All this talk about LSU and their juniors. UF is losing more than LSU in 2013

[swg8trgr8]

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

[oragator1]

In no way do I think it will be an easy game, but I do think that unless Miles knew last recruiting year he was losing these guys, it's a tremendous hit to a program when you lose quality guys you don't expect to lose, and lose almost all of your senior leadership for the next year. Hard to fill the holes 11 early defections will leave on top of your departing seniors, the overall team will be much younger than they expected even if they are talented.

[LimeyGator]

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

Anyone who thinks ANY away game in Baton Rouge is an easy game needs their medication re-prescribing...

[NoahBeanBizzel]

I haven't seen or talked to any Gator who's said the LSU game is going to be "easy" next fall.

Keep in mind that Florida returns Ronald Powell at the Buck position, and Easley has elected to return. With Bullard and Fowler somewhat ahead of schedule, the additions Muschamp has made through bringing in a couple of JUCO tackles, plus the talent Florida has coming back, our losses at DT won't be as severe as some anticipate. Also remember that a lot of our linemen are cross-trained to play both end and tackle, so guys like Easley and Bullard will shift around as needed, depending on the situation.

Safety isn't a concern at all. Florida has plenty of options-and bodies-to mess around with before opening day. The only position that could get dicey is linebacker. Nobody knows for sure how guys like Taylor, Kitchens and Ball will progress. It's all speculation. None have been special up to this point, and the only proven playmaker returning at the position is Morrison.

Every team loses talent every year in the SEC. It's nothing new.

[j7]

For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

If there was anyone stating this, why did you not respond to them in that thread instead of starting a new thread that does not site where they said that?

[GatorSean]

Safety isn't a concern at all. Florida has plenty of options-and bodies-to mess around with before opening day.



Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

[Bushmaster]

Strawman thread.

[Gatorrick22]

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties


On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)


For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks


How many of those 10 juniors LSU is losing to the NFL were starters?

[Danielmaddie]

Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

We always go through this at this position, Reggie Nelson, Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Matt Elam, the next great will step in and continue the trend. If there is one position where we have recruited exceptionally well it would be the secondary so I personally am not worried.

[Ahab]

I'm more worried about safety than I am about LB. At least the guys we have returning there have some experience. A LB makes a mistake and it's a first down. When a safety makes a mistake, it's usually a TD.

[luciaboy]

except for murray, we really don't play any outstanding qb's next year. hopefully, that will allow the defense and the safeties to develop

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Don't understand this at all. We lose both starters and the primary back-up at safety, not to mention, Elam was probably the best player on the entire D. There is no other position on the entire team where we lose our top three players.

In Muschamp's defense safety is the QB of the D. The players we have coming back have barely played that position at all. Safety is a HUGE concern going into next season.

Look, the staff will probably give Watkins a try at free safety this spring, and I think with his ball skills he'll be fantastic-if he can tackle. Poole will be an amazing player wherever the staff puts him, and they've done nothing but rave about him since December. Between Neal, Harris and Washington I believe one will play early. I don't normally assume that a freshman will impact a defense, but please watch film of Keanu Neal. Just do it. Tell me he won't get on the field early.

Gorman has performed well when in games. Marcus Maye and Ledbedder are also on campus, as is Valdez Showers. That's a good combo of experience and talent. I think there might be some growing pains early, but whomever earns the two starting spots will do a great job. That's my opinion. If you don't agree then don't agree. But I think we'll be fine.

[gatordee]

You may find ONE statement like this (For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.), but you will not find two anywhere on GC.

[rserina]

Of course it won't be easy. They have plenty of talent. But it is hardly an insurmountable game with their losses. Had they returned more, they would have been a title contender.

[G8R8U2]

According to the Shreveport Times, losing 10 juniors to the draft might be an all-time NCAA record (and one you don't want); so it must be noteworthy.

There's a difference between saying a game will be easy, and a game should be easier because of a mass exodus like that.

I haven't actually seen anyone say the game will be easy, although it's certainly possible.

Also, the OP is comparing the 10 LSU junior losses with ALL of our losses, including guys who graduate... we only have 4 juniors jumping early.

I have no idea how many seniors LSU is losing; but if you add them to the 10 juniors, 6 of whom aren't projected to go before the 3rd round and who were just coming on and expected to contribute/start next year, the total loss of talent is pretty substantial for a single year.

[rserina]

Look, the staff will probably give Watkins a try at free safety this spring, and I think with his ball skills he'll be fantastic-if he can tackle. Poole will be an amazing player wherever the staff puts him, and they've done nothing but rave about him since December. Between Neal, Harris and Washington I believe one will play early. I don't normally assume that a freshman will impact a defense, but please watch film of Keanu Neal. Just do it. Tell me he won't get on the field early.

Gorman has performed well when in games. Marcus Maye and Ledbedder are also on campus, as is Valdez Showers. That's a good combo of experience and talent. I think there might be some growing pains early, but whomever earns the two starting spots will do a great job. That's my opinion. If you don't agree then don't agree. But I think we'll be fine.
All fairly accurate. Of course there will be a learning curve, but the great thing about defense is that you can compensate for your weaknesses with scheme that relies on your stronger personnel groups to balance things out. We may not blitz as much and put those safeties in man coverage because we get a better pass rush from our ends with Powell coming back and Bullard and Fowler having a year under their belts. We may eliminate some of the more complex mixed coverages early in the season until the new kids get their feet wet. We could see far more cover two and cover three than we have in the past if we are worried about the safeties covering deep.

Regardless, it isn't like we are playing a bunch of true freshmen out there. More importantly, who on our schedule is going to scorch those guys? It is a pretty weak group offensively. Murray and those UGA receivers? Mettenberger? How many touchdowns did Mizzou score all season in our league? I just don't see anyone being able to exploit it the way, say, Woodson or Stafford or Henne did 2007. We may have some iffy moments and I am sure there will be some bad games, likely resulting in a loss or two that will have the entire board questioning Muschamp as a head coach or the direction of the program or longing for the good old vertical passing days or whatever. But we have recruited extremely well defensively and I suspect we have enough talent already on hand to avoid running out true freshmen who don't even know where their classes are yet, as we did in 2007.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

All fairly accurate. Of course there will be a learning curve, but the great thing about defense is that you can compensate for your weaknesses with scheme that relies on your stronger personnel groups to balance things out. We may not blitz as much and put those safeties in man coverage because we get a better pass rush from our ends with Powell coming back and Bullard and Fowler having a year under their belts. We may eliminate some of the more complex mixed coverages early in the season until the new kids get their feet wet. We could see far more cover two and cover three than we have in the past if we are worried about the safeties covering deep.

Regardless, it isn't like we are playing a bunch of true freshmen out there. More importantly, who on our schedule is going to scorch those guys? It is a pretty weak group offensively. Murray and those UGA receivers? Mettenberger? How many touchdowns did Mizzou score all season in our league? I just don't see anyone being able to exploit it the way, say, Woodson or Stafford or Henne did 2007. We may have some iffy moments and I am sure there will be some bad games, likely resulting in a loss or two that will have the entire board questioning Muschamp as a head coach or the direction of the program or longing for the good old vertical passing days or whatever. But we have recruited extremely well defensively and I suspect we have enough talent already on hand to avoid running out true freshmen who don't even know where their classes are yet, as we did in 2007.

Good stuff. We have three great corners, plus four guys across the line of scrimmage (Fowler, Powell, Easley and Bullard) who can get to the QB. That takes a huge load off the safeties.

If we ran more of a cover-two, zone style of defense (Like Kiffin) maybe I'd be more concerned. But we love man and combo man coverages, and that's hard for QB's to deal with on third and long-especially when you can get to the quarterback. You're essentially throwing into double coverage trying to hit your best receiver when we play a safety-or two-deep. The result is that we really don't get hit deep for big plays.

The safeties are also Muschamp's baby. He really goes after guys who can tackle, and does a fantastic job of coaching them up, so I'm never concerned about missed tackles turning into back-breaking big gains. Combine that with the fact that we're extremely talented at the position, and I just don't see a problem there.

[LAGatorDoc]

How many of those 10 juniors LSU is losing to the NFL were starters?

They lose their whole starting D-line, 2 of their starting o-line, their beast middle LB, their best safety, and their best CB. They also lose a RB who isn't that big of a loss, b/c their best (Hill) is only a freshman.

I say if we lost Powell and Easley, we would be as bad off as them. Right now I still say they are worse off than us with the losses they have taken.

But the game will be no walk in the park. It will most likely be a night game in Tiger stadium. 2 teams have come out of that with a win in the past 15-20 years, and Alabama last year was one of them.

[rserina]

The safeties are also Muschamp's baby. He really goes after guys who can tackle, and does a fantastic job of coaching them up, so I'm never concerned about missed tackles turning into back-breaking big gains. Combine that with the fact that we're extremely talented at the position, and I just don't see a problem there.
Sort of like Meyer and receivers or Spurrier and quarterbacks. They understand that aspect of the game so well and their systems are geared toward their effectiveness. Our ability to limit big plays last year was phenomenal. We used our safeties a number of different ways which were all pretty successful.

[gatorbogey]

good discussion

[NoahBeanBizzel]

good discussion

I love turning negative threads into positive discussion. It's becoming a hobby of mine.

[Dreamliner]

But LSU is 'talented'!

[swampsupreme]

LSU is only losing 6 starters on their defense.
UF is losing 8 starters on our defense.

We lose both of our DTs
We lose all 3 of our LBs
We lose all 3 of our Safeties

On offense we lose our best RB
Our only TE
Our best WR
2 o-linemen (not a huge loss though)

For those stating, "LSU will be an easy game next year", please get a clue.

That is all, thanks

We have proven all year we have young talent at dline and LB's our young guys got a lot of reps.

LSU's young guys didnt. They were stuck behind NFL draft picks.

And for offense losing gilly will hurt but matt jones and kelvin will be studs.

Our best WR was not frankie hammond
Dunbar was our best (thats not saying much)

We also have two of the best TE's in last years recruiting class.

[number1]

I think Matt Jones has shown that he is capable of replacing Gilly. Hopefully Taylor can come in full force too so we can have a solid two back system. I am not worried at all about losing Jordan Reed, I think we will be fine in the TE department. Our WRs couldn't get much worse than they already were so no big deal there. And the O-line should be better with the whole addition by subtraction method. lol

[apkgator]

While there are some valid points in the original post, IMO it is a bit sensationalized.

Yes, UF is losing 8 guys that have "started" on defense. You mention losing 3 starting safetys and 3 LB's....but not all of those were regular starters.
Let's look at things another way. Admittedly this is skewed in a positive fashion, but my point is to show that the original post was also over the top.
UF returns 5 guys that have started at CB (Riggs, Watkins,Purifoy,Roberson, Brown). 3 guys have starts at LB (Kitchens,Ball, Morrison...Taylor may have started too), 4 guys have DL starts (Easley, Powell, Fowler,Bullard. Voila, 12 returning starters on defense!

Can do the same on offense. Both Burtons have starts, Westbrook got a start,Andrades, Pittman, Humphries, Koehne. And it says something when you say UF lost it's best WR and I'm not sure who you are talking about. The answer is Dunbar IMO and he is back. Debose has started too.

Ultimately, LSU lost 10 underclassmen going to the NFL. That is a big deal. Haven't seen anybody say that rendered them horrible for next year, but it will impact their team

[Gator515151]

Anyone who thinks ANY away game in Baton Rouge is an easy game needs their medication re-prescribing...

Actually we have done quite well in Red Stick over the past 40 years. I think LSU has beaten us only 5 times at home since 1975. Something like that anyway I think we are 11-5 in Baton Rouge since 75. LSU plays us tougher in Gainesville.

[4everaGator]

Actually we have done quite well in Red Stick over the past 40 years. I think LSU has beaten us only 5 times at home since 1975. Something like that anyway I think we are 11-5 in Baton Rouge since 75. LSU plays us tougher in Gainesville.Tebow beat them 2 weeks after his concussion at Kentucky - night game in Death Valley.

[UGator]

We are losing a ton for sure, but in college ball, recruiting is one of the most important aspects for any college program. We may only have 3 yrs at the most to keep great players, so every recruiting year is paramount to keep the funnel filled and not miss needs as they occur.

A great strength program can also accelerate new player development which helps reduce depth issues like we've had before. Look at how Bama recruits and develops players and enough said.

Meyer's last year after Tebow demonstrated how depleted our roster had become. We were especially thin on our OL and WR's, and also missing on power backs which resulted in our having smaller speed backs only. His comments about our program being "broken" was for real. We had some talent, but not for a pro style offense that Muschamp prefers.

Our coaches know the drill and we are now at the level of reloading, and not just rebuilding each year. Our second year for our OC Pease's system and the third year for Quinn and Muschamp's defense should show how we are becoming an elite program again.

[Gatorrick22]

LSU will be very beatable next year, but they will never be an easy game.

[fox]

We are losing a ton for sure, but in college ball, recruiting is one of the most important aspects for any college program. We may only have 3 yrs at the most to keep great players, so every recruiting year is paramount to keep the funnel filled and not miss needs as they occur.

A great strength program can also accelerate new player development which helps reduce depth issues like we've had before. Look at how Bama recruits and develops players and enough said.

Meyer's last year after Tebow demonstrated how depleted our roster had become. We were especially thin on our OL and WR's, and also missing on power backs which resulted in our having smaller speed backs only. His comments about our program being "broken" was for real. We had some talent, but not for a pro style offense that Muschamp prefers.

Our coaches know the drill and we are now at the level of reloading, and not just rebuilding each year. Our second year for our OC Pease's system and the third year for Quinn and Muschamp's defense should show how we are becoming an elite program again.

IMO we are not reloading quite yet. Maybe in another year or 2. Then we can set expectations back to Atlanta every year. If we make it to SECCG next year it will probably be a bit of overachieving again.

History of transitions says next year will be a bit of a down year on the field. We lose a lot of experience and leadership. Guys who went through the transition fire and came through hardened.

I'd be glad to be wrong. If we make it to Atlanta next year that will say a lot about our staff. I believe they are very good but remains to be seen if they are truly great.

[theghost]

Losing 4 juniors to the draft vs. losing 10 juniors = losing more?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Losing 4 juniors to the draft vs. losing 10 juniors = losing more?

Losing more starters in general. Read the first post.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Tebow beat them 2 weeks after his concussion at Kentucky - night game in Death Valley.

Our defense beat them that night.

3 points total.

[IndianaStew]

Our D won't be as good. Agreed. We'll get burned a bit at safety and we will miss Elam and Evans. IMO, Pop was OK, but the guys we'll put back there are pretty close to equal to him. We have some talent, its just green. LB will take a small step back, but I doubt its major. None of those guys lit up the college FB world. DL will severely miss Sharrif, but don't forget about Orr, Powell, Easley, Bullard, and Fowler, who will all play in the NFL. D will definitely not be the best in college football, but they'll still be real good.

Our O will be better, though. Not tons of teams can say that. Gille was great, but we have 3-4 backs who will play next year that will more than compensate for his loss. The OL will be better with the addition of starter at MD Garcia, starter at Neb Moore, and experience and more depth added to the team this year. Really, one of the OL we lose was just AWful most of the year. Driskel will have another year of development and another year in the system. If he gets a tiny bit more time to throw, he should be better. Our WR's lost Hammond, but I'd hardly say he was a great WR. Think there's only one way to go at that position, and I'd be shocked if we weren't markedly better with Joker, the freshmen, Dunbar, and a hopefully motivated Debose (he can't get worse, and has the potential to be massively better).

[theologator]

Losing more starters in general. Read the first post.

LSU is losing 6 starters on defense, but the impact isn't just in the volume.

DE: UF loses Lerenree McCray, a solid starter. LSU loses Mingo and Montgomery, who are both waaay better than McCray

DT: UF loses Hunter (solid) and Floyd (star). LSU loses their best one in Logan.

LB: UF loses Bostic (very good) and Jenkins (very good). LSU loses Minter, who was the best LB I saw last year period. better than Te'o, IMHO.

CB: UF loses.... No one? LSU loses Simon (starter)

S: UF loses their best defensive player, Elam (star) and LSU loses their starter Reid.

On balance, both teams are losing the middle of their defenses. (NG, MLB & S), but LSU is losing much more at DE and CB. I think they have more to replace (though I don't follow their roster like UF.). But "reloading" isn't automatic even with star recruiting classes (LSU is always top 10.)

On offense it isn't close.

They lose 3 OL that are clearly better than the 2 UF loses. Lonergan was the heart of their OL.

They are losing 2 RB that may both go ahead of Gilly in the draft.

Reed was way more productive than Clement

But although Frankie had better numbers, I think he and Shepard are a wash.

Plus they lose their kicker and punter. UF just loses Sturgis.

It is always a tough game but they will be rebuilding in 2013.