- Oct 5, 2017
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You may recognize that quote. Yes, it is from Star Wars, but it is also the way Eli Drinkwitz ended his post game press conference. Last Halloween, Dan Mullen wore a Darth Vader costume after beating Mizzou. Eli Drinkwitz has envisioned taking a light saber to a press conference ever since. Today, he got his chance. That's the level of petty I want in a head coach. The level of petty that has you keeping in starters against #FailState after they embarrassed you the year before, the level of petty that has you calling timeouts late in a rivalry game to make it last as long as you can.
I apologize for being short last week. I was in trial prep mode and at a loss for words in many ways. I realized I didn't respond as I usually do to things. However, my partner and I continue our streak of the State not winning all counts by getting the Not Guilty on one count of Battery. It is probably our last trial together as we are being moved to different parts of our district. We did have MLB's all-time games umpired leader Joe West in our jury pool. We tried to get him, but unfortunately we didn't have enough strikes to get to him. I mean, I think baseball is the most boring of the 5 major sports (Donk just hit the drunk/loony/stoned/dislike/etc. for saying 5 major sports), but my partner who is a big Mets fan recognized him right away. I might share the humorous screw up by the State in the Paid Members Saloon.
Anyways, my mom texted me after the game that the game wasn't very fun. I told her that I can tell a coaching change is needed because of how apathetic I am. Writing this tonight because I have court in the morning.
Offense
Throughout the week, people kept saying Pierce needs the ball more. He had 7 carries for 7 yards. I think with more carries that number is much higher. Also, running an option to the short side of the field where the pitch to him is backwards and not lateral for him to get forward momentum catching the ball. He needs more carries. Being a short yardage back can have its drawbacks. Fun fact, for those not on the Twitter machine, Spencer's Jerkin Jerky had an offer to give a free pound of Jerky if Pierce scored a TD and you retweeted their post. I retweeted the post right before the second half kickoff. Three Gators plays later Pierce scores. I think I'm getting a pound of jerky. Celebrate the little things, makes life better.
Jones was what we've come to expect. Inconsistent. Every time he would pull it down and have a great run or a great throw (like the one to Whittemore on the first drive of the second half) he would then throw a poorly placed ball or miss altogether. For example, on the screen to Copeland late in the third quarter on 3rd and 9, Copeland had to adjust, and possibly jump for the ball. Not that it was a great playcall, but in a game where players run at about 9 yards per second, the extra second for Copeland adjusted might've been the difference in a poor play and a first down...or at least field goal range. Whatever happens coach wise, I don't think he starts again at UF after next week.
I don't think its a surprise AR has removed all UF stuff from social media after not being given a chance to save the game. He added back QB at UF after I wrote that. But since it happened
Cope, Whittemore, Gamble, and others I believe are not at the level of Pitts, Toney and Grimes, but I think they are more than serviceable and have been underserviced by this offense. Heard even the announcers mention that Gamble was streaking down the seam like we've heard all year. We could buyout Mullen and the staff if we had an extra $1 million each time that's happen and he wasn't seen this season.
O-line was banged up. It really hurts that the O-line recruiting with a 3-4 year development plan was an actual decision made. We lost our two best linemen and it showed throughout the game. White and Kingsley are good in the middle when they are 100%.
Defense
This is the defense we could have lived with all season. Not perfect by any means, but if you can hold a team to 16 regulation points, you should be able to win.
Hopper played a heck of a game with 12 tackles, 11 solo, and 2 for loss. Imagine what he could do in a competent scheme with a better position coach.
Elam had a nice pick, but unfortunately it was cancelled by a penalty. I don't think anyone has lost more money because of this defense than him. Makes me wonder what could've been for him and others if Grantham weren't retained after last season.
Special Teams
We need a kicker, I know we didn't miss one this week. However, with a kicker we would have been able to kick some field goals instead of going for it on third and long. In games where our offense isn't doing much, every point matters. I love our punter with a few punts over 50 and one over 60, but that 11 yarder impacted the outcome of the game. Failure to have a block team and return teams have also hampered this program.
Extra Points
Next week is the big week. Florida can salvage something against FSU. They could pull a Zook and send their coach out a winner (though some could argue players liked Zook more). They could do it to go to a bowl and show out for a new coach. Just hope no one poops themselves in the process this time. I'll be there next Saturday. Come out and support the Orange and Blue.
Go Gators!
I apologize for being short last week. I was in trial prep mode and at a loss for words in many ways. I realized I didn't respond as I usually do to things. However, my partner and I continue our streak of the State not winning all counts by getting the Not Guilty on one count of Battery. It is probably our last trial together as we are being moved to different parts of our district. We did have MLB's all-time games umpired leader Joe West in our jury pool. We tried to get him, but unfortunately we didn't have enough strikes to get to him. I mean, I think baseball is the most boring of the 5 major sports (Donk just hit the drunk/loony/stoned/dislike/etc. for saying 5 major sports), but my partner who is a big Mets fan recognized him right away. I might share the humorous screw up by the State in the Paid Members Saloon.
Anyways, my mom texted me after the game that the game wasn't very fun. I told her that I can tell a coaching change is needed because of how apathetic I am. Writing this tonight because I have court in the morning.
Offense
Throughout the week, people kept saying Pierce needs the ball more. He had 7 carries for 7 yards. I think with more carries that number is much higher. Also, running an option to the short side of the field where the pitch to him is backwards and not lateral for him to get forward momentum catching the ball. He needs more carries. Being a short yardage back can have its drawbacks. Fun fact, for those not on the Twitter machine, Spencer's Jerkin Jerky had an offer to give a free pound of Jerky if Pierce scored a TD and you retweeted their post. I retweeted the post right before the second half kickoff. Three Gators plays later Pierce scores. I think I'm getting a pound of jerky. Celebrate the little things, makes life better.
Jones was what we've come to expect. Inconsistent. Every time he would pull it down and have a great run or a great throw (like the one to Whittemore on the first drive of the second half) he would then throw a poorly placed ball or miss altogether. For example, on the screen to Copeland late in the third quarter on 3rd and 9, Copeland had to adjust, and possibly jump for the ball. Not that it was a great playcall, but in a game where players run at about 9 yards per second, the extra second for Copeland adjusted might've been the difference in a poor play and a first down...or at least field goal range. Whatever happens coach wise, I don't think he starts again at UF after next week.
I don't think its a surprise AR has removed all UF stuff from social media after not being given a chance to save the game. He added back QB at UF after I wrote that. But since it happened
Cope, Whittemore, Gamble, and others I believe are not at the level of Pitts, Toney and Grimes, but I think they are more than serviceable and have been underserviced by this offense. Heard even the announcers mention that Gamble was streaking down the seam like we've heard all year. We could buyout Mullen and the staff if we had an extra $1 million each time that's happen and he wasn't seen this season.
O-line was banged up. It really hurts that the O-line recruiting with a 3-4 year development plan was an actual decision made. We lost our two best linemen and it showed throughout the game. White and Kingsley are good in the middle when they are 100%.
Defense
This is the defense we could have lived with all season. Not perfect by any means, but if you can hold a team to 16 regulation points, you should be able to win.
Hopper played a heck of a game with 12 tackles, 11 solo, and 2 for loss. Imagine what he could do in a competent scheme with a better position coach.
Elam had a nice pick, but unfortunately it was cancelled by a penalty. I don't think anyone has lost more money because of this defense than him. Makes me wonder what could've been for him and others if Grantham weren't retained after last season.
Special Teams
We need a kicker, I know we didn't miss one this week. However, with a kicker we would have been able to kick some field goals instead of going for it on third and long. In games where our offense isn't doing much, every point matters. I love our punter with a few punts over 50 and one over 60, but that 11 yarder impacted the outcome of the game. Failure to have a block team and return teams have also hampered this program.
Extra Points
- The worst case scenario has happened, FSU has something to play for against us.
- With AR returning QB at UF to his profile, anyone believe that he plays and/or starts against FSU? As in Mullen promising him something.
- Happy to see Carolina beat Auburn, not sure why, just am. Maybe they pull magic against Clemson next week.
- Think of a coach doing things Mississippi State has never done, QB and offensive guru, QB setting records for the school, but is a great interview...yes, that's Mike Leach. The coach I might like the most in football, but know he wouldn't be a good fit for UF.
- Saw Ghostbusters: Afterlife before the game. I think it was fantastic, what the Star Wars sequel trilogy should have been. It honored the past while introducing new characters. It wasn't perfect, but some parts did cut some onions with me.
Next week is the big week. Florida can salvage something against FSU. They could pull a Zook and send their coach out a winner (though some could argue players liked Zook more). They could do it to go to a bowl and show out for a new coach. Just hope no one poops themselves in the process this time. I'll be there next Saturday. Come out and support the Orange and Blue.
Go Gators!
