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re: 2022 Football Discussion Thread General Thoughts & Comments
Posted on 8/17/22 at 1:20 pm to reel_gator8
Posted on 8/17/22 at 1:20 pm to reel_gator8
If we have a winning season and deliver Ls to Tenn, UK, and FSU, I'll be happy so long as we look like a solid team in all phases. I also want to look better at the end of the season that at the beginning. I'd have to go back and look, but my feeling with the last two coaching staffs were that we started out strong only to get really sloppy in the back half of the season. Those 10 win seasons were nice, but I rarely felt like we dominated.
For this year, winning 8 games where we just look solid up and down and dropping 4 where we look competitive would be fine with me. I've gotten to the point where a 10 win season where two or three of those were head scratchers makes me very leery of how sustainable that will be over the long haul.
I think that will lay a solid foundation for what could be a special 2023 (I am drinking the recruiting Kool Aid).
For this year, winning 8 games where we just look solid up and down and dropping 4 where we look competitive would be fine with me. I've gotten to the point where a 10 win season where two or three of those were head scratchers makes me very leery of how sustainable that will be over the long haul.
I think that will lay a solid foundation for what could be a special 2023 (I am drinking the recruiting Kool Aid).
1
Posted on 8/18/22 at 7:38 am to LuciusSulla
Winning season ??? I think we muzzle the mongrels in Jax and we will prove pundits wrong.
And the naysayers who wear orange and blue should buckle up for the ride.
And the naysayers who wear orange and blue should buckle up for the ride.
Posted on 8/18/22 at 6:32 pm to reel_gator8
I feel pretty good about this staff and team.
But the nasty aftertaste of the last staff and season is making me a bit gun shy with pumping too much sunshine for this season.
I always hated the Mullen hire, he was the ONE guy I didn't want to replace Mac in 2017. I think last year was like 90% of Mullen totally sucking than this team totally sucking.
We will find out soon.
But the nasty aftertaste of the last staff and season is making me a bit gun shy with pumping too much sunshine for this season.
I always hated the Mullen hire, he was the ONE guy I didn't want to replace Mac in 2017. I think last year was like 90% of Mullen totally sucking than this team totally sucking.
We will find out soon.
Posted on 8/19/22 at 12:41 pm to reel_gator8
Reel, you say some variation of this literally every season, lol. We've beaten UGA four times since I joined tRant.
So while I appreciate the limitless bounds of your enthusiasm, you ain't exactly the most reliable crystal ball, lol.
So while I appreciate the limitless bounds of your enthusiasm, you ain't exactly the most reliable crystal ball, lol.
Posted on 8/19/22 at 2:12 pm to LuciusSulla
quote:
Reel, you say some variation of this literally every season, lol.
Reel is like me, I never go into a season expecting to lose. I predict the Gators will be 12-0 every season until someone proves me wrong. As a fan that has no skin in the game, why not expect the best? Sometimes optimism wears off to others and someone who didn't believe, starts to. So this year I expect the Gators to be 12-0 and kick the mutts arse. If I am right, it will be glorious and I won't be the one who said that we would only win 7 or 8 games.
Go Gators! And at the end of the day, Georgia still sux!!
This post was edited on 8/19/22 at 2:13 pm
Posted on 8/20/22 at 8:46 am to LuciusSulla
Lucius, yes Im optimistic every year and if the good Lord lets me live in 2023 I will be optimistic again.
My orange and blue glasses only sees Gators kicking butts, whether its basketball, tennis, cross country or checkers.
My orange and blue glasses only sees Gators kicking butts, whether its basketball, tennis, cross country or checkers.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 2:14 pm to reel_gator8
Florida could be a team full of 2 and 3 stars and you’d still expect a CFP appearance. 
Posted on 8/20/22 at 3:03 pm to finchmeister08
I am just hoping Richardson being the starter getting all the reps now will turn into the QB that we think he is capable of. If he can do that and stay on the field we have enough talent to play with anyone(if injuries don't kill us). I think our recruit talent composite for this years roster will be about # 10 this season.
Posted on 8/20/22 at 9:58 pm to Gator Fever
I think AR will have an ‘07 Tebow kind of year, and result in him coming back in ‘23. When was the last time a RS soph QB left for the draft?
Posted on 8/21/22 at 2:05 pm to finchmeister08
Napier Press Conference Notes (08/21/22)... Typed these as I was listening...
- Team Photo Day today
- 2nd scrimmage - lot of good, but still need to work on consistency... Defensively, tackling an issue in 2nd scrimmage. Focus on gap integrity and alignment up front. Offensively... another level of detail is out there (needed? - maybe talking little things)... perimeter play needs to improve, TEs and WRs. Need to clean up issues in red zone. Special Teams... need better play from specialists (hopefully he's overexaggerating this)... Finally need to develop the 2-deep, working on that this week.
- Thankful that single game tickets are sold out for home opener vs. Utah, very thankful for fan support
- Making progress regarding 2-deep on OL (who are starters, rotational guys...), they know who the 6th, 7th, 8th guys are.
- Believes UF has made progress up front on both LOS. A lot of guys though will have their first opportunities in the (first) game. Mentioned Sapp, Boone, Princely.
- Much improved offensively in 2nd scrimmage WRT taking care of the ball and not turning it over. Said it was "pretty clean". Said full SEC crew was there to officiate. Ref Crew had an instructional session with team on Friday. Thinks the team will benefit from this (they did this also in the Spring).
- Couldn't make out the question WRT 2 players hurt (which names... microphone went fuzzy). Napier thinks both guys could be back this week.
- Jack Miller had thumb avulsion fracture (same injury Drew Brees had, also CP3 had it last NBA season). Thinks Miller will miss at least first 2-3 games. Hopeful to be back Week 3. Mentioned there is a competition for backup spot. Mentioned Kitna and Engle both doing well.
- Asked if AR went down, if comfortable with backup situation. Napier specifically asked about some name (again mic is all fuzzy..). Napier mentioned he is very comfortable and happy with said player.
- Asked about AR running the ball WRT injury situation behind him. Said to win, they will have to use AR's strengths on the ground. Talks about AR making the right decisions.
- Asked about RB situation. Says RB room is improving. Mentioned Etienne has shown flashes. Talked about 4 guys being productive. Talked about RB's roles with both protection scenarios, and running the ball. Mentioned proven guys Montrell and Nayquon.
- Asked about rules changes this year. Mentioned it should help with keeping the game safer and keeping the integrity of the game (regarding faking injuries).
- Asked about final 3 practices before starting game prep and progress. Mentioned he can't answer that and tell the full truth (haha). Reiterates that there has been improvement made. Thinks there are a lot of players that are going to make significant strides throughout the season. Says they are now much more of a close-nit group.
- Asked about why AR has been out of the public eye recently (lol... our media... smh). Says AR has made a lot of improvement within last 4-5 practices. Says he cant ask for much more WRT AR's humility, consistency, and attitude. Says AR is still at this point an inexperienced player. Working towards getting him game ready. Mentions with his only start he wasn't sure if AR knew the whole week he would be the starter (lol Mullen). Says AR rises to the occasion the brighter the lights are. Says he wants AR to change the players when he walks into the room, when he walks onto the field. Says current challenge for AR is to embrace "I am the standard". Says he wants AR to be the player guys should look at if they have any question about the UF football program.
- Asked about Toney's defense and scheme causing problems for offense during camp and scrimmage. Says he doesn't know if he wants to answer lol. Basically gave the media the runaround on this one.
- Asked about kicking competition. Says that is to be determined. Healthy competition. Says we'll have press conferences now and before kickoff when asked again about who was starting lol.
- Asked about Ethan White during scrimmage. Says Ethan had a minor setback, small procedure. David Conner also hurt, extent TBD. Says Ethan White has nothing major.
- Team Photo Day today
- 2nd scrimmage - lot of good, but still need to work on consistency... Defensively, tackling an issue in 2nd scrimmage. Focus on gap integrity and alignment up front. Offensively... another level of detail is out there (needed? - maybe talking little things)... perimeter play needs to improve, TEs and WRs. Need to clean up issues in red zone. Special Teams... need better play from specialists (hopefully he's overexaggerating this)... Finally need to develop the 2-deep, working on that this week.
- Thankful that single game tickets are sold out for home opener vs. Utah, very thankful for fan support
- Making progress regarding 2-deep on OL (who are starters, rotational guys...), they know who the 6th, 7th, 8th guys are.
- Believes UF has made progress up front on both LOS. A lot of guys though will have their first opportunities in the (first) game. Mentioned Sapp, Boone, Princely.
- Much improved offensively in 2nd scrimmage WRT taking care of the ball and not turning it over. Said it was "pretty clean". Said full SEC crew was there to officiate. Ref Crew had an instructional session with team on Friday. Thinks the team will benefit from this (they did this also in the Spring).
- Couldn't make out the question WRT 2 players hurt (which names... microphone went fuzzy). Napier thinks both guys could be back this week.
- Jack Miller had thumb avulsion fracture (same injury Drew Brees had, also CP3 had it last NBA season). Thinks Miller will miss at least first 2-3 games. Hopeful to be back Week 3. Mentioned there is a competition for backup spot. Mentioned Kitna and Engle both doing well.
- Asked if AR went down, if comfortable with backup situation. Napier specifically asked about some name (again mic is all fuzzy..). Napier mentioned he is very comfortable and happy with said player.
- Asked about AR running the ball WRT injury situation behind him. Said to win, they will have to use AR's strengths on the ground. Talks about AR making the right decisions.
- Asked about RB situation. Says RB room is improving. Mentioned Etienne has shown flashes. Talked about 4 guys being productive. Talked about RB's roles with both protection scenarios, and running the ball. Mentioned proven guys Montrell and Nayquon.
- Asked about rules changes this year. Mentioned it should help with keeping the game safer and keeping the integrity of the game (regarding faking injuries).
- Asked about final 3 practices before starting game prep and progress. Mentioned he can't answer that and tell the full truth (haha). Reiterates that there has been improvement made. Thinks there are a lot of players that are going to make significant strides throughout the season. Says they are now much more of a close-nit group.
- Asked about why AR has been out of the public eye recently (lol... our media... smh). Says AR has made a lot of improvement within last 4-5 practices. Says he cant ask for much more WRT AR's humility, consistency, and attitude. Says AR is still at this point an inexperienced player. Working towards getting him game ready. Mentions with his only start he wasn't sure if AR knew the whole week he would be the starter (lol Mullen). Says AR rises to the occasion the brighter the lights are. Says he wants AR to change the players when he walks into the room, when he walks onto the field. Says current challenge for AR is to embrace "I am the standard". Says he wants AR to be the player guys should look at if they have any question about the UF football program.
- Asked about Toney's defense and scheme causing problems for offense during camp and scrimmage. Says he doesn't know if he wants to answer lol. Basically gave the media the runaround on this one.
- Asked about kicking competition. Says that is to be determined. Healthy competition. Says we'll have press conferences now and before kickoff when asked again about who was starting lol.
- Asked about Ethan White during scrimmage. Says Ethan had a minor setback, small procedure. David Conner also hurt, extent TBD. Says Ethan White has nothing major.
Posted on 8/21/22 at 3:05 pm to boXerrumble
Box thanks for typing up those notes 
Posted on 8/21/22 at 3:44 pm to Partha
Napier provides update on health of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, defensive back Jason Marshall Jr.
GRAHAM HALL 107 minutes ago
GRAHAM HALL 107 minutes ago
quote:
For the first time since transfer wide receiver Ricky Pearsall suffered a left-foot injury Aug. 9 in fall camp, Florida coach Billy Napier addressed Pearsall's status and ongoing recovery Sunday. Napier was asked about a timeline for Pearsall's return, in addition to an update on sophomore cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.., and the first-year UF head coach insinuated the duo will make an imminent return to the practice field.
"We feel really good about their progress, and we anticipate getting them back this week," Napier said during Sunday's media availability. "I think both are very common injuries and things that are just taking a little bit of time. We're just waiting on the performance team and training room, and strength and conditioning, to make a decision that they're ready to go."
Napier didn't specify whether either player would be full participants or remain limited throughout the final days of preseason camp, which concludes Wednesday. The Gators expect to begin game preparation Thursday for the season-opener against No. 8-ranked Utah. Multiple sources told Swamp247 that Marshall has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury and has been limited primarily for precautionary reasons. Marshall, a five-star prospect and the No. 29 overall player in the class of 2021 in 247Sports composite ranking, has continued to train in the south end zone throughout camp rather in skill development. He didn't participate in either of Florida's scrimmages.
"They've been doing quite a bit of work, but in a controlled setting, if that makes sense," Napier continued. "We anticipate getting both of those guys back shortly."
Following his injury, Pearsall was seen the following day, Aug. 10, in a walking boot underneath the roll-up overhead doors of the indoor practice facility as UF practiced outside. He hasn't been observed participating with his unit since his injury, which Swamp247 later reported would be a "day-to-day" recovery for the former standout at Arizona State. Now, nearly two weeks later, Pearsall continues to make progress but he isn't ready to return to full participation with the program. During the 2021 season with the Sun Devils, Pearsall led all targets with 48 receptions for 550 yards and four touchdowns. He also added six rushes for 44 yards and a score.
He's not the only wide receiver who has been sidelined in fall camp. Florida's leading target from last season, Justin Shorter, wasn't observed at Saturday's scrimmage after being observed Friday in a black non-contact jersey in the south end zone rather than in skill development groups with UF's wide receiver unit. Ja'Markis Weston, meanwhile, continues to participate in a non-contact jersey, though he has been able to run routes-on-air with Florida's quarterbacks.
The ailments of all three players has brought uncertainty to a room Napier initially envisioned would have a significant competition throughout the preseason.
“I think some of the newcomers have impressed but overall, I would say the receiver position, there’s going to be a ton of competition,” Napier said on Aug. 5, four days prior to Pearsall’s injury. “We’ve got a lot of players that are in a similar place in their career and I think that group, they’re going to be competing not only throughout training camp but I can see that being a weekly competition.”
Posted on 8/21/22 at 3:52 pm to Partha
quote:
Box thanks for typing up those notes
No problem
Gonna be a bit harder for me to do these during weekdays in the middle of the season but will try to do what I can Posted on 8/21/22 at 4:49 pm to finchmeister08
I think Trey Lance did and didn't even play but a game or two that last season but not really sure how many QBs have left after a redshirt sophomore season for the NFL draft.
Posted on 8/21/22 at 9:19 pm to Gator Fever
The 15 most important assistant coaching hires of 2022 -- No. 14: Rob Sale, Florida
At Florida, the third revolution will begin up front.
ZACH BARNETT AUG 2, 2022
At Florida, the third revolution will begin up front.
ZACH BARNETT AUG 2, 2022
quote:
Who: Rob Sale, Florida
Title: Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach
Previous stop: New York Giants offensive line coach (2021)
Why he's important: Going back to when Steve Spurrier invented Florida football in 1990, 30-odd years of history tell us the Billy Napier era in Gainesville will go one of two ways. He'll revolutionize offensive football and win a national title or two along the way, or they'll run him out of town relatively quickly. Spurrier and his Fun 'N' Gun brought one title to Florida, Urban Meyer's power spread brought two. Otherwise, Ron Zook got three seasons, Will Muschamp got four, Jim McElwain two and a half, and Dan Mullen four. The Mullen case is especially instructive. His Gators tenure started 29-8, and as October began last he had Florida ranked No. 11 in the AP poll following a 2-point loss to No. 1 and defending national champion Alabama. His tenure was all but over a month later.
So, what's Billy Napier's plan to revolutionize football and dominate the game?
Rob Sale.
That's a little unfair. Okay, that's a lot unfair. Rob Sale can't be expected to transform the game on his own, in part because he won't be designing and building the offense on his own.
An LSU offensive lineman under Nick Saban, Sale was an original member off Saban's Alabama staff as an analyst and an assistant strength coach under Scott Cochran. In 2011, a young analyst named Billy Napier joined the staff. The pair split after the 2011 national title -- Napier to Colorado State with Jim McElwain (irony!), Sale to run the offensive line at McNeese. Sale's work at McNeese led him to the O-line job at Georgia in 2015, but he was swept out after a year when Mark Richt was let go after that season. He spent 2016 at ULM and then re-joined Napier the following year, at Arizona State, with Napier as the offensive architect and Sale the general contractor.
Sale came along when Napier landed the Louisiana job, with both men moving up a level -- Napier to head coach, Sale to offensive coordinator while continuing to coach the offensive line. That arrangement worked wonderfully. Sale sent three Ragin' Cajuns linemen to the NFL and, eventually, himself, coaching the New York Giants' offensive line last season, Joe Judge's last on the job. (Sale seems to have a talent for joining non-Napier head coaches in their final year.)
Along the way, Napier went 40-12 at UL and oversaw an offense that rewrote the record book. The 2019 offense was the best in Cajuns history, tallying more yards and touchdowns than any in school history.
Now at their fourth school together in a relationship spanning more than a decade, Napier and Sale no longer need words to communicate. Grunts and nods will do.
“You don’t have a lot of wasted time,” Sale said this spring. “You don’t have to sit there and shut the door and say, ‘We’re putting in these eight concepts.’ We can just send a text or I can just look at the install and say, ‘Alright we’ve got this today.’
“We can walk past in the hall and say, ‘We’ve got this, they’re doing this’ and it’s, ‘Alright, I got ya boss.’ We can be efficient in other areas. We’ve just been speaking the same language for so long and living on the same page as well.”
For proof of the bond between Sale and Napier, Sale will be the only OC/O-line coach in the SEC this season.
"He's one of those guys that had a relationship with before, kind of a foxhole guy, really a guy that I can lean on and have a great relationship with," Napier said at SEC media days.
So when the Gators inevitably transform offensive football a third time, the revolution will start up front.
Posted on 8/22/22 at 12:18 am to Partha
Posted on 8/23/22 at 9:22 am to Partha
i couldn't help but laugh at this... is Billy really this smart?
Posted on 8/23/22 at 12:10 pm to finchmeister08
TheCAW can be annoying at times, but is a funny arse poster overall. I generally enjoy his drunken, rambling rants.
Posted on 8/23/22 at 12:37 pm to Partha
i find it funny that he thinks billy is playing some mind frick game with foley to get him to actually care about football.
Posted on 8/23/22 at 12:52 pm to finchmeister08
This post was edited on 8/23/22 at 12:56 pm
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