GATORS COULD BE GOOD IN 2011

GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS

During the process of handwringing over the overall performance of the 2011 Orange and Blue game, particularly on offense, this Gator had a surprising revelation---the Gators could be good in 2011!

As previously mentioned, based on talent level and Spring performance the defense suggests the prospect that defense could be a real building block for 2011---the D-line looks solid; the secondary, anchored by All-Star Janoris Jenkins and stocked with talented players with game experience (Jeremy Brown, Matt Elam, Josh Evans, Cody Riggs), should be an excellent unit and the linebacker corp has 2 talented returning starters.

On the much-maligned offensive side of the ball, don't forget that the WR corps is stocked with talented players literally stacked on top of one another---Omarius Hines, Andre Dubose, Frankie Hammond, Jr,  Stephen Alli, Quinton Dunbar to name a few, not to mention several highly touted incoming Freshman. (Deonte "Stonehands" Thompson is still around, but HOPEFULLY, since the Gators seemingly now have competent coaches on the offensive side of the ball, "D" will spend the fall of 2011 where he belongs, and where he had belonged for the past 2 years.....on the bench.)

At TE, Jordan Reed has All-SEC potential, especially in a new offense that is structured to take advantage of the TE position in the passing game. Reed is backed up by A. C. Leonard, another big, strong, tall, fast receiver who shined in the Spring.

Barring extreme misfortune, the RB position should be a team strength with the Gators boasting one of the deepest units in the country---proven speedsters Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps and productive, but under-utilized, Mike Gillislee pushed by highly coveted former national recruit Mack Brown and impressive, highly recruited incoming Freshman Mike Blakely.

The most significant addition is coaching--- an offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, who is not only credible and competent---something the Gators have not had the last 2 years---(not to beat a dead horse, of course), but has proven to be one of the best offensive minds in the game, both professional and college, coupled with a Head Coach who established his reputation as an outstanding builder of defenses at elite college programs (Texas, LSU, Auburn).

Most glaringly, as every Gator knows, the QB position is unsettled. Even here there is potential for optimism. First, new OC Weis has a long, impressive track record of grooming succesful QBs. Theoretically at least, an OC with his credentials should give Sr QB John Brantley the best possible chance for success. If, for whatever reason, Brantley doesn't emerge as the starter, a long line of talented youngsters is forming to get their shot---unheralded redshirt Freshman Tyler Murphy whose mobility and command of the offense impressed in the Orange and Blue game, high school phenom Jeff Driskel who participated in Spring football and got his feet wet in the Spring game, incoming Freshman Jacoby Brissett, the highly recruited dual threat QB from south Florida who surprisingly chose UF over Miami and even "under the radar" walk-on Christian Provancha, the physically impressive drop-back QB out of Cocoa Beach, who had arguably the best performance of all in the Orange and Blue game (a plus or a big cause for concern, depending on your perspective).

Obviously, there are myriad reasons for Gator fans to be anxious about the upcoming season. Gator Gridiron, for one day at least, would like to suggest some, not insignificant, reasons for optimism.