Get Excited About the Defense

I did the same last year: convinced myself that the D would be better simply because we'd be "one year" older, and that some of the first year players would take a big year 2 jump. That never happened.

At a high level.....Talent + Development + Coaching = On-Field Production

We have a massive issue with on-field production....We all tend to think we have "talent" on the roster, so that leaves (yes, over simplified) development and coaching.

The season comes down to 2nd year players (and the 2 OT transfers) taking a massive leap in on-field production. I hope that happens!

 

Here’s my thoughts: You are an outstanding fan, and it’s awesome to hear your optimism and enthusiasm. I am a bit envious of you in this regard.

 

Miles Graham is scheduled for back surgery, and out for the rest of spring. Not sure what his back problem consisted of.

 

That sucks.

 

Florida has fielded some great defenses over the years. Bringing that back will be a huge part of future success. Obviously need the O and ST too.

 

Fix the defense!

MY mantra for too long.

If we're not better I'd be shocked. Again.

Just getting a competent SEC defense will make a huge difference in points allowed, getting the ball to what should be a good O more often and better position meaning more points and a less tired defense, and more wins.

 

Things are looking up!


What else can you say when you are at the bottom? Baffling season last year, being Year 2 and in the NIL/transfer era. To me, it may be merely about better players (new or older) or it may be about better coaching/coordination between the coaches. But in the end, Napier needs to say he "gets it". We shall see.

 

4th and 17 will take another decade to rid from my mind.

Now that we have multiple coordinators and a bloated staff what could possibly go wrong?

 

I’m confident we will be better but we could be better and still be bad.
I think bringing in Ron Roberts will help us enormously if he and AA mesh. I also think our talent, depth and experience is better than last year. If we don’t have a disastrous rash of injuries I think we may be good or even very good this year. Slackman, Turner and Howard are new pieces that will help. I think Graham and McCray have the ability to help immediately. A lot of guys that played as freshman and sophomores last year will be better. I also think Will Harris is a tremendous upgrade coaching our secondary. The guy exudes energy and confidence.

 

I’ve always considered myself somewhere between an optimist and a realist. Having coached sports for two decades (not football), I’m capable and reading and recognizing issues. As often as posters scream for an OC, the defense as a whole was definitively our biggest problem last year. Missed tackles and out of position was hard to watch. Had a serviceable SEC defense taken the field, we would’ve won a few more. But they weren’t and we didn’t. It’s in the past. Many of our complaints with coaching appears on the surface to have been addressed. I agree with 2old that the addition of Roberts may provide the experienced coaching our young staff needs. If it holds true and the AA that was raved about as an up and comer can finally provide us stopping power, then we may see a large jump in performance on the field.

As an aside, it seems the team based on their social media presence is bought in and focused. I really do like CBN and obviously most Gators aren’t happy with where we stand right now. I also dread yet another coaching search and would like to see this young HC put it all together. We could use a staff that gets it done and stays for a while to re-establish the brand. This is the time for optimism and we seem in have young and experienced talent now, so I’ll go the happy route for now. I hope all of Doc’s posts are accurate.

Now if the NCAA would just hammer UGA, this Gator in ATL would be so much happier.
Go Gators!

 

all they need to do is tackle a little better and cause more TOs. What did we get, 3 INTs last year, pathetic. Same for fumbles, we couldn't jar the ball loose

 

Not falling for this any longer.

I need to see a season’s worth of data to think this defense is even mediocre before I start thinking about it being good.

the biggest concern for me is the lack of difference makers on that side of the ball, or the entire team, really.

 

I got really excited about Max Brown before the FSU game and started a similar type thread, which didn’t go all that well so I’m gonna hold off on the defense for a little while. I’m hopeful it will be better.

 

Since you stated STAR is the most critical position, Another Site says Aaron Gates will be the starter at 'STAR'.
Lots of new faces at important positions. Hope I don't see every SEC offense burning our secondary yet again.
Pray these coaches can do a lot better than Toney who was a complete and total bust with little or no energy.

 

Don't base your life's course solely on one of the silliest things you've ever done.