Upon Further Consideration...

[DRU2012]

OK. It's Sunday night, and I'm mostly over my by-now-weekly bout of terminal frustration with our dismal offensive performance specifically, and our continued wallowing just above mediocrity in general.
I still feel every BIT of it (I mean, with our defense, can you imagone what we COULD be with just "consistently pretty good" offense?!!), but I DO recognize the various constraining and qualifying factors that have to be considered before going off and just firing a decent man and Coach who hasn't really GOTTEN a full chance here yet.
But I also see all kinds of danger signs--and DO believe that certain things can and MUST change very soon--or it WILL be time to begin to look beyond "treading water".
I'm not blind to the most obvious reason NOT to make that move, or at the very least consider this very carefully before doing so: Who would be there to replace him?
But there's more to it than that...The main question right now, what we need to see happening in order to preclude any such discussion anytime soon, is this: Do we even see the kind of CHANGE that will herald real change, real IMPROVEMENT?
There are 3 keys we need to see that change--MEANINGFUL, on-our-way change--is happening:
(1)Recruiting Recruiting Recruiting (espec at qb): There MUST be the first in what turn out to be a series of consecutive "top two or three" recruiting classes. That is ALWAYS the first and most important step in a major program's "return to greatness". There are needs all over the field especially of course on offense. Most obvious has been our long floundering at bringing in the "best available" at QB. It has been especially galling to watch considerably less-vaunted programs than our own finding, landing and successfully fielding teams led by kid after kid better than any of the 3 or 4 "can't miss prospects" WE went out and got. That kind of thing, over and over, reflects a SERIES of failures--and a habit that has gone on far too long now (Hell, the last time I remember us with an offense that didn't FRUSTRATE and EMBARRASS us, it was led by Tim Tebow!).
(2) An imaginative scheme on offense, and we need more playmakers. Our Coach has GOT to make change at OC...We have a great defense that is shouldering ALL responsibility for our fate. Even BEFORE we bring in more talent, an OC with a plan, a new approach based as much on his general inventiveness and adaptive flexibility, one who will work with what is here now, could ALONE make enough difference to "take that next step" NOW.
(3)This last one is more elusive: The mood/vibe/philosophy/ethos needs to shift into a higher gear. What do I mean? Well, overall, we're talking here about outlook: With imagination and attention to detail, most of all with results showing and gathering forward-momentum right out there on the field, the emotion will feed on itself. Young men LIVE and PERFORM as much on emotion as all the obvious physiolological stuff (nutrition, conditioning etc)--and Coach Mac is already clearly a MASTER at gathering and inspiring "his kinda guys" like few others.
All of the above is what's required, what it will take to get us "from here to there"--where we all wanna be.
I believe it is doable: First you just have to recognize it--AND admit that we're not there, not even close. Then the real work begins.

 

[miltongator]

I still believe the biggest need is a few dominating offensive linemen. We have sufficient talent elsewhere to have a good offense if we could consistently block somebody. The best QB in the conference wouldn't do well if he's constantly running for his life and has a meager running game. Look at how Alabama does it. Get a good running back, great offensive linemen and a "game manager" at QB. We already have 2 out of three of those....solve the line deficiency and we're set.

 

[DRU2012]

Yes: multiple OLs is at the top of the recruiting list--but we need some more playmakers elsewhere too--and nowhere is the lack more glaring than at QB, where a number of really good ones have gone elsewhere last few years, and NOT always to schools with even CLOSE to the status, national platform and reach of UF. Some were poorly handled, others we overlooked entirely. At the very least, our failures there are a sign of several weaknesses.
But you're right, we need to focus on difference makers on the line, too--go for quality and depth up front...With all our talent at RB, continued great D, AND one of those freshmen QBs turns out at LEAST a solid and reliable "game mgr", well, think what Mac and co. might accomplish.
Of course, what's DONE with 'em is part of the success equation too. Meyer's first Nattie was mainly Leak-led--but there was also TT powering thru in the redzone or throwing the odd jump pass in that then "new-fangled spread offense", etc. Playmakers AND how it all was inventively used put points up that our superb D, usually decently rested thanks to long drives, ably held up there.
So: recruiting, inventive and adaptable offensive scheme, and overall feeling of "drive" around a program, on and off the field....These are the very things I've been hammering on here and elsewhere: They must improve, and soon, or whatever forward gain and momentum achieved by bringing in Coach Mac will be lost. After that, well, same old same old--coupla more years of frustration, "Try THIS!" "Try that!!!" and eventually, Hello New Guy.

 

[DRU2012]

@miltongator,
I've been further mulling over your pinpointing the need for us to focus on the O-line in particular in the upcoming recruiting class, and I have come to more solidly agree with you.
While I stand by my original overview of the widespread general improvements that must take place for us to be a perennial Championship-caliber program once more, I have to agree that our upgrading that particular area might well make the biggest difference the fastest.
Hell, it's been YEARS since we had anything but a jigsaw-puzzle O line--roughly pieced together to enter each season, then scrambling to wedge barely-fitting fillers as we get banged up. Instead of limping along that way, what a difference it'd make to get some real talent and depth there, begin to actually dominate up front--with positive benefits for us in every other phase of the game, even if nothing ELSE were to be similarly upgraded (not that we'll accept "standing pat" elsewhere, at this point).
Come to think of it, the time since that could be said at all about this team is exactly the time during which we have drifted from relevance--despite having generally talented and usually well-performing defenses the whole while.
So yeah, may serve us well to begin there in the "hard-press" this staff needs to make out on the recruiting trail.

 

[DRU2012]

(Look, we're on the brink of real trouble over the next couple/few seasons: There's a reason I am so worried about recruiting.
We were 24th in recruiting ranking Mac's first go-round 2 seasons back--albeit somewhat understandable with the cupboard bare after a dismal last season under Muschchamp, and Coach Mac having just arrived late in the cycle--then 12th last year. OK, SOME improvement but nowhere near enough and not a good sign as to what may be in store. The quality and attention to detail in this area year round has GOT to achieve at a MUCH higher level if we are going to get back to playing elite-level football and consistently compete for SEC and NATIONAL Championships once more. If it doesn't start NOW, with obvious first-level results THIS time, we will likely begin to face further decline in the years immediately ahead.
As it is, unless some redshirts and even transfers step in and up next season on BOTH sides of the ball, we may well suffer "an off year" in '17 even WITH a top-3 or better class coming in anyway. And as things stand at the moment, we might not make the "Top 10".
In my view, adding at least one "hot young recruiting specialist" may be as important an "ASAP Change" as the one we shoulda made already at OC!)

 

[miltongator]

Remember "The Great Wall of Florida"? I think that was back in the Reeves and Alvarez days. Can't remember an offensive line that got that kind of recognition since then. Of course, I'm old and might have forgotten some.

 

[Leakfan12]

Remember "The Great Wall of Florida"? I think that was back in the Reeves and Alvarez days. Can't remember an offensive line that got that kind of recognition since then. Of course, I'm old and might have forgotten some.

It was 1984 with Lomas Brown and Crawford Ker.

 

[Escambia94]

I will address the big three areas:

1. Recruiting. I agree. This area bothers me. If FSU and Miami can recruit 4 and 5 star players from the state, then why not UF? I am not saying I want to trade our 3 star players for 4 and 5 star players, but I would like to see a good balance of talent with the blue chippers in the key positions.
2. Offensive Philosophy. The philosophy is fine. Unlike previous years under OCs Mullen, Addazio, Weis, Pease, and Roper, the plays are called by the QB. The QB on the field must call the plays and adjust based on what he sees on the field. Nussmeier will provide the QB with formations and play sets, but the QB must execute. This is a good philosophy that Will Grier started to grasp last year, but Treon Harris never understood anything other than what he perceived to be the play as called by the coach.
   • Losing Grier hurt the offensive philosophy by taking away a year of experience from the receivers, running backs, and tight ends that are here this year. With an offense where plays are called by the QB, not the sideline or a wristband, it can take a while for the QB to get hot. LDR's injury caused him to regress. Today the WLOCP will serve as a test of where LDR is with the learning curve. If LDR does not look good this week, then expect at least two more losses this year. If he looks good, we may lose no more than one more game this year.
3. Ethos. The Gators certainly are cocky, but they need more ferocity. The only emotion I have seen other than arrogance is sadness after losing to UT. Since the team lacked warrior ethos and determination in the second half of that game, they deserved to lose. Since too many players spend more time bragging on Twitter and smoking pot, and less time studying film or working out, they deserve to lose hungry teams like UT. LSU is the next hungry team that the Gators need to get pumped up about.

 

[DRU2012]

I will address the big three areas:

1. Recruiting. I agree. This area bothers me. If FSU and Miami can recruit 4 and 5 star players from the state, then why not UF? I am not saying I want to trade our 3 star players for 4 and 5 star players, but I would like to see a good balance of talent with the blue chippers in the key positions.
2. Offensive Philosophy. The philosophy is fine. Unlike previous years under OCs Mullen, Addazio, Weis, Pease, and Roper, the plays are called by the QB. The QB on the field must call the plays and adjust based on what he sees on the field. Nussmeier will provide the QB with formations and play sets, but the QB must execute. This is a good philosophy that Will Grier started to grasp last year, but Treon Harris never understood anything other than what he perceived to be the play as called by the coach.
   • Losing Grier hurt the offensive philosophy by taking away a year of experience from the receivers, running backs, and tight ends that are here this year. With an offense where plays are called by the QB, not the sideline or a wristband, it can take a while for the QB to get hot. LDR's injury caused him to regress. Today the WLOCP will serve as a test of where LDR is with the learning curve. If LDR does not look good this week, then expect at least two more losses this year. If he looks good, we may lose no more than one more game this year.
3. Ethos. The Gators certainly are cocky, but they need more ferocity. The only emotion I have seen other than arrogance is sadness after losing to UT. Since the team lacked warrior ethos and determination in the second half of that game, they deserved to lose. Since too many players spend more time bragging on Twitter and smoking pot, and less time studying film or working out, they deserve to lose hungry teams like UT. LSU is the next hungry team that the Gators need to get pumped up about.

Like and agree totally.
Looks like "the sadness" may be making another appearance early in this one:
DelRio pick early...We stiffened up just outside our endzone, so it costs us 3 pts.
Back to your gameday site (didn't yet know you were here, so just consider my version a comment/intro that voices MY concerns and overview...and again: WELCOME BACK, E-!!!)

 

[DRU2012]

@Escambia94,
Well, your above analysis sure applies so far--and with respect to young Master DelRio may well be harbinger of general mediocrity continuing thru the rest of the schedule--and yes, at LEAST "2 losses" rest of the way (likely in ADDITION to whatever today's outcome is: He has missed seeing the open guy a couple of key times, and has thrown several TERRIBLE balls...this after a game and then TWO WEEKS of prep). How can Mac feel anything but frustrated dissatisfaction with what his OC has NOT managed to achieve in the slightest as the season has worn on?
Our Head Coach sees it, we can be sure:
RECRUITING is on HIS shoulders, ultimately now--but he's getting very little fro his OC...I expect Nussmeier to "be encouaged" to TAKE one of the mid-level coaching jobs he's being mentioned for--let all the behind-the-scenes maneuvering to be done with class and seeming goodwill--then make something of a "splash" elevating a young innovator (maybe one of the several young former coolege star-QBs out there who've moved up the ranks quickly out here in the west? We got a few in Texas and the Big 12, and beyond...)

 

[Leakfan12]

First off welcome back @Escambia94 and I think the Gators should be able to get some good recruits with Ponzi U losing to Notre Dame. I think they lost four straight and FSU lost three games and if the Gators can take the game against the Noles in Tally Hally which can be a big possibly because their pass blocking sucks. Also if the Gators can play in the SEC title game that should attract more attention. Again, good chance of happening they just need to win two of the next three games. Arkansas could be trouble, S Car let's just said it's a better win (I don't know Muschoke winning that game), and LSU well it's doubtful.

 

[Escambia94]

On recruiting and offensive philosophy:
It is hard to judge Jim McElwain because of a couple factors: Will Grier's over the counter steroids and Luke Del Rio's injury.

Will Grier really messed up Mac's schedule. In year one of the Mac Attack, the year that he could have won a lot of blue chip offensive recruits, Grier's indiscretion lost us a few QB and WR blue chippers.

Luke Del Rio's injury continued to mess up Mac's schedule. LDR might be making the right reads but his knee injury is still preventing him from driving the ball where it needs to go. Austin Appleby has the better arm, but he cannot make the right reads.

We have good receivers, but it would be nice to have Dre Massey backing up Callaway and Cleveland. Powell needs to recognize that his QB cannot throw deep and he needs to get open quickly.

We have four running backs that complement one another but not one is a complete Mac Attack running back. Scarlett can run, but not block. Cronkrite can catch, but not run as well as Scarlett. Thompson can barrel through, but will fumble. Perine is just young, but I suspect he is also a liability as a blocker.

Mac's identity is offense. He needs to recruit a complete running back, extra receivers (maybe some as punt and kick returners), and a stable of QBs that will not transfer.

On ethos (and discipline):
It still baffles me how much the Gators get penalized with false start, pass interference, and offsides. It baffles me how the team comes out of the locker room in the 1st and 3rd quarter half asleep or half stupid. It baffles me how we recruit kids with no common sense (shooting pellet guns in the dorms, not getting on the bus to a game due to lack of playing time, getting into fights on the field). Finally, it baffles me how our best player falls on the ground or gets burned when playing our rival.

Mac was the best hire available, and I think we will win a lot of games as long as his luck picks up and he keeps the majority of his coaching staff.

 

[DRU2012]

On recruiting and offensive philosophy:
It is hard to judge Jim McElwain because of a couple factors: Will Grier's over the counter steroids and Luke Del Rio's injury.

Will Grier really messed up Mac's schedule. In year one of the Mac Attack, the year that he could have won a lot of blue chip offensive recruits, Grier's indiscretion lost us a few QB and WR blue chippers.

Luke Del Rio's injury continued to mess up Mac's schedule. LDR might be making the right reads but his knee injury is still preventing him from driving the ball where it needs to go. Austin Appleby has the better arm, but he cannot make the right reads.

We have good receivers, but it would be nice to have Dre Massey backing up Callaway and Cleveland. Powell needs to recognize that his QB cannot throw deep and he needs to get open quickly.

We have four running backs that complement one another but not one is a complete Mac Attack running back. Scarlett can run, but not block. Cronkrite can catch, but not run as well as Scarlett. Thompson can barrel through, but will fumble. Perine is just young, but I suspect he is also a liability as a blocker.

Mac's identity is offense. He needs to recruit a complete running back, extra receivers (maybe some as punt and kick returners), and a stable of QBs that will not transfer.

On ethos (and discipline):
It still baffles me how much the Gators get penalized with false start, pass interference, and offsides. It baffles me how the team comes out of the locker room in the 1st and 3rd quarter half asleep or half stupid. It baffles me how we recruit kids with no common sense (shooting pellet guns in the dorms, not getting on the bus to a game due to lack of playing time, getting into fights on the field). Finally, it baffles me how our best player falls on the ground or gets burned when playing our rival.

Mac was the best hire available, and I think we will win a lot of games as long as his luck picks up and he keeps the majority of his coaching staff.

Whew. I knew this was a comprehensive response when I saw it on gameday last week--but it was already into the 1st qrtr of the actual game and I forgot to get back to it til now.
Now that I reread with time and more experience (and "data points"!) to reflect and respond myself, gotta say that I agree with and see your points with more clarity than ever. In particular I want to reinforce the idea that Mac's HAS been thrown off-schedule in all the ways you say, delays and detours the result of the circumstances you note, especially the various quarterback potholes. That whole Grier thing and the subsequent dominoes that have and continue to fall in its aftermath has made EVERYTHING on offense basically a scrambling "patch and fill" job ever since--and the injury to by far the best of the (no better than "acceptable-for-now") one and two he brought in as transfers has set it all back at LEAST that "full season". However, IF Luke has healed enough to plant and throw to receivers downfield for big stretch-the-field plays in the course of these games and the receiversdrun disciplined routes, IF these kids (it's a very young Gator team, for the most part) can begin to grow up, show some discipline, begin to show progress on the field at gametime in the lessons we can be sure are being stressed in practice and the film room (STOP THE DAMN DUMP PENALTIES!), IF a couple of our runners can each week carry out their roles when placed in position to do so according to the gameplan that week designed for them against that particular opponent, IF they do just a decent job in all of these areas, well, with our current defense, we'll BE in the SEC Championship--and possibly still have just the one loss when we get there.
I don't say it'll easy, or even LIKELY based on what we've seen from the offense since SEC play began. But remember, we DID see the PROMISE of a "much improved offense" in the 2 games BEFORE DelRio was hurt, and though against weaker competition, such play is habit they at least showed a potential to fall into...
Yes, that's a whole lotta "IF's"--but that'll be what it takes, so here's the last one:
IF this offense begins to come around in similar fashion each week in the gauntlet ahead, this D will make it stand up, if only they are staked to SOME combination of points and rest-time, in just that way somehow, by that offense.
Or, they can (and might very well, let's face it) bumble, stumble and fumble their way into a hole that stretches that D to ripping-point game after game to finish the regular season...See us fall off the "edge of the College Football map" once more.
Just like the "media pundits" all expect us to do.
Everything you say about what happened last coupla years and its consequences is true, E---yet somehow, in staggering, slapdash and patchwork ashion e have omehow, albeit precariously arrived at a point where hard won success could catch us up a good deal of the way back to where we "woulda/shoulda/coulda", or at least very well MIGHT have been going into the off season and beyond anyway, more or ess back on track after all.
("Otherwise" ain't near as rosy, but means yeah, we probably lost that year, in tota--and more than ever it's on Mac and staff to get out there and pick up the pieces and the thread from there--and in which case WE have to recognize where things then are and GIVE them that time, withold judgement accordingly--but the "clock is running" after that...)