BN is confident that the OL has experience and emphasized the tackles have really good length. He has asked Mertz to plan on taking calculated risks. To me, that says he trusts Mertz and the offense will be more aggressive. In a presser, Mertz spoke excitedly about Calloway being aggressive. Mertz, apparently, can make the longer throws if he has the protection. Obviously, we will find out the true version in time!
I would rather replace the word "gamble" with three words... play to win. This is the year for the Gators to play to win. We need to toss the ball down the field more often.
Not likely. .....while Callaway has called some plays in scrimmages for Florida this spring, the expectation is that Napier will continue to be Florida's primary play caller. It's a setup that could evolve over time, according to one source, but the running expectation among Callaway, his camp and Napier is that the head coach will retain the responsibilities he's taken on for the last two seasons.
What? We either play to win or play not to lose... you can figure out what I mean. Mertz was tossing the ball down field more towards the end of last season. But what I really mean is that we need NOT play a defensive prevent type style of offense... playing NOT to lose is NOT an option.
It depends so much on the characteristics of the team. If we actually have a stout defense, then no, I'm fine punting. If every time the D is on the field they give up points, then go for it. Overly simplified obviously, but having said that I will never get mad at Napier for going all out and playing not just to get a lead, but to put teams away.
CBN is an EXCELLENT decision maker when the key variables fit into his linear formula. An example are 4th down go or not decision. Napier is awesome at those and is one of the best in the country in deciding when to go for it. But that’s because it’s nearly all mathematical. Where he struggles is when there are different variables in more dynamic complex decisions. Play calling fits here. He struggles to maximize player skill sets. For example it’s criminal how badly he called plays for AR. He does a poor job with calling plays to take advantage of opponent weaknesses. Player rotations are very linear and never seems to adapt on the game flow. And he calls plays like he’s playing Jenga…survive your turn is the only goal rather than Chess…multi turn thought process to win. This is why play calling often feels conservative. IMO this is due to part his nature and part he’s trying to do too much. It’s hard to multi task a chess match.
I see why you think that and it may be mostly true when I comes to AR however, I don’t think AR would survive the season if he called what AR does best. I also think AR was hampered much of his year here. AR needed to run 15-20 times a game to be at his best at that point in his development. I don’t think AR had the mentality of Tebow of ramming his head through a middle linebacker and shaking off the concussion.i also think Napier had AR’s best interest healthwise when calling plays. Now calling plays with last years oline and almost a nonexistent defense, that’s difficult. Hopefully we get to see Napier call plays this year with a normal team and can evaluate his playcalling a little more realistically.
I could not agree more with you! "Gamble" was just a term I used to indicate aggressiveness. The Tennessee game last year is a perfect example. In the second quarter it looked like we were going to lay the wood to the Vols. In the third quarter, BN admitted later that he took the foot off the accelator. We need a "take no prisoners" attitude on the field. Winning is about scoring points. The W is put in jeopardy by playing not to lose by hanging on to the lead.
Yes, BN has made it abundantly clear that he wants to continue to maintain control of the offense. However, Billy is also taking steps to "gamble" by letting Calloway call some plays (and I know Calloway called some plays in 2023, but it is expected that he will do more--whatever that means?); which also suggests Napier is not totally controlling the offense. Additionally, by asking Mertz to take "calculated risks" indicates the HBC trusts Mertz to perhaps do something different. Again, another step of not being in control of the offense by giving his quarterback a longer leash! Consequently, what pumps me up, there are two people who have some influence on offensive playcalling. I, among many others, have advocated for an OC, and we at least somewhat have it! We'll just have to see how this operates in a real game. But, at least this gives me hope!
I'm sure some is hype but nowhere close to all of it! That's the very thing I try to guard against. The lion's share of it is subjective, but there is a difference in the subjectivity. For example (you may be familiar with this), there are two main types of research; quantitative and qualitative. Each have their contributions to research, but neither tell all their is to know. Qualitative research has a more subjective component to it, and some quantitative researchers completely dismiss qualitative for that reason. Much of what is reported fromm Spring Practice is based upon observation (less subjective) and is different than expressing one's opinion about practices or making prognostications (more subjective). So, are we to reject it all because there's a certain amount of subjectiveness? That, my fellow Gator, would be unwise!
If you fully believed what you said, you would not be on this forum! There are some very good positives from the Spring: Mertz and Dike are hooking up; Trey has upped his game; Burke appears to be emerging (which we hear every Spring); the running backs are looking good; the OL is, allegedly, providing more pass protection; Searcy, Pup, and the DB's are showing signs of growth. The sheet we don't know: how will it all come together this fall?
I knew you meant that, Doc. I was just emphasizing or redefining what gambling in our case meant. We have lost our play to win mentality, and we need to regain that mantra and mindset. I'm so sick of the last few coaches that played NOT to lose, instead of playing to win. Play to win is what our offense should be all about.
Doc, you are reading a lot into to nothing. Napier is either a controlling person at heart, super conservative, or doesn't have the reach and vision to have hired a guy that can ignite the offense. No harm done. I hope it works out.The offense was okay last season, not great, but decent. If it gets a TD better, that's good. WTH?
I'm sure some is hype but nowhere close to all of it! That's the very thing I try to guard against. The lion's share of it is subjective, but there is a difference in the subjectivity. For example (you may be familiar with this), there are two main types of research; quantitative and qualitative. Each have their contributions to research, but neither tell all their is to know. Qualitative research has a more subjective component to it, and some quantitative researchers completely dismiss qualitative for that reason. Much of what is reported fromm Spring Practice is based upon observation (less subjective) and is different than expressing one's opinion about practices or making prognostications (more subjective). So, are we to reject it all because there's a certain amount of subjectiveness? That, my fellow Gator, would be unwise! If you understood the basics of scientific research, you would have totally understood my point. It's all good, though. I appreciate your passion for everything Gators!