Article: Florida’s 2024 Season Will Be Defined By A Coach and A Quarterback

Respectfully disagree. It will come down to offensive line play, front seven play, and mistake free special teams.

 

Mertz and improved OL play go hand in hand. Too many times last year, he was dodging the first rusher (which he was very good at), and then throwing the short pass a make something out of nothing.
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Napier needs to do a better job calling the offense. He has been too conservative with a lead and has had a knack for calling trick plays at the wrong time.

 

just someone wanting to write an article but couldn’t think of a better title. 2024 will be defined by the D. With a better D last year, we win 3-5 more games. To e we in 5 mores this year, we’ll need to be better all around, but 3 games is on the table, again with the same O as last year.

 

Could Napier have called better plays in 2023? Yes.

However, better play calling would not of changed the results.

The right play at the right time is worthless when the Offense, Defense, and Special Teams were misfiring like wet firecrackers.

This year we will be seeing better fundalmentals: Blocking, Tackling, Rushing, Route Running, Pass Coverage, and Special Team plays. Improvements in these areas will make Naper the "Offensive Genious" that he really is.

 

Agree with all that. Don't forget strength. If we truly are stronger and we physically bully some teams we're supposed to lose to that would be impressive.

 

That’s always the case, but without the quarterback, it’s still not possible

 

I say it comes down to
1) Defense
2) O-line

 

I think the article went over some people’s heads.

 

There were defiantly times last year when play calling killed drives and momentum. It wasn't the team's biggest flaw, but it was a flaw.

 

Special teams issues played a role in the Utah loss. The issues definitely cost us the game against Arkansas.

 

I think the play call after the safety we got on fsux, then the great return, set us up for another TD. IMHO that could have put them away. But no, the play call was the flea flicker to a fr QB who had 0 experience behind a struggling offensive line which resulted in a huge loss. That is a "p*** poor play call".

Could we have beaten Utah at Utah? Not sure but how did the TE up the middle on 4th down play out? Killed drive and gave Utah the ball and momentum.

The "defensive Play call" vs Missouri cost us that game. Use the TO on Mizzou's 4th down to insure that max they gain in 16 yards or less. If you call an all out blitz or any kind of blitz, does Cook scramble for 17 yards or is a quick pass going to get him the 17 he needed? Again, a "play call".

5-7 become 8-4.

 

Always starts there. Can’t get beat up front and win.

 

I understand your view point.
If better plays were called, UF may of pulled out win.

On the other hand, If both the Gator D and the O had executed the basics, there is a good chance that the Gators would not have been in the the bad positions of making those bad play calls.

 

So much from last year that needs to improve that it's hard to put the season on Mertz.

 

Yeah, if I had to guess, I would say that the 2024 will be defined by the defense... good or bad.

 

yep.

 

The biggest question is will Mertz be able to consistently throw and complete balls past 15 to 20 yards without interceptions? Dinks and dunks and methodical marching down field won't cut it with the level of competition we will be facing. Will his arm be strong enough and accurate enough to complete deep throws? We will soon find out. I hope he can otherwise a few ints and I think he will resort to just throwing shorter passes.
I have to think he has been focusing on deeper throws throughout spring and summer.