Driskel=Kaepernick

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by theghost

Yeah, Manziel needs more time with his new coaching staff too....

Well Manziel is the Heisman winner so maybe there is something special about him. Plus he was sitting behind an all world OL throwing to a talented WR corps. Put Driskel in that scenario and he may not win the Heisman, but I bet his apparent level of success improves dramatically.

Sometimes our fans are just plain ludicrous.

[Gatorrick22]

Originally Posted by GatorAvatar

So the problem is not enough time with Pease, WR corp, OL and poor special team play...etc? LOL

I see no "problems" with Driskel's play at QB. 11-2 isn't good enough for you? Ridiculous!

[rserina]

Originally Posted by pcolafan

Valid points or excuses depending on your perception. But why did our offense....including Driskel....look so aweful against the cupcakes and lesser teams we played this season. We played several games where we had the distinct mechanical advantage and completely laid an egg on offense.

Ask yourself this: Is our performance against elite defenses normative for the offense or are the struggles against poor teams?

It is pretty hard to argue that the effectiveness in games against better teams were in general a combination of fluke factors, whereas our struggles against poor teams are more representative of the quality of the offense.

What separates the two is ultimately the specificity of the game plan suited to the opponent, the deployment of new packages in the offense, and the general intensity of preparation for the better opponents or the games we desperately needed to win (A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Vandy, South Carolina, UGA, FSU). You can believe it nor not, but we without question sandbagged certain games, at least in the sense that we did not prepare to use as much of our playbook against some teams as against others. Though it absolutely breaks coaching code to admit it, Muschamp did as much in his rant after the A&M game.

In the past, we have been able to get by with skeleton game plans and a general lack of intensity because our playmakers at the skill positions, in particular receiver, were so good. But the quality of athlete we had at receiver this past season was probably the lowest since the late 80s. Hopefully that will be rectified in the next couple of years through recruiting.

You can believe those are "excuses" if you want, but I don't see the point in doing so if they are actually true.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by Gatorrick22

I see no "problems" with Driskel's play at QB. 11-2 isn't good enough for you? Ridiculous!

Don't worry about him. He pretty much hates Florida players and coaches. It's his "schtick."

[beanfield]

Originally Posted by SailinGator

Honest question - what can the coaches do to improve his pocket awareness? Because if he can't improve it, I see continued problems for our offense.

They (coaches) can recruit offensive lineman who can give him some time....He's been running for his life since he stepped om campus.

[regurgigator]

Other than the fact that Driskel can run the read option, keep the ball, and has the speed to perhaps go all the way, he remind doesn't me of Kaepernick.

If Driskel becomes as successful as I hope he will, I think he'll play much more like Roethlisberger: standing tall in the pocket, sometimes too long, but often extending plays by shrugging off tacklers and throwing strikes after the original play has broken down.

Originally Posted by rserina

It is a thoroughly valid question, but there is a danger in taking these things as mortal flaws as many on these boards do. There is also a danger in taking the last game of the season as more indicative of his play over the course of a season than it actually was.

Part of the problem this year was the quality of pass rush we faced. Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, and FSU all had either great team rushes or great individual rushes. That not only bothers a young quarterback during the course of a game, but can carry over in terms of shaking his confidence, making him hear footsteps, etc. Our schedule this year should afford him a little less of that consistent pressure.

Another problem was the new offense. It is easy to say by the end of the year Driskel should have complete command of it, but when you are learning your second system in as many years things just aren't that simple. We were still adding to the offense heading in December. A little more absorption will help.

Yet another problem was Driskel's own fit for the system. The kid by all accounts did not receive great coaching as a signal caller at the prep level (if you recall, most of his film was running around and making plays when everything else broke down). He was recruited for a spread option system, spent his first year learning a more pro style, two tight end type of look, then went to more of a multiple heavy set/imbalanced line sort of an offense. We integrated some read option to make him comfortable and it worked well at times. But he just isn't a natural pocket passer. That's not his game, so the staff will certainly adjust the system to bring out what he does best since the offense will pretty much revolve around him next year.

One more issue was the talent around him, in particular the lack of pass protection and ability to beat man coverage at receiver. Teams weren't afraid to play bump and run us last year with a safety up in the box because our receivers weren't beating their jams. It was complicated by the fact that our line just wasn't very good in pass protection. Harrison I thought was the best on the year. Halapio is a great run blocker, but not as good in protection. Green I thought did not play as well as he is capable of. Nixon and Wilson were obviously weak links on the left side. Hopefully the influx of OL transfers and maturation of some of the younger guys, along with the arrival of some pretty nice freshman receivers and the last gasp of Debose to take bull by the horns will ameliorate this tandem problem. I am less optimistic about it happening in 2013 than I am in 2014.

Finally, some of the blame for the sacks reflects what the staff expressly dictated to Driskel: don't throw interceptions. We committed 15 turnovers on the season, nine alone in our two losses. The staff knew our best chance of success this season was to rely on a strong rushing attack and stellar defense and special teams. That also meant the worst thing Driskel could do was throw a dangerous pass. Though he may not be natural pocker passer, Driskel is very cerebral and responds very well to coaching. For instance, he nearly eliminated those scrambles into the boundary that hurt him so often early in the year. His willingness to take a sack rather than throw a contested ball directly resulted in a minimum of interceptions (5) and an efficient completion percentage (63.7%). Four of his five interceptions came in our two losses, but he only threw one pick the rest of the season. Given the sort of defenses we can expect here under Muschamp, I think this staff will make the trade of interceptions for sacks ever day of the week plus Saturdays (for obvious reasons).

So, I think it is a fair question to ask, but you also have to balance that out with what Driskel did well and what sort of obstacles he faced. Most of those obstacles will be removed or at least reduced this year. I am still skeptical that our playmaking at receiver has sufficiently improved to provide Driskel with easy throws against softer coverage or to make coordinators less likely to send pressure the way they did a year ago. That, in my opinion, will have to wait for 2014. But without question Driskel will be improved next year on the other counts.

Great stuff.

Two things concern me:

(1) Sometimes Driskel doesn't seem to see rushers breaking free even when they're approaching from directly in front of him (not the blind side). I sometimes think the same thing about Roethlisberger BTW, but I hope that's at least partially correctable for Driskel - who may have some downfield tunnel vision on some plays.

(2) Getting Driskel to throw quicker: even on the few plays where he got good protection, a lot of his throws seemed to be thrown a half-count too late. I think this is correctable with coaching and repetition, but is there enough time? I hope they spend spring practice working on that one facet of Driskel's passing over and over and over and.... I know Driskel can work on timing with his WR's all summer, but I think improving this particular issue requires seeing a defense also so he gets better at recognizing quickly when a route will be open and getting the ball out at the correct, optimal moment.

As someone who leaned toward wanting Brissett to start when the season started, I will say I was greatly impressed (and somewhat surprised) by the accuracy Driskel showed this season - along with the great arm strength which was never in question. If he can combine that accuarcy with better timing on passes that need to get there before the safeties can react (for example) then we're going to be very happy indeed.

[gators1422]

In Kapernick's worst year he threw for more yards and TD's tjan Driskel. He never put up mind blowing numbers but if Driskel is half the QB he was we will be in good shape. As for Manziel "breaking records" almost everyone recruited him for the secondary, not QB. It's about measurables now not what kids actually can do on a football field.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by regurgigator

Two things concern me:

(1) Sometimes Driskel doesn't seem to see rushers breaking free even when they're approaching from directly in front of him (not the blind side). I sometimes think the same thing about Roethlisberger BTW, but I hope that's at least partially correctable for Driskel - who may have some downfield tunnel vision on some plays.

(2) Getting Driskel to throw quicker: even on the few plays where he got good protection, a lot of his throws seemed to be thrown a half-count too late. I think this is correctable with coaching and repetition, but is there enough time? I hope they spend spring practice working on that one facet of Driskel's passing over and over and over and.... I know Driskel can work on timing with his WR's all summer, but I think improving this particular issue requires seeing a defense also so he gets better at recognizing quickly when a route will be open and getting the ball out at the correct, optimal moment.

Those are both legitimate concerns. My only response would be that I think Tebow struggled with the exact same things (true also for McCaron at Bama). The difference, I suspect, was that the staff gave him far more latitude on point 1 to improvise when things broke down and the fact that on point 2 the spread created more space in the route trees, not to mention the quality of receiver who could get an extra step on defenders.

As I said in my initial response, there is a real danger in atomizing a kid's flaws to the point of making them mortal (not that you were really doing so with these pretty fair points, but in general it is the case). At the next level those issues might give NFL scouts pause, but at this level I think you can get away with it a little. Driskel won't ever be Brees in terms pocket presence and release. He can still be a terrifically effective collegiate quarterback along the lines of a Klein from KSU who can compensate for his lack of prototypical pocket skills with great athleticism and a willingness to use his size and strength to his advantage.

I would personally rather dwell on what he did well this season: efficient thrower with few interceptions, great athlete who can create with his feet and break off long runs, and a ton of poise and competitive grit in big games. To win so impressively in College Station, Knoxville, and Tallahassee, not to mention against LSU and South Carolina, in your first season says a lot about this kids potential. Outside of the sacks, he was rather effective in those games.

[Gatorrick22]

Originally Posted by gators1422

In Kapernick's worst year he threw for more yards and TD's tjan Driskel. He never put up mind blowing numbers but if Driskel is half the QB he was we will be in good shape. As for Manziel "breaking records" almost everyone recruited him for the secondary, not QB. It's about measurables now not what kids actually can do on a football field.

And how do you compare Tom Brady's college career to Kaepernick's college career? Judging from your assumptions about college QB's TB would have even made it to the pros. There are several other great pro QB's that had unspectacular college careers, but Driskel, a first year starter, has two full years to make his mark.

He still can be as good as anyone now playing pro football. We'll just have to wait and see what next year brings.

Lets see how good, or bad, Driskel does next year with an upgraded line and receiving corp.

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by GatorAvatar

So the problem is not enough time with Pease, WR corp, OL and poor special team play...etc? LOL

That'd be a good place to start. I know you'd rather hate on everything Gator right now but the truth is he doesn't have receivers who get open, he doesn't have a line that can block with any consistency, and this was his first year with Pease. I believe his entitled to a little more before a firm opinion can be made.

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by sgtfury

You are the starting QB at UF you are cut zero slack from the get go. You were signed to lead the team and win. Pretty cut and dry no matter the circumstances or team around you.

Right. That's spoken like a true person who's never played the game before. Armchair QB I believe is how its put.

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by Lawdog88

The notion that some think / imply that this kid does not have it between the ears, is laughable.

Kid is articulate, poised, and obviously intelligent.

If anything, I think he simply tried TOO hard TOO often, instead of "relaxing" in the right way. We all know he can count to two Mississippi in his head just like anybody else. He just needs to be coached up and get more experience.

Kid is a gamer with a big heart, a team player, and plays hurt without complaining. I'm all in with Jeff.

Well said.

[GatorByte]

Originally Posted by rserina

Don't worry about him. He pretty much hates Florida players and coaches. It's his "schtick."

Kind of similar to how your "schtick" is constantly hating on the Gator fanbase.

[4everaGator]

Originally Posted by Gatorrick22

I see no "problems" with Driskel's play at QB. 11-2 isn't good enough for you? Ridiculous!

I am happy with the status quo, going 11-2 was great even though we had the stuff to go undefeated this year. But I sympathize with those who would like to see Florida be a bit better than the 118th passing offense in the country. I wouldn't mind moving into the 50s or 40s myself. But I also understand our offense is about ball control and we aren't going to score in 2 or 3 minutes like we did with Fun and Gun under SOS. I love it that we can play keep away and hold a lead if we need to.

[diehardgator1]

Originally Posted by sgtfury

You are the starting QB at UF you are cut zero slack from the get go. You were signed to lead the team and win. Pretty cut and dry no matter the circumstances or team around you.

Lets see 11-2 first year as a starter Co Champs of the Eastern division and played what many considered the toughest schedule in the country Oh yes one fumble away from maybe beating Georgia Seems to me he did dam good job of leading

[irish2u2]

Rserina makes excellent points. As usual.

So let's concentrate on plays where JD had time to throw and the receivers were doing their job and were open.

Without empirical data to back up this statement I guess some trust has to be extended to my powers of observation but Driskel's main issues were inconsistent accuracy and locking in to a primary receiver.

Logically both issues are solved with experience and a lot of work with his receivers. I am sure Pease has Jeff concentrating on finding second and third options on pass plays and looking off primary receivers. Driskel has to spend as much time as possible throwing to his receivers and getting to know what they can and cannot do.

Obviously other factors come into play. We had a good offensive line that still made a lot of mistakes. Next season we have some new guys stepping in and they have to do a job better of protecting Jeff. But Jeff has to do a better job of decision making. We had our fair share of coverage sacks but with a QB as mobile as Driskel that shouldn't be an issue. He should be able to get out of the tackle box and throw the ball away. Jeff has the ability to make plays and sometimes not losing a down and yards is a positive play.

Wideouts have their issues too. They need to run better, sharper routes. They need to get off the bump cleaner and they need to make plays to help their young QB.

It's really a simple formula.

The offensive line does it's job. Florida is able to run the ball effectively giving the offense dimension. Driskel gets better protection. The wideouts, under a new and highly accomplished coach, do their job too. They get off the LOS cleaner. They run better, sharper routes. They do a better job of helping their young QB out by making plays.

Experience, practice and good coaching let's Driskel use the extra time he gets in the pocket to make smart decisions. Running or throwing the ball away comes easier to him and the decision when to throw the ball away or run is more automatic. Less sacks. More positive plays because when Jeff runs he is very, very effective.

Because of all the work done by Jeff, his receivers and the offensive line the Gators are better able to use more of the field in passing situations. Florida doesn't have to be as predictable. The Gators can be more vertical and Driskel can distribute the ball to more receivers because he has the confidence in them earned in long workouts with them and because of the work of Joker Phillips. Brent Pease has the time to put his stamp on Driskel too. Play smart. Use the skills you have and the skills of the people around you. Relax and let the game come to you. Have fun.

I don't care if Jeff Driskel can become the next Colin Kaepernick or not. I just want Jeff to be the best Jeff Driskel he can be. He isn't as fast as Kaepernick but he is fast enough. JD has great running instincts which he needs to use. Judiciously. I don't want our QB taking the beating Tebow did as a Gator. I do want that ability to run to be an issue with opposing defenses because that gives Driskel time to get the ball downfield with his arm. In the little bit of watching Kaepernick he seems accurate enough though not Brady/Brees/Rodgers/Mannings type accurate. He's got a strong arm and he makes pretty good decisions. Most of all he seems supremely confident and I like that a lot so on second thought... yea.... lets all hope Driskel is a lot like Kaepernick.

[fox]

Originally Posted by rserina

It is a thoroughly valid question, but there is a danger in taking these things as mortal flaws as many on these boards do. There is also a danger in taking the last game of the season as more indicative of his play over the course of a season than it actually was.

Part of the problem this year was the quality of pass rush we faced. Texas A&M, LSU, South Carolina, Georgia, and FSU all had either great team rushes or great individual rushes. That not only bothers a young quarterback during the course of a game, but can carry over in terms of shaking his confidence, making him hear footsteps, etc. Our schedule this year should afford him a little less of that consistent pressure.

Another problem was the new offense. It is easy to say by the end of the year Driskel should have complete command of it, but when you are learning your second system in as many years things just aren't that simple. We were still adding to the offense heading in December. A little more absorption will help.

Yet another problem was Driskel's own fit for the system. The kid by all accounts did not receive great coaching as a signal caller at the prep level (if you recall, most of his film was running around and making plays when everything else broke down). He was recruited for a spread option system, spent his first year learning a more pro style, two tight end type of look, then went to more of a multiple heavy set/imbalanced line sort of an offense. We integrated some read option to make him comfortable and it worked well at times. But he just isn't a natural pocket passer. That's not his game, so the staff will certainly adjust the system to bring out what he does best since the offense will pretty much revolve around him next year.

One more issue was the talent around him, in particular the lack of pass protection and ability to beat man coverage at receiver. Teams weren't afraid to play bump and run us last year with a safety up in the box because our receivers weren't beating their jams. It was complicated by the fact that our line just wasn't very good in pass protection. Harrison I thought was the best on the year. Halapio is a great run blocker, but not as good in protection. Green I thought did not play as well as he is capable of. Nixon and Wilson were obviously weak links on the left side. Hopefully the influx of OL transfers and maturation of some of the younger guys, along with the arrival of some pretty nice freshman receivers and the last gasp of Debose to take bull by the horns will ameliorate this tandem problem. I am less optimistic about it happening in 2013 than I am in 2014.

Finally, some of the blame for the sacks reflects what the staff expressly dictated to Driskel: don't throw interceptions. We committed 15 turnovers on the season, nine alone in our two losses. The staff knew our best chance of success this season was to rely on a strong rushing attack and stellar defense and special teams. That also meant the worst thing Driskel could do was throw a dangerous pass. Though he may not be natural pocker passer, Driskel is very cerebral and responds very well to coaching. For instance, he nearly eliminated those scrambles into the boundary that hurt him so often early in the year. His willingness to take a sack rather than throw a contested ball directly resulted in a minimum of interceptions (5) and an efficient completion percentage (63.7%). Four of his five interceptions came in our two losses, but he only threw one pick the rest of the season. Given the sort of defenses we can expect here under Muschamp, I think this staff will make the trade of interceptions for sacks ever day of the week plus Saturdays (for obvious reasons).

So, I think it is a fair question to ask, but you also have to balance that out with what Driskel did well and what sort of obstacles he faced. Most of those obstacles will be removed or at least reduced this year. I am still skeptical that our playmaking at receiver has sufficiently improved to provide Driskel with easy throws against softer coverage or to make coordinators less likely to send pressure the way they did a year ago. That, in my opinion, will have to wait for 2014. But without question Driskel will be improved next year on the other counts.

Nice job. Please save it and be prepared to repost about a hundred times in the next 8 months.

[GatorinNYC]

Rserina, great post(s). Honest question though, what do you make of JD's inability to find the open man? I recall numerous games where we had WRs breaking free downfield and Jeff just didn't pick them up. It appeared to many an amateur eye that when his first read wasn't there, the play was sunk and he went into improv mode. There could be a ton of reasons for this, many of which you mentioned (piss poor protection, still learning the offense and thinking rather than just letting it rip), but lesser talents and guys as freshman have proven that it can be done. I mean, shouldn't the starting QB at Florida come into the position with an already established understanding of how to make progressions? Perhaps I'm focusing too much on the poor games and ignoring his successes in this area. It is certainly easier said than done and lord knows I haven't had to ever do it myself, notwithstanding my flag football glory days.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about his potential and think most are. His physical attributes are off the charts. And I believe you are spot on with your comments on how Muschamp emphasized not making TOs. Unfortunately, I don't think that will cut it next year bc we aren't likely to have a defense as dominant as it was in 12, which I suspect was arguably the best we've fielded in 20 yrs.

[mac4lyfe]

I'm not convinced that Driskel is cut out for a proset. I really think he would be better in a spread offense like Kaepernick was in. Time will tell...

[RealDeal]

driskel had one decent RB, a mediocre Oline and no good wide receivers---hard to evaluate him after 1 year.