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Is D.J. the man??

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by swamp life, Sep 2, 2024.

  1. swamp life

    swamp life GC Legend

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    Does DJ start for now on? No sense to red shirt since we only get 3 years anyway.
    Is he good enough to endure this schedule? Not so much win but endure and learn. Would it overwhelme him and do more harm than good?
    Good Lord, something has to change.
     
  2. uftaipan

    uftaipan GC Hall of Fame

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    Yep. I don’t think the problem is at QB, though.
     
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  3. tegator80

    tegator80 GC Hall of Fame

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    DJ represents the future, meaning if Napier desires one at UF then he needs to go all-in. What tells me he won't is his propensity for "reassigning" his friends rather than firing them for non-performance. Mertz seems to fit that profile.

    But if the offense doesn't do something much better in play calling and run blocking, it is pretty much moot.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2024
  4. g8torlenny

    g8torlenny Junior

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    So DJ plays the rest of the season and does well. Problem is he will go to the next highest bidder next year. There is no team, no loyalty, no Alma mater, just the money. Thanks to the NIL.
     
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  5. The_RH_Factor

    The_RH_Factor GC Hall of Fame

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    We picked a bad time to not do well in the NIL, didn’t we?

    Lagway should get the start this week to get some valuable playing time and we’ll see who gets the start against Texas A&M.

    Have to take it a game at a time and hope for an upset or two.
     
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  6. g8orbill

    g8orbill Old Gator Moderator Premium Member VIP Member

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    I do not think Napier has a future as HC at UF, DJ's future at UF will depend upon who is hired to replace Napier
     
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  7. TJtheGator

    TJtheGator GC Hall of Fame

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    Give him the ball.
     
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  8. Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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  9. eightiesgator

    eightiesgator GC Hall of Fame

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    They should use Graham and DJ the way Meyer used Leak and Tebow against UCF.

    * Leak played the first four drives, let the team to two TDs;
    * Tebow came in on the 5th drive, led the Gators to a TD;
    * Leak came back in for two drives, led the Gators to two more TDs;
    * 2d half, Leak started two drives, led the Gators to a TD, with the score 42-0
    * Tebow finished the game, struggled with a lost fumble and an INT, but the game was well out of hand.

    Tebow was very green, but did get nearly a half of starting time. I think it would be wise for Napier to use a similar gameplan, as DJ, in spite of his promising tools, was also very green. Give DJ room to roam against an FCS team, then he may have plenty of snaps to tale over if Mertz gets injured again.
     
  10. uftaipan

    uftaipan GC Hall of Fame

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    “Our offense feels like a teenager trying to learn a stick shift. Jerky and no rhythm.”

    Ha! So true …
     
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  11. Wanne15

    Wanne15 GC Hall of Fame

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    They had an offend line though. Mertz needs blocking to be successful.
     
  12. eightiesgator

    eightiesgator GC Hall of Fame

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    Every QB needs blocking to be successful. Not sure if you remember Archie Manning at New Orleans...
     
  13. alysb21

    alysb21 GC Legend

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    Dj has natural raw talent and just looks like a spark. Mertz is good and consistent but we need that spark.
     
  14. gatorwalrus

    gatorwalrus GC Hall of Fame

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    For a year it's been, lose BN lose DJ. Now, should it flip? Do we lose DJ if we keep BN? The best want to win games, BN doesn't do that.
     
  15. paidinfull

    paidinfull GC Hall of Fame

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    Lol, two days ago you were worried about preserving his redshirt.
     
  16. bobbybaker86

    bobbybaker86 GC Hall of Fame

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    bingo. Would be shocked if he, Shemar, or EW3 are in Gator unis next season
     
  17. Bazza

    Bazza Moderator

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    I'd like to see Mertz continue to be the starter and DJ be brought in here and there when the situation best dictates it.

    The problem is I don't trust whomever is making the decisions on offense to manage this correctly.

    How do you solve THAT problem? That is the key for everything to be much better.
     
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  18. plantado

    plantado Senior

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    Might as well use him before he transfers out.
     
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  19. Wanne15

    Wanne15 GC Hall of Fame

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    It always helps but using your legs makes it very different. DJ can move the pocket or run. Mertz is a sitting duck back there.
     
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  20. 2oldgator

    2oldgator GC Hall of Fame

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    I don’t think it’s a given that Lagway transfers if CBN is not retained. He had a ringside seat at Saturdays’ game and he is a very competitive and smart young man.
    In the event we bring in a new coach I think it will be that coaches first priority to try and keep Lagway onboard. He will be the glue to hold the team together, as much as possible.
     
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