Maybe they hope Radhada will be ready by mid season to take over, if it does start off bad? Who knows. I hope Hartman goes in after their bowl game, and we go hard after him.
I know CBN has a staff of assistants and trainers, but in the case of the QBs, can the HBC "coach 'em up" a bit, even if it's just some fundamentals? Asking for a friend.
Wish I could say I hate this prediction, but I think it's close. Rashada, I believe, needs to put on muscle weight and, ideally, do mop up. I think your prediction, though, might be scary good!
Is it possible that we get another QB through the portal? If so, perhaps that QB will be our starter.
I hope we are getting another qb, because Mertz was a bad, bad, get! I can't help but think Billy did this to entice Rashada. Unless Rashada develops into a starter in 2023, I don't see us having a great record without a good Portal qb! If we are done at the qb position, I am not optimistic about 2023! Outside of Rashada, we suck at qb, and I doubt our expectations should be high on a freshman qb delivering nine or ten wins. I will say this: if Rashada becomes the starter, we may get to 8 wins--if he does well. For now, there are too many questions about our wr's, ol, and defense.
From what I've read, Napier's QB room is full. It will be an open competition in the spring between Jack Miller, Graham Mertz, Max Brown & Jaden Rashada. From what I saw of Mertz in the Wisconsin games I watched he seemed to have the inconsistency of Anthony Richardson without the ability to run.
I think there are distinct differences between us Great Unwashed and the folks who make the real decisions. Napier isn't a used car salesman and he did not come in with 4+ years of success in the lower ranks where we were "in awe" like a Frost. I am quite sure he laid out exactly how he intends to build the program. And recall, he turned down one or two SEC programs because they did not align with his vision. Hayes to me is listening to all us GU and hasn't got a clue as to what has been agreed to in the Ivory Towers. Can we burn the tower down next year? Not likely, unless we collectively stop attending games. But make no mistake, I can see a tenuous path to "progress" next season. Need some more help in the defensive front 7 via the portal.
We had a very tough schedule this year and next year is worse. Utah on the road LSU on the road with Daniels back at QB. Kentucky road game. We still don't know if our defense will be better. There are not very many games on the schedule you can slide into the win column at this point. 8 wins would be dramatic improvement. McNeese State Charlotte and Vanderbilt are the sure wins. Yes we will beat Vanderbilt.
Probably a reason we need a good OC to come in and help make the qb decision and put all the players in our offense in a position to succeed. I for one am tired of, after two runs in the middle of a stacked defense, tell the qb to throw a sideline, behind the line of scrimmage pass, that has not one iota of making a first down, that’s if the qb isn’t sacked from a blitzing defensive player.
I cannot realistically predict wins based upon our current qb room. Rashada is our only hope at this point, and, currently, he is in development mode. I don't see Mertz and Miller as starters. Right now, sure wins are o more than two. Guaranteed wins are: McNeese State,.Charlotte Potential losses: Utah, Tennessee, Kentucky, (Vandy, South Carolina), Arkansas, Georgia, Free Shoes. Not sure about Vandy and South Carolina. University of Utah Sep 2 (Sat) at Salt Lake City, Utah McNeese State University Sep 9 (Sat) vs McNeese State Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium University of Tennessee Sep 16 (Sat) Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Charlotte Sep 23 (Sat) Charlotte, Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium University of Kentucky Sep 30 (Sat) at Lexington, Ky. Vanderbilt University Oct 7 (Sat) Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium University of South Carolina Oct 14 (Sat) at Columbia, S.C. University of Georgia Oct 28 (Sat) Georgia at Jacksonville, Fla. University of Arkansas Nov 4 (Sat) vs Arkansas at Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Louisiana State University Nov 11 (Sat) at Baton Rouge, La. Missouri Tigers Nov 18 (Sat) at Columbia, Mo. Nov 25 (Sat) vs Free Shoes University, Gainesville, Fla. Ben Hill Griffin
AFter careful reflection, I've decided that Mertz doesn't completely suck. His interception numbers are depressing and certainly bothersome, but I watched his last two years highlights and they were pretty good. Nice touch, okay deep ball. (I'm trying to focus on the good here). PLus being too negative is unfriendly, particularly during the holidays. With no data to back this assumption up, I think Napier is waiting for the bowl games and then will pounce on another portal option as well as some other positions of need. In conclusion...in the true spirit of the holidays, the burning Hanukkah bush, baby Jesus and the New Year will bring only good to the good guys. Blessings to Gator Nation! Go Gators
I sure hope so. Maybe Napier only knows. Perhaps our recruiting experts will offer up some intel on that soon. I know we have to hit the portal hard for linebackers, O-linemen, defensive linemen, right? Happy Holidays. Go Gators.
Just curious- how many vids of Mertz have you studied? 286 pass attempts tendencies? reads? looking forward to your reply
Saying "mop up" with our backup QB situation is a party foul after what happened with this years backup.
Looking at the big picture, it's just my humble opinion that the QB position hasn't been a problem as much as our play calling. Get that fixed and we will be in good shape with the current roster. We also need to fix our special teams. Poor special teams play probably cost us at least 2 games - maybe even up to 4 games. Unless we get those two factors fixed, we will continue to gnash our teeth every single season ahead of us. And I do feel this is Stricklin's responsibility to address. Sorry for the slight thread drift....
