I'll take tonight's Rainey over ANY small back I've seen in a LONG time--including Harvin, and yes, including Demps--who I hope is OK, but frankly, looks to have some durability issues (the bane of small backs, including Harvin--remember?), but Coach Boom trotted out Burton, then Gillisley, then BROWN, um, OK, OK, I get it--we have depth AND versatility in the running game. I'd STILL like to have seen more "vertical game" in the first half than that one "come-backer" right at the start (Q: When WAS the last time #12 threw a long one to hit the open WR in-stride for a TD? Since he became the starter last year, has he EVER???), but this staff knew what it had and what it wanted in the second half once we got to it, no doubt there.
As for Demps, for his sake (healthwise, both as a football speedback AND his Olympic-caliber track-career) AND to give the offense more "looks" and options, we may have to use him more as a change-of-pace RB back there, interchangeable with Gillisley, Burton, and others, totaling maybe 10 or 12 carries per game, on average. What do y'all thimk?
Things to work on this week: (1) self-discipline and efficient execution on offense--only way to iron out penalty issues, then (2) work on the medium- to long-passing game, and expect to HAVE to use it: I can't see Tennessee just letting us run and dump it off for a third week in a row, and (3) REDZONE REDZONE REDZONE--work on redzone offense: a long FG to redeem a stall, a breakdown or penalties (like the first one last week) now and then is OK, otherwise it's to win or tie late in a close contest...but repeatedly trading them for TDs at HOME and in the 1st half is unacceptable, and is likely to get us beat ANYWHERE in the SEC (it'll KILL us on the road).
The good news: we won, but the players themselves, the playmakers on offense caught on the way off the field and in post game questioning (while calmly and in positive fashion acknowledging that win), seemed well aware of these very areas of concern, mentioning the need to get to the film and see how they could improve, and to a man noting the redzone issues as something that was a problem that needed to be addressed and worked on. Where LAST year coaches AND players were closed and defensive even after wins, quick to go to the "We won, didn't we?"-challenge at any mention of mistake, breakdown, or general concern, this time around they are quickly moving on, addressing those very "mistakes, concerns and breakdowns" themselves as soon as the game is over, ahead even of a perfectionist Head Coach and staff who are on the same page with them. They've got a lot of work ahead and a long way to go, but they are clearly COACHABLE, and we've got such good COACHES.
This team will continue to learn, grow and improve--how far and how fast and where that will take them THIS season depends upon so many unknown factors and unpredictable variables that as a fan it is impossible for me to say (and not a whole lot easier for an expert INSIDER, either, I'm thinking), but this much is clear: the Florida Gators are on their way back to greatness, dominance on the national college football scene. They couldn't possibly be in better hands, now and for some years to come.
