Post-Game Discussion: FLORIDA vs. georgia

There are plenty of legit reasons to believe we will be a better team next year than we are this year. If you don’t see it that’s fine, but looking at recruiting, the addition of Lagway, building experience among several freshmen in key positions on defense, and another year to build cohesiveness along the O-line is just cause to expect improvement next season without it being called “wishful thinking” my friend.

 

A bit of rambling here...

I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist, and I'll admit I'm a bit disgruntled, (even the optimist has a down day) but the NCAA landscape, along with the top programs are starting to resemble our government too much. Corruption, money under the table, influence peddlers, lobbyists. How much money, shielded from the public, is making it to the families of top players? Is it a coincidence that Georgia has had the easiest schedule and all the tougher games are played between the hedges? Based on probabilities and simple math that seems peculiar. Couple-few years in a row too. There are others as well, obviously. Something stinks out there. Can't you smell that smell? It's a stank...

I'm not making excuses here. We're not there yet from a personnel point, and eventually, we'll need a high-level coach or two to make a real difference. The build is on though. And, as always, the underdogs need to whoop the champion to unseat them.

Too much corruption affecting the top programs as they all claw their way to the top of the heap. Michigan now with sign-gate. Has Bama used up every great Asst coach in the land? Are all the Hellcats and SUV's already handed out?

Sometimes I feel like the Priest in Caddyshack. "Rat farts!" (Cue lighting bolt)

Go Gators.

 

Orlando/Tampa and Atlanta get my vote

 

I hope you're right and I want Billy Napier to succeed as badly as anyone. We just don't need to start over with a new coaching staff for the 5th time since Urban Meyer left. That's one reason I think he gets at least 2 more years after this one to get us back in the competitive hunt for an SEC title. However, most new coaches see significant improvement in performance and record their 2nd year on the job. That's not apparent this year, at least from my perspective. I love the fact that he's put together an elite recruiting class and I'm hoping it holds together, especially if we finish 6-6 or 5-7. And as good as the incoming class looks on paper, there are 4 offensive linemen and 3 of them are 3-stars, 1 a 4-star. The ultimate success of a team begins and ends in the trenches and unless we field an elite offensive line that can hold it's own against the defensive lines of the SEC, we can have all the 5 and 4 star skilled players we can get and we're still not going to seriously challenge for a championship. On both sides of the ball, our lines were dominated by Georgia and Kentucky and there's no reason to expect any difference when we play LSU, Missouri and FSU. In addition, Napier's play calling has been questionable nearly every game and his lack of in-game adjustments is concerning. He has no offensive coordinator, no special teams coordinator and 2 offensive line coaches. That's not working out so well, methinks. Hopefully, he'll correct that this off season, but it seems that he has a long way to grow as a coach in order to go head to head with the likes of Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, and even Brian Kelly and Mark Stoops. Right now, they have better players, but they are, also, better coaches. Time will tell, of course, and I truly want everything to work out for the orange and blue, as I'm 71 years old and been a Gator since I was 7. In all kinds of weather, I will always pull for all our Gator teams, players and coaches. Goooo Gators!

 

I hope you're right, but while recruiting appears good, it is far away from NSD. Lagway, although highly touted, is still an unknown commodity at this level, building experience with the freshmen is absolutely critical, but can we keep them out of the Portal? And as you know, the OL is always the most uncertain group on the field. I would LOVE to see improvement, but if anything told me about Florida footvall for the past 14 years is that i would never EXPECT it. We've been teased way too many times...

 

The Gators really need to bolster the trenches. It's been a long time since the Pouncey twins...more big uglies please. (I mean that in a loving way, of course). A few beasts on the "D" as well.

Personally, I think Lagway will be a better version of Richardson. Kind of a Trask/Richardson/Tebow hybrid. I wouldn't award him the medal of honor just yet, but his highlights are pretty sick. Great kid too.

The future looks good. Mo- better fast big guys!

BEAT Arkansas!!!

Go Gators.

 

You can look at me as “seventiesgator” my friend. Seen and lived through the worst and the best of times as a Gator. Yes there is cause for doubt about the future, but it’s just as easy to hope Lagway stays with us and our freshmen and recruits don’t jump, as it is to plan on them all defecting. Call me the pumper that I am, but I am expecting continued improvement over the next 3 years. Napier is not Mullen or Mac or Lumpy. I guess I’m saying that on faith too. Go Gators