Not Dead Yet!

The Gators remain alive for a shot at Atlanta, rallying together in the off week to put together (finally) an offensive game plan that utilized the strengths of the players, and overcoming quite a few self-inflicted “flesh wounds”. The first overtime game in series history turned into an instant classic.

It was certainly a stirring win with so much going in a negative direction the entire month of October – bad play, even worse play-calling, and injuries. It looks like the team is starting to buy in to the team concept as the only way it can really compete for anything meaningful.

While the game turned into a shootout in the second half, it really only became close because of horrendous 3rd down defense (or lack thereof) by Florida. Teryl Austin has to be criticized for some of the schemes he dialed up, leaving the middle of the field open too often, and also getting some strange coverage matchups with LBs and DEs on TEs and WRs. This has to be corrected.

The offense got back to its roots with a powerful option run game to complement an efficient passing attack. The offensive staff is to be commended for figuring out a way to get 2 (and sometimes 3) QBs on the filed at the same time, while using motion to line them up at QB depending on the play call. The return of Chris Rainey at RB was a big boost, as was getting enough quality snaps out of Demps. The WRs came up with some clutch plays to keep drives alive and covert some long-yardage situations. Hammond and Hines are starting to elevate their play, and are becoming reliable targets.

Finally, a few words about that hypocrite Mark Pricht and Mr. Choke, Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham. What a pair of losers……the usual classless acts we’ve come to expect from the Puppies. Talk about making it that much sweeter for Chas Henry to kick them to the curb – AGAIN! Hey Puppies – how did that hob-nail boot to the face feel? Once again, I-75 north back to Athens, er, Loserville, is The Trail of Tears.

Now it’s on to Nashville to face Vanderbilt. It looks like it’s going to be a chilly day up there, so expect continued pounding of the running game early to set up some safe passing later. Despite it’s struggles the first half of the season, Florida still owns a huge talent advantage,and should be able to slowly take control of this game. The Gators still have a lot to clean up — penalties, missed blocking assignments in pass protection, and improved pass coverage concepts to protect the middle of the field.

The Commodores just lost leading rusher Warren Norman to injury for the rest of the season. Their running game was the only real bright spot on this team, as their passing game is mediocre at best. Their defense lacks depth as usual, and has been wearing down with regularity in the second half of games.

Historically Florida has struggled to cover the spread in Nashville, and this could be a sandwich game before the SEC East showdown at the Swamp next week against South Carolina. Also, it’s going to be a cool day and an early start, so the staff will be challenged to have the team ready to go from the opening kickoff. However, with so much work still to do to improve all facets of the game, I have to believe the players will be focused enough to take care of their business.

Prediction – Florida 31 Vanderbilt 14

Two teams going in opposite directions meet in Jacksonville this week.  Georgia has turned a crappy season into a mediocre one by winning 3 straight, and their offense has come alive after the return of AJ Green from suspension.  The Gators?  They are in desperation mode, and have no room for error if they still want to win the East.

There has been a lot of talk during the off-week that Florida has re-vamped many things on the offense.  That’s nice to hear, but for me, I’ll believe it when I see it.  As long as the Dazzler is involved with playcalling instead of just trying to improve the poor play of the O-Line, the Gators can lose to almost anyone.

It all will start at the QB position, where Brantley has been the square peg being forced into a Spread Option round hole most of the season.  How many snaps does Burton get from here on out?  Does he actually get the chance to throw the ball, or has the staff failed here as well to at least make him a decent passer by now?

Hopefully the RBs are healthier than they have been in a month.  Demps should be ready to at least get 20 plays or so, and his speed and big-play ability are sorely missed.  Gillislee should be better as well.  Moody?  He’ll never be a real contributor it seems.  Brown?  It looks like a redshirt year for him, as he “learns” this terrific offense put together by the Dazzler.

The WRs have left a lot to be desired so far as well.  Time to play tough football — block harder, make catches over the middle, and break some tackles and make plays.  They have to get separation and make some plays downfield.

The Gator defense has to improve against the run game and get off the field on 3rd downs.  The Puppies have been winning by running the ball more effectively to help develop a young QB in Aaron Murray, and Florida needs to put the pressure to make big plays directly on him.  Washaun Ealey and Caleb King have developed into a solid 1-2 punch at RB.  

AJ Green is back, but he’s going to see (again) the best CB in the SEC in Janoris Jenkins.  JJ should be able to limit Green’s effect on the Puppy offense, and that helps the rest of the Gator defense take care of it’s own business.  The D-Line and LBs need to shake off a poor month of October and carry their fair share of responsibility starting this week.  The Puppies will go after the Gator LBs all game, especially in the passing game.  They love to run the TE down the seam, and have the WRs run the 15-18 yard square-ins.  Jones and Hicks especially have to elevate their game, starting this week.

If you can’t be a dominant team, you can still be an efficient and resourceful one.

Go with schemes that best utilize the strengths of the players on the field.  Stay ahead of schedule on first down.  Take a few more shots downfield to loosen up the defense.  Get the linebackers in position to better stop the run.  Take advantage of any big plays made by the defense or special teams on the plus side of the field.

The Gator offense is a complete mess right now, and 2 weeks is probably not enough to try and correct all of the problems.  Can the Gators regain some confidence and play aggressively this week?

Unfortunately, until these supposed changes are fully implemented, I am not confident that Florida can turn things around this week.  The hardest thing to do is to break a losing streak when all phases of the game are in question.

This prediction kills me……

Georgia 24      Florida 21

 FEELING LIKE ROCK BOTTOM

History repeats itself as the Gators look dismal against an out-manned MSU team.  Shades of 2004 and the end of the Zook Error, but losing at the Swamp?

Total abject failure on offense.  The Dazzler is completely incapable of coordinating an offense, and the OL play stinks as well. Coach Meyer needs to do the right thing for the program and relieve Addazio of the OC duties immediately, and try and salvage an already disappointing season and prepare for 2011.

There really isn’t much to dissect from Florida’s performance.  Unfortunately, it appears that the offensive ineptitude has finally started to permeate the entire team.  The defense only gave up 10 points, but it was clear that MSU was going to run the entire second half unless they fell behind.  And yet, the defense let the Bulldogs eat huge chunks of time off the clock, and gave the struggling offense poor field position.

Yes, there have been injuries to some key players, but 5 years of solid recruiting means that the staff is even more at fault for not getting the others ready to play and win.  Demps is a shadow of his former self right now, and, just when Debose started to gain confidence, he goes down with a bad ankle injury that could keep him out for an extended period.

I feel badly for Chas Henry as well, as he is simply not a quality placekicker, while he is having an A-A season as a punter.

Where is the LB corps? They have been practically invisible this year, except for a few interceptions by Bostic.  Hicks?  Jones?  They seem to be good for 1-2 impact plays a game, and no more……disappointing.

Where is the D-Line?  No real push from the interior, and Lemmens just isn’t an SEC-caliber DE.  Time for Powell and Floyd to get extended playing time.

Coach Meyer is saying most of the right things this week, but will he go as far as necessary for this team?  The entire offensive scheme needs to be re-vamped, and the entire coaching staff has to start earning it’s keep, as they have failed so far in giving these kids their best chance to win.

However……incredibly……the Gators still control their own destiny to get to Atlanta!  HA!  The East is WAY down in 2010……wow. 

“So you’re saying there’s a chance?”

I’ll be back next week with my Georgia preview……Go Gators!

A painful and well-deserved loss at home to LSU now has the Gator Nation no longer grumbling under it’s collective breath, but openly criticizing and questioning the coaching staff……and rightly so.

Maybe the Gators didn’t play well enough to win, but if you aren’t a dominant team, you can still be an efficient and opportunistic one.  Somehow Florida found itself still in the game by taking advantage of LSU turnovers in the first half.  Then, the big-time kickoff return for a TD by Andre Debose, and putting together its best drive of the SEC season to take the lead late.  But once again the coaches did not do their job to help the players close out the game with a win.

It will be discussed ad nauseam, but it was a colossal screw-up by Coach Durkin and Meyer and the special teams not to play a safe defense on a 53-yard FG attempt, allowing LSU to bumble their way to a first down despite a poor lateral.  Hey, even if they make the kick, it’s a tie game and you’re going into overtime with momentum and the crowd on your side.  Instead, Teryl Austin dials up a crazy blitz with zero coverage, and gets burned on a quick slant down to the 3.

And yet……and yet……you can still get to overtime by helping Jeremy Brown be ready for the obvious fade route……TWICE……by giving him safety help inside so he can play outside technique.  Nope.  Gators lose.  Everyone knows that Janoris Jenkins is an A-A candidate, and Brown had better get used to getting a LOT of action his way the rest of the season.

The struggles on offense have glossed over one concern — the Gator defense is allowing some long drives right now, and has to get off the field on 3rd down.  The LB corps has been pretty quiet this year despite the interceptions, and there is still little push from the DL, which is especially disappointing given the depth and talent of that unit.

Now there’s no more room for error, starting with the Homecoming game against MSU.  Dan Mullen comes back to the Swamp to try and ruin any plans the Gators have to get back to Atlanta.

The Bulldogs are not as strong on defense this season, but their offense is slowly improving behind a strong running game.  They still struggle to throw the ball, and Florida’s defense has to let their secondary handle their business man-to-man, and force long-yardage conversion attempts.

I have no real clue as to how the offense will play this week.  While there are some legitimate injury concerns with Brantley and Demps, I’m getting tired of the excuses coming from the staff……coach these guys up, and give them a real chance to be successful.  Hopefully Debose will be allowed more touches now, as he seems to be the only other game-breaker other than Demps.  Gillislee still is underused in the running game, and can take the load off the other guys……if given the chance.

It may be a huge blessing to have a open week after this week’s game in order to re-think the entire offense, and that includes possibly taking the play-calling away from Addazio, because the Dazzler is in way over his head, and has no real clue as to how to scheme and think ahead and “coordinate” an offense.  More damning evidence is the uneven play of the OL, which simply should not happen with so much experience and talent.  Jack-of-some trades, master of none.

Time to survive and advance.  Getting a win will be a boost to the team, and then they have 2 weeks to get ready for UGA and a shot at the East title.

Prediction  – Florida 31        MSU 21