GATOR GRIDIRON
ROGER FRANKLIN WILLIAMS
During and prior to September, the Gator Gridiron blog as well as various Central Florida radio broadcasts, pod-casts and media outlets have witnessed the Old School Gator proclaiming to the world that Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator is one of the best things to ever happen to Gator Football, that Charlie Weis is perhaps the best offensive coordinator in the game of football, at any level,and various other accolades. It's disturbing what a couple of impressive "exhibition" victories and 400 yards rushing against Kentucky can do to your judgement.
Well, cut to Sunday October 16, aka, "the day after Auburn" and the realization that in the last three weeks the 2011 Gator offense is looking a whole lot like the 2010 Gator offense...right down to, horrifically, the return of the dreaded 3-headed QB monster.
In ugly offensive performances against upper-echelon SEC competition, the Gators just flat out have not been able to run the ball, period. Demps and Rainey 4 yards a piece vs. Alabama, no running game at all at LSU and now 60-something yards on 30-something carries, or more specifically, 2 yards a carry, against Auburn...in a winnable game.
Certainly, Gator Gridiron understands that the predicament of having to play 2 pure Freshman QBs, with one of them playing on a bum ankle, puts the Florida offensive braintrust in a true disadvantage---especially when you have to play the No 1 & No 3 teams on the nation back to back. But the thing that is most disconcerting is that talented players are not being utilized.
For example, tough, quick RB Mike Gillislee, who is averaging over 7 yards per carry and has averaged over 5 yards a carry for his entire Gator career, is being completely waisted. If utilized properly, ie,15-20 times a game, Gillislee could provide that inside running presence that Florida so desperately needs.
All the while, talented speedster Andre DeBose languishes as the 4th or 5th option in the offense, when all he ever does in the very few times he is called upon is make big plays and score TDs.
At least DeBose and Gillislee actually get the ball every now and then. Big, strong, tall, fast, sure-handed, versatile WR Omarious Hines has been completely ignored! Ala DeBose, in the very few times Hines was called upon last year, he produced in a big way. Hines also brings a unique combination of size and skills--he could be utilized as a WR, a TE or even as a RB/FB. Lord knows the Gator needs something...at least something more than Rainey/Demps left; Rainey/Demps right; Rainey/Demps up the middle; short dump pass to Rainey; punt.
Why not let Gillislee, DeBose and Omarious Hines play a little and see what happens.
I bet what will happen is, the Gators will begin to move the ball, score touchdowns and maybe...just maybe WIN A FREAKING GAME!
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