Featured Napier’s first full offseason thread

[cover2]

Sorry, I could have asked that better. I just immediately thought if anybody knew it was you.

I can only recall that Mullen was on the field. Mostly because of that one game he called from the booth because he had surgery that day and was hopped up on pain killers and we got destroyed by Auburn(?). But I think he was unique in that regard. Seems to me most OC's are in the booth.

Round about way of saying Napier needs an OC in the booth. He ain't Stephen Orr Spurrier.

I’ve looked back some and can’t find any photos (current) or specific references. I just haven’t paid much attention while watching the games. I do know that one of the things coaches do is evaluate and I’m pretty sure it has dawned on Billy that there’s some tweaking to be done regarding in-game responsibilities and function.

I have said this previously and still believe it, but the biggest fault of Billy’s, to me, was not benching Richardson, particularly when he had those spells that he just cut the engine off, wouldn’t run it, or couldn’t throw it in the lake if he was standing on a dock. It was clear to me that Billy was trying to advance Richardson, but the QB, for whatever reason, couldn’t or wouldn’t do what was asked or needed consistently. Kitna, despite what we now know of him, maybe could have been better used? It’s all moot now, but another problem left behind by the previous staff. I will say this…I believe Mullen had figured out he had a QB that everybody and his brother was expecting to tear the SEC to shreds, but that million dollar body didn’t function consistently with a less comparable head and heart. Maybe some other coach could’ve gotten more from him? Who knows? But in the meantime, we find the QB room not exactly looking formidable, but maybe serviceable for a year.

Back on topic, I’d personally think it would be hard for Sale not to be on the sidelines as the principle OL coach. I know there are a lot of eyes in the sky, just not sure who they are and to what extent their responsibilities are. Everything in CFB runs through the HC, so ultimately both the good and bad falls on Billy’s shoulders. It’ll be interesting to see what direction this issue takes in the near future.

 

[Gator By Marriage]

I’ve looked back some and can’t find any photos (current) or specific references. I just haven’t paid much attention while watching the games. I do know that one of the things coaches do is evaluate and I’m pretty sure it has dawned on Billy that there’s some tweaking to be done regarding in-game responsibilities and function.

I have said this previously and still believe it, but the biggest fault of Billy’s, to me, was not benching Richardson, particularly when he had those spells that he just cut the engine off, wouldn’t run it, or couldn’t throw it in the lake if he was standing on a dock. It was clear to me that Billy was trying to advance Richardson, but the QB, for whatever reason, couldn’t or wouldn’t do what was asked or needed consistently. Kitna, despite what we now know of him, maybe could have been better used? It’s all moot now, but another problem left behind by the previous staff. I will say this…I believe Mullen had figured out he had a QB that everybody and his brother was expecting to tear the SEC to shreds, but that million dollar body didn’t function consistently with a less comparable head and heart. Maybe some other coach could’ve gotten more from him? Who knows? But in the meantime, we find the QB room not exactly looking formidable, but maybe serviceable for a year.

Back on topic, I’d personally think it would be hard for Sale not to be on the sidelines as the principle OL coach. I know there are a lot of eyes in the sky, just not sure who they are and to what extent their responsibilities are. Everything in CFB runs through the HC, so ultimately both the good and bad falls on Billy’s shoulders. It’ll be interesting to see what direction this issue takes in the near future.

From what I could find, he's on the field:

 

[soflagator]

From what I could find, he's on the field:

View attachment 54135

Pretty sure that’s Peagler to his right. With that headset on, I’m guessing he’s working the drive thru window. And by the look on his face, it appears someone just ordered multiple pour-overs.

 

[OBG]

 

[ThreatMatrix]

I’ve looked back some and can’t find any photos (current) or specific references. I just haven’t paid much attention while watching the games. I do know that one of the things coaches do is evaluate and I’m pretty sure it has dawned on Billy that there’s some tweaking to be done regarding in-game responsibilities and function.

I have said this previously and still believe it, but the biggest fault of Billy’s, to me, was not benching Richardson, particularly when he had those spells that he just cut the engine off, wouldn’t run it, or couldn’t throw it in the lake if he was standing on a dock. It was clear to me that Billy was trying to advance Richardson, but the QB, for whatever reason, couldn’t or wouldn’t do what was asked or needed consistently. Kitna, despite what we now know of him, maybe could have been better used? It’s all moot now, but another problem left behind by the previous staff. I will say this…I believe Mullen had figured out he had a QB that everybody and his brother was expecting to tear the SEC to shreds, but that million dollar body didn’t function consistently with a less comparable head and heart. Maybe some other coach could’ve gotten more from him? Who knows? But in the meantime, we find the QB room not exactly looking formidable, but maybe serviceable for a year.

Back on topic, I’d personally think it would be hard for Sale not to be on the sidelines as the principle OL coach. I know there are a lot of eyes in the sky, just not sure who they are and to what extent their responsibilities are. Everything in CFB runs through the HC, so ultimately both the good and bad falls on Billy’s shoulders. It’ll be interesting to see what direction this issue takes in the near future.

Thanx.

Re: Napier and his QB's. I think Nape wants a guy that will hand off or throw the ball to the right person if need be. I'm guessing Mertz is his guy. A game manager in a run-first offense. AR kept trying to out-athlete everyone. And who knows if he wasn't constantly having to rescue the offense from the defense he might have had less miscues. . But I think Nape will limit Merts to what Mertz can do and Mertz will do it. Serviceable but not formidable.

My concern with Napier's game management is that I get the feeling it's less about intuitively calling plays and more about following his statistical play chart. He made calls that were head scratchers in games, although technically correct, but didn't have a feel for the situation. TImeouts and 2-point conversions come to mind. And did he ever challenge a call though there were plenty of times he should have? He's got a lot to learn.

 

[oxrageous]

In his conference, Napier said a number of assistants evaluated 24 QB's in the portal. Mertz was the guy.

 

[Durty South Swamp]

 

[Joegator96]

In his conference, Napier said a number of assistants evaluated 24 QB's in the portal. Mertz was the guy.

Wow, I feel so much better now. Let's go Fred Mertz.

 

[oxrageous]

Wow, I feel so much better now. Let's go Fred Mertz.

My friend, at your age you should just be grateful you're waking up in the morning.

 

[stephenPE]

Wow, I feel so much better now. Let's go Fred Mertz.

 

[ThreatMatrix]

Since Tebow who was the last QB we had that wasn't an accident waiting to happen? Maybe Trask. If Mertz is just competent it will be a step forward for us.

 

[soflagator]

Since Tebow who was the last QB we had that wasn't an accident waiting to happen? Maybe Trask. If Mertz is just competent it will be a step forward for us.

We had some of the best QB luck for close to 20 years. And since have had some of the most comical episodes of disaster one could even script. PEDs, rape allegations(2), horrific injuries, transfers, Driskel, self-catches, now the first ever NIL deal gone south. If Mertz and/or Miller make it to fall camp and through the lsu game without being attacked by rabid penguins or something, I’ll consider it a win.

 

[GatorJ]

We had some of the best QB luck for close to 20 years. And since have had some of the most comical episodes of disaster one could even script. PEDs, rape allegations(2), horrific injuries, transfers, Driskel, self-catches, now the first ever NIL deal gone south. If Mertz and/or Miller make it to fall camp and through the lsu game without being attacked by rabid penguins or something, I’ll consider it a win.

Yeah. You forgot about child porn.

 

[cover2]

The kid Butters ran off was good. Probably would have made it if Izzy Mandalbaum’s weights and conditioning weren’t so tough that he had to resort to PEDs to keep up and got busted.

 

[Altitude Gator]

The kid Butters ran off was good. Probably would have made it if Izzy Mandalbaum’s weights and conditioning weren’t so tough that he had to resort to PEDs to keep up and got busted.

View attachment 54260

The cute part of this is that you still think it was PEDs (as we consider them) and not COKE.

 

[cover2]

The cute part of this is that you still think it was PEDs (as we consider them) and not COKE.

And besides, ask LT if “it” wasn’t a performance enhancer

 

[aka]

I hoped for "enhanced performance" nearly every game last year.

 

[URGatorBait]

Yeah. You forgot about child porn.

I really though LDR would have been that guy

 

[Theologator]

In his conference, Napier said a number of assistants evaluated 24 QB's in the portal. Mertz was the guy.

He did say they evaluated 24 guys. He said Paul Chryst lauded Mertz’s work ethic. He noted his physical tools and ability. He didn’t say Mertz was their top target, but he obviously met their evaluation standards. There are no sure bets among the QB transfers.

I’m hopeful that Billy can coach & scheme Mertz into better decisions, and our WRs can be better targets than what he has known.

Curious who may get added at QB in May. Wonder how Max Brown is progressing.

 

[cover2]

I really though LDR would have been that guy

In retrospect, I felt like Luke could have been the Hunter Biden of UF QBs with a little more effort.