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Master of the Obvious: WE WANT AN OFFENSE!

DRU2012

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Just watched an afternoon of old Gator football here on one of the ESPN channels, the '96 at-Auburn game just finishing, and it just can't be ignored: I am SICK TO DEATH of no offense. Nothing more needs to be said about it--you all know the details, and feel the same way. I do welcome your comments regarding hope, expectations, and whether we should be optimistic or not. But I figure we'll be OK again defensively, but seeing what knowing we can overcome anything, any collection of opposing talent and/or series of bad luck/bad f-ups, only heightens my impatience. I long for being thrilled, not just "being tough and hanging on". Yeah, "great defense wins championships", but ya gotta score too--and anyway it's more fun to watch! "Master of the Obvious" again--but who's gonna argue? C'mon, Will: Turn Roper LOOSE!!!
 

Leakfan12

VIP Member
You mean Captain Obvious but you right. We hadn't witness a good offense since Tebow left (and even struggle a little in his senior year because Mullen left after 2008 and Captain doofus took over). The Defense can't do it by themselves.
 

awebbf5

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Hey guys I got to drunk tonight, probably will I have to be this year I guess. My love for gator football makes me want to think we will be tyhis years auburn, but is Roper the magic to? O gosh Im excited and nervous for thi season!
 

DRU2012

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You mean Captain Obvious but you right. We hadn't witness a good offense since Tebow left (and even struggle a little in his senior year because Mullen left after 2008 and Captain doofus took over). The Defense can't do it by themselves.
Agree with your take here itself, but actually I used to laughingly refer to myself as "Master of the Obvious" sometimes, LONG before that series of "Captain Obvious" commercials showed up (which I get a kick out of, btw)...Maybe SHOULD have gone with that, make the timely culture-connection--but stuck with "my thing" instead...y'all get the point, though, either way.
 

DRU2012

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Hey guys I got to drunk tonight, probably will I have to be this year I guess. My love for gator football makes me want to think we will be tyhis years auburn, but is Roper the magic to? O gosh Im excited and nervous for thi season!
We're ALL thinking that, aweb, making that "Auburn-last-year"-connection, and every OTHER "connection" with teams way-underrated coming back-from-nowhere, "We shook up the WORLD!" kind-of-thing...and we feel we have more reason to anticipate its possibility than most others in the recent past: This is a deep and powerful roster that was thought to be a top ten team just a season ago--before absurdly poor fortune (along with poor planning and execution, too, at least on offense) blew away all chance or hope of success. Yeah, "excited and nervous" is right--in my case squared, CUBED, then multiplied by a thousand...
 

DRU2012

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...Btw, along these lines, been watching a lot of these old Gator games on ESPN lately, and it's interesting how perceptions change: At the time, it was "Zook must GO!", and I had the impression in retrospect that those Zook-led teams weren't that good, and that Meyer's teams were so much better...but now that I watch them, I see that this wasn't necessarily the case--not uniformly, anyway, by any means. Zook's main sin was having good teams that essentially underachieved, but our post-Spurrier expectations were so high that maybe NO one could have satisfied them, not short of winning Championships, anyway. There were some bigtime losses, late-game collapses and full-game stinkers at the exact wrong time. Meyer's early teams, on the other hand, weren't especially imaginative on offense, nor "unmovable" on defense: He benefitted from LOWERED expectations, I think. Even a lot of the wins were closer than they probably should have been--but there were some big wins against rivals when it counted.
Just watched the game that basically sealed the Zooker's fate, I think--against LSU in Gainesville, our place in the SEC-East race on the line late in the year, where we let them ram the ball down our throats to score and take the lead with seconds left. This was a game where our Special Teams gave us all our real scoring opportunities and our defense made it stick--until the very end. Muschamp has begun to suffer from "Zook-syndrome", in a way: He'd do well to win at least a couple of those "Really Big Rival Games" this season, I figure, if he wants to survive--and we have GOT to "TAKE BACK THE SWAMP"!
 

Escambia94

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Having an offense is an easy request. What I really want is consistent coaching, good program management, and good game execution, all of which have been missing since the departure of Urban Meyer, and were at their peak under Steve Spurrier.

That being said, Will Muschamp may be the best program manager Florida has seen in a long time. What I mean is that Florida's reputation, players' off-campus behavior, student-athlete academic standing, and all those non-football things are the best they have been in a while. Yes, I get it, reputation and academic standing do not win national championships, but they do help build a better program. If Muschamp gets fired after losing to Georgia, the program will be in much better shape than it was when he took over for Urban Meyer. If Kurt Roper can get the Gators to score 35 points or more per game, the Gators will be hard to beat, and the rest of the things that we care about will fall into place--consistency and game execution.
 

Leakfan12

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I thought the game that sealed Zook's fate was the Mississippi State game where they lost and Foley couldn't fired Zook soon enough (though not the best time when Georgia was the next game and they lost that game as well, unsure if that matter or they would have won the game if Zook wasn't fired at the time but it didn't help). Honestly, don't know who was worse. Zook had a better record but Muschamp has a BCS bowl appearance (even though they got whipped former DC Charlie Strong's Louisville team). There's a saying that you don't want to be the guy who replaces the legend but the guy who replaces the guy who replaces the legend.
 

DRU2012

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@Escambia94,
Oh yeah: We top 35-per-game and we'll be in the FFF (Football Final Four). From what I'm hearing, the tools are there--and that's not just "on paper". Our D will be fine (possibly GREAT with a few games under their belts), the running game strong and varied; the key will be at QB. JD has been loose and flingin' it around in closed scrimmages, making the right reads and hitting his receivers all over the field, throwin' darts short- and mid-distance, dropping bombs into "tight windows" long. If he takes that into the season--AND Roper is permitted to run the offense he envisions--well, maybe we could all again have some FUN watching our beloved reptiles this fall. I'm really TIRED of moanin', groanin' and bitchin'-up-a-storm all Saturday afternoon.
 

Leakfan12

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Also reading an article from this thread posting by News Bot from Chris Leak (WR Coach) is throwing to the receivers.
 

Escambia94

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The Gators' biggest obstacle is the schedule. They Gators will face the following top-25 teams:
  • Alabama #2
  • LSU #13
  • Missouri #24
  • Georgia #12
  • South Carolina #9
  • Forced Sex University #1
By Homecoming, they will have faced three of these teams--two of them back-to-back!
 

DRU2012

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The Gators' biggest obstacle is the schedule. They Gators will face the following top-25 teams:
  • Alabama #2
  • LSU #13
  • Missouri #24
  • Georgia #12
  • South Carolina #9
  • Forced Sex University #1
By Homecoming, they will have faced three of these teams--two of them back-to-back!

Here's the thing, tho': Yeah, it's a tough schedule, not just who we play but when, where, etc.--"Life in the SEC":, right? And in spite of the lip-service being paid to how strength-of-schedule will be a "key deciding factor" among those eventually deciding on and picking the FFF, we all know that idea runs COUNTER to the covert hopes, even intentions, of a good portion of those outside our conference--ie. to KEEP the final Championship matchup from pitting two SEC teams against each other again anytime soon, by NOT including more than one SEC-team in the 4-team playoff. Never mind that a one-loss SEC team, based on that very "S.O.S"-criteria, is likely superior to any of the potential-undefeated from elsewhere playing relatively easy schedules (compared to even an average SEC one): There's a reason so many of the preseason media-prognosticators now feel confident and comfortable predicting "It is more likely that NO SEC-teams will be in this season's inaugural playoff-group, than that there will be TWO"...That's of course because (and they even generally go on to say this themselves) in our high talent/well-coached conference we are likely to knock each other off here and there at least once, leaving AT BEST maybe one undefeated, if that--all competing for a single spot that MAY be left after those "others out there" playing more-favorable schedules--several of whom are projected to go undefeated--are chosen.
Having said all that, though, I remain at heart proud, confident and at peace with what our league is, and what that means to our supposed chances in this "New Football World"--and content with what it means for us Gators, to face and have to overcome it all if we are to get there. So be it: Winning the SEC has always, PROUDLY been our first goal. Going undefeated is an elusive dream we WILL one day achieve, but either way, we take care of the first and the rest will take care of itself. In the event, we WILL be battle-tested like no other program in the country. That is a fact. To not include the SEC-winner would be a clear travesty that makes a mockery of any "playoff" system from the start, and everyone will know it if it happens. We get there, though, I like our chances.
 

DRU2012

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(Cont. from above:)
...Oh, and btw: Though my mind tells me to be happy that "everyone" is underestimating us coming into 2014, that it's a good thing in every way for us to carry a chip-on-the-shoulder, "us-against-the-world" attitude into this of all seasons, emotionally it still pisses me off. Hearing these ESPN "College Football" guys condescendingly brushing us off, "damning us with feint praise", as they say...I mean, the whole tone and focus is different in even mentioning us in-passing now: Where the "quick take" rating-q's for other teams tend to be things like "South Carolina--Will they win 11 again this year?', "Georgia: Wins the EAST?", and so on, for UF it's "Florida: Over/Under, 7 and 1/2 wins?" (and they all said "UNDER"!).
Well, either they're wrong, or we are in for a some rocky times-of-change ahead--and not just this year. So to hell with logic, reason, and cautious optimism: Far as I'm concerned, it's sink-or-CHOMP time in these waters! With that in mind, I'm going all in...
I am looking for AT LEAST 10 WINS in 2014. Time to shut a whole lotta runnin' mouths out there, remind these fools this is the same program, if anything more talented and hungry, as the one they were picking to be there going into LAST season.
Go ahead, stick out that hand-full o' hamburger meat. Gator's gonna have the whole mess, be chewin' on it before you even realize it's GONE!
 

Leakfan12

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Let's face it after the 4-8 season, not many of the so-called experts has much faith in the Gators (Hopefully Tebow). I will, I predict a eight or nine win season.
 

Escambia94

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To be fair, I can understand the lack of faith in the Gators under Will Muschamp. The media and the other coaches have given the Gators the benefit of the doubt ever since Little Timmy Tebow left town, and the Gators have not met the lofty expectations that everyone has for a perennial top-10 recruiter of talent with top-10 facilities with top-10 net profits with a top-10 fanbase with some of the most sought after coaches in the game. The Gators of the past four years look like the Georgia and FSU teams of the past several years. The only new variable is Kurt Roper. Maybe Mike Summers. If all the talk is correct about Roper and Summers being the right coaches with the right fit for the personnel, then we have a valid reason to be optimistic about a 10-win season.
 

DRU2012

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To be fair, I can understand the lack of faith in the Gators under Will Muschamp. The media and the other coaches have given the Gators the benefit of the doubt ever since Little Timmy Tebow left town, and the Gators have not met the lofty expectations that everyone has for a perennial top-10 recruiter of talent with top-10 facilities with top-10 net profits with a top-10 fanbase with some of the most sought after coaches in the game. The Gators of the past four years look like the Georgia and FSU teams of the past several years. The only new variable is Kurt Roper. Maybe Mike Summers. If all the talk is correct about Roper and Summers being the right coaches with the right fit for the personnel, then we have a valid reason to be optimistic about a 10-win season.
Like I said, my thing here isn't "reasonable", it's emotional. Everything you say is right, E-...and for me, right now, completely beside the point. Were I to stick with reason, I'd be going back and forth again, seeing/agreeing, torn between the disappointment this Coach must have felt/shared with us--for the work of OCs he himself chose and set parameters for, after all, btw--at the same time pointing out that his DEFENSES have been all we asked and hoped for*.
No. I'm DONE with all that for now. As done weighing, considering, arguing points of subtlety as I am with "ball-control", and "shorten-the-game", and "taking/holding the lead late", and "defense making it stand up".
Oh: And I'm also done with "vanilla offenses", "not showing future opponents much early on". I wanna see our "new offense" open it up in GAME 1. "Don't show too much against the early, weaker teams on your schedule"? There's something to be said for giving them all something to think about, worry about, too, spend time and effort trying to prepare for, all the while not knowing when, how or even IF it all may actually be used when you face us (not to mention seeing if we can actually do it, with strangers trying their damnedest to stop us)...But most of all, best of all, it'll be a whole lot more fun and satisfying to watch. To live with.
"Let's GO for it!"
Whether we're talking about a play, a game, or the whole damn season, that pretty well sums up my whole attitude at this point. Like "Stumpy" on The Simpsons, "That's the bullet-point I suppose I'm going for here...".
Guess I'm back to "Master of the Obvious" (or "Captain Obvious", if you prefer).
Five days to the start of College Football, 2014...a few more to "Only Slightly Less Important Than Life Itself".

(*By the way, this fat f*ck on the SEC Network, whose only qualification seems to be that he's a former member of some recent LSU defense, in a feature-piece rating the Best Defenses in the Conference this season, left the Gators off the list entirely. The VOLS made the list.
There it is: Sure, great to be way-underrated and all, but that is just ridiculous! I mean, there ARE a few things we never stopped bein' good at...and we do have a little talent on that side of the ball, too. D not the issue for us.
35 points a game or better. That's what the offense needs to put up. Not just to win. I wanna see us rip some folks this season--rivals. preferably. Step on their necks. KILL 'em. Shut every flapping mouth out there. Is that too much to ask?)
 

DRU2012

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More of the same:
Four days before our first game of the season, and Danny on ESPN's daily College Football show, in discussing UF, has just used the word "nasty" twice in the last few minutes--to describe both our fan-base and quality of the job of Head Coach here. NOT "nasty Defense" or something grudgingly complimentary like that, but in "explaining" why both Spurrier and Meyer "got the hell out of there" AND why Muschamp "is on the hot seat", as opposed to someone like Brady Hoche at Michigan, also supposedly "in trouble".
Screw these @$$holes.
 

Leakfan12

VIP Member
Kanell? Well he's biased because he was QB of SOW (let it go dude, just let it go). Spurrier and Meyer left because they wanted a job that was bigger and better than Florida (NFL agreed though wish Spurrier came back to coach for a non SEC team and The OSU well debateable unless you believe Meyer left for health reasons again debateable). Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com thinks differently

http://espn.go.com/college-football...-other-bold-college-football-predictions-2014
 

DRU2012

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Yup--it was Kanell of course (I just don't like giving him, or THEM, any nod at ALL)...But he still is given this soapbox to generally pontificate as if he is just another unbiased post-career media prognosticator: Practically that whole onscreen staff have axes to grind, overt and covert, so they let a lot of sh*t go by, just as long as they get their chance to peddle THEIR brand o' bs. Not sure why I even watch any of it anymore--just p's me off...Well, I AM a fan of college football in general, don't feel I get near enough Gator stuff these days, and let's face it: We are DYING for things to get underway, find out what we've really got and where we're going.
Main thing I notice 'bout myself now, going into the season, is how little patience I have left, how little I care for "subtlety", excuses or splitting-hairs at this point. I like Will Muschamp and want him to succeed, obviously--but I won't be looking for or accepting much in the way of understanding and/or "silver linings" if things don't start well and get stronger from there. Call me "just another nasty-spirited, unyielding and ungrateful Gator", but we got the horses: Either take 'em to the front or, well, I guess we go out and start over.
 

DRU2012

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PS Read "Jeans Shorts Torture" 's latest article on SBNATION, "18 Hopes for Florida in 2014". Right ON. (Funny too)
 

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