With so much post-season turnover, unlike anything we’ve ever seen at UF, too many heads were in too many other places. This isn’t like the old days. This is indeed the Wild West. Guys were clearly distracted and many had one foot out the door. Locker room chatter, declaring for the pros, annd massive portal turnover, all of that. It’s a wonder we played FSU as close as we did. “Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
That's why they are soon to be gone. Some of them quit on our team, will not name names. And others might just play in the bowl game and then leave. The former are straight up quitters, and I have no time to care about them. I just hope that we keep as much of the good talent as we can and that they all play in the Las Vegs bowl. I also wish I could get away to be there in person, but I'll just have to watch it from my living-room instead... sucks not to have the time to go out and watch it in person. I would have loved to have be able to go to Vegas to see this game live. .
Looks like college hoops and football are clearly everything we thought it was. It's hard for me to feel any kinship with kids that are only there because they could be rented for upwards of $1M for a year or two. If you like mass market product, this is for you. It' more than a bit tarnished to me. Las Vegas eould be a fun trip. The game is an extra treat and probably closer to honest college football than ever.
The majority of guys leaving weren't getting any significant playing time so it did not affect the product on the field.
We knew before the season started we were going to have big time attrition this year. We only had a couple of guys that HAD to leave, so in order for us to even take a normal sized class, a bunch of younger guys were gonna have to hit the road. We’re pretty much gonna have to send someone packing for every new guy we bring in.
Not true. They are roommates, best friends and in position rooms. That cannot be discounted. If your friends are thinking about their futures and have one foot out door, you can’t help but question your own.That is a distraction which causes a lack of focus. “Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
That's no different than any other player who is unhappy with whatever is their situation. It happens regularly everywhere. You think all of the 4/5 stars nationwide that don't pan out immediately don't bitch and moan about their situations, regardless of whether they are thinking about leaving or not? It's always been like that, even well before the portal.
200% disagree all unfair speculation and wrong Coaching that day was suspect This team had trouble with a lousy USF in week 2 - distractions then? NO UF had 445 of offense but only 45 yards rushing
I have said for quite some time now that college football & basketball are more like minor-developmental leagues for the pros. Although they maintain the pretense that the athletes are really students. When I watch now, it is more out of habit than passion. The fact that UK played Michigan in London tells another story. What was the point, other than to give ESPN something else to hype and chirp about? It certainly was not for the season ticket buyers, or the students on either campus. Nor was it for the educational advancement of the players who missed multiple days in the classes they pretend to take. Or maybe they did get to see the pigeons in Trafalgar Square; that is an educational sight. I don't suppose that "Oh Calcutta" is still playing on the stage in London. I will say in defense of the "BIG MONEY" sports, they do fund the actual student athletes in the "minor" sports. I hope the Gators can field a team in Vegas.
Are all y’all happy with your jobs? Know anyone that feels like they have the ideal pay? Opportunity? Would you leave a commitment you made to your boss and friends for a better opportunity? If you say no- you’re lying. It is what it is. We don’t like it as fans because we ROOT for ONE team and have undying allegiance. And it sucks that kids are growing Up rooting for players and not teams and have very little sense of history. It didn’t used to be like that- if you asked Earnest Graham- he’d have told you he was a huge Emmit fan but I doubt Etienne knows who Earnest Graham is - so on and so forth. We’re living in a time that music, politics, sports etc have all be shaken by a complete lack of foundational history. But there is no going back. And some of it is good- kids will have better opportunities in some spaces. But for us, as fans … it will be a new era. Complaining about it does no good.
Appreciate the measured and thoughtful response from a fellow Gator. “Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”
No denying that it appears worse because it has made it easier for the unhappy guys to leave, but we had no clue what was going on when the players used to have to stay or sit out a year. Hell, for that matter, it actually may have been worse for the team for malcontents not to have had options.
Just imagine for a moment if the kids in the portal had to use Indeed.com to change "jobs". It seems that's the way this thing is headed with the NCAA lack of control.
In hindsight did USCw, LSU and a few other first year coaches who cleaned house and utilized the portal to their advantage do it correctly.
Yep. Some people do well in free agency windows and others don't. I'd suggest we get used to the new normal. Let the winter Transfer Window commence.
Oh, just wait until the money really starts flowing and people are actively recruiting other people's players with money offers mid-season. The new normal. Get used to it.
