Florida v. Bowling Green

by Arnaldo

The 2012 season opens up on Saturday with Bowling Green coming to Gainesville, and the Gator Nation couldn't be more excited, or more nervous.  The SEC isn't getting any easier.  In fact, it may be even harder.  This is the first time half of the preseason top 10 are in the same conference, and after the way the SEC made last year's Gators look, it's hard to inspire hope.

This particular match-up marks the last remnants of Urban Meyer at UF, or so we hope.  He helped schedule this game to send his original head coaching job some money.  It would've been a nice symbol of his great career. . . but we're done with that.  It's time to focus on a new year.


What to Expect


I've heard some chatter along the lines of, "what if we lose to Bowling Green?"  Cut it out.  There is no losing this Saturday.  We've conformed with not winning every single game since the end of the '09 season, even against teams that were once much inferior:  Auburn, FSU, Georgia, South Carolina.  Being in the SEC allows you to schedule a cupcake in week one to run a glorified scrimmage.  If you've been watching NFL preseason games, this will be a lot like that.  Later portions of the game will see a lot of second and third string players.  Also keep in mind that we're under yet another transition with Brent Pease coming in as offensive coordinator.  The Gators won't be in the business of running up the score, there may not even be much concern over the score as long as the Gators are winning.  This game is all about individual performances in real game situations.


What to Look For

Jacoby Brissett (left) and Jeff Driskel (right).
Both have changed their numbers since last season.

Quarterbacks.  The single loudest storyline this week has been Will Muschamp's reluctance to name a starting quarterback, and it's hard to blame him.  Jeff Driskel (6) and Jacoby Brissett (12) were recruited very similarly, ranked first and third quarterback prospects nationally.  What we saw of them last year was also too similar: crumbling under pressure in impossible circumstances.  Driskel was forced to play against the eventual national champions, while Brissett was forced to start against their runner-up.  What we have now should be two much more experienced and confident passers.  I realize it's easy to be nervous about such a glaring question mark on the depth chart, but close competition is always good for the team.  Muschamp isn't looking for a two quarterback system.  He's looking for a starter, and a live game is the perfect place to find one.  Rest assured that on the way to College Station, Texas, the Gators will have their starting quarterback.

Mike Gillislee

Mike Gillislee.  The transition from Urban Meyer's spread option to Will Muschamp's pro-style hasn't been easy.  It's not just about playbooks and audibles; it's about players, and at runningback, we found ourselves with two incredibly talented spread option type playmakers.  Speedy option pitchmen, open space runners, track stars.  In a pro-style, downhill running attack, however, Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey were rendered almost useless.  Then-offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, had to experiment with nearly extinct formations like the pistol and full house just to keep them somewhat effective.  Mike Gillislee (23) was recruited to be an inside option back.  This means he's supposed to be running in between the tackles, but still in a system that utilizes deception and open space to succeed.  The old Mike Gillislee would still not fit in.  The new Mike Gillislee might.  He claims to have put on 10 pounds and both him and Will Mushchamp won't shut up about it.  "I was very impressed with his lunch-pail attitude," he said on the last day of camp.  "1,500 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns.  That's my goal.  That's what I want to do.  If not, then come close," said Gillislee.  If you know anything about season long runningback stats, you know he shouldn't even come close, but good for him for setting a goal that can motivate him to get as close as he can.  Also keep an eye our for true freshman Matt Jones (24) around the end of the game, who was actually recruited by size and skill to fit into our offense.

Andre Debose

Receiving corps.  The 2011 edition of the Florida Gators was not known for offensive production.  Most third downs seemed to be converted by the jack-of-all-trades tight end Jordan Reed (11).  John Brantley seemed to only make passes between the hashes so as far as the receivers are concerned, it's unfair to call them untalented, but more-so unproven.  With just as unproven quarterbacks, it's gonna be a two-pronged effort at improving each position.  Top receivers returning from last year are Quinton Dunbar (1), Latroy Pittman (13), Andre Debose (4), and Frankie Hammond Jr (85).  All have incredible potential, but will have to vastly improve.  At tight end, expect a lot more of Jordan Reed (11).  The more interesting position is the back-up tight end role.  More offenses now a days are using multiple tight end sets and more tight end plays in general, making depth at tight end crucial.  With the departure of A.C. Leonard, a huge disparity is left between Reed and his supporters.  Look to see who steps up between Clay Burton (88) (yes, Trey's little brother) or maybe receiver-turned-tight end Omarius Hines (88), who was used sparingly last year in sweeps and other specialty plays.


Defense.  I can't hype this defense up enough.  It's a squad that's been slowly rebuilding since the 07-09 stellar club, and they're still young.  2011's defense ranked 8th nationally in total defense and that was with an injured Dominique Easley (2) and another "transition" at defensive minded head coach, Will Mushchamp, and defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn.  This year, the front line is healthy and don't forget that all three Easley, Omar Hunter, and Sharrif Floyd were all 5 star recruits.  The real storyline here is the injured Ronald Powell (7) at the hybrid defensive tackle/outside linebacker (buck) position.  He claims to be healthy and should return midseason.  His replacement Lerentee McCray (34) should do his part just fine, but remains a question mark comparatively.

Dominique Easley, and America

 Calling the linebackers solid would be an understatement.  If you've watched Gator football in the last two years you don't need to be told how good Jon Bostic (1) and Jelani Jenkins (3) are.  Chances are you'll hear one of their names being called after each tackle.  The weak link is Darrin Kitchens (49) who has had field time but was almost murdered against FSU last year.  He was the player who laid motionless on the field at the beginning of the second half and needed to be carted off.  He's fine now but will need to play well to stay out of the shadow of the other two linebackers.  The safety position is more than complete with Matt Elam (22) and Josh Evans (9), two players who shone as underclassmen and are now out of excuses to be anything short of All-Americans.  Matt Elam led the team in tackles for loss (11) last year complimenting 78 tackles and two interceptions.  Not on the depth chart is De'Ante "Pop" Saunders (26) who is nursing a hamstring injury and is scheduled to return by week 3.  Saunders led an impressive Freshman year with 28 tackles and 2 interceptions.  Cornerbacks are up in the air in competition between Marcus Roberson (5), Cody Riggs (31), Loucheiz Purifoy (15), and Jaylen Watkins (14).  Muschamp isn't too worried, planning on using all four in several nickel and dime packages.  My only point of concern with this defense was last year's lack of turnovers, with only 8 interceptions.

Caleb Sturgis

Caleb Sturgis.  Yes, he's still here.  Redshirt senior Caleb Sturgis (19) is probably the best kicker in the nation, if he can stay healthy, which has been an issue the last few years.  The Lou Groza Award finalist believes he can make anything within 60 yards, and I believe him.  What you need to really watch for is the implementation of the new kickoff rules and how they'll affect the game.  As of this season, like in the NFL, kick offs will be set up at the 35 yard line, but unlike the NFL, a touchback puts the ball at the 25 yard line.  This leaves very little incentive to return the ball, but a lot of incentive to change the way kickers kick the ball.  A team confident they can stop a returner before the 25 yard line may strategically try to place the ball inside the 5 yard line to give the returner some reason to catch and return it.  Depending on how Muschamp wants to experiment with these new rules, Sturgis may be asked to soften kickoffs.


Arnaldo's prediction:

Florida wins 45-6

Xs and Os: Defensive and Special Teams Positions

by Arnaldo

Obviously after covering offensive positions, defensive and special positions were to follow.  A lot of these positions vary depending on the defensive scheme but we'll get into that later.  For now we'll just assume a standard 4-3 defense.

Defensive Positions

Defenses have three levels, the defensive line, linebackers, and the secondary.  I realize the secondary is the third level of the defense, but the name comes from the term "the box" which combines the d-line and the linebackers making the secondary the second line of defense.  Keep in mind that the rules allow defensive players to move freely and line up anywhere on their side of the line of scrimmage, so where I say these players line up may change during an actual game but they will usually line up there.

Defensive Tackles and Ends.  The defensive line consists of these.  The term "tackle" refers to the offensive tackles, if not the act of tackling, so the defensive position is usually referred to as a defensive tackle.  The defensive line has one job: tackle whoever has the ball.  On pass plays they are trying to penetrate the pocket to tackle the quarterback (a sack).  On run plays they are still trying to penetrate the offensive line to reach the ball carrier.  How they do this does vary depending on the particular play.  Defensive tackles line up in a 3-point-stance on either side of (and facing) the center and usually try to penetrate the A-gap, the gap between the center and either guard.  In a 3-4 scheme, or any time a defensive tackle lines up directly in front of the center, he is referred to as the nose tackle.  Defensive tackles are usually the biggest players on the team weighing in between 300-370 pounds.

Defensive ends line up other outside the defensive tackles also in a 3-point-stance.  They push the tackles while also trying to get around them using their speed.  Defensive ends are usually smaller and quicker and there's a recent trend that is making them even smaller.  The days of 290 pound ends are approaching their end.  Now, most teams (especially in 4-3 schemes) use 250-275 pound ends that are quicker to get around the tackle to make a sack, and can still drop back into coverage on specialized plays (see Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey).

Linebackers.  The second level of defense are linebackers who line up, stay with me here, behind the d-line.  Their roles are typically more complex than that of the linemen.  In man coverage they are assigned an offensive skill player to cover, while in zone they have a tight zone to cover.  They're also the most common blitzers (whoever rushes the quarterback besides the d-line).   There are usually 3 linebackers on the field, two outside linebackers and a middle linebacker.  They also have nicknames to distinguish which linebacker they are.  The middle linebacker is referred to as Mike, the strong side linebacker is Sam, and the weak side linebacker is Will.  The strong side of the field is determined by which side of the offensive line the tight end line up , the opposite side is the weak side.  More times than not, the right side (from the offensive's perspective) is the strong side.  Furthermore, if the tight end goes in motion to the opposite side, the defensive assignments may shift over so that Sam doesn't have to move with him, unless that particular match-up is critical for the defense.  Linebackers are typically lean but very well built.  They are usually around 245-270 pounds.  The middle linebacker is typically largest of the three but doesn't necessarily need to be.

Cornerback.  The cornerbacks along with safeties make up the secondary.  Cornerbacks line up one on one against the X and Z receivers, in most schemes.  They must be among the fastest players on the team to keep up with the receivers.  Cornerbacks are not only responsible for not letting his assignment get into open space, if a pass comes his way he has to put himself between the ball and the receiver without interfering on the receivers ability to catch the ball (this would result in a pass interference call), and if he can, make an interception.  Cornerbacks are sometimes called on to blitz.  Because of their angle towards the quarterback, they often sneak up on him, so much so that former quarterback coach and head coach Jon Gruden calls them corner cats (see Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis).

Safeties.  Safeties come in two varieties and there are usually only two on the field: strong safeties and free safties.  Strong safeties are usually stronger but the name derives from strong side, where the strong safety lines up behind the Sam linebacker (see Ahmad Black, John Lynch).  Free safeties line up loosely behind the strong safety but on the weak side of the field.  They typically are a bit quicker than strong safeties.  Safeties in general sit back and wait to see the play unfold before engaging.   If the play develops into a run, the safeties will engage to assist on the tackle from the "north" (the direction the offense is facing) so that in case the ball carrier escapes a few tackles, the safety is prepared to make the last possible tackle.  Safeties are taught to never find themselves behind the offense, but different coverage schemes might have them on unusual parts of the field and certain blitz schemes might utilize safeties as pass rushers.

Special Teams Positions

A football team usually has 5 special teams.  It could have fewer depending on how the personnel carry over, but there are 5 different needs for a special team: kick-offs, kick returns, punts, punt returns, and onside kicking/receiving (hands teams).  Field goals typically use the same team that handles punts but with a kicker instead of a punter, and a holder.  The majority of each special team is made up of starters and back-ups of various positions with the addition of a few specialized roles and a few specialized positions.

Let me begin by differentiating a role and a position.  A position is the type of  player who handles certain responsibilities.  A role is a job that could be filled by a certain position or various positions.  A quarterback is a position, the starting quarterback is a role. 

photo: photo-gator (Flickr)

Kicker.  The kicker handles the kick-off and field goal kicking.  A kicker's experience probably includes punting, but the two positions are specialized, so there is a designated kicker and punter.  Keep in mind punting involves receiving the snapped ball, dropping it and kicking, while kicking refers to kicking the ball from a tee or by a live place holder.

Punter.  Already kind of defined above, a punter is called upon on 4th down situations to strategically giving up a down to move the ball as far back as possible for the other offense to use.  In the event of a safety, a punt by the nonscoring team is required to return the ball back to the scoring team's offense from the 20 yard line, though a tee-less kick or a drop kick is also allowed.  College rules now allow a team to kick off the ball with a tee from the 20 instead.  Punters and kickers have no size significance.  Their skills lie solely on their abilities to kick, so usually they may vary in height but are usually very skinny.

photo: photo-gator (Flickr)

Long snapper.  The long snapper is a specialized position.  On punts and field goal tries, he will line up at center, and snap the ball back to the punter or holder.  This requires him to be a much more precise snapper than the starting center.  The long snapper also needs to see his snap for precision while a center snaps while facing forward.

Holder. The holder is a role.  It's usually filled by a punter or occasionally a backup quarterback.  On field goal attempts they catch the football from long snapper and quickly set it up to be kicked.

Punt/kick returner.  These are also roles filled usually by the fastest shiftiest player, typically a wide receiver, running back, or defensive back.  There is usually a separate punt returner than kick returner.  Some kickoff formations have two possible returners on both sides of the field.  Returners need to be fast, but the ability to read blocks down field, escape tackles, and make quick cuts and jukes are probably just, if not more, important than pure speed.