Coach Mullen going into the locker room at half. Not implying you have better insight into the player’s effort than CDM, are you?

Where do you see serious conflicts with any of this? FF looked shaky and wasn’t a willing runner against Miami and completed a ton of passes against a FCS team like the coach asked him to. Not exactly setting the word on fire.

Agree on Ol and TE.
Agree on LB.
Optimistic on DB. I already knew Elam would shine soon. I’ve known that whole family for years.
FF ran 6-37. He’s playing well. He’s never going to be Tebow or Danny and he’ll never live that down. But he’s won 6 in a row playing well.

I felt exactly the same way as the coach at halftime. Especially end of 1st being only 3-0. Then I went back and watched the tape. Saw multiple quick scores. We held the ball less than 6 minutes in the 2nd qtr but scored 2 TDS. I think he felt the defense was more sluggish in allowing them TOP but even then they never threatened to score. Offense consistently moved the ball.

FF was fine against a Miami minus one stupid play and play call at the end. We got the win against a team we never beat.

 

[SeabeeGator]

You have to remember these are the same people that ran Spurrier out of town with their constant *****ing and
unrealistic expectations.

I have my doubts sometimes that all these people are real Gator fans but are really Dawgs, Noles, War Eagles and anyone else that hates the Gators and are just trying to stir up the fan base.

I still think the vast majority of Gator fans support this team in a positive manner but they don't make the most noise. Its the 10 percent with their constant *****ing that make the headlines.

Could also be that Spurrier was tired of the college game in general and wanted to give the pros a shot. For as bad as he described it, he sure didn’t mind throwing his hat back in the ring before Foley screwed it up...

And GC is a small subset of hyper dedicated fans. It allows a wide range of opinions, unlike other sites. Twitter is where the majority of crazy reside - no telling what their real priority is.

 

[SeabeeGator]

Agree on Ol and TE.
Agree on LB.
Optimistic on DB. I already knew Elam would shine soon. I’ve known that whole family for years.
FF ran 6-37. He’s playing well. He’s never going to be Tebow or Danny and he’ll never live that down. But he’s won 6 in a row playing well.

I felt exactly the same way as the coach at halftime. Especially end of 1st being only 3-0. Then I went back and watched the tape. Saw multiple quick scores. We held the ball less than 6 minutes in the 2nd qtr but scored 2 TDS. I think he felt the defense was more sluggish in allowing them TOP but even then they never threatened to score. Offense consistently moved the ball.

FF was fine against a Miami minus one stupid play and play all at the end. We got the win against a team we never beat.

I don’t agree on FF. Dude isn’t affecting the running game like he was at the end of the year. I’d have to rewatch but I don’t think the defenses are respecting his part of the RPO much at all. The complaints about his short passing choices are dumb - that’s the play call - but his placement hasn’t been good. I watched it just this morning and there are multiple plays sabotaged by his placement. He’s “accurate” because the receiver catches it but the plays get blown up because of where he catches it. He makes some good throws too - don’t get me wrong - but Mullen’s offense needs passes that hit the guys in stride so they can exploit the blocks on the outside.

 

[cover2]

Emerging? I think it's been here. Remember that nobody suffers a victory like us Gators, or so I've heard. Frank's has put things on display that alternately drive you mad or make you cheer, from his "look at me" antics and inconsistent play to what we were treated to yesterday. I think most would be ok if we got more of yesterday in the weeks ahead, but he's going to have to find that good place in his head to live for that to happen. I think he rents, but doesn't own. His position is as the face of the team and with it comes heavy expectations. Managing them can make or break even those who are physically superior. There's going to be criticism, that's one of the functions of this board. I rather engage in discussions based on such than do the hugs and kisses thing.

As for Mullen, there was going to be murmurs from many because he wasn't ____________ (insert name), or he wasn't really successful at MissSt, or his offense is crap, or he can't recruit, or his wife didn't like Gainesville, etc. That's the nature of things at a great program that means a lot to so many. Personally, I know for certain that he's better, much better than who he replaced, but we don't know if he'll ever be up to Spurrier and Meyer standards in terms of accomplishments (although there are some who are certain he won't).

My best guess is that we'll have this discussion again as long as we are fans. The subjects will change many times. Who knows but that the terms "pumpers" and "dumpers" will either stay relevant or be replaced. In the mean time, I plan to keep on discussing football, celebrating the wins and fussing about the losses while critiquing them and I'll tell my version of the truth where the coaches and players are concerned. It's about all an old white guy has left ;)

 

[Musclepug]

Thanks for the stats, I come to gc for pumpering and just see so much negative nit picking.. very frustrating..my 2 cents

 

[Pablos Tunnel]

Pumpers be pumpers

 

[78]

Beat some ranked opponents and take care of business against the rest. That'll clear things up more than stats against a severely outmanned opponent.

 

[Marine1]

I don’t agree on FF. Dude isn’t affecting the running game like he was at the end of the year. I’d have to rewatch but I don’t think the defenses are respecting his part of the RPO much at all. The complaints about his short passing choices are dumb - that’s the play call - but his placement hasn’t been good. I watched it just this morning and there are multiple plays sabotaged by his placement. He’s “accurate” because the receiver catches it but the plays get blown up because of where he catches it. He makes some good throws too - don’t get me wrong - but Mullen’s offense needs passes that hit the guys in stride so they can exploit the blocks on the outside.

I watched it twice more today and charted all 25 completions. Placement was on point on all but a few and even those that were slightly off had negligible impact on yards. Many in fact were screens to the outside where the receivers were squared up and/or stationary. Pass #24 he could have led Grimes and it might have been a TD.

Only Franks can go 25-27 and have the narrative become “yeah but some were bad completions”. I watched football all weekend and saw receivers making diving catches all over the place. FF cannot live up to your expectations of completing 93% of his passes with perfect placement on every ball. Nobody else can either. But they aren’t held to that standard.

 

[Marine1]

Beat some ranked opponents and take care of business against the rest. That'll clear things up more than stats against a severely outmanned opponent.

Sure....agree. Did he not “take care of business”?Why criticize a good game? We’ve practically invented a new stat....perfect ball placement per completion. Good Lord. Lol.

 

[Jbossgator8]

Wowsers, great thread Marine. Kudos to him and Mr RiverRat. Yall hit on some things that I have been saying for YEARS but I usually get in trouble for it. Bravo! In all kinds of weather...

 

[Marine1]

Emerging? I think it's been here. Remember that nobody suffers a victory like us Gators, or so I've heard. Frank's has put things on display that alternately drive you mad or make you cheer, from his "look at me" antics and inconsistent play to what we were treated to yesterday. I think most would be ok if we got more of yesterday in the weeks ahead, but he's going to have to find that good place in his head to live for that to happen. I think he rents, but doesn't own. His position is as the face of the team and with it comes heavy expectations. Managing them can make or break even those who are physically superior. There's going to be criticism, that's one of the functions of this board. I rather engage in discussions based on such than do the hugs and kisses thing.

As for Mullen, there was going to be murmurs from many because he wasn't ____________ (insert name), or he wasn't really successful at MissSt, or his offense is crap, or he can't recruit, or his wife didn't like Gainesville, etc. That's the nature of things at a great program that means a lot to so many. Personally, I know for certain that he's better, much better than who he replaced, but we don't know if he'll ever be up to Spurrier and Meyer standards in terms of accomplishments (although there are some who are certain he won't).

My best guess is that we'll have this discussion again as long as we are fans. The subjects will change many times. Who knows but that the terms "pumpers" and "dumpers" will either stay relevant or be replaced. In the mean time, I plan to keep on discussing football, celebrating the wins and fussing about the losses while critiquing them and I'll tell my version of the truth where the coaches and players are concerned. It's about all an old white guy has left ;)

There’s reason and balance to what you post. Critique should always be desired and considered because it’s how we improve in all walks of life.