- Mar 22, 2016
- 394
- 697
Up until now, I'd thought Dan Mullen was a great QB coach based on:
a) The relative improvement of Franks under his tutelage that led us to a 10 win season last year in spite of his various challenges that have been exhaustively documented on this board.
b) The huge differential between Nick Fitzgerald's success under Mullen and his last year under a new staff where his complete lack of passing ability was totally exposed.
c) The very noticeable differential in Tim Tebow between his Junior year when he was almost unstoppable and his Senior year, after Mullen left for MSU, when every game was such a huge struggle (though, admittedly, the latter also had a lot to do with Percy Harvin having left as well).
However, today was truly the greatest testament to what Dan Mullen has been able to accomplish with the QBs at UF and really all of the QBs he has worked with throughout his career. The way Trask has played never having started a game since a freshman in High School is extraordinary. The fact that Trask stepped in at a critical stage of UK and not only didn't struggle, but actually righted the ship and led the team back from an 11 point deficit was truly incredible!
Today, we saw the same thing happen again when EJ stepped in and immediately led us down the field for an extremely important FG right after Trask went down. I actually didn't even feel all that nervous having him step in there because I really do believe now that the staff isn't giving lip service when they say the QBs train as though they have 3 starters. (Interesting to also find out Shane Matthews' son is QB3 now.)
When Trask came in after a near miracle injury avoidance and showed his true character, training and just plain moxy in bringing home the W it just further shown how Mullen crafts the character of his QBs and makes them believe in themselves so they can deal with the inevitable adversity that comes with the job.
I cannot be happier at this point that we "settled" for Dan Mullen and I am actually ashamed of myself for not seeing how fortunate we were to land a seasoned SEC coach who has such a strong track record for offensive success and getting the most out of his players especially at the most critical QB position.
A hearty "well done" goes to Mullen, Trask, EJ and even Franks who has continued to be a strong leader even though his season is done. Hopefully we can keep this train rolling next week as we head to Death Valley and on to Jax for the Cocktail Party after that. Whatever happens, though, I know that our coach will do everything in his power to get our team to give everything in theirs and that alone is an amazing improvement over the last decade!!
It is finally, once again, truly great ... to be ... a Florida Gator!!!
a) The relative improvement of Franks under his tutelage that led us to a 10 win season last year in spite of his various challenges that have been exhaustively documented on this board.
b) The huge differential between Nick Fitzgerald's success under Mullen and his last year under a new staff where his complete lack of passing ability was totally exposed.
c) The very noticeable differential in Tim Tebow between his Junior year when he was almost unstoppable and his Senior year, after Mullen left for MSU, when every game was such a huge struggle (though, admittedly, the latter also had a lot to do with Percy Harvin having left as well).
However, today was truly the greatest testament to what Dan Mullen has been able to accomplish with the QBs at UF and really all of the QBs he has worked with throughout his career. The way Trask has played never having started a game since a freshman in High School is extraordinary. The fact that Trask stepped in at a critical stage of UK and not only didn't struggle, but actually righted the ship and led the team back from an 11 point deficit was truly incredible!
Today, we saw the same thing happen again when EJ stepped in and immediately led us down the field for an extremely important FG right after Trask went down. I actually didn't even feel all that nervous having him step in there because I really do believe now that the staff isn't giving lip service when they say the QBs train as though they have 3 starters. (Interesting to also find out Shane Matthews' son is QB3 now.)
When Trask came in after a near miracle injury avoidance and showed his true character, training and just plain moxy in bringing home the W it just further shown how Mullen crafts the character of his QBs and makes them believe in themselves so they can deal with the inevitable adversity that comes with the job.
I cannot be happier at this point that we "settled" for Dan Mullen and I am actually ashamed of myself for not seeing how fortunate we were to land a seasoned SEC coach who has such a strong track record for offensive success and getting the most out of his players especially at the most critical QB position.
A hearty "well done" goes to Mullen, Trask, EJ and even Franks who has continued to be a strong leader even though his season is done. Hopefully we can keep this train rolling next week as we head to Death Valley and on to Jax for the Cocktail Party after that. Whatever happens, though, I know that our coach will do everything in his power to get our team to give everything in theirs and that alone is an amazing improvement over the last decade!!
It is finally, once again, truly great ... to be ... a Florida Gator!!!
