Here it is folks, Theater of Operations’ entire collection from the 2011 season. It’s all yours for the low price of exactly $0. Though I’d be willing to negotiate on that price if you are so inclined. The only thing not included are the roughly 17,000 extra screen-shots that were acquired throughout the process. Those I take to the grave.
Also, I can say unequivocally, that the most watched play was Jaye Howard’s sack on Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel. You know the one I’m talking about, Ronald Powell goes into coverage, Howard is right there with the pressure and finally gets him.
Theater of Operations enjoyed a very successful first year and that is due to you, the reader. So I want to personally say thank you. If it wasn’t for all your kind comments, the roughly 200-hours would have been for nothing.
So here they are in case you missed any:
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
As usual, the Florida Gators also had success this past season returning kicks. The Gators in 2011 returned two kicks (both kickoffs) for touchdowns. Though technically they did return two punts for touchdowns as well, but both of them came off of blocks, so while those count, they don't count.
The two kickoffs that were returned for touchdowns were by Andre Debose (against Ohio State) and Jeff Demps (against Georiga), and the weird thing is that they both were for 99-yards.
On the year, Debose returned nineteen kickoffs for an average of just over 26-yards per return. Demps on the other hand, returned ten kickoffs for an average of exactly 25-yards per return. Just another successful year for the Gators return kicks.
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
Throughout the past couple of years, the Florida Gators have had more than their fair share of struggles on offense and defense. The one unit that has remained consistently above-average has been their special teams unit. More specifically, their punt blocking unit. Sure their kick return unit has been good as well (more on that tomorrow), but the Gators always seem to be blocking punts (and field goals).
Heck, their appearance in the 2006 BCS National Championship Game was largely due to a blocked field goal.
And from what I understand, some people have an issue with how the Gators actually block those kicks. (Here and here.) But I've never been one for sour grapes. I don't listen to it and I don't read about it. Frankly, I just don't even care about it.
The Gators are good at blocking kicks. They don't cheat in doing so either. Sour grapes or a lack of understanding the rules of football is all it is. And that's a fact.
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
In part one of our look at how the safeties performed in 2011, we took a look at someone who is arguably the best player on the defense and quite possibly the entire team. And don't worry, I'm not referring to Moses Jenkins in any way so you can continue drinking that coffee.
Oh, you didn't think that?
You actually read Theater of Operations yesterday?
In that case, let's just move right along quickly and take a look at the other safeties who played significant minutes during this past season. I know it is shocking but it is true. I even looked it up. It's right there in black and white. Apparently, they go by the names of Josh Evans, De'Ante Saunders and Jaylen Watkins. Yes, I know that Watkins saw the majority of his time at cornerback, but Theater of Operations goes by what the player is listed as on GatorZone unless the committee rules otherwise.*
We'll go ahead and start with Evans first despite his penchant for taking horrible angles over and over and ov ... well, you get the idea. He did in fact record an interception against Tennessee (more on that later), so all wasn't lost with him. He did finish the season with the fifth most tackles on the team. I even looked that up as well to confirm. It checked out.
As for Saunders and Watkins, can you say growing pains? The growing pains were so evident in fact, that someone who shall not be named at Alligator Army actually thought Watkins was a freshman in 2011. What a sorry excuse for a fan that guy must be.
Moving along quickly yet again, Saunders had two interceptions (one in which he returned for a touchdown) and Watkins is still getting burned by Georgia Bulldog wide receivers. Wait, I'm fairly sure that Saunders was also burned on a 4th down pass against Georgia.
I thought Georgia were the ones who always got burned?
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
In my opinion, there was no player more important to the Florida Gators defense than Matt Elam. In fact, I'm pretty sure he was the most valuable player on the entire team. Elam was second on the team in total tackles to Jonathan Bostic, and did pretty much everything else to fill up the boxscore.
Elam ended the year with seventy-eight total tackles (including eleven for a loss) to go along with two forced fumbles, two interceptions and two sacks. His tackles for a loss and forced fumbles led the team. He also recorded seven pass breakups and was even credited with a quarterback hurry.
While his height isn't ideal for a safety -- he's listed at 5'10" -- he more than makes up for it by literally flying to the ball. He was also responsible for what was quite possibly the single greatest moment of the season. Yes, I am indeed talking about his in-bounds to out of bounds pick up and toss to the side smack down of Florida State Seminoles running back Jermaine Thomas.
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
The cornerbacks of the Florida Gators were probably the most criticized unit on the team. Aside from being unfairly blamed for the Gators' loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, the unit improved as the season went on. What was especially noticeable however, was their lack of interceptions. When only one cornerback on the roster (Marcus Roberson) gets an interception, you're going to struggle as a unit.
Speaking of Roberson, he was arguably the Gators' best cover corner throughout the year, but he wasn't without his struggles. For a large portion of the season, Roberson looked lost and confused. In terms of talent, one could see that he was going to be just fine, but his season was cut short due to a neck injury.
Cody Riggs on the other hand, didn't quite progress as expected. The sophomore cornerback struggled mightily the entire season picking up the new defense. Riggs didn't manage a single interception on the year (but then again, the entire defense struggled throughout the year getting turnovers) and took what seems to be a step back in the learning process.
I still feel that Riggs will get there, but it is taking a little longer than I thought.
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
Aside from Jonathan Bostic, there were two other linebackers during the 2011 season that saw significant playing time. Those linebackers were redshirt sophomore Jelani Jenkins and redshirt freshman Michael Taylor. While they both played impressive, they seemed to flip-flop on who played. Jenkins' lone game out of the lineup (against Vanderbilt) was the same game in which Taylor earned his first career start.
It was pointed out in the comment section in part one of the linebacker review, that Jenkins is considered by some to be the best linebacker on the team. Which is something that I tend to agree with. On the year, Jenkins had seventy-five total tackles including six for a loss, two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown.
As for Taylor, who's highlight of the season was probably his forced fumble against the Florida State Seminoles that led to the lone points on the night for the Gators, he also had a good year when taking into account it was really his first year playing substantial minutes.
Taylor had thirty-six total tackles with four and a half of them being for a loss, a forced fumble and an interception. I'd like to stress again, that his forced fumble led to the points which kept the Gators from being shut out against the Seminoles.
For previous editions of Theater of Operations' Season Review, please see bottom of article.
As the leader of the Florida Gators defense for the last year and a half, Jonathan Bostic has seen what the elite of the SEC has to offer. Coming into the season, Bostic was voted to three different preseason All-SEC teams and two award watch-lists. So yes, there was a certain expectation level that Bostic was expected to reach.
In my opinion, he reached those expectations.
Bostic finished the season with ninety-four total tackles (including ten for loss), three sacks, two passes-defended and a forced fumble. While he didn't earn any postseason awards, Bostic was a steady contributor throughout the season. He lead the team in tackles seven times and had a season-high thirteen total tackles against the LSU Tigers in October. His best individual performance in regards to tackling was probably against the Gamecocks in November, where he led the Gators with ten solo tackles (twelve total).
Throughout his time in Gainesville, Bostic has shown an incredible ability to always be where the ball is. While he doesn't always make the play, he always seems to be the first linebacker there. I think if anyone is going to benefit from the Gators' new strength program, it is going to be Bostic. Being the starting middle linebacker has its advantages.
Showing 1 - 8 of 77 Older
