Here's a point that isn't made in the article below: If AR had averaged a 60% completion rate, we would have had a winning season, despite the horrible defense, and played in a higher profile bowl game. And we would ALL be braggimg about having the best coach in the Country! Despite how inconsistent AR and the defense played, Napier kept us in most of the games. Napier brought discipline to the team and greatly reduced mental errors and penalties. And still we gripe! Yes, Billy is not the perfect play caller or clock manager, but he has many qualities that makes him a great coach. And here's another, even bigger, issue that is not mentioned in this article. We had a huge player transfer to the Portal, which tells us that a significant number of players had not bought into Napier's rebuild and needed to go. I realize, this may not apply to all of the players in the Transfer Portal, but it probably does to most. Go Gators! If you’re out on Billy Napier already, you’re looking at this all wrong
So what does everyone make of that "inspiring" speech Napier made right before the team went onto the field for the bowl game? In his low key, best monotone voice he said "have fun." Pathetic. And AR never deserved to wear number 15. Sorry for the negativity, but I do not like what I'm seeing and I'm pissed off.
He could not manage the game, because he was mentally not into the game. He also had poor mechanics. He often released the ball flat-footed or off-balanced, a bad habit of quarterbacks with a big arm. He also didn't pivot on the balls of his feet or flex his hips through his progressions (which would have enabled him to manage the game). He often locked on to one receiver, didn't set his feet, or square his shoulders. You would think Napier or the quarterback coach could have helped AR. That's where reviewing film on himself would have helped him to break bad habits with his form. His mechanics were awful, and that's what prevented him from being a game manager. Now, this is not a Grayson McCall Post, but look at his mechanics? Go ahead and salivate!
Absolutely but I’m sure you and I are not the first ones to understand that. Hundred percent positive that the staff was trying to help him with exactly that.
There are issues CBN needs to fix like game mgmt, but let me point something out.. Years ago I got promoted and took over a department. That meant all existing employees were "inherited", and it was an uphill climb for the first 6-12 months. But as those inherited employees left, and I hired their replacements, an amazing thing happened. Those that I hired actually listened to me, bought into my vision, and things got a lot better. I would imagine many on this board had the same experience in their professional life. I believe once CBN gets more of his guys on the team things will improve. But it will be a long slow climb.
I like Stephen A when he started out on ESPN. His delivery was catching. However, over the course of the years, I realized, that he is a one trick pony. His act has grown stale.
Like any coach in Napier's position, he needs to get some successes under his belt. I believe he has one success under his belt. It appears that he has put the dumpster fire out From that success, he can build on it and go forward to the next success and so forth.
Don't listen to either Finebomb or little Mikey. It's ok to have a discussion about what went right and wrong. I'm supportive of CBN. Some things to ponder - cupcake game versus EW - why didn't as many Qbs as possible play? A QB couldn't play in the SC game other than AR? You mean to tell me that just prior to the fsu game AR didn't talk about leaving early? Why didn't Miller get at least 1 series in Tallahassee? That 3rd quarter was atrocious with AR in anyway Is that a coaching decision? Sure it is. AR opts out - others did as well, but how bad is the roster if with 2-3 guys out, the effort was so not great? 1st half two minute drill at the bowl - didn't seem like there has been ANY coaching to fix that since Tennessee game. He was brought in bc he had an army of recruits- right now this class is 11-18 by NSD. Portal? Other than when a coach leaves and brings some with him wholesale portallers may not help this team at TE, DL and LB my 2 cents. Always a gator
THANK YOU! lets face it, there is a large % of the UF fan base (and those outside the UF fan base) that are "immediate gratification seekers and junkies" that consider anything but a dramatic increase in won / loss % to suggest automatic failure of a hire. This is not a crazy or unreasonable expectation, it happens quite a bit. I freely acknowledge that Napier did not improve the record, obvious to everyone. But "year - 1" success is no automatic guarantee of overall success either. Looking into our own house: PB and J started decently Mullen started decently But both fell off the cliff. Myself, I would prefer a slow start that builds into something great. Dabo perhaps being the poster child for this. I don't have any answers of course other than, Napier was just hired, UF seems to have a mountain of problems and in the coaching business, most coaches deserve at least 2 or 3 years before getting canned unless other extraneous forces are at work that give the program a bad image. (Mike Price anyone)? I'm a Gator, I think CBN is a good dude and I hope it works out.
Napier did also inherit a team that quit last year. Many of those same guys were on the team this year. Napier needed this year not only to decide what talent to keep but to see who bought in and which ones were responsible for quitting. We should at least have a team working toward a common goal next year. We will still be missing a ton of talent and this first class, although talented, are in highschool right now.
The only thing Finebomb knows about is stirring the pot. He's just like little Mikey...riles people up to get clicks and ears.
Exactly right. Shane Matthews, on the radio shows he's on during the week in Gainesville, said even last year that Richardson is not good enough to be a winning QB in the SEC. Shane says he likes the kid fine, but has seen him play and coached against him since he was in youth football in Gainesville. Says he's a tremendous athlete with a wonderful personality. But his mechanics have never developed and he has never improved in decision-making consistency. He saw the inconsistencies in high school and in practices at UF. That's why Dan Mullen continued to start Emory Jones over him. And before the season started, Matthews warned everybody not to get their hopes up for a great season because AR is still the same guy he's always been - inconsistent.
I recall the roundtable video that they made with Shane, Tim, Spurs and our new radio announcer prior to the season and when Kelly asked about AR and it was Shane's turn, he almost seemed to be in pain as he struggled to say something positive about what he expected out of him as a QB.
Ha, ha the only thing I remembered correctly was Shane, Spurs, and Shane's unenthusiastic opinion of AR. I totally whiffed on Doering and Dan Hicken.
If you are "shocked and disturbed" when Florida plays poorly against Vandy, you don't know diddly about Gator football history. Our players have been doing that for decades.
