The team couldn’t be any more different than its head coach.
And he knows it.
Coach Will Muschamp called his team out for being soft and lacking physical and mental toughness after Florida lost to Florida State for the second straight year, ending the regular season at 6-6.
The former SEC safety hit hard, but his hardest hit may have been his evaluation of his own team.
But he’s right.
This team, while talented, resembles the 2011 Eagles and 2010 Miami Heat team more than a championship squad.
Too often the offense failed to show up in key situations, if at all.
There was no better example of that than when Trey Burton was stuffed for a 14-yard loss on fourth and short.
It’s downright embarrassing.
The offensive line regressed as the season went on. Sure there were injuries and a lack of depth. But overall, the problems lie in the lack of physicality and mental toughness.
Left tackle Xavier Nixon, a former five-star recruit, lost his starting job. Youngsters Jon Halapio and Jonotthan Harrison were inconsistent, but there wasn’t anyone to push them.
“We’re not good enough up front,” Muschamp said in his press conference.
With the line struggling, speedsters Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps had no chance.
The diminutive running backs were no match for the SEC defenses on the schedule, nor were they good fits for the pro style offense.
John Brantley did little to give people to cheer about. His teammates and coaches praised him throughout the season, a season in which he dealt with a nagging ankle injury. But his play didn’t inspire confidence.
Then again, when you have Deonte Thompson and Andre Debose (can he ever run a route?) to throw to, the options are limited.
But what’s most disappointing to me, and to many Gator fans, is the defense.
It had its moments.
Against FAU and Kentucky.
But when matched up against Alabama and LSU, it caved.
They’re soft.
Dan Quinn and Muschamp preached about turnovers.
I failed to see the “rip and strip” they talked about so much in the preseason.
Ronald Powell was supposed to be the answer at the buck position.
He finished with 30 tackles and five sacks. That’s not good enough.
For the second straight year, the former No. 1 recruit failed to make a big impact. He struggled to shed blocks, displayed no pass rush moves and just doesn’t seem like a motivated player.
He’s soft.
Dominique Easley, the ultra-quick but undisciplined sophomore defensive tackle, definitely gave reason to hope that this defense can be better.
He was a consistently disruptive player, both in the backfield and on his own team. He drew too many penalties and seemed unfocused, but at least he shows up on the field.
Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic were solid again, but for a team lacking leadership, the two linebackers seem more like Jerod Mayo than Ray Lewis.
This team no longer has Brandon Spikes to get in your face and hit the opponent in the mouth. It doesn’t have the Pouncey twins to control the line of scrimmage. It doesn’t have Tim Tebow to give you hope in any situation.
It has Muschamp.
And that’s it.
Last time I checked, he won’t be suiting up in Orange and Blue.
Let’s hope he finds someone who can.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Gators come up short against Gamecocks, drop to 5-5
Weekend afterthoughts
1. Make it Rain
Chris Rainey finally got it going after a near two-month stretch where he averaged 29 yards rushing against the top teams in the SEC. The redshirt senior exploded for 132 yards on 17 carries, good for 7.8 yards per carry and snagged three passes for 30 yards. Rainey showed his trademark quickness and open field speed.
2. Pass defense shows improvement
Pop Saunders recorded his first career interception and Josh Evans showed up big with 11 tackles as the secondary limited Connor Shaw to a mere 84 yards. Projected first-round pick Alshon Jeffery only had two catches for 17 yards.
3. Pass offense still sputtering
With a weak offensive line and receiving corps, the expectations and results couldn’t be much lower for the Gators passing offense. South Carolina’s deep defensive line applied solid pressure on John Brantley and made too many plays in the backfield. The Gamecocks sacked the Gators quarterback three times and made 11 tackles for loss compared to only three for the Gators.
4. Leaky run defense
As good as the pass defense numbers looked, much of that had to do with the Gators porous run defense. Playing without all-SEC stud Marcus Lattimore who demoralized UF last year, the Gamecocks still racked up 215 yards on the ground, including 93 by their quarterback. Once again, the Gators had trouble tackling a big running back as Brandon Wild, who stands 6-foot-1, 223 pounds, wore down the Gators front seven with 29 carries for 120 yards. The defense has to get stronger and improve at shedding blocks if it ever plans to shut down the top running backs in the SEC next year.
1. Make it Rain
Chris Rainey finally got it going after a near two-month stretch where he averaged 29 yards rushing against the top teams in the SEC. The redshirt senior exploded for 132 yards on 17 carries, good for 7.8 yards per carry and snagged three passes for 30 yards. Rainey showed his trademark quickness and open field speed.
2. Pass defense shows improvement
Pop Saunders recorded his first career interception and Josh Evans showed up big with 11 tackles as the secondary limited Connor Shaw to a mere 84 yards. Projected first-round pick Alshon Jeffery only had two catches for 17 yards.
3. Pass offense still sputtering
With a weak offensive line and receiving corps, the expectations and results couldn’t be much lower for the Gators passing offense. South Carolina’s deep defensive line applied solid pressure on John Brantley and made too many plays in the backfield. The Gamecocks sacked the Gators quarterback three times and made 11 tackles for loss compared to only three for the Gators.
4. Leaky run defense
As good as the pass defense numbers looked, much of that had to do with the Gators porous run defense. Playing without all-SEC stud Marcus Lattimore who demoralized UF last year, the Gamecocks still racked up 215 yards on the ground, including 93 by their quarterback. Once again, the Gators had trouble tackling a big running back as Brandon Wild, who stands 6-foot-1, 223 pounds, wore down the Gators front seven with 29 carries for 120 yards. The defense has to get stronger and improve at shedding blocks if it ever plans to shut down the top running backs in the SEC next year.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Gators snap losing streak on Homecoming weekend
It wasn’t pretty, but the Gators finally found their elusive fifth win, taking down the Vanderbilt Commodores 26-21 to move to 5-4.
The last time Gator fans saw John Brantley in the Swamp, the senior quarterback was laying crumpled on the ground courtesy of Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw.
On Saturday, Brantley looked poised and spread the ball around to nine receivers. His transformation from an unconfident, inaccurate detriment to a relaxed and quality game manager has been an undervalued asset for a Gators offense that’s missing the talent it boasted during the Urban Meyer era.
With Brantley only throwing 24 times, the Gators leaned heavily on their run game – one that didn’t feature its top playmaker, Chris Rainey.
Instead, the announced crowd of over 90,144 (which seemed about 5,000 too many), was treated to the resurgence of fellow senior Jeff Demps.
The quasi Olympic track star/fastest man in college football ran through and around the Commodores defense to the tune of 158 yards and two touchdowns.
His highlight run of the day came late in the fourth quarter when the quickest feet in the nation broke the ankles of safety Kenny Ladler and danced 52 yards to the house.
Defensively, the Gators had an up-and-down performance. Defensive tackle Jaye Howard had one of his best performances this season, consistently applying pressure on quarterback Jordan Rodgers.
Ronald Powell also had a solid game as a pass rusher, recording his second sack in as many games.
However, there were still some glaring struggles, particularly in pass defense.
The secondary’s inexperience has been on display as cornerback Marcus Roberson has consistently failed to play the ball in coverage. He is usually in good position, but does not turn his head to locate the ball and has drawn a few pass interference calls.
Sophomore Jaylen Watkins looks to be the best pure cover corner on the team as he registered some big pass breakups, but could do a better job reeling them in for turnovers.
Tackling still seems to be an issue for this team, although it certainly didn’t help that Jelani Jenkins wasn’t in the lineup. I expect big things for this defense next season as most of the starters will have at least two years of starting experience under their belts, but the secondary could be the weak link that holds this team back.
The last time Gator fans saw John Brantley in the Swamp, the senior quarterback was laying crumpled on the ground courtesy of Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw.
On Saturday, Brantley looked poised and spread the ball around to nine receivers. His transformation from an unconfident, inaccurate detriment to a relaxed and quality game manager has been an undervalued asset for a Gators offense that’s missing the talent it boasted during the Urban Meyer era.
With Brantley only throwing 24 times, the Gators leaned heavily on their run game – one that didn’t feature its top playmaker, Chris Rainey.
Instead, the announced crowd of over 90,144 (which seemed about 5,000 too many), was treated to the resurgence of fellow senior Jeff Demps.
The quasi Olympic track star/fastest man in college football ran through and around the Commodores defense to the tune of 158 yards and two touchdowns.
His highlight run of the day came late in the fourth quarter when the quickest feet in the nation broke the ankles of safety Kenny Ladler and danced 52 yards to the house.
Defensively, the Gators had an up-and-down performance. Defensive tackle Jaye Howard had one of his best performances this season, consistently applying pressure on quarterback Jordan Rodgers.
Ronald Powell also had a solid game as a pass rusher, recording his second sack in as many games.
However, there were still some glaring struggles, particularly in pass defense.
The secondary’s inexperience has been on display as cornerback Marcus Roberson has consistently failed to play the ball in coverage. He is usually in good position, but does not turn his head to locate the ball and has drawn a few pass interference calls.
Sophomore Jaylen Watkins looks to be the best pure cover corner on the team as he registered some big pass breakups, but could do a better job reeling them in for turnovers.
Tackling still seems to be an issue for this team, although it certainly didn’t help that Jelani Jenkins wasn’t in the lineup. I expect big things for this defense next season as most of the starters will have at least two years of starting experience under their belts, but the secondary could be the weak link that holds this team back.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Let the Gator Growl: Florida trying to avoid five-game losing streak
It’s been 23 years since Florida lost to Vanderbilt.
It’s also been over a month since the last Gators win.
The Gators are in the midst of a four-game losing streak where they’ve been blown out (Alabama and LSU), played undisciplined (Auburn) and failed to maintain a lead (Georgia).
However, the young squad hopes to earn a homecoming victory against a Vanderbilt squad that is also 4-4.
The Commodores nearly upset Arkansas last week and lost to Georgia by only five points in October.
Their offense rests on the shoulders and the legs of dual-threat quarterback Jordan Rodgers who has accounted for 1,369 yards of offense and nine touchdowns.
Running back Zac Stacy is a big play threat, averaging 7.3 yards on 97 carries.
Despite little top-tier talent, the Commodores do have several playmakers on defense at each level.
Rob Lohr and Tim Fugger anchor a strong defensive line that is adept at rushing the quarterback. The duo has combined for 9.5 sacks.
Senior Chris Marve is a force at middle linebacker, pacing the team with 61 tackles. Sophomore Chase Garnham is a speedy, athletic outside backer who has 44 tackles and has been a playmaker.
The strength of the Commodore defense lies in its secondary which is second in the SEC with 15 interceptions.
Seniors Casey Hayward is one of the nation’s premier ballhawks, snagging 13 career interceptions. Safety Sean Richardson is a stout tackler and uses his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to his advantage.
For the Gators to avoid their fifth-straight loss, they need to re-establish the ground game that carried the team earlier in the year.
The once vaunted rushing attack has been nonexistent during the losing streak, and the blame lies mostly on the offensive line.
Tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan need to rebound after poor performances against Georgia and keep quarterback John Brantley clean.
Florida has better athletes than Vanderbilt, but it will take a disciplined effort and a strong defensive performance by the Gators to emerge with a win.
It’s also been over a month since the last Gators win.
The Gators are in the midst of a four-game losing streak where they’ve been blown out (Alabama and LSU), played undisciplined (Auburn) and failed to maintain a lead (Georgia).
However, the young squad hopes to earn a homecoming victory against a Vanderbilt squad that is also 4-4.
The Commodores nearly upset Arkansas last week and lost to Georgia by only five points in October.
Their offense rests on the shoulders and the legs of dual-threat quarterback Jordan Rodgers who has accounted for 1,369 yards of offense and nine touchdowns.
Running back Zac Stacy is a big play threat, averaging 7.3 yards on 97 carries.
Despite little top-tier talent, the Commodores do have several playmakers on defense at each level.
Rob Lohr and Tim Fugger anchor a strong defensive line that is adept at rushing the quarterback. The duo has combined for 9.5 sacks.
Senior Chris Marve is a force at middle linebacker, pacing the team with 61 tackles. Sophomore Chase Garnham is a speedy, athletic outside backer who has 44 tackles and has been a playmaker.
The strength of the Commodore defense lies in its secondary which is second in the SEC with 15 interceptions.
Seniors Casey Hayward is one of the nation’s premier ballhawks, snagging 13 career interceptions. Safety Sean Richardson is a stout tackler and uses his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to his advantage.
For the Gators to avoid their fifth-straight loss, they need to re-establish the ground game that carried the team earlier in the year.
The once vaunted rushing attack has been nonexistent during the losing streak, and the blame lies mostly on the offensive line.
Tackles Xavier Nixon and Matt Patchan need to rebound after poor performances against Georgia and keep quarterback John Brantley clean.
Florida has better athletes than Vanderbilt, but it will take a disciplined effort and a strong defensive performance by the Gators to emerge with a win.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Letdown in Jacksonville: Gators drop fourth straight
Friday night, I attended the Zac Brown Band concert in Jacksonville. The arena, located across the way from the site of the Florida-Georgia game, was rocking with Gators and Bulldogs alike.
As good as Zac Brown and his fellow musicians were, the Bulldogs were the ones headed back to GA in high spirits.
Despite a triumphant return by John Brantley, the Gators blew a seven-point halftime lead and were outscored 14-3 in the second half.
Florida fans had plenty of reason to cheer early, as Brantley reminded fans why he retained the starting job over uber-talented freshman Jeff Driskel.
The senior signal caller looked poised and in control, leading the Gators to three scoring drives. He picked apart the Georgia defense and threw a 31-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-19 in the first quarter.
Besides Brantley, the return of Jeff Demps to the lineup provided early dividends.
The fastest man in college football showed his world class speed on a blazing 99-yard kick return that put the Gators up 14-3.
However, the offense didn’t do much after that.
The Bulldogs passing game took over as Aaron Murray and the Georgia offense took over in the second half. The Bulldogs simply overpowered the Gators’ small defense, rushing for 185 yards.
With the 24-20 loss, the Gators dropped their fourth straight game for the first time since 1988.
One of the big problems for the Gators has been the poor play of their offensive line. Left tackle Xavier Nixon has regressed since his freshman year. The athletically gifted Nixon has struggled with penalties and has been beaten far too many times in pass protection.
The Gators lack of size up front has also been an issue, particularly in the running game. After running all over the likes of UAB and Kentucky to start the season, the Gators’ vaunted running attack has been shut down by the physical defenses of Alabama, LSU and Georgia.
Speedsters Chris Rainey and Demps combined for a mere 38 yards on 13 carries and did not find the end zone.
With smaller running backs, opening holes is crucial for the ground game, but the Gators simply lack the power, size and discipline to be effective against SEC defenses.
On defense, size is still the issue.
The secondary is terribly undersized as cornerback Cody Riggs stands just 5-foot-9 and safeties Matt Elam and Pop Saunders are 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-8, respectively.
The linebackers, while fast, do not have the strength or bulk to fight off blocks and the defensive line doesn’t excel at two-gapping.
The Gators certainly have a lot of talent up front in Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Ronald Powell and Jelani Jenkins, but without a consistent pass rush and bad technique, the front-seven is not playing to its potential.
As good as Zac Brown and his fellow musicians were, the Bulldogs were the ones headed back to GA in high spirits.
Despite a triumphant return by John Brantley, the Gators blew a seven-point halftime lead and were outscored 14-3 in the second half.
Florida fans had plenty of reason to cheer early, as Brantley reminded fans why he retained the starting job over uber-talented freshman Jeff Driskel.
The senior signal caller looked poised and in control, leading the Gators to three scoring drives. He picked apart the Georgia defense and threw a 31-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-19 in the first quarter.
Besides Brantley, the return of Jeff Demps to the lineup provided early dividends.
The fastest man in college football showed his world class speed on a blazing 99-yard kick return that put the Gators up 14-3.
However, the offense didn’t do much after that.
The Bulldogs passing game took over as Aaron Murray and the Georgia offense took over in the second half. The Bulldogs simply overpowered the Gators’ small defense, rushing for 185 yards.
With the 24-20 loss, the Gators dropped their fourth straight game for the first time since 1988.
One of the big problems for the Gators has been the poor play of their offensive line. Left tackle Xavier Nixon has regressed since his freshman year. The athletically gifted Nixon has struggled with penalties and has been beaten far too many times in pass protection.
The Gators lack of size up front has also been an issue, particularly in the running game. After running all over the likes of UAB and Kentucky to start the season, the Gators’ vaunted running attack has been shut down by the physical defenses of Alabama, LSU and Georgia.
Speedsters Chris Rainey and Demps combined for a mere 38 yards on 13 carries and did not find the end zone.
With smaller running backs, opening holes is crucial for the ground game, but the Gators simply lack the power, size and discipline to be effective against SEC defenses.
On defense, size is still the issue.
The secondary is terribly undersized as cornerback Cody Riggs stands just 5-foot-9 and safeties Matt Elam and Pop Saunders are 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-8, respectively.
The linebackers, while fast, do not have the strength or bulk to fight off blocks and the defensive line doesn’t excel at two-gapping.
The Gators certainly have a lot of talent up front in Sharrif Floyd, Dominique Easley, Ronald Powell and Jelani Jenkins, but without a consistent pass rush and bad technique, the front-seven is not playing to its potential.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Rivalry Week: Florida/Georgia showdown
It’s all business for the Gators this week.
Despite a hot start, the team has been run over, through and around over the past month, and the offense has looked inept without John Brantley, yes, John Brantley, at the helm.
The senior quarterback could play Saturday against Georgia, but he’s been limited in practice. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said freshman Jacoby Brissett will start if Brantley is unable to go.
Whether it’s Brissett, Brantley or Jeff Driskel, the offense needs to wake up.
Against Alabama, LSU and Auburn, the offense has averaged a pitiful nine points per game, and none of the position groups have performed well.
The offensive line has had a ton of mental mistakes and struggled against Alabama and LSU’s powerful defensive lines.
Jeff Demps’ absence has left Chris Rainey solo, and the senior hasn’t been able to shoulder the load.
The receivers have been virtually nonexistent outside of a few big plays by Andre Debose (can this guy get on the field more?)
Defensively, the story hasn’t been much better.
The rush defense has taken a step back, although it did show signs of life against Auburn. The linebackers and safeties seemed to forget how to tackle, although linebacker Jelani Jenkins acknowledged the Gators have played against a string of talented backs.
If the Gators don’t want to get embarrassed in Jacksonville against one of their biggest rivals, here are a few keys:
Florida’s offense
Whether it’s Brissett or Brantley, the passing offense needs to start out with some easy completions. The 2010 option offense negates any flow or rhythm and has been ineffective.
Demps should return to the lineup after getting healthy during the bye week. He and Debose are the most talented players at their positions and are always threats to score.
The offensive line faces another physical defense as Georgia runs a 3-4 system featuring some giant defensive linemen including 6-foot-6, 350-pound sophomore Kwame Geathers and 6-foot-5, 351-pounder Jon Jenkins. Cornelius Washington has rare size at outside linebacker (6-foot-4, 269 pounds), and USC transfer Jarvis Jones leads the team with four sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Georgia’s offense
The secondary will face one of its toughest tests thus far. Georgia’s Aaron Murray is a rising sophomore who can make plays with his arm and his legs. He completes 60 percent of his passes and boasts a 16:7 touchdown to interception ratio. He spreads the ball around to his playmakers – four receivers have at least 18 catches.
Unlike Florida, Georgia has some bigtime playmakers who present some mismatches. Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell has made an instant impact, rushing for 608 yards and four touchdowns as the feature back. He has terrific size and speed and will be tough to tackle in the open field.
Tight end Orson Charles is another size/speed athlete who is tied for the team lead with four touchdowns. Freshman Malcolm Mitchell has stepped into the No. 1 receiver role after AJ Green departed to the NFL. Mitchell leads the team with 22 catches for 438 yards.
Florida’s defense
Sophomore Ronald Powell should return to the starting lineup, but for how long? The disappointing former No. 1 recruit hasn’t made much of an impact at the buck position. The Gators need him to step up as a pass rusher, but this week will be a tough test against Georgia’s mammoth offensive line whose smallest starter stands 6-foot-2, 313 pounds.
The defensive line has been terrific at times, but has also struggled to adapt to a two-gap system. Georgia’s giant offensive line keeps Murray clean and opens holes for Crowell with ease. The front line of Shariff Floyd, Dominique Easley and Jaye Howard need to maintain gap discipline so the linebackers can make plays.
UF’s small secondary may have trouble containing UGA’s receivers. Their top three receivers are all at least 6-foot-1, and Charles stands 6-foot-3, 243 pounds.
Georgia’s defense
Senior cornerback Brandon Boykin is one of the top prospects at his position. His speed makes him a threat on both defense and in the return game.
Like their offensive line, Georgia has a ton of size up front in its 3-4 defense. They simply have better athletes up front than the Gators do on their o-line.
Despite a hot start, the team has been run over, through and around over the past month, and the offense has looked inept without John Brantley, yes, John Brantley, at the helm.
The senior quarterback could play Saturday against Georgia, but he’s been limited in practice. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said freshman Jacoby Brissett will start if Brantley is unable to go.
Whether it’s Brissett, Brantley or Jeff Driskel, the offense needs to wake up.
Against Alabama, LSU and Auburn, the offense has averaged a pitiful nine points per game, and none of the position groups have performed well.
The offensive line has had a ton of mental mistakes and struggled against Alabama and LSU’s powerful defensive lines.
Jeff Demps’ absence has left Chris Rainey solo, and the senior hasn’t been able to shoulder the load.
The receivers have been virtually nonexistent outside of a few big plays by Andre Debose (can this guy get on the field more?)
Defensively, the story hasn’t been much better.
The rush defense has taken a step back, although it did show signs of life against Auburn. The linebackers and safeties seemed to forget how to tackle, although linebacker Jelani Jenkins acknowledged the Gators have played against a string of talented backs.
If the Gators don’t want to get embarrassed in Jacksonville against one of their biggest rivals, here are a few keys:
Florida’s offense
Whether it’s Brissett or Brantley, the passing offense needs to start out with some easy completions. The 2010 option offense negates any flow or rhythm and has been ineffective.
Demps should return to the lineup after getting healthy during the bye week. He and Debose are the most talented players at their positions and are always threats to score.
The offensive line faces another physical defense as Georgia runs a 3-4 system featuring some giant defensive linemen including 6-foot-6, 350-pound sophomore Kwame Geathers and 6-foot-5, 351-pounder Jon Jenkins. Cornelius Washington has rare size at outside linebacker (6-foot-4, 269 pounds), and USC transfer Jarvis Jones leads the team with four sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Georgia’s offense
The secondary will face one of its toughest tests thus far. Georgia’s Aaron Murray is a rising sophomore who can make plays with his arm and his legs. He completes 60 percent of his passes and boasts a 16:7 touchdown to interception ratio. He spreads the ball around to his playmakers – four receivers have at least 18 catches.
Unlike Florida, Georgia has some bigtime playmakers who present some mismatches. Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell has made an instant impact, rushing for 608 yards and four touchdowns as the feature back. He has terrific size and speed and will be tough to tackle in the open field.
Tight end Orson Charles is another size/speed athlete who is tied for the team lead with four touchdowns. Freshman Malcolm Mitchell has stepped into the No. 1 receiver role after AJ Green departed to the NFL. Mitchell leads the team with 22 catches for 438 yards.
Florida’s defense
Sophomore Ronald Powell should return to the starting lineup, but for how long? The disappointing former No. 1 recruit hasn’t made much of an impact at the buck position. The Gators need him to step up as a pass rusher, but this week will be a tough test against Georgia’s mammoth offensive line whose smallest starter stands 6-foot-2, 313 pounds.
The defensive line has been terrific at times, but has also struggled to adapt to a two-gap system. Georgia’s giant offensive line keeps Murray clean and opens holes for Crowell with ease. The front line of Shariff Floyd, Dominique Easley and Jaye Howard need to maintain gap discipline so the linebackers can make plays.
UF’s small secondary may have trouble containing UGA’s receivers. Their top three receivers are all at least 6-foot-1, and Charles stands 6-foot-3, 243 pounds.
Georgia’s defense
Senior cornerback Brandon Boykin is one of the top prospects at his position. His speed makes him a threat on both defense and in the return game.
Like their offensive line, Georgia has a ton of size up front in its 3-4 defense. They simply have better athletes up front than the Gators do on their o-line.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Former Dwyer stars transferring
According to reports, the Gators' already thin receiving corps will take a hit as No. 2 tight end Gerald Christian and receiver/punt returner Robert Clark will transfer from the program.
Both players cited a lack of playing time as the reason for transferring.
Christian arrived at UF in 2010 as the nation's second-ranked tight end, according to Rivals.com. The former four-star prospect seemed like an ideal replacement for the departed Aaron Hernandez as his combination of size, speed and strength would make him a weapon in UF's offense. However, he rarely saw the field as a freshman and spent some time at linebacker during training camp this year.
He ultimately earned the starting job while Jordan Reed missed time with a leg injury, but registered only four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in his brief career.
Clark was a backup receiver who caught seven passes as a freshman, but was limited to special teams duty in 2011.
Both players cited a lack of playing time as the reason for transferring.
Christian arrived at UF in 2010 as the nation's second-ranked tight end, according to Rivals.com. The former four-star prospect seemed like an ideal replacement for the departed Aaron Hernandez as his combination of size, speed and strength would make him a weapon in UF's offense. However, he rarely saw the field as a freshman and spent some time at linebacker during training camp this year.
He ultimately earned the starting job while Jordan Reed missed time with a leg injury, but registered only four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in his brief career.
Clark was a backup receiver who caught seven passes as a freshman, but was limited to special teams duty in 2011.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Florida loses third game in a row to SEC opponent
It’s hard to be critical of a team that’s throwing two true freshmen into the fire.
But on Saturday, Florida simply played a clunker against Auburn.
The Charlie Weis-led offense looked anemic, at times, even worse than the 2010 team that had Trey Burton and Jordan Reed taking significant snaps at quarterback.
Jeff Driskel continues to miss open reads and overthrew several receivers downfield.
Jacoby Brissett, while poised, simply isn’t ready to lead this offense.
Then again, what options do the Gators have?
Senior John Brantley had been a disappointment prior to this year, but his absence has made people realize how invaluable experience for a quarterback.
Brissett has spent most of the season as the No. 3 quarterback, and Driskel has always looked like the game is too fast for him at the moment.
With Jeff Demps sidelined with a nagging ankle injury, Chris Rainey was thrust into the lead back, playmaker and punt returner role.
Instead, he was bottled up, kept in check and muffed them all.
The usually sure-handed Rainey fumbled three punts and lost one of them.
As far as carrying the offense…he finished with a combined 63 yards rushing and receiving. His 36-yard kick return was by far his longest play, but that was negated by his terrible job on punt return duties.
The offensive line also vastly underperformed. Chaz Green struggled early and was replaced by Xavier Nixon, the former starter at left tackle who had been benched for his poor play the past two weeks.
Nixon was even worse, committing a bone-headed false start penalty and surrendering a sack.
On defense, the Gators played better than the past two games, bottling up Auburn’s workhorse, Michael Dyer, for 73 yards on 23 carries.
Sophomore Dominique Easley, a former five-star recruit, showed up big for the Gators, recording his first career sack. Easley’s speed and explosion off the ball are far and away his best assets. At the same time, they can be his downfall as he has been whistled for being offside several times.
Junior Lerentee McCray put some good pressure on the quarterback and was a key reason that Auburn wasn’t able to get much going on the ground. The former defensive end has far outplayed sophomore Ronald Powell, in my opinion.
Speaking of which, Powell didn’t play after not practicing last week, but Muschamp said he should be good to go against Georgia. Hopefully he dedicates himself in practice because so far he’s been incredibly underwhelming.
But on Saturday, Florida simply played a clunker against Auburn.
The Charlie Weis-led offense looked anemic, at times, even worse than the 2010 team that had Trey Burton and Jordan Reed taking significant snaps at quarterback.
Jeff Driskel continues to miss open reads and overthrew several receivers downfield.
Jacoby Brissett, while poised, simply isn’t ready to lead this offense.
Then again, what options do the Gators have?
Senior John Brantley had been a disappointment prior to this year, but his absence has made people realize how invaluable experience for a quarterback.
Brissett has spent most of the season as the No. 3 quarterback, and Driskel has always looked like the game is too fast for him at the moment.
With Jeff Demps sidelined with a nagging ankle injury, Chris Rainey was thrust into the lead back, playmaker and punt returner role.
Instead, he was bottled up, kept in check and muffed them all.
The usually sure-handed Rainey fumbled three punts and lost one of them.
As far as carrying the offense…he finished with a combined 63 yards rushing and receiving. His 36-yard kick return was by far his longest play, but that was negated by his terrible job on punt return duties.
The offensive line also vastly underperformed. Chaz Green struggled early and was replaced by Xavier Nixon, the former starter at left tackle who had been benched for his poor play the past two weeks.
Nixon was even worse, committing a bone-headed false start penalty and surrendering a sack.
On defense, the Gators played better than the past two games, bottling up Auburn’s workhorse, Michael Dyer, for 73 yards on 23 carries.
Sophomore Dominique Easley, a former five-star recruit, showed up big for the Gators, recording his first career sack. Easley’s speed and explosion off the ball are far and away his best assets. At the same time, they can be his downfall as he has been whistled for being offside several times.
Junior Lerentee McCray put some good pressure on the quarterback and was a key reason that Auburn wasn’t able to get much going on the ground. The former defensive end has far outplayed sophomore Ronald Powell, in my opinion.
Speaking of which, Powell didn’t play after not practicing last week, but Muschamp said he should be good to go against Georgia. Hopefully he dedicates himself in practice because so far he’s been incredibly underwhelming.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Florida vs. Auburn Preview
Coming off a 41-11 beating against No. 1 LSU, Florida face yet another ranked conference opponent in No. 24 Auburn. While the Tigers lost Cam Newton and Nick Fairley to the draft, they have no shortage of talent in the backfield.
After getting run over and around by Trent Richardson and Spencer Ware the past two weeks, the Gators will face a two-headed monster.
Stopping Auburn's rushing attack
Sophomore Michael Dyer is a former five-star recruit who rushed for 1,093 yards in Auburn’s magical season last year. The 5-foot-9, 207-pounder has already run for 679 yards and eight touchdowns in six games, including a 41-carry effort against South Carolina.
Speedster Onterio McCalebb is the closest thing Auburn has to Chris Rainey. The diminutive but versatile back has 18 receptions for 201 yards and has carried the ball 56 times for 312 yards (5.6 ypc).
Coach Will Muschamp said the Gators have performed better when playing one-gap technique, and after struggling mightily in run defense in consecutive games, it would make sense for the team to play to its strengths.
Sophomores Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd have played well thus far, although Easley has drawn a few too many penalties. The biggest disappointment, both from fans and coaches’ views has been Ronald Powell.
The top recruit of 2010 has been a starter at the buck position, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end spot. Despite an ideal size and speed combination, Powell has done a poor job at setting the edge in the run game and only registered three career sacks.
From my view, Powell has lined up too far off the ball and has been slow off the snap. This combination has allowed offensive tackles, who already outweigh Powell by at least 50 to 60 pounds, to get their hands on his pads and take away any of his power.
On the other hand, junior Lerentee McCray has excelled as a starter. The speedy linebacker has been a playmaker and seems to be around the ball.
Going back to basics
With John Brantley sidelined with an ankle injury, true freshman Jacoby Brissett is expected to start. Brissett played decently in his debut last week, but his playbook was limited.
The Gators need to start getting the ball in the hands of their playmakers, specifically Jordan Reed and Andre Debose.
The offensive line, which started out strong, has been manhandled by the more physically-gifted defensive lines of Alabama and LSU. Guard Kyle Koehne and Jonotthan Harrison both said the line has made too many mental errors and penalties.
With improved line play, it should open up more lanes for Chris Rainey and the rising Mike Gillislee to re-establish the ground game which was the trademark through the first four weeks.
I think the Gators should be able to pull off a road victory, but it certainly won’t be easy. They’ve clearly struggled against elite backs and Dyer is definitely one of them. The keys for the Gators will be to stop the run and run the football. It’s that simple.
After getting run over and around by Trent Richardson and Spencer Ware the past two weeks, the Gators will face a two-headed monster.
Stopping Auburn's rushing attack
Sophomore Michael Dyer is a former five-star recruit who rushed for 1,093 yards in Auburn’s magical season last year. The 5-foot-9, 207-pounder has already run for 679 yards and eight touchdowns in six games, including a 41-carry effort against South Carolina.
Speedster Onterio McCalebb is the closest thing Auburn has to Chris Rainey. The diminutive but versatile back has 18 receptions for 201 yards and has carried the ball 56 times for 312 yards (5.6 ypc).
Coach Will Muschamp said the Gators have performed better when playing one-gap technique, and after struggling mightily in run defense in consecutive games, it would make sense for the team to play to its strengths.
Sophomores Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd have played well thus far, although Easley has drawn a few too many penalties. The biggest disappointment, both from fans and coaches’ views has been Ronald Powell.
The top recruit of 2010 has been a starter at the buck position, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end spot. Despite an ideal size and speed combination, Powell has done a poor job at setting the edge in the run game and only registered three career sacks.
From my view, Powell has lined up too far off the ball and has been slow off the snap. This combination has allowed offensive tackles, who already outweigh Powell by at least 50 to 60 pounds, to get their hands on his pads and take away any of his power.
On the other hand, junior Lerentee McCray has excelled as a starter. The speedy linebacker has been a playmaker and seems to be around the ball.
Going back to basics
With John Brantley sidelined with an ankle injury, true freshman Jacoby Brissett is expected to start. Brissett played decently in his debut last week, but his playbook was limited.
The Gators need to start getting the ball in the hands of their playmakers, specifically Jordan Reed and Andre Debose.
The offensive line, which started out strong, has been manhandled by the more physically-gifted defensive lines of Alabama and LSU. Guard Kyle Koehne and Jonotthan Harrison both said the line has made too many mental errors and penalties.
With improved line play, it should open up more lanes for Chris Rainey and the rising Mike Gillislee to re-establish the ground game which was the trademark through the first four weeks.
I think the Gators should be able to pull off a road victory, but it certainly won’t be easy. They’ve clearly struggled against elite backs and Dyer is definitely one of them. The keys for the Gators will be to stop the run and run the football. It’s that simple.
Monday, October 10, 2011
It's back: Florida Football 2011
I know it's been over a year since I posted on my blog. In the meantime, I've been writing for Foxboroblog, a New England Patriots site run by a few avid fans who happen to have some writing skills. Recently I joined another great site, NEPatriotsdraft.com, which has a huge following as a great draft and scouting resource. While I don't always cover the Gators over there, I plan on posting weekly again on Battle in the Trenches to give Florida fans the scoop on their beloved Gators.
Quick recap of the season so far...
Week 1: New coach Will Muschamp's debut couldn't have gone any better. With Charlie Weis in charge of the offense, the Gators opened the season with an impressive 41-3 beatdown of in-state FAU. Weis dialed up the run game often as the Gators rushed for 197 yards on 33 carries. Jeff Demps led the way with two touchdowns and Chris Rainey proved why is he such a versatile player, racking up 146 all-purpose yards and three TDs. Senior quarterback John Brantley played well in his debut despite tossing two picks.
Week 2: In a matchup against UAB, it was once again the Chris Rainey Show. The redshirt senior rushed for 119 yards and a TD and caught three passes for 43 yards. His speed and elusiveness in the open field is second to none. The Gators rushed the ball 55 times, and Brantley played another efficient game. The defense pitched its first shutout of the year, holding UAB to a paltry 3.1 yards-per-carry on the ground.
Week 3: After playing two subpar teams, the Gators faced its first decent matchup in its first SEC game of the year against Tennessee. Led by talented quarterback Tyler Bray, many thought the Volunteers would have a chance to upset the 16th-ranked Gators. They were wrong. Florida dominated the first three quarters as Rainey solidified his status as the go-to guy in the offense. The Heisman hopeful caught an 83-yard TD pass and carried the load with 108 yards on 21 carries. Brantley played perhaps his best game of his career, tossing two TDs on 14 of 23 passing.
Week 4: Florida traveled to Kentucky, and frankly, it was the Wildcats who didn't show up. UF's defense dominated the line of scrimmage and the running game put on a historic performance. Within the first five minutes, the Gators scored three TDs to put the game out of hand. Brantley completed a beautiful 45-yard TD to tight end Gerald Christian down the seam to open the scoring onslaught before the Speed Team took over. Demps showed why is he regarded as the fastest player in the nation, racking up 157 yards on only 10 carries. Rainey didn't do too bad himself, averaging 7 yards a pop. Two young guys on defense - linebacker Michael Taylor and safety Matt Elam - recorded interceptions as the Gators held the Wildcats to an average of 3.8 yards per pass.
Week 5: Fresh off a four-game winning streak to open the season, the Gators hosted perhaps their biggest rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in a battle of Teacher (Nick Saban) vs. Student (Muschamp). Like many of these matchups go, the teacher still did the teaching. Saban's physical and tough defense, along with the powerful running of Heisman candidate Trent Richardson was simply too much for the younger and leaner Gators to handle. Richardson continually broke tackles en route to a career performance. After shutting down opposing running games, the Gators surrendered 226 yards on the ground and were continually beaten at the line of scrimmage. Alabama's defense took some heavy shots, forced turnovers and ended up knocking Brantley out of the game with an ankle injury. Despite scoring 10 points in the first quarter, the Gators were shut out the rest of the game in the Crimson Tide's 38-10 stomping.
Week 6: Reeling from a tough loss at home, the Gators had the unenviable task of traveling to Death Valley to take on the top-ranked LSU Tigers. Unfortunately for the Gators, it was more of the same. LSU dominated on both sides of the ball as running back Spencer Ware played a Richardson-like role in grinding out yards and forcing missed tackles. The former high school quarterback had 109 rushing yards and two scores as LSU piled up 41 points on the helpless Gators. Playing without Brantley or backup Jeff Driskell, the Gators offense looked like the 2010 version with Trey Burton and freshman Jacoby Brissett running a lot of option plays. The Tigers limited the Gators to a paltry 100 yards passing and 113 yards on the ground as they left the young team demoralized.
Quick recap of the season so far...
Week 1: New coach Will Muschamp's debut couldn't have gone any better. With Charlie Weis in charge of the offense, the Gators opened the season with an impressive 41-3 beatdown of in-state FAU. Weis dialed up the run game often as the Gators rushed for 197 yards on 33 carries. Jeff Demps led the way with two touchdowns and Chris Rainey proved why is he such a versatile player, racking up 146 all-purpose yards and three TDs. Senior quarterback John Brantley played well in his debut despite tossing two picks.
Week 2: In a matchup against UAB, it was once again the Chris Rainey Show. The redshirt senior rushed for 119 yards and a TD and caught three passes for 43 yards. His speed and elusiveness in the open field is second to none. The Gators rushed the ball 55 times, and Brantley played another efficient game. The defense pitched its first shutout of the year, holding UAB to a paltry 3.1 yards-per-carry on the ground.
Week 3: After playing two subpar teams, the Gators faced its first decent matchup in its first SEC game of the year against Tennessee. Led by talented quarterback Tyler Bray, many thought the Volunteers would have a chance to upset the 16th-ranked Gators. They were wrong. Florida dominated the first three quarters as Rainey solidified his status as the go-to guy in the offense. The Heisman hopeful caught an 83-yard TD pass and carried the load with 108 yards on 21 carries. Brantley played perhaps his best game of his career, tossing two TDs on 14 of 23 passing.
Week 4: Florida traveled to Kentucky, and frankly, it was the Wildcats who didn't show up. UF's defense dominated the line of scrimmage and the running game put on a historic performance. Within the first five minutes, the Gators scored three TDs to put the game out of hand. Brantley completed a beautiful 45-yard TD to tight end Gerald Christian down the seam to open the scoring onslaught before the Speed Team took over. Demps showed why is he regarded as the fastest player in the nation, racking up 157 yards on only 10 carries. Rainey didn't do too bad himself, averaging 7 yards a pop. Two young guys on defense - linebacker Michael Taylor and safety Matt Elam - recorded interceptions as the Gators held the Wildcats to an average of 3.8 yards per pass.
Week 5: Fresh off a four-game winning streak to open the season, the Gators hosted perhaps their biggest rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide, in a battle of Teacher (Nick Saban) vs. Student (Muschamp). Like many of these matchups go, the teacher still did the teaching. Saban's physical and tough defense, along with the powerful running of Heisman candidate Trent Richardson was simply too much for the younger and leaner Gators to handle. Richardson continually broke tackles en route to a career performance. After shutting down opposing running games, the Gators surrendered 226 yards on the ground and were continually beaten at the line of scrimmage. Alabama's defense took some heavy shots, forced turnovers and ended up knocking Brantley out of the game with an ankle injury. Despite scoring 10 points in the first quarter, the Gators were shut out the rest of the game in the Crimson Tide's 38-10 stomping.
Week 6: Reeling from a tough loss at home, the Gators had the unenviable task of traveling to Death Valley to take on the top-ranked LSU Tigers. Unfortunately for the Gators, it was more of the same. LSU dominated on both sides of the ball as running back Spencer Ware played a Richardson-like role in grinding out yards and forcing missed tackles. The former high school quarterback had 109 rushing yards and two scores as LSU piled up 41 points on the helpless Gators. Playing without Brantley or backup Jeff Driskell, the Gators offense looked like the 2010 version with Trey Burton and freshman Jacoby Brissett running a lot of option plays. The Tigers limited the Gators to a paltry 100 yards passing and 113 yards on the ground as they left the young team demoralized.
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