Agree with all except for the Portal and NIL “wrecking” his initial efforts. Those elements are part of the game now. And I can think of a couple of coaches out there thriving in the new environment sans excuse.
I've maintained we hired a guy like Napier 10 years too late. I think his methods became outdated in a hurry with the rapid changes to college football and he was slow to evolve. That's why I think he was affected moreso than some others. As for the other coaches, Not sure who exactly but if it's Norvell that guy sucked his first two years. His recruiting sucked as well and I believe fsu sold out everything to the portal and tampering because they couldn't recruit highschool. An acc schedule helped Norvell and fsu look better than they really were. For our inconsistencies amd struggles they barely won 2 years ago and benefitted from a couple crappy no calls.
Knowing history is a good thing. It helps you understand the present, and predict the future. In 1983, the cocaines lost to us 28-3 in the season opener. They finished the regular season undefeated. In 1984, we lost to the cocaines in our season opener. We didn't lose another game that season and fielded by year end, the best team in the country. Not a pink slip game. Am a bit surprised that a Marine would concede defeat so quickly.
I hear ya and anything is possible but barring unforseen injuries or some freakish events like swindle level refereeing, what hinderences does florida have from taking that game against Miami if we have truly taken steps forward coaching wise? Mertz is back for a second year in an offense that rejuvenated his career. The freshmen are all a year older and also benefitting from a second year in the same system offensively and defensively. Some potential shoring up depth with talented but young highschool prospects and some veteran leadership transfers from the portal. Miami can claim the same thing to a degree but they have a transfer qb in the first year of their offense playing on the road in the Swamp. Maybe there is no such thing as a must win Game but losing to them at home would be incredibly difficult to overcome given what it would mean for our purported progress.
Unfortunately, he didn't have a lot of experience and talent when took over the program, but he does now, so let's see what he can do. Winners win, so no more excuses.
Coaches thriving off nil more or less has that in place before hand. Our nil was a mess and hoped its on the right track.
It’s not volungator’s fault he perceives Napier’s lack of energy that way. Napier can cure that (or not) this season. Winning does much to clean up misperception.
If you want to defend that troll it’s your choice, but I’ve never once seen anything from him except snide negative barbs directed at Napier.
I know spring games are mostly meaningless, but I really hope to see them not blitz every play this year and see some offense. Last year's game gave everyone some hope that the D was more improved and then the season rolled around and we all saw what happened. If the Oline is not prepared for blitz packages, then let's just be vanilla on D and let the offenses move the ball for the spring game. Most importantly get to the fall mostly injury free.
I hear you. I would much rather be defending Napier and touting his accomplishments. Hopefully, this time next year, he will have given us all a lot more reasons to do that.
If he wins any combination of 8 games its a successful season. If I had my preference on wins, having a winning record against other teams in the state so 2-1 against Miami, UCF, and FSU. Beat Samford is a obvious have to win game haha. Then in the conference beat UK, we can't lose another game to those guys, it's a home game also, protect the swamp. I like our chances at Miss State and home against A&M. At Tennessee will be tough but they are playing an inexperienced QB, that game should be a 1 possession type game and could go either way. I feel like 7-5 is possible, but that's the optimistic side of me talking. 8-4 would be a hell of year. 6-6 and a bowl game may keep Napier around, and it probably should. 5-7 and I just don't think he gets a 4th year.
One amendment: 6-6 with a bowl win should keep Napier around. Another showing like he had against Oregon State where they clearly wanted to be there, and we clearly did not care, just won’t do it for me.
That's fair I'd agree with that. Bowls are pretty meaningless but 30-3 won't sit well with anyone. If Mertz were to have another season like last year, we may see DJ start the bowl game, which would be interesting.
if we go six and six, and get a bowl game, I would love to see a team actually show up and try to play the bowl game. The attitude of a bowl game being insignificant should only belong to the people who are perennial playoff teams. That’s not us. We need to win.
That’s just because you don’t browse the other forums. He says plenty of dumb shit on the basketball and baseball boards too.
Re: press conferences. Something he has to do and I'm hoping none of them include any of the players getting injured or running amok of the law. Taking a wait and see on what actually shows up on the field. It's all talk until then.
He is basically saying his process is working. Best practice and best team he has had, yada, yada, …. Show me
