Is Billy Napier a Good Play Caller?

Yep, if mullen called plays for the Bears, their offense would still suck. He may help the Bills get over the hump but i doubt it.

 

And giving the QB's freedom. IDK what happened, if defenses got too good or what, but even SOS seemed to reign in his QBs at USC compared to his UF days. Granted, we were spoiled with Shane and Danny and I'm pretty sure he had to manage Doug, Rex & Co. more than those two. But like you I like systems that give the QB more freedom. Makes it a lot harder for the defense when the guy at the line can run the offense himself.

 

I completely agree with your take. There are only 2 reasons in my mind for motion: To help the QB read the D and to confuse the D. The first can be accomplished with simply 1 WR or TE moving from one side to another. If its man coverage, his defender will go with him. If zone, the coverage will stay put. The other is to confuse the defense, but I think over Napier's tenure, our team has looked more confused than the high-level SEC defenses we face.

 

I don't think Spurrier found his ideal QB or WR's (after Alshon Jeffrey and Sidney Rice left) at SC. When he had Garcia and a high level WR, he tossed it all over the place, but Garcia was a head case. The guy he loved to death was Connor Shaw, who was a better runner than passer and Spurrier adjusted to his personnel. Which is what GREAT coaches do.

 

Honestly, I think BN has adjusted to his personnel, he's just had some major gaps in it until this year hopefully. AR couldn't throw short passes, Mertz was the opposite and had a patchwork o-line. Play calling was a lot different with Lagway in the game.
I mentioned it in a post on the previous page, I don't know if I can really gauge his playcalling effectively at this point because on the issues he's dealt with. I've been extremely frustrated at times, the lack of expedience in getting the calls in cost us Arkansas two years ago and has been a drain consistently. He's conservative, but gets aggressive at the worst times.
He had personnel issues for a lot of his tenure, but that is absolutely not going to be an issue this year unless we have massive issues with injuries (like the oline two years ago). This is the year where he can prove himself. It isn't always going to look pretty with the schedule we have, hopefully Lagway is healthy through the season, he can run the full playbook.

 

It shouldnt in year one. Hs kids get the plays in.

 

It's no coincidence that Clemson fans were saying the same thing we've been saying. No he's not a good play caller. What I call good, is play calling that gets you to the playoffs. Ryan Day is a damn good play caller and he even went and got an OC. Billy Napier reminds me of Mike White. Good guy. Good recruiter. Just all over the place when it comes to identity as far as what he's trying to accomplish. JMO

 

1) When you, a fan, can predict what the next play is going to be - you know the defense can as well.

2) Why aren't we utilizing our TE's more?

Hayden Hansen was 15 for 205 yards last season. That's an average of 15 yards per touch.

He's HUGE: 6'8" & 289 lbs., has good hands, and is a good blocker.

2024 SEASON: Gators' starting tight end in all 13 games. Has recorded 15 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown, including two receptions of over 35 yards. 12 of his 15 receptions have gone for either a first down or a touchdown. Has not allowed a sack on 75 pass blocking snaps... Totaled 601 offensive snaps.

• vs. No. 19 Miami: Started at tight end and appeared in 29 offensive snaps in home opener.
• vs. Samford: Snagged a career-long 40-yard reception en route to a career-high 46 receiving yards in start against Samford.
• vs. Texas A&M: Caught one pass for 11 yards on three targets in start at tight end versus Texas A&M.
• at Mississippi State: Corralled a 35-yard touchdown in start at Mississippi State.
• vs. UCF: Registered two receptions for 13 yards and a first down while starting against UCF.
• at No. 8 Tennessee: Recorded three catches for 40 yards with all three going for first downs.
• vs. Kentucky: Made 16th consecutive start at tight end for the Gators in win against Kentucky.
• vs. No. 2 Georgia: Extended start streak to 17 versus the Bulldogs.
• at No. 5 Texas: Started at tight end, playing on 47 total snaps.
• vs. No. 21 LSU: Hauled in a 19-yard first-down reception in his 19th consecutive start.
• vs. No. 9 Ole Miss: Started for the 20th consecutive game, working on 36 run blocking snaps and 15 on pass plays.
• at Florida State: Notched three receptions for 25 yards and two first downs. Made the start in the 20-point victory over the Seminoles.
• Gasparilla Bowl vs. Tulane: Started his 13th game at tight end... Caught two passes (three targets) for 18 yards and totaled a season high 69 offensive snaps.

Remember Brock Bowers & Kyle Pitts? Just sayin'.......

 

Use the TE more? Please no. We don't have a Bowers or Pitts.

 

I can’t disagree with this. I just think most of us are like …”OK, this is it. We love the program & infrastructure building. Love the player evaluations. Love the culture Sunday thru Friday. But this is the year to see it on Saturday”. And we’re just pumped to see it play out. It may or may not happen but it’s just not in my DNA to shit on the season before it starts.

 

And it is in my DNA to argue like hell with anybody who does

 

When has he ever been a good play caller? Seemed demoted from Clemson. I know he didn't call plays at bama. I think when he became coach in Louisiana he took over the play calling but he sure didn't set the offense on fire. And actually last year's improvement imo was about the defense.
I was there at the UT game and frankly his play calling was the pits. For some reason, maybe ego, pride or the inner voice that says I'll show them, he retains play calling. Maybe DJ if remains healthy will make up for bad play calling.

Truthfully, I really like BN and I hope he succeeds. IMO I hope at some point he relinquishes this duty.

 

True but if a guy averages 15 per catch and only getting the ball 1.2 times a game, you might wonder why not more.

 

I am not convinced either way yet. He had to set up the offense around Mertz's skillset last couple years. Interested to see if he adapts to Lagway's skillet. If they become predictable, he's cooked himself by not handing it over.

 

Per Gemini:

The QB is getting the play directly from the coach, there is no more sending the signal in from the sideline. Any delay seen is in the implementation of the play by the players.

There is a 40 second clock, that gives the coach up to 25 seconds to communicate the play to the QB before the mic turns off.

UF avg 63 plays of offense per game in 2024, the avg across college football was 74 plays.
ranking UF 120 our of 134 teams

interestingly OSU avg is the same

College Football Stats - College FB Team Plays per Game | TeamRankings.com

With all the motion that is in the Napier offense, it dictates a slower pace to the game.