Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
In the first days of spring practice, as Gator fans continue to digest the dizzying changes to the Florida football program that have taken place over the past 4 to 16 months--
shocking resignations by the same Head Coach on 2 different occasions, the reconstructed, "Coach Meyer Lite" who came back to the program last season, the ugly, bizarre 3-headed QB monster that emerged from the Meyer-Addazio brain trust, the destruction of one time can't miss QB prospect John Brantley by the coaching staff, the dissapointing performance of the highly touted team last fall, the final, and in retrospect merciful, second resignation of CM, the out-of-left-field hiring of 39 year-old career assistant coach Will Muschamp as new Head Coach and the surprising hiring of respected NFL offensive mind/former Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis to lead the Gator offense--
a sense of new found optimism seems to be emerging across Gator Nation.
A closer examination of the addition of Weis to lead the Gator offense inspires a more positive outlook for this Gator, and I suspect many others as well. First and most obvious in the tangible track record of success that Weis has had at all levels of coaching. While the 4 Super Bowl rings are an obvious tangible symbol of what Weis can do, the NFL Championships represent just the top of a long list of accomplishments for the new OC. The fact that, under Weis direction as OC of the New England Patriots, an unknown 6th round draft choice flourished into a QB who is now mentioned as one of the greatest of all-time (Tom Brady) is an excellent credential, even further accented by the fact that Matt Cassel, another unheralded signal caller who wasn't even a starter in college at USC, thrived under Weis' leadership as well as backup to Brady and last season as QB at Kansas City where Weis served as OC last season. Don't forget, also, that the offense at Notre Dame was consistently very good and was outstanding in Weis' first 2 years as HC; also that Weis QB Brady Quinn and WR Jeff Samardzija emerged as one of Notre Dames' all-time great passing combinations under Weis and that both of his starting QB's--Quinn and Jimmy Clausen--were high round NFL draft choices.
So after a couple of weeks of Spring a new look Gator offense is taking shape....a traditional, drop back. passing QB and a healthy stable of under utilized WR's are at the top of the depth chart, Jordan Reed has the look of a big-time receiving TE on the scale of Aaron Hernandez/Ben Troupe/C I Ingram and the guy drawing up schemes and dialing up the ball plays is one of the top, if not THE top, offensive coordinator in the game today. All which are indicators of a brighter, more familiar Gator offense for 2011.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
SPRING FOOTBALL BEGINS; 3-HEADED QB MONSTER IS DEAD
GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
The next era of Gator football begins today as new Head Coach Will Muschamp leads his team into spring practice. A long list of questions will begin to be answered as Coach Will and his new staff begin to implement their offensive and defensive schemes and evaluate the personnel that will execute those new schemes on the field.
First on the mind of many Gators is the look of the offense. Muschamp has not been specific as to the exact type of offense fans can expect, other than to say he favors a "pro style" offense. The early spring depth chart is revealing, however. Mercifully, the 3-headed quarterback monster is now officially a grotesque relic of the Urban Meyer-Steve Addazio era. Jordan Reed will line up as starting TE and Trey Burton will begin spring drills at RB. "Jordan Reed will be a full-time tight end. We feel like he's a guy who can stretch the field vertically and can be a matchup issue for defenses with his athleticism", said Muschamp.
Senior John Brantley begins the spring atop the depth chart at QB ahead of Tyler Murphy and incoming Freshman Jeff Driskel, who is already enrolled in school and who will participate in spring drills. Highly recruited QB Jacoby Brissett will join the competition in the fall.
With this single development, on the first day of his first spring practice, the Coach Will Muschamp has advanced Gator football light years ahead of last season. Whoever emerges as the starting QB, at least Florida will have one specific quarterback operating one offensive philosophy led by one man, Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis; who, by the way, is one of the brightest and most accomplished offensive minds in the game.
When asked to be specific about the exact look and scheme of the 2011 Gator offense, Muschamp gave this refreshing reply, "Spring is not about taking a scheme and throwing it on our players and saying this is what we are. It is our job as coaches to evaluate what our players can do."
Gee....Gator Gridiron is starting to like Coach Will more and more each day.....
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
The next era of Gator football begins today as new Head Coach Will Muschamp leads his team into spring practice. A long list of questions will begin to be answered as Coach Will and his new staff begin to implement their offensive and defensive schemes and evaluate the personnel that will execute those new schemes on the field.
First on the mind of many Gators is the look of the offense. Muschamp has not been specific as to the exact type of offense fans can expect, other than to say he favors a "pro style" offense. The early spring depth chart is revealing, however. Mercifully, the 3-headed quarterback monster is now officially a grotesque relic of the Urban Meyer-Steve Addazio era. Jordan Reed will line up as starting TE and Trey Burton will begin spring drills at RB. "Jordan Reed will be a full-time tight end. We feel like he's a guy who can stretch the field vertically and can be a matchup issue for defenses with his athleticism", said Muschamp.
Senior John Brantley begins the spring atop the depth chart at QB ahead of Tyler Murphy and incoming Freshman Jeff Driskel, who is already enrolled in school and who will participate in spring drills. Highly recruited QB Jacoby Brissett will join the competition in the fall.
With this single development, on the first day of his first spring practice, the Coach Will Muschamp has advanced Gator football light years ahead of last season. Whoever emerges as the starting QB, at least Florida will have one specific quarterback operating one offensive philosophy led by one man, Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis; who, by the way, is one of the brightest and most accomplished offensive minds in the game.
When asked to be specific about the exact look and scheme of the 2011 Gator offense, Muschamp gave this refreshing reply, "Spring is not about taking a scheme and throwing it on our players and saying this is what we are. It is our job as coaches to evaluate what our players can do."
Gee....Gator Gridiron is starting to like Coach Will more and more each day.....
Friday, March 11, 2011
TEBOW Q & A PROVIDES INSIGHT
Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
At the end of the aforementioned screening of the film "Tim Tebow: Everything in Between" on the campus of Full Sail University, Tebow participated in a question and answer session with the live audience. The Chase Heavener directed documentary and live Q & A session provide insight into Tebow's personality. The principal insight for this observer is the transparent, genuine and unaffected persona Tebow projects. (Which really came as no surprise.)
Gator Gridiron had the opportunity to ask a question. The question (paraphrased) was this,
"You are without a doubt the greatest college football player I have ever seen. Despite on-the-field accomplishments that are unparelled in the game of college football, you have been the target of an extrordinary degree of criticism from well known, so-called experts on national sports networks...a volume and intensity of criticism that I personally have never witnessed before for someone who has the unprecedented volume of tangible accomplishments that you have achieved. How do you deal with this level of omnipresent criticism?...does it make you angry?....do you find it hurtful?....do you block it out and ignore it?"
Tebow's answer was interesting. The first point he made was that the "politically correct" thing would be to say that "no, I don't pay attention", but that, in fact, he does hear the attacks and finds them to be hurtful (Gator Gridiron's word). While he generally declined to speculate on why he is the target of such a volume of intense criticism, he said his ultimate response is to use it as a motivating influence. He even shared one personal experience of when he was unable to sleep one night because of thoughts of various critical statements from media critics. His response was to get out of bed at aroung 2am and run 3-4 miles.
So the bottom line of the way Tim Tebow deals with the anti-Tebow crowd is right in character with his typical Tim Tebow way of living his life and meeting other challenges---increase focus, increase his already Herculean resolve and intensity and work even harder.
During his answer he shared a quote he heard as a youngster that has had a powerful motivating influence on his life and football career; "Somewhere, he is out there. And he is working hard...harder than me. Someday we will meet and HE will win."
Word to the so-called "experts". Don't bet against Tim Tebow. In the near future it could (and most likely will) be damaging to your career.......
Roger Franklin Williams
At the end of the aforementioned screening of the film "Tim Tebow: Everything in Between" on the campus of Full Sail University, Tebow participated in a question and answer session with the live audience. The Chase Heavener directed documentary and live Q & A session provide insight into Tebow's personality. The principal insight for this observer is the transparent, genuine and unaffected persona Tebow projects. (Which really came as no surprise.)
Gator Gridiron had the opportunity to ask a question. The question (paraphrased) was this,
"You are without a doubt the greatest college football player I have ever seen. Despite on-the-field accomplishments that are unparelled in the game of college football, you have been the target of an extrordinary degree of criticism from well known, so-called experts on national sports networks...a volume and intensity of criticism that I personally have never witnessed before for someone who has the unprecedented volume of tangible accomplishments that you have achieved. How do you deal with this level of omnipresent criticism?...does it make you angry?....do you find it hurtful?....do you block it out and ignore it?"
Tebow's answer was interesting. The first point he made was that the "politically correct" thing would be to say that "no, I don't pay attention", but that, in fact, he does hear the attacks and finds them to be hurtful (Gator Gridiron's word). While he generally declined to speculate on why he is the target of such a volume of intense criticism, he said his ultimate response is to use it as a motivating influence. He even shared one personal experience of when he was unable to sleep one night because of thoughts of various critical statements from media critics. His response was to get out of bed at aroung 2am and run 3-4 miles.
So the bottom line of the way Tim Tebow deals with the anti-Tebow crowd is right in character with his typical Tim Tebow way of living his life and meeting other challenges---increase focus, increase his already Herculean resolve and intensity and work even harder.
During his answer he shared a quote he heard as a youngster that has had a powerful motivating influence on his life and football career; "Somewhere, he is out there. And he is working hard...harder than me. Someday we will meet and HE will win."
Word to the so-called "experts". Don't bet against Tim Tebow. In the near future it could (and most likely will) be damaging to your career.......
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
TEBOW VISITS ORLANDO FOR SCREENING OF "TIM TEBOW: EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN"
Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
Tim Tebow visited the Orlando campus of Full Sail University on Monday March 7 for a screening of the documentary "Tim Tebow: Everything In Between". The film, which was directed by Full Sail graduate Chase Heavener, chronicles Tebow's preparation for the National Football League draft and debuted on ESPN in January as part of ESPN's "Year of the Quarterback" series. Tebow appeared with Heavener for a question and answer session with Full Sail students, staff and members of the public. And, of course, Gator Gridiron was there!
The film presents an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at Tebow during a major turning point in his life and football career---the process of transitioning from iconic, Heisman Trophy and National Championship college QB to preparing for entry into a surprisingly skeptical National Football League. "Tim Tebow: Everything In Between" begins at the 2010 Sugar Bowl, Tebow's last college game, the Gators blow-out win over Cincinnati, where he established the All-Time passing yardage record (over 450 yards) for a Bowl Championship Series game, and ends as Tebow is selected by the Denver Broncos with the 25th pick in the 1st round of the NFL draft. Director Heavener skillfully leads viewers into the inner world of "Team Tebow", capturing Tebow's Herculean passion and capacity for hard work, the decision making processes of the tight-knit Tebow family, the business side of being a national superstar with extraordinary upside potential as advertising spokesman and media celebrity, and the voracious, vehement and often mean-spirited anti-Tebow backlash that broke out among large swaths of the national sports media as Tebow prepared to take the next big step in his football career.
Roger Franklin Williams
Tim Tebow visited the Orlando campus of Full Sail University on Monday March 7 for a screening of the documentary "Tim Tebow: Everything In Between". The film, which was directed by Full Sail graduate Chase Heavener, chronicles Tebow's preparation for the National Football League draft and debuted on ESPN in January as part of ESPN's "Year of the Quarterback" series. Tebow appeared with Heavener for a question and answer session with Full Sail students, staff and members of the public. And, of course, Gator Gridiron was there!
The film presents an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at Tebow during a major turning point in his life and football career---the process of transitioning from iconic, Heisman Trophy and National Championship college QB to preparing for entry into a surprisingly skeptical National Football League. "Tim Tebow: Everything In Between" begins at the 2010 Sugar Bowl, Tebow's last college game, the Gators blow-out win over Cincinnati, where he established the All-Time passing yardage record (over 450 yards) for a Bowl Championship Series game, and ends as Tebow is selected by the Denver Broncos with the 25th pick in the 1st round of the NFL draft. Director Heavener skillfully leads viewers into the inner world of "Team Tebow", capturing Tebow's Herculean passion and capacity for hard work, the decision making processes of the tight-knit Tebow family, the business side of being a national superstar with extraordinary upside potential as advertising spokesman and media celebrity, and the voracious, vehement and often mean-spirited anti-Tebow backlash that broke out among large swaths of the national sports media as Tebow prepared to take the next big step in his football career.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
KEEP SPRING PRACTICE CLOSED
Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
You know it is a slow news period when a "controversy" erupts in the Gainesville area media--as well as Gator football blogs-- over whether new Head Coach Will Muschamp is some kind of "traitor" because of the "outrageous" act of comtemplating closing spring practice to fans and media. Apparently, to a small, but passionate and very vocal band of Gators, attending Gator football practice is a sacred, fundamental "Right" on the level of freedom speech, religion and the right to keep and bear arms. Gator Gridiron admires the enthusiasm of those Gators who are fortunate enough to live close enough to campus to make attending practice a major part of their lives, but, as a practical matter, the "factory floor" where an SEC/National Championship caliber football program is being constructed really is not the place for social gatherings for the Gator faithful or Saturday afternoon picnics. A spring where a totally new band of coaches with new and different philosophies and schemes will attempt to mold a raw stable of talented, but largely inexperienced young players into the Championship level team that all Gators expect needs to be an environment of total focus and intensity. An even more relevant and practical consideration is the fact of todays world where every bystander with a cell phone is now a one man news crew with audio and video capacity. Coach Muschamp has not yet made an official announcment as to his policy of access to practice, spring or fall. If he chooses to close access to fans and/or media, Gator Gridiron supports that wise decision 100%.
Roger Franklin Williams
You know it is a slow news period when a "controversy" erupts in the Gainesville area media--as well as Gator football blogs-- over whether new Head Coach Will Muschamp is some kind of "traitor" because of the "outrageous" act of comtemplating closing spring practice to fans and media. Apparently, to a small, but passionate and very vocal band of Gators, attending Gator football practice is a sacred, fundamental "Right" on the level of freedom speech, religion and the right to keep and bear arms. Gator Gridiron admires the enthusiasm of those Gators who are fortunate enough to live close enough to campus to make attending practice a major part of their lives, but, as a practical matter, the "factory floor" where an SEC/National Championship caliber football program is being constructed really is not the place for social gatherings for the Gator faithful or Saturday afternoon picnics. A spring where a totally new band of coaches with new and different philosophies and schemes will attempt to mold a raw stable of talented, but largely inexperienced young players into the Championship level team that all Gators expect needs to be an environment of total focus and intensity. An even more relevant and practical consideration is the fact of todays world where every bystander with a cell phone is now a one man news crew with audio and video capacity. Coach Muschamp has not yet made an official announcment as to his policy of access to practice, spring or fall. If he chooses to close access to fans and/or media, Gator Gridiron supports that wise decision 100%.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
NEW ASSISTANTS WELL PAID
Gator Gridiron
Roger Franklin Williams
Earlier this week Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel published the salaries of Florida's new assistant coaches. Leading the list was acclaimed Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis with a 2011 salary in the neighborhood of $750,000.
While audible gasps of shock and exasperation were heard in some circles, Gator Gridiron has a different, more pragmatic take.
In a nutshell, if Coach Muschamp and his new staff are able to put Gator football back into the extreme upper echelon of college football consistently---compete for the SEC title every year and resume status as a consistent top 10 program while competing for a National Title every 2-3 years---then Coach Muschamp, Coach Weis and the other coaches will be very deserving of their healthy salaries. If, on the other hand, the new regime falls short, then, yes, those lofty paychecks were obviously too much.
For example, Steve Addazio, who sickenly was reported to have made in the $300,000. range as OC, would have been grossly overpaid at minimum wage.
The pay scale for assistant coaches as well as head coaches has exploded in the last decade, due to a number of factors. While Weis' 3/4 million salary is at the top of the range of a top notch OC, it is certainly not outrageous, based on the recent pay scale for top notch assistants.
If Coach Weis can come close to duplicating the success he had as OC of the New England Patriots...and yes, I know that was pro, not college...then this Gator (and I'm sure plenty of others) will consider a measley $750,000 a year to be a bargain.
Roger Franklin Williams
Earlier this week Rachel George of the Orlando Sentinel published the salaries of Florida's new assistant coaches. Leading the list was acclaimed Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis with a 2011 salary in the neighborhood of $750,000.
While audible gasps of shock and exasperation were heard in some circles, Gator Gridiron has a different, more pragmatic take.
In a nutshell, if Coach Muschamp and his new staff are able to put Gator football back into the extreme upper echelon of college football consistently---compete for the SEC title every year and resume status as a consistent top 10 program while competing for a National Title every 2-3 years---then Coach Muschamp, Coach Weis and the other coaches will be very deserving of their healthy salaries. If, on the other hand, the new regime falls short, then, yes, those lofty paychecks were obviously too much.
For example, Steve Addazio, who sickenly was reported to have made in the $300,000. range as OC, would have been grossly overpaid at minimum wage.
The pay scale for assistant coaches as well as head coaches has exploded in the last decade, due to a number of factors. While Weis' 3/4 million salary is at the top of the range of a top notch OC, it is certainly not outrageous, based on the recent pay scale for top notch assistants.
If Coach Weis can come close to duplicating the success he had as OC of the New England Patriots...and yes, I know that was pro, not college...then this Gator (and I'm sure plenty of others) will consider a measley $750,000 a year to be a bargain.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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