By: Nick Marcinko -- March 11, 2025 Spring camp is underway in Gainesville as Billy Napier and the Gators look to build on their 8-5 record in the 2024 season. With injuries all over the defense, Florida’s defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is placing an emphasis on building depth throughout the spring period. Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts focused on building depth during spring camp | GatorCountry.com
I despise that "bend but don't break" phrase for several reasons. Now, I'm not saying that it's meant as a compliment in this particular article. It was obviously meant to be descriptive in a way that illustrates how we still played well enough to end with up with a winning (8-5) season, considering how many starters missed playing time because of injuries. It was a job well done by Ron Roberts, IMHO. He knows how important it is to get the next man up, ready to go, especially in the SEC. This year has the makings of a season where we take the next positive step that many here still have to see-it-to-believe-it. I am NOT one of those people. I can see that trajectory and understand that we are heading in the right direction, with the right head coach and the right DC. The next step will be getting our overall defense into the top 20 or better in several defensive categories. I look forward to seeing this team accomplish great things on the defensive side. We saw some moments of greatness (on defense in particular) in the LSU and the Ole Miss games. Now... if we can use that as the new normal then we have a chance for a great year... 10-2 is doable.
That is bold Rick. To God's ears. Need improvement in scoring offense/efficiency, and our Defense needs to be full season as good as the last half of 2024. If that happens, we are truly making progress.
Just getting the defense to improve will help immensely, especially the run defense. But yes, we will need the offense to improve as well. I like the offensive side of the ball too. I expect a huge improvement there based on more experience and more new talent on the team. So, although I only mentioned the defense as the reason (the article was defense specific) I feel the offense will improve too. 10-2 is what I think.
This article goes along with what the poster was trying to do--get us cranked up about the defense. It sounds like the defense is ahead of where they were last year! I hope that means better than at the end of the year! Familiarity With System Allowing New Assistants to Find Rhythm
