What is an "I" for the fans all about? Our fans outlasted the TV announcers, the UT band and the UT fans.
I'd give Randy and the other fans attending an A+ just for going into the intimidating stadium we own next to the Vol Navy pier. A. Leon Polhill FlaNative1845 330 NW 45th Street Gainesville, FL 32607 (352) 367-4642 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of PCGator Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 6:18 PM To: Gatornews Subject: [gatornews] The Armchair QB Grading the Gators vs UT Lead: It is Monday Morning and the Armchair Quarterback grades the Gators on their performance vs. University of Tennessee. Coach Urban Meyer's mantra for winning football is play great defense, don't turn the ball over, and have great special teams. Florida did just that in defeating the University of Tennessee 30 - 6 in Knoxville on Saturday. The Gators scored 17 first quarter points, highlighted by Brandon James 78 yard punt return for touchdown that silenced the hometown crowd, then played solid defense, turning back the Vols twice inside their own 5 yard line, to secure their first SEC victory of the 2008 season. FIRST IMPRESSIONS IMPRESSIVE: James Brandon, Janoris Jenkins, A J Jones, Joe Haden, Jonathan Phillips, Special Teams and defense SOLID: Offensive line, running backs, receivers, Tim Tebow NEED WORK: Still too many penalties and kickoff coverage, but I am being real picky THE GRADES DEFENSIVE LINE: Lawrence Marsh, Terron Sanders, Matt Patchan and the rest of the defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage through out the game. While the defensive line did not record a sack, they were instrumental in holding Tennessee's vaunted running attack to just 96 yards. GRADE A LINEBACKERS: Brandon Spikes was his usual sideline-to-sideline self, leading all Florida tacklers with 10. The star of the line backing corps was SLB A J Jones who had his best game to date as a Gator. Jones recorded seven tackles, deflected a pass, and just missed a sack. GRADE A DEFENSIVE BACKS: Don't let the Vols 162 passing yards fool you; the Vols paid a heavy toll for each and every one of them. Led by freshman CB Janoris Jenkins, who had 2 tackles, caused a fumble, and intercepted a pass, Florida's secondary allowed just 9 yards a completion. Behind the sure tackling of Major Wright and Joe Haden, 8 tackles a piece, the Gators were able to stay away from allowing Tennessee any big plays in the passing game. GRADE A OFFENSIVE LINE: With senior G Jim Tartt returning to the starting lineup, the Gators were able to avoid several of the missed assignments that plagued the unit against Miami, allowing just one sack. Florida clearly had the advantage as the Gators relied on the running game in the second half to control clock and milk the game away. GRADE B+ RECEIVERS: The receivers were called upon to deliver much in this game. Florida completed only seven passes to the receivers for a total of 87 yards. TE Aaron Hernandez and WR/RB Percy Harvin each had a touchdown reception. What the receivers did do well, and they do it as well as anyone, was block. GRADE B+ RUNNING BACKS: Florida uses this game to debut their latest running back, Emmanuel Moody. Moody was solid if not spectacular rushing 9 times for 55 yards. RB Chris Rainey added another 42 yards on another 9 carries. RB Kestahn Moore appears to have become the next in a distinguished line of blocking backs. GRADE B+ QUARTERBACK: Tim Tebow was efficient, if not spectacular. Tebow tossed two touchdown passes on just 8 completions, while attempting just 15 passes. Tebow added another 26 yards on 12 rushing attempts but it appeared that Tennessee was stacking the deck against Tebow. Tebow continues to improve his game management skills. GRADE B KICKING/SPECIALTY: With 10 minutes 18 seconds gone in the first period Brandon James had 144 return yards and a touchdown, Florida had a 17 - 0 lead and neither James nor the Gators ever looked back. Chas Henry only had one punt, a 57 yarder that got Florida out of trouble in the second quarter. K Jonathan Phillips continues to impress, making all of his field goals and extra points. GRADE A+ COACHING: Staked to good early field position and points from special teams offensive coordinator Dan Mullen didn't need to take the wraps off the offense, so he played it pretty conservatively throughout the game. Defensive coordinators Charlie Strong's game plan was fairly simple, stop the run and keep the receivers in front of the defender. Mission accomplished. Strong used 8 men in the box to shut down the Vols' run game with a two deep zone. Solid tackling made the whole thing work like a charm. Coach Meyer's special team units were, in a word, outstanding. GRADE Defense A+, Offense B+, Special Teams A+ FANS: Watching from television doesn't allow for much of a grade, but watching the Tennessee fans leaving in the third quarter must have been sweet for the Florida faithful that made the trip. GRADE I FINAL THOUGHTS Brandon James may just be the best kick returner in Florida history. Major Wright is fast becoming a tackling machine instead of just a headhunter. When did Joe Haden become Mr. I will knock you on you butt if you come in my neighborhood? Did anybody see the block Percy Harvin threw for Brandon James on his punt return for touchdown, don't tell me Harvin's not a team player. This team might turn out to be pretty good, time will tell. OVERALL GRADE: A Randy Platt The Armchair Quarterback Later GATORS, after while the rest! E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.383) Database version: 5.10740 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ <http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
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