2023 – Dug Jones

October 3, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

From Where I Sit- Florida at Kentucky- September 30, 2023

An ugly day by any measure. Poor tackling, too many penalties, and a multitude of other problems. Florida wasn't ready. No real debate there.

Unfortunately, inconsistency is usually part of the rebuilding process. It happens almost everywhere. Good days and bad days with very small margins for error (especially in the SEC). There is ample evidence, of course, to support a "stay the course" approach. FSU provides a nearby example. There are plenty of others.

The temptation to panic and implode in the face of adversity is great for fans. Yes, games like the Kentucky game are frustrating. Too much euphoria with the Tennessee win and too much depression with the Kentucky loss. Rebuilding is a roller coaster ride of emotions. It’s not for everyone. Starting over every two years is not the answer. The social media and call in radio voices who want Billy Napier replaced should be ignored. They create “noise in the system” that interferes with progress.

Before the season began, Florida was expected to be 2-3 at this point. The Gators are one win BETTER than expected. They’ve lost twice as underdogs on the road. They’ve won three games, including one as an underdog. And still, we have some “noise in the system”.

No question, the mental errors contributing to the failures at Utah and at Kentucky were baffling at times. The fact these two opponents are nationally ranked, have a combined 9-1 record, and have head coaches with double digit tenures isn’t enough, alone, to excuse how badly the Gator’s were exposed. But still, each week creates another opportunity and Florida will get there with incremental steps.

The encouraging news is the Florida players, coaches, staff, and administration continue to trust the process. Recruits continue, thus far, to ignore the criticism in favor of understanding the potential at Florida. Players from the Spurrier and Meyer eras, almost without exception, espouse confidence in the process and progress being made at Florida. They understand it will take some time.

The next two weeks will be critical for reestablishing momentum for the Gators. Home as a favorite against Vandy and away as an underdog against South Carolina. An opportunity to continue the home field success this week AND an opportunity to flip the script to get an away SEC game win the following week.

Published by Dug Jones in Sports

Tags: 2023, College football, Florida, Football, Gators, Kentucky, SEC, wildcats

September 22, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

From Where I Sit- Tennessee at Florida- September 16, 2023

Clearly, Florida's big win over Tennessee is an important milestone in the Gator’s rebuilding project. Maintaining perspective, however, should be a priority for all Florida fans. The team is still very much a work in progress with plenty of work left to be done. The Utah loss in week one and the Tennessee win this week are both steps along this path. Still…it’s good to pause and celebrate. It's great to be a Florida Gator.

Perhaps the most critical benefit to this win is the reduction of the “noise in the system”. More optimism and, hopefully, a renewed fan and media commitment to patience and trusting the process. Positive energy around any program fuels recruiting success and recruiting success (in time) brings on the field wins. Florida’s 2024 recruiting class is looking very good to date. Currently ranked as one of the top 5 in the nation, this recruiting cycle has the potential of finishing as Florida’s best since the Tebow/Spikes/Harvin class twenty years ago.

There is cause for enthusiasm around the improved depth and play in both the offensive and defensive lines. The number of young players, on both sides of the ball, seeing extensive action and delivering good outcomes is a real high point. Graham Mertz has shown why Billy Napier and staff went and got him in the transfer portal. Poise and consistency at QB was a need and he has provided both.

The Gator defense, despite it's youth, has earned a much higher level of trust and confidence than the defenses over the last several seasons. Through three games, Florida has the best stats in the SEC for missed tackles with only 19. Other than failing on five “third and long” situations in the second half of the Tennessee game, this defense has delivered. The aggressive style of play, especially from the linebackers and safeties has been a key.

Special teams play is a continuing area of concern for this year’s team. Florida has left too many points on the table and killed momentum with missed field goals and other special team's gaffes.

The last 9 seconds of the Tennessee game provided a disappointing end to what had been a game where Florida leveraged an advantage in focus and poise. Unfortunately, Josh Heupel’s poor decision to use Tennessee’s last time out while down 13 points, without the ball, and with only nine seconds remaining opened the door for unnecessary conflict. While Heupel’s decision and the ensuing personal foul on a Tennessee player were the triggers, the impulsive physical response by several Gator players was a backwards step. The officials had already flagged the Tennessee infraction and the game was over. The consequence of the fighting is three Gator players (all starters) will have to sit out the first half of the UNC Charlotte game this week. Truly disappointing that these players allowed themselves to be so easily drawn into Tennessee’s own lack of composure. It was also puzzling to hear some Florida fans attempt to justify the behavior with, “they started it”. I’m confident the Florida coaching staff is looking forward, as a part of the new team culture, to reaching the point where players place team goals ahead of their own instant gratification.

This week’s home game against the UNC Charlotte 49ers provides an opportunity for the Gators to maintain the forward momentum on offense and defense while also cleaning up special teams play ahead of the big September 30th game AT Kentucky.

Published by Dug Jones in Sports

Tags: 2023, College Sports, Florida, Football, Gators, napier, SEC, Tennessee, University of Florida, Volunteers

September 3, 2023 — Comments are off for this post.

From Where I Sit- Florida at Utah- August 31, 2023

The conventional approach to week one scheduling for Power Five conference teams is to schedule a cup cake. The rationale for scheduling easy first game opponents is to have live action to work out the kinks. Teams also hope to carry the typical off-season hopefulness into the season. This and last season, Florida chose to start with games against the nationally ranked Utah Utes. The win last year launched the Billy Napier era with (perhaps too much) optimism. This year’s loss had the opposite effect. Despite the realities of playing a nationally ranked, back to back PAC-12 champion on the road and at altitude, Gator fans expected a better showing from the their team. The ugliness of the early action set the tone and made it difficult for the Gators to recover. It also made it tough for Florida fans to appreciate some good things that did occur.

Generally speaking, Florida tackled better in this game than in many of last year’s game. Defensive line depth looked to be improved and the third down (defensive) conversion rate was better. Young players on both sides of the ball contributed and will just get better and better with experience. Gator quarterback, Graham Mertz, handled himself well. In the big picture, these things are important.

Unfortunately, in the shorter-term, procedural penalties in three key red zone short yardage situations cost Florida points and momentum in important game situations. A missed short field goal attempt and a poor (freshman) decision to catch a punt at his own five yard line were other gaffes that contributed to the hole Florida dug for themselves. If the Gator’s can address these type problems, they have a chance to win seven games this year.

My take on the ultra-critical “two players with same jersey number” penalty that cost Florida seven points is different than most. The problem to me, originates much earlier than determining whether blame falls on the players or the coaches. In a program that purports it’s priorities to be “team first”, there is no excuse for assigning multiple players the same jersey number. This practice doesn’t help referees, statisticians, fans, or teams in any way. It serves only the individual players who want single digit numbers. With 99 possible jersey numbers and the limit of 70 players that can dress out for games there is no need for duplication.

Florida has struggled on the road of late, but has an opportunity to settle down and rebound with home games the next three weeks. Tennessee on September 16th will be another very tough task, but McNeese State (on the 9th) and Charlotte (on the 23rd) are both games the Gators should win.

Published by Dug Jones in Sports

Tags: 2023, College Sports, Florida, Football, Gators, SEC, Utah