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ESPN mid-season report card

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by ThePlayer, Oct 20, 2022.

  1. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    Billy Napier, Florida: C-
    2022 record: 4-3 | Florida's 2021 record: 6-7
    Previous job: Louisiana head coach
    Grade when hired: A-

    Like others on the list, Napier inherited some roster challenges, although he had an intriguing quarterback in Anthony Richardson, several veteran defenders and some solid transfers. Napier passed his first test in dramatic fashion, as Richardson and the Gators beat defending Pac-12 champion Utah to open the season. Reality hit the next week for Richardson and Florida against Kentucky, which won 26-16 and limited the Gators to 12 first downs and 143 passing yards. Florida survived a home scare against a bad South Florida team and pushed Tennessee but ultimately fell to a superior Vols team. Last week's loss to LSU exposed some issues for Florida's defense, which couldn't slow down quarterback Jayden Daniels or the Tigers' run game. Florida just isn't a very cohesive team yet and doesn't have much on its profile other than the Utah victory. The concern for Napier is beating a rival, as Florida faces Georgia and Florida State in the second half of the schedule.
     
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  2. ETGator

    ETGator Long-Time Gator Stuck In East Tennessee Moderator VIP Member

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    On-the-field performance has been average to a little below average (in ESPN's opinion). Sounds about right.

    Doesn't include major culture changes which would be an A to A+.

    Doesn't include recruiting improvements which would be an A to A+.

    Doesn't include staffing improvements which would be an A to A+.

    All of those have long-term, lasting impacts beyond a game against Kentucky or UcheaT or LSU.

    I have no clue how Coach Napier could have been graded A- before he ever coached his first game at Florida . . . but suppose ESPN had to create drama somewhere and make it seem like an overall negative.
     
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  3. tigator2019

    tigator2019 GC Hall of Fame

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    In my head--- UF
    I was never very good in midterms. Took me longer to learn the material and the professors at UF.

    All that really matters ? The final grade at the end. Have to beat FSU. Beat Vandy.
    Be competitive versus GA.

    Not ready to give a grade yet
     
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  4. gatorempire

    gatorempire GC Legend

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    Recruiting improvements are certainly there but I don't know about this grade. With you 100% on the culture side, though.
     
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  5. ThePlayer

    ThePlayer VIP Member

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    For comparison:

    Brian Kelly, LSU: B-
    2022 record: 5-2 | LSU's 2021 record: 6-7
    Previous job: Notre Dame head coach
    Grade when hired: A-

    Kelly's final few Notre Dame teams were machinelike in beating the teams they should while falling short against most of their elite opponents. His first LSU team has been wildly unpredictable. LSU couldn't have played much worse in its opener, especially on special teams, but it still only lost after failing to make an extra point with no time left. The Tigers rallied from 17-0 down to beat Auburn on the road, suffered the worst home loss (40-13) in Kelly's FBS coaching tenure to Tennessee then looked impressive last week on the road against Florida, piling up 45 points and 528 yards. Other than special teams, LSU has shown several bright spots and could be a tough squad to beat down the stretch. Kelly's stint ultimately will be judged by whether he wins a national title, which never was going to happen with this team. But after a brutal start, Kelly has once again shown his talent for winning and pushing the right personnel buttons.
     
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  6. rmonteag

    rmonteag GC Hall of Fame

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    Accurate. While I predicted a difficult season. I never imagined it would look like this. The ON THE FIELD product has not been stellar. He may be an A rating coach Sunday to Friday, but its Saturday that counts. Hoping next year things are in better in alignment.
     
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  7. red4512

    red4512 GC Hall of Fame

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    [​IMG]
     
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  8. Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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    When you see our 3rd down defense broken down on various podcasts you'll understand why I am so down on our defensive scheme/coach... our alignments... assignments...everything about our defense. Even the fans on other sites like SECRant are absolutely perplexed about how we're lining up on defense. These fans of other schools cannot believe how we defended 3rd downs against LSU. They normally hate our team anyways, but now they just almost feel sorry for us and laugh... And I feel the same exact way.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2022
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  9. swoosh69

    swoosh69 All American

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    I'm guessing Napier's and Kelly's grades would have been flip-flopped depending on the outcome of that last game.
     
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  10. Gatorhead

    Gatorhead GC Hall of Fame

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    Rick ........... YOU ARE.........SUCH.............A.............
    sigh, ---- yeah, your right.................. lol
     
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  11. Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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    Yeah, maybe so, but at least I am being honest.
     
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  12. Gatorhead

    Gatorhead GC Hall of Fame

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    I KNOW !
     
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  13. 2oldgator

    2oldgator GC Hall of Fame

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    We have lost some close games that would have made us feel better about our future if we had won. But we didn’t. Like my Mama always said: if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would have a wonderful Christmas.
    I think Billy is going to turn up the intensity going forward. It seems to me in his last Gator Talk he is showing a little edge.
    I think we made the right hire. He’s not applying band aids. He’s trying to fix the program for the long term.
     
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  14. red4512

    red4512 GC Hall of Fame

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    "And if I was going anywhere, I was runnin."

    [​IMG]
     
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  15. eastowest

    eastowest GC Hall of Fame

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  16. 62gator

    62gator GC Hall of Fame

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    fwiw, I believe the initial A- grade was for the hire.

    The South Florida game was a big gut punch, they’re horrible. UF is most likely gonna be 4-4 after the next game. How do you grade then? The last 3 games will really define the season, imho, just can’t lose any of them, again imho.
     
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  17. LearnedGator

    LearnedGator Sophomore

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    Can't really argue with this take.

    Time will tell...
     
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  18. shane4three

    shane4three GC Hall of Fame

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    I agree with ESPN. Gotta win the LSU game, especially at home.
    Will need to beat Vandy, SC, and FSU to get to B. Win a bowl game and I’d go A-

    something has to change with the defense.
    Gotta bring pressure
    Corners Stop playing 9 yards off ball
    Insert some different players. Young guys need to play.
     
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  19. shane4three

    shane4three GC Hall of Fame

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    It’s beyond concerning yet we keep doing it. The really knowledgeable analysts see the scheme as the problem. There are much better ways to do things.
     
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  20. shane4three

    shane4three GC Hall of Fame

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    If we continue to see the same problems against Georgia with our defense the grade will drop. If we make some stops and keep the game respectable in the great will stay the same but definitely have to win the last three games. Cannot lose to FSU this year
     
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