Agreed. I just looked up ULL stats for Toney's 3rd down defense and it puts a few things into perspective. Small sample size, but there's improvement. Prior to Toney, under Roberts, they were anywhere from a high of mid 40s on 3rd down to a low of 113th ranked on third downs. The first year of Toney as DC, they finished 93rd in the country on 3rd down defense and the second year in his system, ULL rose to having the 26th rated 3rd down defense. If we compare UF's Transition to Grantham, we had the #16,#19,#18 ranked 3rd down defense prior to him getting here, and once third and Grantham showed up we dropped to the 77th, then 29th, 71st, 22nd*. (*Fired midseason) Wildly inconsistent. If we also look at UGA's stats under Grantham, it appears as if there's a slight hangover effect from his absolute lack of player development. Grantham's UGA 3rd down defense by year was 96th, 4th, 30th, 67th. Once Pruitt became DC they were 49th, then 9th. Fingers crossed that the defense improves some the latter part of this year and a lot next year. We could've been undefeated this year so far if it they could just make some stops. Our offensive time of possession is garbage because the defense just can't get off the field.
Toney knows defense and knows how to teach. Raymond likes to play tight and aggressive. Spencer is Coach Chaos and aggressive. They all know how to teach. We will improve each year and hopefully the roster looks better by the day. I'm guessing we bring in a game-ready stud at LB because we are going to have a huge Miller hole to fill. Maybe James but I'd rather get a proven vet back there. Miller's passion on the sideline shows a true leader. Hopefully we have more next year, or by the end of the year. There is still some come-to-Jesus moments due in this rebuild on both sides of the ball.
and last night, showed me there so talent issue on D. There wasnt the busted coverage or outta position fluke TD’s. They just did whatever they wanted offensively. Beat us man on man. Would I like for Toney to be more aggressive defensively? Sure but we dont have the top end talent which is why us over the past few years have been trying to tell folks how IMPORTANT RECRUITING IS.
And low key, this team is spent MENTALLY. The bye couldnt have come at a better time. Granted, we’re still getting pasted by UGA but at least UF gets a much needed reset. Last night also should show the staff that they need to stop the rotation at corner and go with Marshall and Moore. Hill, Kimber (to a degree because that TD was just the better man winning, nothing he did wrong when he got Moss’d), and Helm should just be giving breathers to the starters not playing whole series
First and foremost, I hope we hold this D class together. I can only say I hope you are correct about the staff's ability. I don't yet see it. Needless to say, I am worried about our offensive skill commits staying, but time will tell. Not at all impressed with our passing O and the play calling. It's just not there and a few guys are going to buy into other programs before we sign the class. As for flipping LSU's prize OT, ship sailed last night. I can only imagine what the visitors thought about our staff and team, the fans, the atmosphere, all of it. If anything, we helped LSU's staff.
I cannot square what you said here with our third down defense. I really hope we improve and I wish there were a logical explanation, one that current commits will buy into.
i think the the offense is limited in the passing game because of AR. That’s just not his strength and I also dislike the tempo we play with. There is NO sense of urgency offensively or desire to snap the ball before 10 secs left on the play clock. Our pace is so slow to mask the D that it doesn’t leave the offense any room for error. You just FELT we were gonna be playing from behind the first time we had to punt to LSU (luckily they fumbled)
I do agree that we play too slow. But why? What comes to mind is that our O staff isn't ready to play fast because we don't have the playbook. I was completely embarrassed for our staff and especially AR when we threw the slant with game on the line. Several times this season, when we need a first down, our staff has come up short on their calls.
When you’re last in the ncaa at anything heads have to roll…no waiting..you just can’t be that bad and have a top tier program wait to iron things out.
IMO you are underestimating AR's impact on the offense...playcalling, pace specifically. Napier was livid several times last night that AR wasn't getting the guysup and moving with any urgency.
I really don’t k ow what to make of that, if true. If true, def a few deficiencies. I mean if you are a pro scout you aren’t likely that excited.
AR just seems to be a different kind of kid.....doesn't make him a good or bad kid, but I don't think it translates into optimal leadership you might like. After a couple of TD drives where the running game was key, I saw Etienne and Montrell going down the sideline to all the OL and WR and TE shaking their hands and thanking them. I don't see AR interacting like that.
That’s my biggest gripe with AR this season. No fire. For all the grief we gave Franks, he was always amped and working the sidelines. Regardless of whether his play on the field was up or down. AR seems to become quiet & disengaged after a bad series. The team needs him to tap into his inner Ventrell.
unless you have a fast paced system, which we don’t, there’s no reason to snap with more than 10 seconds. Plus that gives our D that much more rest although that doesn’t seem to work. Maybe AR really needs that time to process the D.
Tend to agree, we need the TOP help. While we seem unsuited for a very fast pace, I do think we look smoother with a little tempo
The SEC is a tough neighborhood. LSU had some great receivers with a QB on fire. Bama found out what happens when you face that. Helm even had one of his better games. But you can face a dynamic offense every week. To compete UF needs the best players, development and scheme, and we don't have that right now. We did not dip into the portal like we needed to and Napier said we would. I think that was tactical for high school recruiting and on what the real options were. I think CBN knew how bad this year could be.