Scott Cunningham - Getty Images
Previous Season Review editions of Theater of Operations: Quarterbacks (parts one, two, three), running backs (parts one, two, three), tight ends (one part), wide receivers (parts one, two), offensive line (parts one, two) and defensive line (part one).
According to some (including myself), Sharrif Floyd is the most talented defensive linemen the Florida Gators have. While his 2011 season wasn't success from a statistical standpoint, Floyd's job isn't to rack up stats. His "job" if you will, is to create havoc in the middle of the line, and allow his fellow Gators on the line to do their thing. Also, stopping the run and not getting pushed back, but that's another issue for another day.
The most underrated player on the defensive line this past year, in my opinion was Lerentee McCray. Despite missing four out of the last five games, McCray didn't really blow up the stat sheet either, but that doesn't mean he didn't have a great season. McCray's one and a half total sacks came against Georgia (one) and Florida State (half), so playing big against rivals is what McCray is all about.
If you're looking for a breakout player in 2012, it would be wise to keep McCray in mind.
Play No. 1: Floyd's sack on Braxton Miller of Ohio State:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
I'm still not sure how Floyd (yellow circle) gets credit for a full sack on this play. But then again, I seldom understand how they finalize a sack count. Especially in a year like this, when Ryan Kerrigan is robbed of like three, weeks after the fact. There has got to be something I'm missing.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Here, Floyd (yellow circle) is being blocked by two offensive linemen.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
As Miller begins his attempt to scramble, Floyd (yellow square) is still being blocked and possibly held.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Miller (green circle) is in full scramble mode, but Floyd (yellow circle) is in hot-pursuit.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Floyd gets the sack on Miller (yellow square). But do you see what I mean? There are two Gators in on the play. I just don't get it.
Play No. 2: Floyd's half-sack on Miller of Ohio State:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Floyd (yellow circle) spends roughly half this play in pass defense.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Floyd (yellow circle) begins to guard the flat, while Miller looks around for someone to throw to. Look at the coverage though, every receiver and/or running back is marked.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Miller (green circle) begins to roll-out to his left, and Floyd (yellow circle) is watching his every move. I like this because now that Miller is on Floyd's side of the field, Floyd is now acting like a spy. Also, a hat-tip goes out to the coverage downfield by the linebackers and defensive backs.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Just before Floyd (yellow circle) takes off after Miller (green circle), Miller makes one last attempt at looking down the field to see if any receiver is open. But again, the coverage is great.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Floyd (yellow circle) begins his chase of Miller (green circle).
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
I promise you, Floyd is in that mess (yellow square).
Play No. 3: McCray's sack on E.J. Manuel of Florida State:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
If you remember the play (No. 2) in part one of the defensive line review, in which Dominique Easley went unblocked, this is the same play, but from McCray's perspective.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Just after the snap, McCray (yellow circle) isn't quite as lucky as Easley in that he'll have to go up against a lineman.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
About the time that Manuel tries to turn away from Easley, McCray is beating his block (yellow square). It doesn't help Manuel that he kind of turns into McCray.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
See what I mean?
From another angle:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
McCray does a good job of getting the outside advantage (yellow square).
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Manuel begins his attempt to get away from Easley (green circle) which makes him turn right into an oncoming McCray (yellow circle).
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
McCray gets credit for half a sack (yellow square).
It's no secret that the success of the defensive line next season will depend on both Floyd and McCray to get things done. A lot will have to do with how much pressure they create, especially Floyd. As mentioned above, creating havoc in the center of the line, should be Floyd's priority, but if he makes the complete switch to defensive end, that becomes a moot point. He did rotate between defensive end and tackle a few times last season, but signs point to hi playing primarily tackle next year.
He's quite happy about that, as expected.
Please keep in mind that Theater of Operations will be taking a scheduled day off, on Wednesday (February 1) due to the national sports holiday that occurs on that day. In case you were wondering or somehow forgot to mark your calenders, that holiday is of course ... National Signing Day!
0 recs | 14 comments
I like the idea of McCray and Powell at DE and Floyd and Easley inside. Mike Taylor needs to be on the field with Bostic and JJ.
If you ever see that play where Jermaine Thomas fumbled before our only TD against FSU, watch Taylor. He obliterated Lonnie Pryor. He can fill a hole.
PullingGuardGator - January 31, 2012
That’s not a bad line-up for the DL right there. McCray really has picked up his game the last year or so.
As for that play against FSU, yeah, I’ll keep that in mind when I do the LB posts. Thanks for the heads-up.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
I hated that play...blew a dang shutout...
Great article FlaGatos!
YouNoleIt - January 31, 2012
Haha, yeah, that’s why it’s the favorite play for us. Well, the vast majority I’d say.
And thanks!
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
The new system makes thinkgs a little jumbled on the d-line for me.
In the hybrid 3-4, 4-3 system you have a buck (OLB in the 3-4 and rush DE in the 4-3), you have a DT, a NT, and a strong side DE. This year we had Howard at NT and Easley at DT, Floyd at DE, and Powell was the buck. I was pretty certain that McCray played most of his minutes at the buck spot too. The problem I see is that the only reason Floyd played DE is because we wanted our best players on the line starting. But he is not a natural DE and prefers DT. The other issue is neither he nor Easley are big enough to play the NT spot (even though Easley playd here a lot this season). So with everybody playing their best positions, you wouldn’t have Easley and Floyd both starting, nor would you have McCray and Powell on the field at the same time. Bullard coming in is a natural strong side DE, and will probably get a lot of playing time early since Floyd is supposedly moving back to DT. We also still need that mammoth body to clog the inside at NT. It looked like we had him when that 340 lb. JUCO player committed, but then later changed to Utah to stay closer to home. When the Gators finally get all the right pieces to fit the scheme though, this line will be as ferocious as any out there.
Cali Gators - January 31, 2012
Yeah, it was incredibly difficult to single out where each player fit in while doing this. I almost put McCray at the BUCK review, but decided during part-one of the DL that I’d just go with Powell at the BUCK because he’s listed at that while McCray is listed at DE. Even though like you said, McCray spent quite a bit of time playing that role.
As for adding that NT, we’ve hopefully got some guys coming in who can compete for that spot. You’d think that with the spot being open, recruits would flock to it. Elite NT’s that is, but we just might have to settle for a 4* one who will have to learn and maybe add some bulk first.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
Yeah once we have a Mount Cody type player occupying two offensive linemen on every play and preventing any runs up the middle, guys like Easley, Floyd, Powell, and eventually Bullard will be free to wreak havoc in the backfield. Without him, our defensive front 7 is still too undersized to stop the power running attacks of the ’Bamas and LSUs of the world. Especially when we are in the 3-4 looks.
Cali Gators - January 31, 2012
Well said. Unfortunately, NT’s like that are probably the hardest guys to find in football. But, sooner or later, one will appear. The last great one we had that could actually do that was Marcus Thomas, but he was a head case.
Torrey Davis was supposed to be and he showed flashes (mostly against Oklahoma) but that was about it for that. Last year was supposed to be Davis’ last year (I believe) so yeah … hopefully soon.
But yeah, we are very undersized along the line.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
They are rare, as obviously just people of that size are rare, let alone the requirement that they are incredibly strong, fast, and agile and not just big and fat. It isn’t so much of an issue in the 4-3 as you can get 2 guys in the 280-300 pound range in there (i.e. Easley and Floyd, which is what they were recruited for under UM). In the 3-4 it creates more problems, as now you need to make up the weight that you lose by having one fewer lineman.
Cali Gators - January 31, 2012
Yeah, in looking at just our commit list now (on Rivals) and not taking into account anybody else we’re targeting…. We’ve got Jacobs (6’4" 290lbs) already signed with a LOI. Being a JUCO there isn’t going to be a lot of room to teach, let him grow, weights and the like as there would be had he been coming out of HS.
Other than that, we’ve got Phillips (6’6" 248lbs) and Mann (6’4" 275lbs) coming in. Granted those measurements probably aren’t 100% accurate, but I’m sure the coaches will be able to add weight and muscle this summer. Hopefully, like you alluded to, without losing any of their agility and speed.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
Phillips is more of a dt but he is 270, I would say williams would be our best bet for nt he’s 295 already and he’s like 6’ 3
RNappy20 - January 31, 2012 via Android app
Williams, yeah … wasn’t even looking at him because I sorted the list on Rivals by position and they have him at DE. But yeah, once he gets here, adds some bulk, that’s intriguing.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
Easley I think is the best at penetrating through the line
kungfuman104 - January 31, 2012
Yeah, at this point, I’d agree with that.
FlaGators - January 31, 2012
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