After two blowout losses, what is your perception of the program now? Is this simply growing pains or is the coaching not getting the job done? Can it really be that we are that far behind LSU and Bama in skill and player potential?
My thoughts are a combination, but I put most of the blame on the coaches. UF has had top ten ranked recruiting classes the past five years, and the players we got were also considering the other good programs. Or were the recruiting rankings really a mirage? While the 2010 class was good and many of those players are starting or significantly contributing as sophomores, the 2007-2009 classes look somewhat suspect in hindsight. I understand that the players were recruited for the spread, but really, we wouldn't have been close to these two teams running the spread either. Isn't it the coaches job to modify the system to fit the personnel? Great we want to run the pro set I, but can't, so maybe we need to run a hybrid pro set spread. And don't get me started on strength, we don't even begin to match up. My biggest concerns coming out of these two games regarding coaching are: - bad play calling. Yes I know Weis is a genius, but I think he outsmarts himself sometimes. Last night, reverting to the spread, run Burton twice and then put the true freshman in to throw on 3rd and 13! Was he channeling the dazzler? Overall, I believe he is coaching like he is in the NFL. Coach for field position, play conservatively and and wait for the other team to make mistakes. Works in the no fun league due to parity, but not in college where there are too many mismatches week to week. You have to be aggressive and keep the other team on it's heels. - lack of fundamentals, particularly on defense. Coach Dawg is defensive genius, but we can't seem to get lined up right, have too many penalties and for goodness sake can't tackle. Big hits are fun, but if the guy with the balk doesn't go down, they are useless. - composure. From CD and his rants to the seemingly emotionless play on the field, we can't seem to find a good mix. CD needs to tone down a bit (although two beat downs made him nit so demonstrative yesterday), the players need to amp it up a notch or two. Once again, I think part of this is the NFL influence. Our mantra of nameless faceless opponents and go out there with a professional, business like attitude. The college game is emotion based and thrives on rivalries, manage to that, don't shy away from it! I understand we have a lot of young players, but I also see older players who make plays hut don't get many opportunities like Gillisle. If we don't start playing and coaching better, this will be a very long season. I felt coming in 8-4 was the baseline, and we can still reasonably do hat or better, but the way we are losing hurts. Not being competitive sucks, I can handle a 14 point loss, being down 14 in the first 8 minutes doesn't make for a fun day. Ken K MNGator -- 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 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
