Saturday's game against Kentucky will be one day short of the year anniversary of Florida's loss to Ole Miss. Since then, the fortunes and scope of Florida Football has changed for the better. But that was also a perfect storm, as Texas, Penn State, USC and Alabama all lost, creating a cluster of one loss teams. Florida's charge following the Ole Miss game, and defeating the No. 1 team in the nation in consecutive games, finally secured them the No. 1 ranking. If you expect the same results in 2009, should Florida lose, you'll be wrong. There is no requirement that a defending champion gets to defend their title.
That is why Florida may have to lean on three of their healthiest guys right now as the team fights off the flu bug to end all flu bugs. Those guys are Tim Tebow (mildly shocking, I know), Brandon James (again, shocking), and Emmanuel Moody (wait, what?). I'm still upset at the quality of play calls in the Tennessee game, but with the flu bug spreading from students and into the football complex, not taking shots downfield and using your senior quarterback with 100,000 miles on the odometer seems like a good idea. Of course, in regards to Tebow, that should not be happening. That is why Brandon James, at least until the flu bug stops, needs to be the featured back. He is far more valuable on offense rather than splitting time on special teams. If Florida is supposed to have all these fast dudes, there should be someone to fill James' role on returns.
In addition, the push-and-pull around Moody's playing time is an embarassment. Moody has 7% of the touches this season (14 of 180; 7% is the same percentage as last year) and is a big back who can move the pile. His run against Tennessee proved that. Yet, Moody is being held out for either not being ready, not being healthy, or as a pawn in Urban Meyer's head games. Hopefully, it's not any of the three. With Moody not being used and James used even less (8 of 180 possible touches, plus 13 returns), it's time for Florida to start getting creative. If they want to control the clock and avoid pitching it to sick or inexperienced wides, that's fine. But safe is death and Florida is not in a position to think the same ideas will win again.
0 recs | 7 comments
Moody
Is a pretty good back, Im not sure why he doesnt get as much carries, he always runs hard, and breaks a lot of tackles. Demps and Rainy are faster then 99% of college football but they are also only around 170, if there isnt a hole to run through they arnt really effective.
The Flu is only a 3-5 day bug so Hernadez should be ready to play, we really need him in the passing game.
Please Meyer find some Wr’s that can catch the ball on the deep routes.
I dont have a problem with Tebow running the clock out, but if Tebow is running an option, he likes to keep the ball. Someone needs to tell him the option is meant for the hb to get the ball once in awile.
Hook85 - September 23, 2009
Moody is underappreciated and under used
And until someone (namely Steve Addazio) opens there eyes about using scat backs to run up the gut instead Moody, the offense is going to look porous to inept at times through at the season. Even the commentators were saying body blows, well if that’s what they are, use the bigger body blow in Moody instead of Demps and Rainey when you’re running right up the freaking gut.
Seriously Moody is probably our best all-purpose back. And he’ll be gone soon, use him while you can Addazzy!!! Forget Urban! He’ll wise up when Moody runs over 5 guys in a row. Tebow is not the only one who can do that ya know.
ECFIVESTER - September 23, 2009
forget the play calls
Did anyone forget that the loserteers keep getting away with big uncalled penalties thats how they beat us in ’04 remember? that P.F. that put them in field goal range when they started it?
southman - September 23, 2009
I agree
Unfortunately, Addazio seems to have stopped learning from Mullen in 2007. Tebow first, Tebow second, Tebow always. If we can’t entrust even a smidgen of our playcalling to anyone but our QB, this year is going to be a colossal disappointment.
I fully appreciate how crucial the Zone Read is to our offense, as it’s our bread and butter, but I swear to Lord Wuerffel if I see another drive this season of three consecutive Zone Reads with minimal to NO variation, I’m going to blow a gasket. What is the purpose of repeatedly smashing the ball up the middle with Tebow if we don’t even pretend to have a deep threat? Are we trying to get him injured? Are we now a “3 yards and a cloud of dust” offense? We’ve proven it a thousands times: Zone Read/Draw gashing at every corner of the defense, and just when they sell out to stop it, we go over their heads for 6.
Sorry for the rant, but this team is way too talented, and the schedule way too easy (relatively speaking) for this year to be blown because of play calling.
Giant Catfish - September 24, 2009
im nervous too
If Tebow is rhe only guy we can trust then this will not be a glory season.
Hook85 - September 25, 2009
Keep the faith chicken littles
The sky is not yet falling. The reason Moody doesn’t get more carries is he puts the ball on the ground too much. We should know by know that Meyer despises fumbling. Moody has a problem holding on to the ball. I really like him too, so I hope that
Demps is averaging nearly 13 yards per carry. Rainey & Moody are both averaging over 10 yards per carry. And just so you don’t think those are padded stats against Charleston Southern and Troy, Demps and Rainey average 8.6 & 8.3 yards per carry over their careers at UF. The running game is fine. We obviously need Thompson in there to extend the field as there doesn’t appear to be anyone else ready to do so.
Keep the faith – let’s hope the Gators make the necessary adjustments to get the offense going again. Remember that Tennessee has a stout defense – probably better than any unit we’ll face in the regular season this year. If not for the Tebow fumble, we score 30+ on them. Let’s take a deep breath and relax.
skigator93 - September 24, 2009
Tebow has fumbled has fumbled 2 games in a row.
Obviously he has proven himself a million times, but give moody a chance to prove himself. I know he fumbled in the blue and orange game on the goaline and ever since then hes been in the dog house. Demps and Rainey are grwat runners, but they dont have the size to pound out 2-3 yards up the gut. Moody has more upside to his couple fumbles.
Hook85 - September 25, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Alligator Army to post a comment.