Good to hear from you Joseph. VERY knowledgeable post. It definitely sounds like you've been around awhile, so I'm just curious... how long have you been on Gatortalk? These "discussions" we're having are VERY common and we've been doing this since the late 80's. We like to dissect the game, rant and rave, slap each other around for having a different opinion, and then have a group hug at the end of the day.
I don't get too alarmed when I hear people calling for a coach's head. We have some who are a little more impatient than others. They may be "microwave" fans, but NOTHING like "bandwagon" riders like you'll find in Tallahassee and Miami. In fact, that very term makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Oh, wait... I shave my head, so I guess... never mind! Anyway, it was a very insightful post. I hope you post more, and I do agree that we need to give Muschamp more time before starting construction on either the gallows or the cross. However, I think we're all just a little surprised and disappointed in Weis. We were sold a "bill of goods" that said he was a "miracle worker" and we knew we NEEDED a miracle for this offense to adjust to "life after Tebow". So far, I've seen no miracles. I'm talking "part the waters", "doves landing on player's heads", that kinda stuff. Our QB gets beat up so bad that you can't expect him to be mobile. He gets no protection. We have no running threat. Our WR's are pedestrian. And someone referred to our incredible "waterbugs" who are amazing in the lane or open space, but obviously can't run between the tackles. We're just disappointed. We knew we would have a poor season, but were hoping to be surprised by a few miracles. Randy -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joseph Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 5:06 AM To: GatorTalk Subject: [gatortalk] My Two Cents.....PLUS! While I don't post here often,I do follow what is posted.I have many "face-to-face" discussions about the Gators,and after reading recent posts,it's time for me to be "heard" from. I've been a Gator fan for 41 of my 48 years---my Dad started me as a fan as soon as I could talk,but I really began following the football team around 7 years of age.I try to keep up with all the Gators.Guys and Gals.From the Bass fishing to hockey,I'm pulling for the Orange and Blue! But let's "talk" football...... Some of you state that you aren't an "entitled" Gator fan,but you sure sound like one!What's wrong??Can't handle a few "bumps" in the road??Are you a "BANDWAGON" fan??Coach Muschamp is in his first year at UF and some of you are ready to show him the door!Granted,the team is playing poorly and we've been handed our butts in several games this year.We rise,we fall.It's happened BEFORE!Let's hope it won't happen too often in the future!Don't be like some fans north of the border('Bama/Auburn) who don't have Christmas because their team lost to the other..... I "officially" began my Gator years with Doug Dickey(he doesn't list EVER having been at UF on his resume!)Then it was Charlie Pell(0-10-1 ring a bell??);Galen Hall(probation);Gary Darnell(3-4 and Freedom Bowl fiasco);Steve Spurrier(the Choke at Doak);Ron Zook(6 losses at the Swamp;couldn't beat Miami);Charlie Strong(Peach Bowl loss);Urban Meyer(0-2 against Auburn;2 Nat.Championships;QUIT,came back;"MAILED IN" his last year of coaching).It's not like EVERY game went our way during their coaching stints!We went through "growing pains" then,and we're going through them now.Coach Muschamp has several handicaps to overcome--injuries and transfers to name two.Nine have left since he hired on;not to mention that Meyer didn't exactly leave alot of depth,either.We only have 72 players on scholarship!Coach Muschamp is installing a more pro style offense/defense,so it will take time to get the right players to run them.Let's see what the team looks like a couple of recruiting classes from now. I'm not by any means giving Coach Muschamp a pass----there are plenty of problems right now.I believe that Weiss is not using all the available weapons on offense and is predictable on occasion---when was the last time Trey Burton threw the ball from the "Wildcat?"Teams KNOW he'll run.Ol' Charlie seems a tad slow to adapt the game plan within the game.Seeing the game from the coaches box may help,but he's got to speed up the play calling.We spend too much time going backwards!The line can't power block;no power backs.(Gillislee is hurt)No running game.No experience backing up John Brantley--we found out just how "green" our freshman really are!The defense can't stop the run,and our secondary is small compared to other teams wideouts.Special teams are a work in progress--LOUSY vs. Auburn;pretty good against the 'Bullpuppies.' Inexperience across the board on BOTH sides of the ball;injuries;penalties;poor play....a certain recipe for a bad season.Can Coach Muschamp right the ship??Time will tell.... The Gators win,sometimes they lose.I get mad;I grumble.I get euphoric;I rejoice.That's the nature of the game.Some of you have already written Coach Muschamp off after 8 games.Many of you cite his lack of head coaching experience;saying he shouldn't be doing OJT here at Florida.Fact is,ANY coach coming here is a first timer(at Florida) and undergoes OJT.Florida is a special job.There isn't one like it.The Gator Nation,the SEC,the available talent make it so.Not to mention that we had a football coach CHANGE the ENTIRE SEC's way of playing the game(Spurrier).Another who CHANGED the offensive philosophy at QB(Meyer).Meyer also recruited the GREATEST Gator of them all...Tim Tebow.AD Foley went and got someone who WANTED to be here.Coach Muschamp will stay for a long time---unless he just can't get the job done(same with ANY program).Coach Muschamp has the same problem as Ron Zook had---he's following a Gator legend.The difference is that Zook was abrasive to the Gator Nation and actually "ran" good players off or didn't play them.(Ingle Martin,Ciatrick Fason,et al) The Gators enjoyed success under Spurrier and Zook took us to mediocrity.Meyer restored us to the limelight.So far,the Gators are . 500 under Coach Muschamp.He's identified the problems and is trying to get them fixed.He's taken responsibility----he is the head coach,after all.He's got the drive,desire,fire,and will.Let's wait and see how that translates towards wins and losses.Eight games by no means a season make! If you feel you can't wait for things to get better,I suggest you buy copies of the Gators championship seasons and watch them year round.I'll be whooping and hollering with THESE Gators win,lose,or draw.I'll give Coach Muschamp his due--praise for winning;criticism for losing.WHEN he gets the Gators back up again,I'll applaud and say "way to go,Coach!"IF he can't get the job done,I'll be the first to point him to the door marked "EXIT." -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
