I don’t know man I would take the opinion of SOS over just about anyone… "We did leave the cupboard somewhat bare," Spurrier acknowledged recently.“ Problems Started Before Spurrier Left Maybe that article misquoted him, but I remember when he said it. Sure we had some really good dudes. But Zook wasn’t 1-7 on the road through 19 games including losses to Vandy, and UKx2.
For the record it was SOS who said it… "We did leave the cupboard somewhat bare," Spurrier acknowledged recently. Problems Started Before Spurrier Left Meyer does owe Zook a piece of the 06’ Natty IMHO, he got Leak
He said it, I remember, but the depth charts compared side by side don't say he left it as bare as the one Billy inherited.
Billy inherited a mess yes. But he didn’t do much to keep players that left and went to start elsewhere either. Some here cheered that going with the narrative that the guys that left were bad seeds. Napier let that roster get real thin and that’s in part on him…
The only difference makers that left, left for the NFL. A few of the others played, but most didn't contribute at all. Who should he have kept that was really going to make a difference? Tre'Vez Johnson Donovon McMillan Jalen Lee Griffin McDowell Cory Collier Nick Elksnis David Reese Yousef Mugharbil Lloyd Summerall Ethan White Jordan Young Nayquan Wright Lorenzo Lingard Daejon Reynolds Avery Helm Kamar Wilcoxen Trent Whittemore Joshua Braun Marco Ortiz
Hate to bet against my team but I have picked my spots and cashed some big tickets. And one of the biggest was TN game so I don’t always play against. Unlike many I believe my lying eyes. But hey all the players know each others names.
Mertz has proved more than capable, a nice surprise from Wisconsin The D has been solid most of the time Crawshaw and Smack, LLC The Swamp Tom Petty, RIP And, despite running the play clock down to near zero on every offensive play, only rarely has UF been called for delay of game.
Just off the top of my head you left out Hopper Diabate Mincey Copeland Bogle. Now all those guys went to other D1 schools and start, are they all conference? maybe not but darn it might have been nice to have a little depth on the D line and at LB and another decent WR.
I remember the quote....he was being nice. There were a lot of DT's that didn't work out for one reason or another. That was really the only place that was thin.
Of the five you named, only Hopper and Mincey would be able to play at UF this season, and Hopper left for Missouri where his brother plays. Bogle played sparingly and only has 17 tackles in the 1 and a half seasons at Michigan State. Diabate and Mincey would've been contributors at UF, but the only one who would be contributing this year. Most of the guys you named left before they ever played at UF and did little at their new schools.
All 5 of those guys would bring depth to our team. Diabate was great off the line. Hopper would be a great LB in much needed run support. Mincey was a beast at OL for UT. My point is that even though some of the guys who left aren’t all Conference guys that darn sure should have helped with depth. Ya can’t have half the team leave, not get great portal guys and then use “youth and inexperience” and lack of depth as an excuse for failure when the HBC didn’t do what was needed to remedy the situation. I’m not calling for Napier’s head and yeah I’ve critical for awhile of the guy, the same issues are there for the last year and they aren’t all due to “lack of good players”.
The defense has improved. The best players are getting on the field. The receivers are starting to emerge. That having been said, there is a long ways to go.
It is possible to both look improved and not commit 13/8 men on the field, dumb penalties, have a sense of urgency, etc. It’s possible to look good while improving.
That's correct, succinct and to the point. Losing in games where you play well, don't do stupid stuff to cost you games, while looking interested isn't too much to ask for. I think the vast majority of Gators fans probably could handle that easier.
It’s possible to look completely unorganized while reorganizing also but I haven’t seen anybody come up for air yet.
