So who is the starting TE next year?

[gator1986]

Oh... This could be a hard get..

[Tebowism0823]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

The offensive line was NOT that much better! At least not in my opinion.

Demps and Rainey were special in space, and against teams our offensive line could push around, they put up big number and big plays. But against good defenses, they were almost completely ineffective. They rarely ever had yardage after initial contact. You can blame that on the O-line, but I think it was more that those 2 weren't built for the running game we were trying to run.

Our running game with Gillisee was more of a power running game. Even when he was hit behind the LOS, he usually picked up 2 or 3 yards. Gillislee had very few runs where he lost yardage. There were a few games where the o-line played well at times, but generally, I thought they were inconsistent and disappointing.

I agree that the running game and o-line should be even better next year.

I believe most would agree with you.

[gtr2x]

Blocking can be replaced, but wrs will need to step up.

[ncorangeblue]

Originally Posted by themistocles

Yeah, Maddux, blocking was never Reed's thing.

Nor was getting an education

[atlantagator86]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

we just disagree here

I'm good with that. The offensive line had it's moments, but in general it was not very strong.

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

I'm good with that. The offensive line had it's moments, but in general it was not very strong.

I think they were much better than last year. They played well when healthy. You are just not going to win every battle against the guys they faced this year. I bet if you asked coach CWM he would say the line was much more physical and improved a lot.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Originally Posted by atlantagator86

I'm good with that. The offensive line had it's moments, but in general it was not very strong.

It was solid-for the most part-opening holes for Gilly, and LSU and FSU were statistically pretty good. FSU's stats were padded by an ACC schedule, but still a good defense. Considering the talent Florida saw across the front seven week in and week out, I'd say the line performed very well in the run game.

But there was no excuse for the pass protection to be as poor as it was.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

I think they were much better than last year. They played well when healthy. You are just not going to win every battle against the guys they faced this year. I bet if you asked coach CWM he would say the line was much more physical and improved a lot.

We were definitely better in the run game last year, just not pass protection. Though you are correct that facing the pass rushes of A&M, LSU, SC, UGA, and FSU pretty much put us against some of the best upfield pressure unites or individual rushers in the nation. Take away those games and we were somewhat solid. 25 of our 37 sacks on the season came during those five games, against 12 through the other seven. Hopefully we can tend toward the latter number rather than the former next season.

We should be much improved with a second year under Driskel and the additions on the offensive line. We return our top three lineman from a year ago (Harrison, Halapio, Green) and add much needed depth with the three transfers. If any of Silberman, Humphries, or Dunker are ready to make the leap, our top five will be solid and we should have great depth.

[neisgator]

Pass Pro was an embarrassment this year

[UGator]

I never thought Reed was as good as he hopefully will be later on, as he was just in his second year at the position. He might have been our best receiver option, but let's face it, we weren't that great with our pass game anyway. He would have been showcased better if we had better WR's to take the pressure off him.

He needs to stay another year if the draft has better players in the mix. The NFL TE's are more physical/durable/bigger, and can catch in traffic and consistently get open. Not sure Reed is there yet with his play. He's 6'3" and still lighter and shorter than most NFL TE's, but he can run pretty good. He needs to stop jumping for chest high balls unless he's in the end zone, and keep his feet moving for more yardage after the catch. DB's love to maul a receiver in the air so best to stay grounded if at all possible.

Taylor was the #1 TE in HS as a receiver but needs time to get bigger to block better. He would be a nightmare as a slot WR and tweener TE. Thompson has the size and can block better with less receiving skills. They will both be used in special packages that suite their individual talent. Time is the key and the learning curve will determine if they can really perform and the same is true with any new player.

[RealGatorFan]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Kent Taylor & Colin Thompson highlights

Well this seals it then. When have we ever thrown down the field since Meyer first resigned? Navy throws more then we do. We need TEs that can catch 1 yard past the LOS and then take it to the house.

[theologator]

If the TE is the top receiving option then the passing game is limited (e.g. Ben Troupe). When the TE is a dangerous option among many he can make all the difference (Kinney, CI, A-Hern) as a receiver and a blocker. The defense not knowing what he will do on a given play is a huge edge for the TE.

The two young guys will hopefully get bigger & stronger. I don't think Clay Burton catches well at all. He didn't look good in the spring game nor in his limited opportunities during the season. But just when a defense assumes him or Westbrook as a blocker, then they can make a critical play catching a 10-20 yard pass.

Reed proved himself this fall. I'd grown weary of the hype but he is gifted. He was also a real trooper during the mess of 2010. I'm happy for him, hope he stays but wish him well regardless.

[gator1986]

Originally Posted by RealGatorFan

Well this seals it then. When have we ever thrown down the field since Meyer first resigned? Navy throws more then we do. We need TEs that can catch 1 yard past the LOS and then take it to the house.

Not only a TE but a WR... I think with Pittman, along with the ones we got coming in this year will change that. I really like Bailey, very quick, good hands too. Quinton Dunbar I think might have a breakout season next year too, he has had glimpses of being what he was suppose to be.

[RealGatorFan]

I hope so because Pease did that at Boise St. Maybe we just didn't have the blocking down enough to buy Driskel time to throw it downfield. It just seems our ability to toss it downfield drastically declined when Mullen left.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by RealGatorFan

I hope so because Pease did that at Boise St. Maybe we just didn't have the blocking down enough to buy Driskel time to throw it downfield. It just seems our ability to toss it downfield drastically declined when Mullen left.

Funny, but that wasn't the consensus around here when Mullen was around. We were able to do it a little more during Tebow's first two years as a starter because teams were forced to account for the quarterback play action and because we had several future NFL starters at receiver who could beat their men downfield.

But we sure as heck didn't throw it "downfield" enough for these boards the first two years under Mullen and one of the persistent criticisms after nearly every loss (LSU iand SC in 05, Auburn in 06 and 07, Ole Miss in 08) was our lack of a deep ball.

To be honest, I think the throws beyond 20 yards are the riskiest and least successful plays in all of football. Even in the NFL, most teams that don't have a Brees or Manning or Brady or Rodgers would much rather run against plus boxes than play action down the field. If you can throw it every now and again, maybe even hit it, then that is fine, but it is completely overrated.

[gatordee]

Not sure if this was mentioned but a huge plus Gilly brought to the table was holding onto the ball. Rainey was good at coughing it up. Sometimes (not that you can fault him) tried to make something out of nothing or to get that extra yard and would lose the ball. I would hold my breath whenever he touched it because I was worried about a turnover or an injury. This year, Gilly ran the ball almost twice as much as Rainey and Demps and was healthy enough to play every game. No way either one of Demps or Rainey could have pulled this off even if they split the carry's. I also do not believe Gilly gets enough credit for how fast he was.

[DMann]

IMHO Reed would do well to come back and polish his game. He is nowhere near the route runner or blocker Hernandez was and ball security is not a strength. I didn't sleep at the Holiday Inn last night but I don't see him going in the first 3 rounds unless he has a super Sugar Bowl game. I thought the TE who transfered to Louisville would have played as many downs this year as Reed if he had cleaned up his act.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by DMann

IMHO Reed would do well to come back and polish his game. He is nowhere near the route runner or blocker Hernandez was and ball security is not a strength. I didn't sleep at the Holiday Inn last night but I don't see him going in the first 3 rounds unless he has a super Sugar Bowl game. I thought the TE who transfered to Louisville would have played as many downs this year as Reed if he had cleaned up his act.

Reed will not improve his stock more than his current 3rd round status no matter what he does next year so there's no reason for him to stay really. I believe he has already graduated as well.


I'm not worried about replacing him. We'll be fine

[ACmann]

Look for true freshman Kelvin Taylor to show out.

[lean_gator]

Colin Thompson will suprise a few people imo. Kid is a blocking machine and has good hands. His blocking ability might get him on the field quicker than Taylor.