Florida Gators Thoughts of the Week: April 1 – April 7

We are just a few short days away from the “Orange and Blue Debut” effectively closing out the first spring under new head coach Jim McElwain. So far, we have seen a new offense being installed, a whole new recruiting strategy, new energy, and some fireworks (between the Mark Long fiasco, the “we didn’t get better today” press conference, and the multiple swings at Will Muschamp’s staff) – about what we expected.

Let’s look back and let’s look forward.

 

Top 10 Things I Am Looking For in O&B Debut*

  1. Will Grier – How will the redshirt freshman look? Will he look like the quarterback people expect him to look like coming out of Davidson Day School? How will he be in the pocket? What about when the pocket breaks down?
  2. Treon Harris – How will he look? Will he show improvement over last season? How has he adjusted to the new offense?
  3. Who has stepped up to be a threat at wide receiver with opposing Demarcus Robinson?
  4. Has Daniel McMillian finally started to turn the corner?
  5. What the heck has become of Marcell Harris?
  6. Is Adam Lane running with the same intensity he did during the Birmingham Bowl?
  7. How is Trip Thurman snapping the ball at center?
  8. Is Taven Bryan really the freak that he is being described as?
  9. Is Chris Thompson becoming a deep threat?
  10. How have Bryan Cox, Jr. and Alex McCalister stepped-up to replace Dante Fowler?

*(Of course, depending on the format of the Debut. We may not get an answer to all of these questions.)

What Record Are You Happy With?

I was reading the other day, that Bleacher Report writer Barrett Sallee said that the Gators would go 7-5 (4-4 SEC) with losses against Missouri, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State. While it is hard to argue against a 7-5 record, one could just as easily say that with a somewhat competent offense, the Gators should go at least 8-4.

In my opinion, the Gators should be happy with 8-4, and content with 7-5, if they show steady improvement. The Gators still have a lot of questions at quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, linebacker, and safety. While many of these questions may have answers by the end of summer, it would be tough to expect much more, right?

While Gator fans are never satisfied, what record would you be OK with next season?

 

Quick Thought on the Masters

I love golf – watching and playing. It is one of my vices and eats a lot of money. As a fan of golf, I understand that not everyone does, which leads me to this quick thought: Does any other sporting event bring out more non-fans for one single event, only for them to quickly forget everything about it? Maybe the Kentucky Derby?

I mean, truly, the Masters allows for the once a year golf watcher to opine on the 98-man field as if they are David Feherty and everyone seems OK with it.

Just listen around your office, you will hear these folks talk about reading greens, “Amen Corner”, their slice, and how the wish they got out on the course more – and then wait til next April when you hear them again.

 

With Rod Johnson Out…

With Rod Johnson out, the Gators have just over enough offensive linemen to even field a line. It goes to show you, that the line of scrimmage is the second most important position to have depth at (besides quarterback), because you are hearing how damaging it can be to only have a few offensive linemen able to play. It hurts the quarterback, running backs, and wide receivers, while not allowing the line to fully gel.

To this day, I will never understand how Will Muschamp called it a line of scrimmage league, yet he never focused on building the numbers.

 

Kirk Callahan

In my day, I have heard dozens and dozens of coaches speak, but very few have impressed me as much as Kirk Callahan. He is exceptionally poised, has a very high IQ, and speaks clearly and concisely. If his ability to speak has any correlation to his ability to coach, the Gators have gotten a helluva coach.

 

Must Read Articles of the Week

Song of the Week

Craig Morgan is one of my favorite musical artists, and feel as if he is very underrated in the music industry. I like him, primarily, because his music really resonates with life and its simplicities, rather than loads of money, fancy cars (or tractors), and spending a life down by the river bank.

Morgan is a proud Army veteran and often sings about the military.

This week, let’s look at one of my favorite songs of his:

Daniel Thompson
Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan oversees the IT consulting practice of a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, bourbon, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan can be found on Twitter at @DK_Thompson.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I’m gonna say 8-4 needs to be the goal. I’m not necessarily in favor of putting a specific number out there, but to keep momentum and recruiting positive, we need at least an 8-4, with potential of 9-4 after a bowl win. Accomplishing that with a red-shirt freshman QB or even a sophomore would be a huge step forward.

    It’s likely Miami will be looking for a new coach next year and a strong, positive year for the Gators and Randy Shannon could bring a great class to UF next year.

    Go Gators!

  2. I believe Trip Thurman is being held out of spring practice due to a shoulder issue that the coaches want to take time for him to heal properly and be 100% by this fall.
    We won’t see him participating Saturday.,