Interesting you mentioned him. From On3: "As Florida turns the page on 2023, the recent roster changes will create opportunities for new players to emerge this offseason. Some backups and freshmen are poised to either become starters or have more significant roles next year. A few candidates include offensive guard Knijeah Harris, outside linebacker TJ Searcy and defensive back Sharif Denson, who will likely start at STAR. Another 904 product — Treyaun Webb — may be the name to watch the most as a breakout player in 2024."
I want all of that. But you’ve got to see, some of that is scheme & coaching. You don’t ask a player to do things consistently, that they’re not good at. A coach should know that, and build a defense that plays to your players strengths. I just don’t think we did a good job at that.
Problem is, you can't just not ask your players to tackle, or shed blocks, or be in their gaps. Top teams wouldn't be spending crazy money on players if you could just coach your way to success regardless of who you put on the field.
So you didn't watch any film. AA actually called very good games, but the players didn't execute for any number of reasons. You think BN firing CR & Spencer was an accident???
Ole Miss fans will be hearing that a LOT about #1 next season. lol I imagine when CBN plays them the game plan will abuse him!
I hope all of you who feel the scheme & play calls were spot on, and we just fielded guys who couldn’t play are right. I think the problem was on both, players and coaching. I do think good coaching can overcome some players deficiencies. I’ve also seen us lose players that were labeled here, who went to others schools & become productive. Ryland & Hopper are two of those & I think McCellan might be the next one. We’ve argued too much on this board lately, about everything. Again, I hope you guys are right.
Not at all. I’m sure he wanted change & improvements. If he thinks those firing can help the defense, great. Again, I hope you guys are right. I’d happily be wrong about the scheme & play calling.
It's definitely still shocking CR didn't work out, but something was definitely missing with him here. Harris is already looking like a massive upgrade. I believe we'll be pleasantly surprised next season how well the D plays!
Yeah I forget the name of the YouTube'r but he does an excellent job breaking down the film. And he was impressed with AA's play calling. But no doubt it was a combination of things that lead to the breakdowns, youth was a massive hindrance but communication was probably the biggest issue. Ryland sucked to lose no doubt, as with Hopper. Maybe if they had stayed they could have made the few plays to get us bowl eligible? But the recruiting (lmao) by the previous staff is absolutely the reason FL is in the position it's in.
Only thing I take exception to is Ryland and Hopper. Hopper didn't turn into something he wasn't while at Florida. He was our best tackler and was a regrettable loss that seemed unavoidable due to history with Bateman. It has been said that Ryland Powell had a significant locker room issue and had to go. The only player that left and seemed to make a considerable leap was McMillon. Maybe another but I can't recall. I think we look a lot different with just those two in particular staying but we have suffered from a lot of poorly timed and awkward situation for too long.
I agree it's a worse product, but there are pros and cons. One of the pros is if you simply get the right guy, it shouldn't take long to turn a program around. You need buzz and enthusiasm (and $$$) around your program to get and retain personnel. Right now, the transfers out, lack of transfers in, falling recruiting rankings, and poor results to end the season speak for themself. One of the cons is you're going to feel more distant from the players because it's going to feel like a very different unit every year, and the ones that you do have don't have much loyalty to the university.
Hopper was a huge loss, though that wasn't obvious at the time since we hoped other guys were better than they turned out to be. That aside, sometimes it's just not a good fit. McMillon went back to his home area and did well. That doesn't mean that's the way it would have worked out here. Humans aren't fungible.
Sure. I won't argue that. The overall point is that our transfers out aren't just becoming much better players elsewhere due to better coaching. Most stay what they are. Diabate was serviceable at Utah but had the same issues. Bogle is still bouncing. Don't think summeral has done much etc etc
Tackling and chasing down a player are fundamental to football. Players aren't taught to jog when chasing an opponent, and players aren't taught to 'arm tackle' when trying to bring someone down. I can think of 4 players specifically on D (whom i'd rather not name at this point) who gave lackluster effort and technique. One going to the draft (highly rated), 3 portal entries. You are practicing revisionist history if you are making the case that gator fans thought Hopper was sub par. Most, including myself, thought he was our best LB by far. Even if you want to make the case that the lackluster effort on D was a result of coaching.. The coaches of those position groups are all gone now, and hopefully replaced with upgraded teachers.
I hope you’re right. I saw what everyone else saw. I found myself screaming “ tackle SOMEBODY “ all year. I fully acknowledge those were big issues. I just didn’t think those were the only issues. Again, I’ll happily be wrong, and it was just bad players.
Position coaches are being replaced. I would say, IMO, effort and position coaches are a much bigger factor than schemes. I wouldn't necessarily call the players 'bad'.
I am sure Billy Napier is working his tail off and has been since he was hired. He's trying to get the best staff and has made replacements when he feels necessary. He has recruited really hard and I have no doubt as to his integrity and high expectations. But the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of this program falls at his feet. The player he recruits and signs, the transfers he takes in, the assistants he hires and fires, the game plans that are put in place, the mid-game adjustments, etc. His job is to surround himself with the best coaches and players he can assemble and formulate game plans and call plays that put the team in the best position to win games. Everybody who posts on these boards wants very badly for him and our Gators to succeed at the highest level. So far it hasn't worked out. I hope 2024 is different, but ultimately you are what your record says you are and we will all see what the program looks like this time next year. Go Gators!!
