Former Florida Player Feedback: Church's 10 Observations
Former Florida defensive end Johnie Church (1992-1995) shares 10 observations from the Gators' 38-28 loss to Tennessee.
1) It was definitely a tale of two halves. I'm still trying to decipher what really happened at halftime. I feel like we conceded the 2nd half on a false belief that an 18pt lead in a hostile environment was insurmountable. We put the team in a bad situation to finish on offense or defense. I'm sure this will be the 1st & last time we make this mistake. Moving on!
2) These unforced penalties have got to stop! I don't know why, but overall we are not doing a good job at just focusing at the onset of plays. Hustle penalties are a part of the game and are typically tolerated. Mental errors are something that will continue to hurt us throughout the season if they're not put in check.
3) It seems we didn't prepare our young team enough to be able to operate in a loud and hostile environment. There appeared to be a plethora of untimely timeouts, miscommunication, near delay of games, & coverage busts that collectively cost us big time. Hopefully, we can get some baseline hand signals communicated and get plays ushered in a lot faster for future contests in hostile environments.
4) I was excited to see some screens to Jordan Cronkite like I mentioned last week (they came up big a few times), and also the two-tight end look (our biggest and most effective run plays came in a two-tight end overload formation). But, we became as predictable as "special sauce" on a Big Mac calling the same plays off the exact look in the 2nd half & we got bludgeoned by them after the 2nd half adjustments by UT. I still would have loved a couple tight end screens to change-up the screen game in the 2nd half. What happened to a game plan I was sure we would have for Brando Powell this week. Somehow, we eliminated him from the game plan entirely. I'm sure that will be corrected in the future.
5) Austin Appleby looked really nice and fairly poised on Saturday. His deep balls had me gushing and salivating at what wrinkles we would have for the 2nd half. He played almost a flawless game to me, barring the one pick while trying to make a play when the tides were turning. Our #1 & #2 quarterbacks look solid for this season.
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* Notebook: McElwain discusses defense & special teams
* Breakdown: Florida goes into second half shell
* Talk Florida Football with the Gator Nation
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6) I usually don't go here, but what in the world is wrong with these refs???? There were two ghost 15 -yard penalties that were crucial called against Powell and Jarrad Davis while they missed two obvious blocks in the back on two separate punt returns. Then, there should have been a 15-yard personal foul after Andre Goolsby got dumped after the ball had long bounced off of him. That's typically the case when you're a highly penalized team. The refs tend to call more because history allows their eyes to see things that typically aren't there (and miss others). I just felt we needed to say HI to the refs.
7) The shorts fields for the Florida defense all day is one of the single most dreaded things on earth for a defensive player. It tires you out quickly, & it plays with your mind as you're typically just trying to hold the offense to a field goal as a goal, because after a first down or two they are already in field goal position. A bad game of shoulder tackles popped up as the game went on & players started getting tired. It happens! They stopped them more then enough to create opportunities & got some turnovers. It's a "TEAM" game and they know everyone was giving it their all.
8) Fans have to understand that we're all human. Our offensive play-calling and execution was exemplary and diverse in the first half. I'm sure Coach Nuss was being lauded in thousands of households after the 1st half. Truth is, our team & players will get better because of this loss.
9) Understand that unless a coach inherited a loaded team (Mac didn't), it will take a minimum of 3 years to mold a solid imprint of what your team will look. We've had to implement a lot of transfers and youngn's to balance out the mismanagement of personnel, so there will still be growing pains for sure.
10) To give you a little insight into where I am coming from with these observations. These athletes (kids) are typically trying to manage a 40-50 hour weekly football schedule in addition to schooling, rehab, etc....For one Saturday they go out there and fight for victory, as grown adults get to cheer and behave like kids again in front of your TVs and in the stands. Let's all have a little couth & realize that because of social media they have allowed you insight & perspective into their routines, feelings, etc...You have no idea as to the workload, stresses, & physical pain they fight through for a Saturday romp in The Swamp.
Peace & Love to all!
And, Go Gators!