I am OK with our program (retrospective; long rant)

I didn’t know this, I’m probably the only one who missed it too. Interesting though.

 

Fascinating TCU piece. I wonder if there is some analysis to be done on how money affects on-field play in big schools vs small schools. That’s 2 years In a row we’ve seen a smaller school make it to final 4 (TCU and cincy). And both teams did it by playing with maximum effort and heart. The bigger schools are telling us - “the only way you’re getting to the top is with money”. The smaller schools are proving it can be done but I’m wondering if there is a psychological piece to this. I’m wondering if - at big schools where money and pampering is involved if kids are playing with less heart and at the smaller schools kids expect to have to fight for everything they get. Maybe they’ve gone unrecruited, maybe the team are constant underdogs and it causes you to fight more. I’d like to see some sort of analytic piece done on this. I think there a way to capture that and use that motivation.

 

Think they should make out in public for penance. Maybe not, nobody wants to see that

 

Cincy almost proved that TCU didn’t deserve to be there, I’m glad TCU proved themselves, not another nd.

 

Bama is doing both and that’s why they win every other year. They get the talent, the staff, and they do it like tge military and have a team with one mind. They get a few diversions but their lockeroom stays intact for the most part . Buy in or get out.

 

Get more out of a gig coaches in Billy’s army as “analysts”, similar to what Bama does.

 

BTW, fellow Gator fans, boys and girls,
Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe are coming back for Utah. Y'all better hope we get a whole lot better before next fall!!!

 

I'm sorry I don't keep up with this as many others do, but someone said that we have not had 1 player from CBN's first class leave, though we've had 27 players leave.
Is that really right?

If so, that means the problem was culture- and the new guys get it.
It's also a marked contrast to Mullen's classes where many of the signees never even made it to opening day.

That tells me that we will improve next year, and then build on things each year after.
A good culture with ENOUGH talent will win a lot of games. (See Clemson from 2012-2022.)

 

I want to believe that Napier and Stricklin are going to turn around this program in the next 2-3 years. I really do. Having said that, there are just too many indications that the program is not repairable with the current coaching staff and administration. There has to be a good reason for players deciding to bolt for the transfer portal. We will never know what each player and their family are thinking. Is it that they don't believe we can compete with the big dogs in the near future; is it that they think they can't get the visibility they need at Florida (I doubt it, our program is one of the most watched nationally); or is it that they don't like CBN's approach towards players? Whatever the reason(s), it is troubling.

Now, the situation with Rashada. NIL is here to stay, whether we like it or not. Is it fair for everyone? NO. So, we get the boosters to come up with big money to get the players we want or get the players that want to play for Florida. Pick a way forward and move on. That is Stricklin's job. Get on it, AD. Personally, I wouldn't want a player that only wants to play for money while in college, but I am afraid that pay for play is now a fact with NIL for the best high school players.

Then, there is the play calling and time management during games. Mediocre at best. Here is one example: Mel Kiper from ESPN was talking on the radio during mid-season about a visit that he had with Napier and their discussion about the draw being a high percentage play on third and long. Yeah, that works unless you call that play a lot, then the opposing defenses are on to your plan. The late John Madden used to preach that if you need to gain serious yardage in third down, throw the ball past the first down marker. Design plays to make that happen. Hire an OC, PLEASE!

Anyway, that is my rant for today. Again, I really hope that the program makes a positive turn in 2-3 years, but events and issues up to this point indicate otherwise. There is time; the question is how patient is the fanbase going to be... (we know the answer, don't we?)

 

You should watch this...Bobby just linked it in another thread...

(Must listen) Former Gators football player Wally Smojver on Billy Napier | Swamp Gas Forums (gatorcountry.com)

 

I read it, and I get it. I am not quitting on my Gators, but in today's world, you cannot compete against the big dogs if the money isn't there, and if you can't get the 5* players to turn things around in 2-3 years. We've seen other programs turn things around in a short period of time. Another 6-7 season next year and the noose gets tighter...at least hire an OC and improve the play calling and time management, that would be a significant improvement. 5* recruits are not coming here unless they think we can compete.

 

They are not coming here unless they are paid the going rate. Miami nor A&M are doing any winning, but they are paying.

 

Most of us are concerned about what NIL and the transfer portal is doing to college football. But we have to stay the course for at least two more years to get the environment on our football team changed and hopefully see a turnaround on the field.
When I see guys who appeared to be positive personalities, like Whittemore, Borders, Elksnis, etc leaving the program, I too, have some concerns. But I know from experience that taking over a failed operation sometimes requires gutting the foundation and sometimes some good people are part of the problem.
We have to let this play out before we abandon our trust in Billy Napier. He needs our support.
BTW, I too saw things on the field that concerned me, like clock management. He will learn.

 

Napier might turn it around but I have no confidence in Strickland. If you had heart problems and you sent Strickland to find the best cardiologist, he would come back with a dog trainer because somebody told him the dog trainer had heart.

 

I know everyone is concerned with what NIL will do to us and the latest Rashada fiasco just confirms our worst fear.
But IMO we can still compete if we do other fundamental things right.
I think all would agree culture is hugely important in football- all 11 must be on the same page, or it doesn't work.

I wonder if NIL will poison the culture at a lot of places- like it did at TAMU last year.
It's not that we won't have NIL- but it sounds like ours will be more under control. (Meaning we won't pay huge dollars.)

So perhaps our good culture, good coaching work ethic, and fundamentals will beat the TAMUs of the world.

I think we can find a model that will work.
Obviously we will need to be top notch in every other category outside recruiting for that model to work...