Gator Country

The problem with our program right now is very simple.  On both sides of the ball top to bottom we have not one superstar.

You need to have someone or two who are deep into the season vying for post season awards say at linebacker, corner, WR, tailback, QB etc., etc.

Right now we have not one player vying for any post season award because we have no superstars.

Does that mean that we don’t have the potential for superstars on this very team.  But if people don’t project themselves that way and go out and separate themselves not even from their adversaries but also from their own teammates, mediocrity sets in.

There is no standard to strive to achieve.  Tebow, Harvin, Hernandez, Cooper, Spikes, Haden, Murphy, etc.  gave others a standard that said unless you go out and try to play like I do, you have no business being on my team.

There is no one performing like that on either side of the ball here at Florida right now and it’s sad given the recent history and the sacrifices that their predecessors have made to bring the program to this point.

90% of or scholarship players were the elite of their high school programs, but they have come to a school rich in recent tradition of success, and have forgotten who they are. 

I honestly believe that instead of watching film of their performances in college, the coaching staff should spend at least 1-2 hours a week having each player review highlights of his high school career.  They need to say to them, yes the competition is much greater on the next level, but by coming to Florida we have made you greater, and so you should be performing on the same level that you were in high school.

Every opponent is faster- but you are faster.  Every opponent is bigger but you are bigger.  Every opponent is stronger, but you are stronger.  Every opponent is healthier, but you are healthier.  The list goes on and on. 

Show these kids how they played in high school and let them know they are almost across the board breach their commitment to make that same effort on this level.

If they played the way they did in high school we would be the best team in America bar none. 

We nee some serious psychologists on staff because our team has completely lost its identity.

Sorry for all the typos.

wci347....  That is an off the wall perspective… One that I would have a hard time believeing… but you are intitled to your opinion.  Tonight, I think the defense played good enough to get a win.  However Special Teams, Discipline and the LACK of offense is what lost the game. Sure we have a freshman QB… but if we had a running game some pressure would be off of the QB having to throw the ball. 

If we are a pro style offense… we have to have the run.  WE DO NOT.  except for some reason we do not run the guy that touched the ball 3 times and got 16 yards (note no loss of yardage on any carry last night) Gillislee is averaging 7.0 yard per carry… I am not saying bench Rainey… Give him a rest from running back, punt returner, punt blocker, kick off returner, mr everything) by running Gillislee at least 10 times per game.  THAT WOULD BE BETTER COACHING IMO.We can not

ALSO, play somebody besides Jordan Reed ar TE… because he is NOT it.  Last night was his worse game as a Gator.  You can not win with efforts like his last night. I’d like to se Omarius Hines more… He looks like a beast.

Penalties--- run the stupid people that jump off sides or false start.  5 games into the season and we still have a problem with that.  Sit repeat offenders.  Until the dummies get the point. It seems like everytime there is a CRUCIAL play, yardage wise, we can not handle the pressure and we jump off side or false start.

Desire and want to… We have very little.

The defense did play well enough against a program that had an absolutely zero passing attack.

We don’t run because we don’t give anyone else an opportunity to do it except a 175 pound player.

Reed was a disaster, but what is worse is having a player demonstrate that his head is not in the game and adjustments are not made to find someone else who can foot the bill.

This apparent reluctance to force consequences for mediocrity has to be indicative of something.  Maybe my theory is off the wall, but in reality it makes a lot of sense.  It wouldn’t be the first time in sports it has happened.

What would college football be if one program out 120 is winning 20% of the championships over the past 20 years.  We have won 3 of the last 15 so if we win only 1 in the next five we will have won 4 in the past 20 or 20% out of a 120 school Division.

The theory when you look at it from that perspective is not that far fetched.  Look at Texas and now USC, Miami, Florida State, Michigan- the list goes on and on.  In order to make this a reasonably competitive experience, the Oregons, Boise States, Oklahoma States, Clemsons, and Stanfords have to get their day in the sun.  Tennessee just can’t buy a game?  I don’t buy that.  There is a subtle but deliberate handicapping of the college football ranks going on in an effort to salvage the sport.

How long can a sport last when one conference wins all of the championships?

wci347....I understand that perspective, it is a lot more common than most people think. Some corporations spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to get employees to “focus on successful people and events” then they pattern those habits and have members to focus on them over and over… it happens more than most people realize in not just sports but other professions. The point in the theory is to get people to “focus” on success as success breeds success. What you focus on will multiply.

Dropping balls that hit you in the hands, not knowing where you are on the field, jumping offsides are all mental mistakes. Poor tackling, not getting off the blocks, falling down when no one even touched you, those are physical mistakes...both need to be worked on.

I would like to see better production from bigger backs and receivers, the team is young and change doesn’t happen over night they young guys are going to learn by fire if you know what I mean. Hopefully something can click and we can turn things around this season the toughest part of the schedule is over now but we have to be able to score and keep the defense rested by moving the ball not being able to convert 3rd downs is killing us as well.  Go Gators!