What are we learning about this Gator team?

[DRU2012]

I just watched a kind of on-the-fly "Highlights of the 2nd Qtr." of the Vandy game, and while I can see that it felt like "the Rainey Show" out there a good bit of the time, when you take the first qtr. that preceded it with the usual bumbling, slow-start Gators, THEN Rainey's heroics where one of our playmakers "goes off" (AND, incidentally, wakes the whole team UP), and finally that 2nd half, a Jordan Reed "coming out party", if you will, as he seemed to slip into our still-in-development "new offense" like it was custom-fitted to him, and maybe we're seeing that unit's true identity begin to emerge.
The SEC announcing-team noted (and it turns out to be mainly accurate) that "at 17 players, Florida is playing more freshmen than any other school in Div. 1 Football" (actually, there's another playing 17, but the point remains valid here). If we continue on this path, playing the young guys (INCLUDING THE FRESHMEN, where they show promise and drive), adapting and adding to the offense, relying on our playmakers on BOTH sides of the ball to lift the others around them, while the coaches develop the quality of play in both lines, continue to evolve their game-planning, and imaginatively apply new wrinkles in the offense (and maybe go get us a couple of "bookends" at Defensive-end on the recruiting trail???)--in short, allow everyone (including THEMSELVES) to learn and grow as a team, then this season, with all its frustrations, disappointments and missed opportunities, will NOT have been for naught.
In that event, I for one can more easily understand and to some extent accept losses that may arise as a result of inexperience--as opposed to blindness, stubbornness, lack of insight or imagination, and/or a failure/refusal to learn from what has happened before. If they are learning, growing, developing a winning formula on both offense and defense, finding out who the best players are and getting them out there, then by definition we'll be "back on track". We'll have reason to hope, to have optimism regarding the future of this program.

 

[The Zooker]

We learned that Gators play best when coming back from serious suspensions. Hammond and Rainey are awesome. Let's just hope the Brantley gets busted smoking a doobie or two.

 

[Leakfan12]

We learned that Gators play best when coming back from serious suspensions. Hammond and Rainey are awesome. Let's just hope the Brantley gets busted smoking a doobie or two.

Probably not because if Reed or Burton does well at QB you guys would said screw Brantley.

 

[The Zooker]

I've supported Brantley through thick and thin. I think the kid is the best throwing QB in the league. He's just not used properly. There's a certain way to use a kid like Brantley and Addazio never did it. Aside from playcalling there were other issues too. His confidence got completely shot in the beginning due to the bad snaps. Then his deep receiver, Thompson, was dropping everything thrown his way. And the O-line never gives him more than a quarter second to throw. The poor kid never had a chance to succeed. His decision to come to Florida is going to cost him millions upon millions of dollars in lost NFL pay.

 

[InkedAdrenaline]

I personally hate him HAHAHA, if u havent noticed yet LOL....

 

[DRU2012]

I've supported Brantley through thick and thin. I think the kid is the best throwing QB in the league. He's just not used properly. There's a certain way to use a kid like Brantley and Addazio never did it. Aside from playcalling there were other issues too. His confidence got completely shot in the beginning due to the bad snaps. Then his deep receiver, Thompson, was dropping everything thrown his way. And the O-line never gives him more than a quarter second to throw. The poor kid never had a chance to succeed. His decision to come to Florida is going to cost him millions upon millions of dollars in lost NFL pay.

Zooker, everything you say here is true. Watching him this season, you could see it coming, almost like a disaster in slow motion.
At this point, though, all WE can look at (and all the coaches should focus on) is "What's best for this team, from here on?". They're still kind of "hedging their bet" (or maybe trying to belatedly "protect their investment", hoping his confidence can be rebuilt?) by involving JB in this "3-headed-QB"-thing, and putting him in certain situations, but although he was functional today, he hardly "seized the opportunity". He was OK; Reed was the one who dazzled--he can run, he's got an arm, and he LEADS. Burton himself calls him "a better me". Those two nicely complement each other, too, when they're both in.
They never did "adapt the offense" for JB, and it ain't gonna happen now. If he can find that "golden arm" of his again, and there's a place for it in this evolving hybrid "Multi-Face-Power-Spread-Bonzai"-Offense (I figured it needed a name--real catchy, huh?), hey, I'm all for including him. How do you do that though, when he's no threat to run and his passing lately is just not that sharp (no consistency)? Realistically, he'll probably see less and less playing time from here on out--and once Driskoll gets here...

 

[Ufgatorfan]

I personally do not like the 3 headed monster thing. I feel it does not get a qb settled in. I know it worked with Tebow and Leak but our defense really helped us that year. Other then that has it really worked? Spurrier used it a couple of times with Johnson and other qbs. I think it can hurt us in recruiting because what freshman wants to come in knowing he will not be the every down starting qb. I wish Meyer would bench Brantley. He is a great throwing qb but this is a spread offense and it is obvious he can not run this type of offense. I feel bad because he was talked into coming here. I thought Meyer would change his offense for Brantley but he has not. I tweak on offense would not work with Brantley only a complete over haul. He has no run threat ability and is questionable even scrambling. Reed should of started if Meyer wanted to keep this type of offense period. I love the fact we got some young guys in this game, too bad it comes 9 games into the season. Our offensive line is still really bad especially with Brantley in. All in all this was a good performance in. We started slow like every game this year but came through in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Defense played good but this was Vanderbilt. I think this was a win to build on but the celebration needs to stop tonight. SC is a way better team and I hope we don't come into that game cocky. Good game Gators now get focused on SC.

 

[DRU2012]

Yup. Pretty much agree, Ufgatorfan--except I didn't mind the "--monster" as a kind of transitional way of "using what we've got". I think it's main strengths are already on the field when Reed and Burton are in there, though; how many situations require a third QB everyone KNOWS is either there to pass or is just taking up space? It's mainly a QB/athletes' type of game-plan; unless Urban has some brilliant plan to get JB back on track AND reincorporate him and his somehow re-enlivened arm and head back into Coach's "new offense", #12 and that "3-headed-monster" becomes more of a detriment than an asset, wasting the spot of a real playmaker, seems to me.

 

[The Zooker]

Brantley has been pretty clutch in third and long. Might want to keep him in for those plays.

 

[DRU2012]

As things stand, if Brantley does stay and the other QB's remain healthy, the only thing I can see JB coming in for is if/when we get some tall, rangy BURNER at WR and we need a long completion, one of those times when EVERYONE knows we're gonna throw and we say, "Yeah, but try and stop THIS..." and our line staunchly protects JB who, by then a SPECIALIST at this play, throws a BEAUTY "rainbow" 65 yards that drops over the shoulder into Big-Skinny-Fast-Guy's hands (HIS specialty) in stride and we close the half/game with a game changing/winning (pick one) play.
As I say, that's one hell of a luxury/insurance policy...do you think JB could parlay THAT into a 7-figure NFL-deal? Yeah, I kind of doubt it too.
I don't think anyone MEANT to lie to JB. I DO think they were "covering their options", with consideration neither of his future NOR their own true nature or intentions vis a vis the offense. He DID "get his shot", but it wasn't in the context he was led (and/or he and his family allowed themselves) to believe it would be.
However, this is how things ARE, and there's no getting around it: on this road, JB just hasn't cut it.
Never mind blame, spare the woulda, shoulda, coulda. Given the circumstances, they have tried to give him a fair shot. From here, its gotta be about the team, what works best for the TEAM. Either JB continues in his role of "good soldier" and see what that brings him, or he moves on. Either way, if I were him I wouldn't go by what the coaches tell him (or his family!) about their plans, at this point.
Then again, taking charge doesn't seem to be one of John Brantley's "key personality traits".

 

[Jack&Dew]

I think we have learned quite a bit over the past few games.

1. The Gators are a very young team.

2. The coaches are trying to figure out what the Gators are going to look like now that Tebow is gone.

3. The coaches are trying to figure out who the playmakers are and how to get them involved.

4. Who are going to be the leaders going forward.

I think the team is starting to figure themselves out. It is starting to show on the field and in their body language. I think the coaches are also starting to figure out how to use the massive amount of talent that is on this team.

Today was a very nice showcase of the talent that is up and coming for Gator Football. With the talent that is currently in place and what is on the way; the Gators are going to be what appears a very complete team.

Jordan Reed - Outstanding play! Looked very comfortable playing in this system. Very good arm (strang throwing motion) and very good accuracy. I do think that he will see major playing time over the next 5 games. (Yes, I think the Gators will be playing in the SEC Champ game)

John Brantley - I think that the time spent watching Tebow has hurt this young man. He seems like a very nice guy, but I think he lost he drive by sitting for so long waiting for his shot. I agree with other posters that maybe he may want to transfer to take a year off and get re-focused and in a system that may be more suited for his style of play. I also think that coming in after Tebow has put too much pressure on him.

Rainey - he sure can be the difference maker. It will be nice once all the speed guys are back on the field.

Trey Burton - I really like the intelligence of this guy. I think he will end up being the Hernandez type guy over his type with the Gators. I great guy to slip in and around the offense to create mismatches with the defense. The have the Joker package for the defense... let him be the Joker on offense.

Hammond, Hines, Debose - All these guys are starting to show why they are here. Once they truly understand the offense and continue to get experience; they are going to be huge!

Floyd - AMAZING! This guy is going to be a superstar.

Powell - I think that once he gets used to the speed and complexity of college football he is going to be one of the best.

I could go on and on. It is very nice to see things starting to come together for this team. I cannot wait to continue to watch the growth with all these guys.

One last comment - I still believe that we will see a new OC next year.....or a dual role in this position. I think that Coach Meyer has done a great job in accepting new ideas from other coaches and making sure that the play book is being opened up past the first page.

 

[DRU2012]

@ Jack&Dew:

Right on. The only thing I would add is to your "One last comment": FINALLY!

 

[Leakfan12]

To Jack and Dew, I agree that The Gators will play in Atlanta especially after Spurrier's guys got bombed. Honestly don't think waiting hurt Brantley. I think was expectations, a center who can't :censored: snap the ball, an o-line which had two projected second rounder who can't block, and oh yeah coaches who some reason didn't adjust the playbook to fit him.

 

[Escambia94]

We have learned that this team is young, and that the veterans are prima donnas. The more we play the post-Tebow, post-national championship players, the better we will be. Letting the youngsters face losing, adversity, and redemption will help us out a lot in 2011. Everything else I agree with for the most part.

 

[The Zooker]

We learned that Dominique Easley is in the dog house with Meyer for some reason. He may be the next five star stud defensive lineman that leaves the team.

 

[DRU2012]

We learned that Dominique Easley is in the dog house with Meyer for some reason. He may be the next five star stud defensive lineman that leaves the team.

God, I hope not.
I groaned when I saw that "bland comment" regarding him being left behind...whatever's going on there (and the way this team and it's internal workings are handled now, the best we get in terms of info is 2nd and 3rd hand explanations from anonymous "insiders"), I REALLY hope they can work this out and get him back in the fold--Easley is a talented kid, a stud recruit at a position where we have DIRE NEED.

 

[The Zooker]

God, I hope not.
I groaned when I saw that "bland comment" regarding him being left behind...whatever's going on there (and the way this team and it's internal workings are handled now, the best we get in terms of info is 2nd and 3rd hand explanations from anonymous "insiders"), I REALLY hope they can work this out and get him back in the fold--Easley is a talented kid, a stud recruit at a position where we have DIRE NEED.

Yep. We lose a lot of depth next season on the D-line. We really need Easley. Hopefully his issues get straightened out. The good news is that Jaye Howard and Omar Hunter will be back in the middle. We still need depth for rotating though.

 

[Leakfan12]

We learned that Dominique Easley is in the dog house with Meyer for some reason. He may be the next five star stud defensive lineman that leaves the team.

He would be the fourth and I forgot who the third one was (Brown, Davis, and who else?)

 

[The Zooker]

He would be the fourth and I forgot who the third one was (Brown, Davis, and who else?)

Those were the only two youngins kicked off the squad. There was the Marcus Thomas issue back in 2006. Then we've had some JUCO transfer flops with Epps and Herbert.

 

[Leakfan12]

He would be the fourth and I forgot who the third one was (Brown, Davis, and who else?)

Gary Brown was the guy I was thinking about and Herbert was a four-star player and Epps was a three star. I agree with Herbert.