November 1, 2006
Florida: Too much strategery?
Beloved Fanblogs commenter and high-profile blogger GatorPilot breaks down the Florida offense and wonders if its not prohibitively complicated. He makes an outstanding observation about the Meyer offense - it was likely built upon the premise of having slightly inferior players relative to the competition. Meyer cut his teeth at Bowling Green and Utah -- two schools that have never had (and may never have) the depth that Meyer now has at UF. So, would the the Gators be more effective if they simplified their attack?
Florida schemes an incredibly complicated offense. An infinite number of formations, player subtitutions, formation-shifts at the line of scrimmage, a man-in-motion on nearly every play, quarterback checks… the list goes on.There have been times this year when, even though Florida’s immediate objective is maddeningly simple — such as running out the clock during the waning moments of the LSU game, with the victory already in hand — the complexity of Meyer’s scheme has gotten the better of the Gators. The coaches’ obsession with run-pass balance, being unpredictable, and tricking the defense seems, at times, to cost the Gators more than they gain.
...
One has to wonder how productive Florida’s offense would be if they stopped trying to fool their opponent’s defensive coordinator, head coach, the TV commentators, and the national viewing audience, opting instead to simply put their playmakers on the field — and leave them there. Allow them to get into a rhythm. Pass out of fewer formations. Let your running back run. Limit the number of audibles. Use fewer wide receivers and provide more max-protection opportunities to the backfield. Identify your offense’s strengths and your opponent’s weaknesses, and choose plays which exploit both. Let your mobile quarterback pass and run. Let your drop-back passer drop back and, well, pass.
At the end of the day, it sounds a lot like a pro-style offense, doesn’t it? Think those NFL coaches know a thing or two about football?
Meyer was hired at Florida to bring his offensive genius to the SEC. And, while there was initially some skepticism (and a protracted scheme/talent blog war), UF has been pretty successful with it's Urban Revitalization program, but that's not really GatorPilot's point. He asks - could UF be more successful if they quit trying to fool everybody every time?
Clearly, something is wrong. And just as clearly, Meyer recognizes there’s a problem. “I haven’t felt this way about an offense in six years,” he said after his post-game press conference. Meyer is fortunate that while he works on the issues with his offense, the Gators are 7-1 and in the driver’s seat for an SEC Title berth.So while the coaching staff burns the midnight oil trying to fix the offense, here’s a stunningly obvious revelation: maybe we’re making this whole darn “move the ball down the field” thing too complicated.
Can we try a little less trickery and a little more playmaking?
Can we simply run some plays and worry less about whether the opponent is caught off-guard and more about whether these kids can execute and make the play work?
Comments:
GATORGreg said:
posted on November 1, 2006 2:33 PM — 70.152.52.249 — link — abuse?
As complicated as he says his this offense is, I surely didnt see any complexity while sitting in Alltel stadium this past Saturday watching one failed screen pass after another. Is stategy is get a lead and run the clock out. Only prob is its hard to burn 55 minutes in the SEC
GatorMatt said:
posted on November 1, 2006 2:37 PM — 130.218.254.81 — link — abuse?
Right now, Meyer is still getting trying to transition the Juniors and Seniors from the horrible Ron Zook era and mold them into his offense. Last year had flashes of bright spots, and this year has had much more. With great teams like LSU, Tennesee, Auburn, and usually Georgia, any upper hand such as trickery will help. I have a feeling that next year with Tebow in the drivers seat, the offense will run much smoother. Until then, just give Leak as many drop back opportunities as you can, while still running the option to keep the defense on it's toes
Kevin Thompson said:
posted on November 1, 2006 4:53 PM — 74.246.157.47 — link — abuse?
Cards are going to get spanked by WVU Tomorrow. The cards would be lucky to be a 7-5 team in the SEC. The Cards and WVU plays who? nobody. that's who. Never have I seen a team with such a WEEAAK schedule be ranked #3.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 1, 2006 5:20 PM — 4.153.249.12 — link — abuse?
Wowww... to quote Reggie Bush, I've been playing EA Games all my life, but never expected to be on the cover of one.
Er, or something like that.
Rock on, Fanblogs!
BigWarEagle said:
posted on November 1, 2006 7:40 PM — 67.34.195.148 — link — abuse?
Gatorpilot,
I believe that you are right on with your analysis of the Florida offense. Florida has the talent to drive the ball down any team's throat without the trickery. I hate too say it but I think Florida is poised to do big things in the next few years and Meyer might become as hated as Spurrier in the SEC. ...and talk about being in the right place at the right time, Meyer is getting things going at Florida just as FSU and Miami are crashing and burning which will just make it that much easier.easternfan said:
posted on November 1, 2006 8:27 PM — 67.72.98.91 — link — abuse?
It's possible that some schemes are too complicated...but give the guy time to train his players, like two more years. Once players are being "plugged in" to THE system instead of "learning" a NEW system you may find, Gatorpilot, that your glad he's doing it.
Blackedout said:
posted on November 1, 2006 11:49 PM — 74.129.96.55 — link — abuse?
If U of L had Michael Bush, we'd run through any SEC defense you overrated team lovin idiots could put in front of us! See, we don't get the "big blue chip athletes" you all have waiting at yuor front door. We raise superstars right here from the 'Ville and put them behind our genius of a coach, and you know what, we're ready for anything you all want!
Blackedout said:
posted on November 1, 2006 11:49 PM — 74.129.96.55 — link — abuse?
If U of L had Michael Bush, we'd run through any SEC defense you overrated team lovin idiots could put in front of us! See, we don't get the "big blue chip athletes" you all have waiting at yuor front door. We raise superstars right here from the 'Ville and put them behind our genius of a coach, and you know what, we're ready for anything you all want!
AUfan4life said:
posted on November 2, 2006 12:01 PM — 69.244.208.32 — link — abuse?
Blackedout,
Whats funny is if your genius of a coach was offered a job at a SEC school he would drop those "superstars" in "the 'Ville" and go to Mississippi State, Vandy, or Kentucky without looking back to say goodbye. Oh by the way, good luck with WVU.
Cane_Nation said:
posted on November 2, 2006 12:34 PM — 205.166.218.4 — link — abuse?
Blackedout Post 13:
Raised in the 'Ville huh?
Let's see...According to your depth chart:
Kolby Smith-Tallahassee, FL
Jimmy Riley-Youngstown, OH
Harry Douglas-Jonesboro, GA
Gary Barnidge- Middleberg, FL
Danny Barlow- Tallahassee, FL
Renardo Foster- Ripley, TN
Kurt Quarterman- Albany, GA
Eric Wood- Cincinnati, OH
Brandon Cox- Atlanta, GA
Willie Wiliiams- Milledgeville, GA
Amobe Okoye- Huntsville, AL
Malik Jackson- Dunwoody, GA
Preston Smith- Sandersville, GA
Lamar Myles-Eagle Lake, FL
Gavin Smart- Lakeland, FL
William Gay- Tallahassee, FL
Latarius Thomas- New Smyrna Beach, FL
Brandon Sharp Jacksonville, FLThat's 18 Starters not from the 'ville. Hell most of them are from GA and FL.
Out of the total roster of 90 players, only 21 are from the state of Kentucky. And Louisville is the only team in Kentucky.
Don't get me wrong, I like Louisville, but their success is largely due to out of state recruiting. Just get your facts straight before you gloat.
no1g8r said:
posted on November 2, 2006 2:14 PM — 165.2.186.10 — link — abuse?
U of L's opponents have a combined 24-32 won-loss record. That's 43% - and most of the losses are against teams a lot weaker than the SEC.
Florida's oppnonents have a combined 43-24 record, a 64% winning percentage - most of them against SEC caliber competition.
You just can't compare UofL's unbeaten record against Florida's one-loss record. The caliber of competition isn't even close
CamPigSooie said:
posted on November 2, 2006 2:18 PM — 69.27.196.164 — link — abuse?
I honestly wouldn't even bother wasting time addressing "blackedout" guys. That argument isn't even worth your words.
Now... Leave Florida alone. If anything, it gets lots of the guys experienced to deal with the complexity and extensiveness of pro playbooks & expectations. Sure, not the same offense, but a heck of a lot of material.
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 2, 2006 2:56 PM — 72.40.35.247 — link — abuse?
I addressd this over at O&B Huie the other day when it posted...
Meyer needs more time to get the athletic, quick footed lineman in depth with a few r-backs with Wynn's size but that are Faulk fast...think Edgerrin James or Willis McGahee (nod to the Canes)...to go along with the depth we have at WR and coming in at QB with Cameron Newton enrolling in January...
http://www.wcjb.com/news.asp?id=14158
It's just effective enough now but what happens when all the pices fit and the players that have been there have a firm grasp as Meyer recruits start filling the depth chart after red-shirt seasons...
Kevin Thompson said:
posted on November 2, 2006 3:51 PM — 74.246.157.47 — link — abuse?
Blackey,
You don't have to worry about the SEC, you won;t be able to get past WVU. IF your genious of a coach would've taken Bush out in the fourth qtr with the score 400-0 he wouldn't have broken his leg. I watched that game and couldn;t believe he was still in the game even in the 3rd qtr.
The Cards play a cheesy schedule. They don;'t deserve to be ranked any higher than 15.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 2, 2006 11:06 PM — 4.88.27.166 — link — abuse?
I'm guessing Kevin Thompson is regretting his pre-game comments about now.
Heh, heh.
rebel1222 said:
posted on November 3, 2006 5:23 AM — 74.246.157.47 — link — abuse?
Well, the Cards did get past WVU. While both has explosive offenses, what both teams really proved to the national audience is that neither has a defense. It was a scoring contest. Against an LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, Fla, Michigan, Ohio State or Texas they will likely be shut down.
Blackdout said:
posted on November 3, 2006 11:10 AM — 72.147.129.40 — link — abuse?
HEY! It's me again! Mr. Blackdout! It's about eleven o'clock on a beautiful friday morning in Louisville Kentucky, and I just thought I'd let you SEC fans know how STUPID you are! Not only stupid, but borderline ride the little bus RETARDED! I believe we beat the #3 team in the nation, the team everyone said would beat us, including about 98% percent of you little girls! So if I were you all, I'd shut the hell up before you put your foot in your mouth again, which is way better than my foot in one of your mouths!!! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN! CARDS WIN!
Blackdout said:
posted on November 3, 2006 11:58 AM — 72.147.129.40 — link — abuse?
Allow me to repeat myself......"SEC SUCKS!!! BIG EAST RUNS THIS!!! GO CARDS!!!!!!!"
Yo AUFAN4LIFE, you're an idiot because Petrino was the offensive coordinator at LSU and was offered the head coach job, but declined it to coach a team in a conference on the rise! Then, last year he was getting hassled by Auburn and LSU to coach, so get it right dunny!
And Canenation, I was talking about our STARS dunny! Bluegrass raised baby, two heisman hopefuls next year when my boy Bush comes back. Besides didn't we bust Miami's ass this year
31-7!joesph said:
posted on November 3, 2006 12:11 PM — 216.212.227.129 — link — abuse?
Kevin Donahue this has nothing to do with this particular blog, but i wish you would create a blog about the new college play clock. The games are noticable shorter than last years. I know that they made the new play clock rules to save time for the other games, But it takes away from college football. I think they should have the old play clock and stop the people in the press box from challenging every obvious play.
posted on November 3, 2006 12:28 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
@Blackdot - Email me if you want your comment privileges back. Stay on topic & take it down a notch on the smack.
posted on November 3, 2006 12:30 PM — link — abuse?
@joseph - Try this, you'll like it. [LINK]
AU03 said:
posted on November 3, 2006 12:33 PM — 205.255.224.10 — link — abuse?
No, blackdout, you're wrong- Petrino was the OC at Auburn- LSU has had Jimbo Fisher as OC for quite a while. Auburn administrators secretly offered Petrino the job after 2003, but news broke out of the deal qucikly, and Tuberville stayed, and was given a raise.
posted on November 3, 2006 1:09 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
Hey Blackdout, act like you've been here before (8-0) Wait, I just checked, you haven't. Your team seems like they have a little momentum going. Show a little class and quit calling everyone an idiot. I suspect that if Louisville drops a game we may never hear from you again...
AUfan4life said:
posted on November 10, 2006 8:32 AM — 69.244.208.32 — link — abuse?
Thanks KD for you diciplinary action but you know after lastnight's whippin UofL took, Im sure we wont be hearing much from him this weekend.
You know guys its funny, WVU and U of L fans did not understand how the SEC could be complaining about how we beat eachother up and take ourselves out of contention for the National title every year. Well big east, welcome to our world.
Additionally, I find it funny that for the first time this season U of L actually played a team with a defense, and judging by the results, it validates our point, No Defense in the WVU UofL game, its obvious.
Finally, Florida could stand to limit their playbook a little and just do a few less plays but do them extremely well.
PS Blackedout, Auburn beat #2 florida, Arkansas beat #2 Auburn, Florida beat #5 LSU, Ark and LSU who knows, my point is just because you be a highly ranked team doesnt mean you deserve to be there. Current rankings have Florida#4 Auburn #5 and Arkansas #11, but AU beat FL and ARK beat AU, and ARK is #11? If UofL "deserves" to be ranked that high, Dont Arkansas deserve to be up there too? Is is preseason hype that my have something to do with it?
GO SEC!
WarEagle!LSUfeverman said:
posted on November 11, 2006 5:38 AM — 24.162.73.182 — link — abuse?
Dude, the Cards lost to Rutgers, who has played absolutley nobody. Rutgers' toughest game was a nail-biting two point win against South Florida. Everyone knows the only reason why the SEC doesn't win the National title every yaar is becasue we all beat each other up. Its a little easier to get to the big show when your toughest opponents every year are teams like Cal or Texas Tech.
It basically all comes down to the superior defensive speed of the SEC. Just look at how much trouble Reggie Bush is having in the NFL. He was able to get away with that cutting back against the grain crap in the PAC-10, but not with the speed in the NFL. You have young SEC backs like Adai doing well because they learned early in the SEC that you have to run North and South against speed. Eventually Reggie will be a great player but playing teams with inferior defensive speed in the Pac-10 hurt his development because it created bad habits.
Florida will be much better once that head case Leak is gone. He's been terrible at critcal times in the game his whole career. His rating is damn good overall, but what wins games is how QB's perform in those critical pressure situations, and those aren't factored in on percentages taken from a compilation of games from teams as disparate as Auburn and U of L Lafayette. Leak sucks at the option because he's a play station quarterback that never fully comits to the run because he loathes the thought of contact and dirt. Sometimes you just want a QB that will do whatever it takes to win. I think Tebow has that quality, and next year things are going to be pretty special down in Gainsville.
I do agree that at times Meyer gets a little too fancy, but I think that he's learning along with his players. He's learning what works in the SEC, as once again the defensive speed is so much quicker than most conferences, slow developing plays are rare winners. Sometimes he needs to stop thinking trick and just play the damn odds. Run your bruising QB Tebow on third or fourth and short, and not try to see if you can fool them with running Leak because they're expecting pass just so you can say, "hell, I really fooled them."
Whoever the Canes fan was, nice sportsmanship this year kid, your team showed the world what U of F fans already new; namely your team's composed of a bunch of thugs and gang bangers.
What Florida needs most,is what everyone knows though. They need at least one bruising RB and not so many danicng fumbling injury plagued scatter backs.
Jake Fegan said:
posted on November 12, 2006 9:25 AM — 68.185.100.17 — link — abuse?
The natl championship game is going to be 1-loss USC versus winner of Ohio State Michigan. Or an OSU/Mich rematch.
It almost set up perfectly for an OSU/Mich rematch last night with all of these overrated one-loss team losing their second game. (Texas, Cal, Auburn.)
I don't see Florida winning out.
A one-loss Arkansas team will not get a national championship game spot. Like Rutgers, they didn't start the season high enough in the polls and are thus not allowed to rise high enough, even though it is clear the Razorbacks are the class of the SEC. I don't see Florida beating Arkansas.
Here is what is going to happen:
(1) West Virginia will beat Rutgers, which will end a lot of debate about unfairness to an undefeated Rutgers team.(2) Cal beats USC.
(3) USC beats Notre Dame
(4) Arkansas wins out. Again, Arkansas has no chance for the national title game.
In this scenario, the national championship game will clearly be an OSU/Michigan remtach.
I think only a one-loss USC team can get in the way of a rematch between OSU/Mich.
IGator said:
posted on November 12, 2006 10:49 AM — 72.187.246.240 — link — abuse?
When will Urban finally realize:
You can't get the corners consistently against physical, fast, SEC defenses.
Spread offenses can't protect the QB against good pass rushers.
If you run the QB consistently in the SEC, he will end up in the hospital.
If you have superior talent, all you need to do is buckle the strap, go I formation, and distribute the ball effectively to your skill players without all the stupid mistakes/penalties.
The Carolina game was painful to watch. What a miserable game plan and waste of talent! Urban hasn't scored more than 20 on an SEC team this year because they have his number - had it last year too. Will he adapt?
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Jon said:
posted on November 1, 2006 12:31 PM — 69.246.161.119 — link — abuse?I think you have to give him some time.
His offense may be really effective (and complicated), if he had been coaching the Freshman and Sophomores who are now Juniors and Seniors.
He has only been there two years and all signs are looking bright.
Once he is coaching a team he builds and recruits from the ground up (2 years from now), we will be in a better position to judge.