Former Player Feedback: 10 Observations
Former Florida linebacker Johnny Rutledge shares 10 observations from the Gators' 26-20 win over Tennessee.
1) We’ve found our quarterback
Not many Florida quarterbacks can say that their first start as a Gator in the Swamp was one that will be remembered for years to come, but that’s how legends are made. I’ll hold off on the legend talk for now but Feleipe Franks showed me that he’s more than capable of being a starting quarterback. Going 18-of-28 for 212-yards and 2 TDS with 1 INT is not bad. There will be some growing pains along the way, but I expect this kid’s confidence to grow from week to week. The way he ended the game against Tennessee with a walk-off, game winning, touchdown pass should speed up his belief in what he could ultimately become and what the University of Florida so desperately needs at the moment -consistent play from the quarterback position.
2) Malik Davis has to get more touches
Malik Davis may have lost a fumble going into the end zone that could have completely taken the life out of Tennessee. However, I think this is something that he’ll learn from and this experience will make him a better player from this day going forward. What I saw was is a kid that has big play making ability, he looks explosive and seems to have that knack for making something happen with every opportunity he gets. With that being said he needs to get more than four carries, I know coaches may have more trust in Lamical Perine and Mark Thompson because of their experience, but there comes a time when young players have to grow up. Find creative ways to get this kid the ball.
3) Marco Wilson and C.J Henderson aren’t afraid of the moment
Larry Kennedy, Fred Weary, Antione Lott, Lito Sheppard, Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Quincy Wilson, Teez Tabor just a starting list of great cornerbacks at the University of Florida. Marco Wilson and C.J Henderson may have a ways to go before they can their names to this illustrious list, but so far this cornerback tandem has shown that they have what it takes to be great players. I saw once again Henderson returning an interception for a touchdown and Wilson being matched up against Tennessee’s best receiver without any help on the goal line. I tweeted (@JRUT58) during the game that Marco Wilson is playing like he’s been here before. I’ll be tuning in every week to watch these two young talented corners play.
4) Our defensive backs have to become better tacklers, Period!
This group is pretty good when the ball is in the air, but where they are a liability is in the run game. I don’t have the stats of how many tackles were missed but it was too many to count. In order to become a “Great Defense” everyone has to make tackles when the opportunity presents itself. I expect it from the young corners at this stage because it’s something their not accustomed to doing at this point in time, but Chaucey Gardner, who appeared in 13 games last year, looked as if he had no desire to tackle any Tennessee ball carrier on Saturday. You can expect opposing coaches to design plays that will force our defensive backs to became active participants in the run game. They better be ready to respond.
5) Duke Dawson has a knack for making big plays
In any football game there four-to-five plays that will decide the outcome. Duke “The Lord rested on the 7th day” Dawson has shown that he has a knack for making game changing plays. His interception in the red zone of Quinten Dormady killed any momentum Tennessee had early in the game. Dawson has an innate ability to step up when we need him most. His health and leadership will be vital for a young secondary going forward.
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6) Is Tyrie Cleveland ready to be the No. 1 target?
Saturday's 63-yard game winner was the biggest catch of the young career of sophomore wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland. Now the question is, will this be the highlight of his career or will it catapult him to wanting more of these moments. He has all the tools needed to be a No. 1receiver in the SEC. With Antonio Callaway out, Cleveland seems to be the Gators go to receiver when they need a play. Without knowing when or if Callaway will return, we need Cleveland to be ready to be the Gators top receiving treat going forward. My only gripe against Tyrie is that after his game winning catch, when asked, he had no clue who Doug Flutie was.
7) The offense line was better, but there’s room for improvement
The offensive line improved its play from the Michigan game - in which we were dominated up-front by an aggressive odd front and blitzes that came from all angles. Against Tennessee they made holes for the running game (we averaged 5.8 yards per rush) and kept Franks upright for the must part. In the off-season we were told that the offensive line was a team strength, they still may be. But for that to be true this group has to show that they can keep the pressure off of a young quarterback by grinding out the clock with a physical running game. Looking forward to seeing how this group grows throughout the season.
8) Our overall defensive depth concerns me
I hate to sound like the old guy in the room, but back when I played – I heard it so much when I played, I never thought I’d be one of those players that would make that statement (LOL) - we had guys like Jevon Kearse and Mike Peterson on the bench waiting their turn to play. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, whenever I see one of our defensive lineman, linebackers or anyone in our defensive secondary go down I’m holding my breath – because the drop-off in talent looks pretty steep. There’s an old football saying we use after someone is injured 'Next man up.' However, in reality there’s a reason why the 'Next man up' player is a backup. There is a difference between elite teams and those who are just average or slightly above average – that being the teams like Alabama and Clemson defensively they have an extra 6-8 players who can give you starter reps when asked to. They can play 15-20 snaps per game without much of a drop off from them to the starter. That's what were currently missing, if you noticed when we play Alabama it’s not that we don’t match them talent for talent for the first two and half quarters, we’re good until you begin to see our guys fatigue and our backups can’t perform at the level of the starters when asked to. We need to build quality depth across every position on defense. That is how you become a championship level team.
9) Shh... I think we may have a secret weapon
There's no two ways about it, Kadarius Toney is a football player, wherever you put him RB, WR, Slot, Wildcat QB - anywhere - he’s looking to make a play. Like Malik Davis we have to find creative ways to get the ball into Toney’s hand. As someone who has sat in those meeting rooms before, let me tell you it is a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare when you have to prepare for multiple playmakers on the field or one player who can do multiple things. He may be young at this point in time, but we have no time to let Toney sit and learn the nuances of the receiver position just put the ball into his hands and let him work.
10) We have to keep our little brother in their place
During the game against Tennessee I got text messages from friends that played at the University of Kentucky saying that this is their year to end the streak. When Kentucky thinks they have a chance to beat you (they have a talented team this year) it’s a problem. The players can’t say while we are still there, but we saw Kentucky as a little brother. You don’t let your little brother have an inkling of confidence that they can beat you. If the opportunity presents itself we have to go on the road and put the entire SEC on notice that we are the Gators!
Johnny Rutledge is a six year NFL veteran, ALL-SEC linebacker at the University of Florida, scholar, coach, and youth mentor. During his playing days and in retirement, Rutledge has made it his mission to support early childhood literacy. Johnny created the Grant's Sports Adventures book series as way to teach readers the value of fatherhood, athletics and life lessons.
Click on the photo below to learn more about his book.
Book: Math and Football can be found at https://www.grantssportsadventures.com/
Social Media
Twitter @JRut58
IG @GrantsSportsAdventures
Facebook Johnny Rutledge
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