He has coached inside linebackers previously.Good list. Wonder if Napier has a clue though. But why give Armstrong more responsibility when it's not clear he is capable DC? Reminds me of our situation with Napier- too much on his plate. If you thought Armstrong should be demoted- even if not possible- that seems to make more sense.
He has coached inside linebackers previously.
I don’t think he has too much on his plate as a DC. I think he has no experience. A better question is why has Napier not brought in experienced defensive playcalling analysts to help him?
I know I’m in the minority, but I think the team struggled so badly this year because it was so young. And Covid had kids staying for 6 or 7+ years. So we were playing a bunch of teams that had grown men on them.
The kids got a lot of experience and we’re gonna be much better next year.
But, he could’ve had a much better year without stupid on the field decisions and organizational decisions like not having a special teams coach.
I also don’t have a problem with the offense. I have a problem with his playcalling. He doesn’t have a natural feel for it and it routinely stymies the offense.
Here’s what he needs to do IMO
1. Get another WR in the portal. Dike has speed but barely any production.
2. Get Tarquin back. Then both OT positions will be secured. We had no tackles on this team until we got our recent transfer. Only Barber can play it somewhat okay.
3. Move Armstrong to also coach ILBs.
4. Have Harris over CBs and safeties.
5. Hire an OC.
6. Hire a DL coach (should be happening sometime in the next week).
7. Bring in an elite CB from the portal.
8. Assign a coach to special teams.
from the Gator press release:1. Get another WR in the portal. Dike has speed but barely any production.
What press release is that? In 4 years at WI he caught 97 passes for 9 TDs and about 1400 yards. 2022 was his best year where he caught 47 passes and 6 TDS. If he can duplicate 2022 with Mertz that would be nice.from the Gator press release:
Dike "caught 70 passes for 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 with Mertz at quarterback."
For comparison, Ricky Pearsall's receiving stats in 2023:
- 65 for 965 and 4 YD. (+2 running TDs.)
I'd argue Ricky's stats were hurt by the team's inability to give Mertz time to run long patterns. Plus the playing-calling, which was arguably also hampered by the protection.
I don't recall having seen Dike, but the record says he was productive in 2022. With Mertz specifically.
So he may be pretty good pickup. Here's hoping!
I agree...but...the way we lost the games we lost has a lot more to do with strategy and game planning as well as discipline. I think for Napier to win he is going to have to out recruit his flaws and so far that doesnt look like its going to well. This class falling apart isnt going to change much for him. Furthermore, we are having such a mix up in the staff on D again its like they can never get set. I like the Chatman hire but replaceing Bateman with cantrememberhisnamecareerintermguy is a loss. The offense looked really good at times but just looked like crap whenever we would play a D with a good DL and like you mentioned would get stymied by dumb play calls as well. To me, Napier is a poor man's Kirby Smart...has to totally out talent whoever he is coaching against...but is a few years too late because our program was a dumpster fire after other teams we are recruiting against got their acts together.I know I’m in the minority, but I think the team struggled so badly this year because it was so young. And Covid had kids staying for 6 or 7+ years. So we were playing a bunch of teams that had grown men on them.
The kids got a lot of experience and we’re gonna be much better next year.
But, he could’ve had a much better year without stupid on the field decisions and organizational decisions like not having a special teams coach.
I also don’t have a problem with the offense. I have a problem with his playcalling. He doesn’t have a natural feel for it and it routinely stymies the offense.
Here’s what he needs to do IMO
1. Get another WR in the portal. Dike has speed but barely any production.
2. Get Tarquin back. Then both OT positions will be secured. We had no tackles on this team until we got our recent transfer. Only Barber can play it somewhat okay.
3. Move Armstrong to also coach ILBs.
4. Have Harris over CBs and safeties.
5. Hire an OC.
6. Hire a DL coach (should be happening sometime in the next week).
7. Bring in an elite CB from the portal.
8. Assign a coach to special teams.
If you’re gonna wear the robes of a savant you better be a savant. I’m not convinced Billy has that capacity, particularly with regard to oversight of the defensive side of the ball. Armstrong may well grow into a coveted DC, but given some of the adjustment issues (specifically the lack of in coverage schemes to go along with very poor technique(s) and fundamentals), the impression left on me is that he was overwhelmed at times and in close ballgames, the margin for error is micro-thin. Add to that a 30 year old with no appreciable collegiate experience at the SEC level is both named coordinator and given a position group that, if I understand correctly, he has not coached (Safeties), the odds for a struggle if not disaster are greatly exacerbated. And I think this is what we saw as the season progressed.He likes to be the teacher in the group, he needs some experienced assistance. Not a knock on him, but good leaders bring in people with knowledge to help where their expertise is lacking.
Ol' Ox needs to climb back on his high rocking-horse and ignore what is happening with the Gators and other teams like USF. Is USF the greatest? No. Would USF whip us right now? Yes. It doesn't matter what happened earlier in the season. And for the record Oh Great One, I'm pro-Gator all the way. I want to see the Gators get back to the top. Think Nape can do it for us? I don't, but wish him the best in his next job. He won't be here one year from now.. Did you even watch USF's bowl against Cuse last night? I was shocked at how good they looked. Better than we have looked all season.When you hate your coach, suddenly every other team and coach are dynamos. USF are world beaters and Lane Kiffin is Vince Lombardi.
'Ol Tunaboat is so eaten up with hate he can't think rationally.
What press release is that? In 4 years at WI he caught 97 passes for 9 TDs and about 1400 yards. 2022 was his best year where he caught 47 passes and 6 TDS. If he can duplicate 2022 with Mertz that would be nice.
Good question. Do you mean experienced and in the booth during games?He has coached inside linebackers previously.
I don’t think he has too much on his plate as a DC. I think he has no experience. A better question is why has Napier not brought in experienced defensive playcalling analysts to help him?
I would think so. And I would think definitely somebody who can help him game plan.Good question. Do you mean experienced and in the booth during games?
Christ no. You actually watched that trash?Did you even watch USF's bowl against Cuse last night?
beats paying him 750k to vacation with Dan.Is our former S&C the guy Scares Money did not fire but will reassign to another multi hundred thousand per year job?
That's a fact about Bammer. They have plenty of experience in the (RCC) recycled coaches committee @ Ala'bamuh.I would think so. And I would think definitely somebody who can help him game plan.
Shane Matthews has routinely blasted Napier for not having experienced analysts on this team. He said all of them are young people. He said you need a bunch of old seasoned guys helping the young coaches.
He talked at length at how Bama does it.