True, but I think he had more of an impact than anybody else. That being said, not sure why gates isn’t on the field all the time. He’s big enough to play Safety beside bridges and that would keep Denson on the field. Denson a dude too and needs to play. Billy gets the right combo on the field and I feel like our defense can keep us in most games
Didn't Urban use Billy Latsko as a fullback when changing the offense against Georgia during a bye week after having serious problems? I think we won the game.
It’s really disappointing that it took our coaching staff nearly half a season to determine who our better players were on defense.
Billy has recruited a team full of players many of whom weren’t necessarily all that obvious to go after. He has accumulated skill and the right kind of character. If he can win enough to save his job and continue the build, this would obviously be best for UF. People here need to stop pulling against Billy for a few weeks and hope he can pull this off. A turnaround mid season 3 isn’t far off the original timeline, given the extent of all that needed to be fixed. And yes, he needs to hire an OC
Pyburn is still coming back from a knee injury less than a year ago....it's impressive he has come back as quickly as he has. Appears to me the staff has increased his snaps as his health and performance have dictated
Reposted this (my post) from the Post Game Thread. I am re-watching the Kentucky game... and Jack Pyburn is one of the reasons why our defense got levels better recently... He pinches in the on the O-line forcing everything into a tight scrum, and he's blasts though the run plays running from the left side to the right to make tackles... He's so disruptive that they started double-team blocking him in some run plays... Man, is he a beast on the defense. Other things I noticed is the D-lineman FINALLY started trowing their arms up to try and block passes, and it has made a difference even when the pass is not deflected or blocked.
APK, I agree but was referring to several new contributors on defense not just Pyburn. Love the way he sets the edge and is always in attack mode.
Skink, please bless us with your brilliant opinion on what was done to turn the defensive performance around from first four games to last three games. Had nothing to do with personnel changes, huh?
Say what?? Of course it did. Coaching changes too. What’s your point? You’re bitching about improvement?
Which coaches changed during the current season? None. I asked you what changes were made after the first 4 games, apparently during the off week that turned the defensive performance around?
It is concerning it took this long to see Jack’s motor never stops. As Shane M said, he’s the guy that defensive lineman love to hate because his motor never stops
One change CBN made was bringing Armstrong downstairs and moving Roberts up. Pyburn coming off serious injury last year but CBN has constantly tried to work him onto the field because of physical abilities AND obvious energy level that seems to infuse enthusiasm into the entire team. Realizing our difficulties in the red zone he tinkered with the I formation inside the 5 with Pyburn at fullback. Quick hitters instead of slower shotgun formation plays. If you want to simply discount these and other changes he has made as changes that already should have been made you are arguing for the sake of arguing. The squirrel chasing his tail around the tree.
I agree 2Old. I don’t think it was coincidence that when the flip of what coach is where, we played differently. I believe we started off with Armstrong calling plays and now it’s Roberts dialing it up and Armstrong hyping everyone up on the sidelines.
2oldgator. I assure you I’m not arguing for the sake of arguing, where did you come up with that notion? My point was why did it take the coaching staff so long to determine who were the better players on defense? Now granted some of this talent came from the transfer portal so the coaches haven’t had as much chance to have eyes on them during as many games. I’ve been impressed with Robinson, Bridges, Gates, Johnson, and Pyburn to name a few. Not sure what the scheme changes were if any during the off week but it’s apparent to me this influx of different faces on defense has been a shot in the arm. Hoping Cormani McLain could be next.