Did Coach Mullen Take the O with him to Miss St.

Seven games into the 2009 season and the sputtering offense is the hot topic. It seems to be the question that Coach Meyer is asked week in and week out now. Last week leading into the Mississippi State game he had this to say about the offense:

“I remember one time, someone said, ‘Coach Mullen is going to catch a lot of heat’ or something like that and I responded, ‘The only person he would get heat from is me’ and no he is fine.  We are just maneuvering through a difficult part of the schedule and trying to get some things worked out.  Anytime there is transition and changes in staff, I’m very pleased with the job Coach Addazio has done.  The wrist above the elbow was a problem.  Chris Rainey probably scores after the unbelievable move he put on the guy.  It wasn’t a freak fumble, it was a great play.  We’re going to be nuts about taking care of the football in practice this week.  We made a film for the guys to watch.  It wasn’t just the balls on the ground.  The catch Deonte Thompson made was holding the ball like this [extends arms and holds them out].  Old habits tend to show up.  That’s coaching.  That was the number one thing we will work on; and red zone production.  We didn’t get stopped, we fumbled the ball.  Over the past few years, we have been very good in those two areas and it did not look that way.  I think we’re leading the SEC in offense; total yards, pass efficiency, third down and all that stuff.  Turnovers in the red zone are critical.”

After the Mississippi State game Coach Meyer continued his message, “I know people are going to take shots,” Meyer said. “I think we’re pressing like crazy. I think the head coach wants to score so #@$% bad. We’re not used to this.”

The Gators problems on offense has even fueled hope for Georgia. UGA has three wins since 1990 in this match up, but them Dawgs could be one of the last major test before the SEC Championship game. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party could still play a role in deciding the SEC East. Coach Meyer addressed the upcoming game at his Monday press conference:

“Georgia has great receivers, including one of the best in the nation.  He has the ability to go up and over us, like he did last year.  We have to find a way defend him and not be so concerned about him [that] they can run the ball.  Offensively, we will need to do a better job in some areas.  We were not good on third downs and red zone production.  We will spend time on those things early this week.”

Also on the mind of SEC Football fans has been the role of the refs in games this year. There is a good chance Coach Dan Mullen is going to get a letter from the SEC regarding his criticism of the refs. “I don’t even know why we have replay right now in the Southeastern Conference if they’re not going to utilize it,” Mullen said Sunday.

Does he have a point? You be the judge.

Coach Mullen is not the only SEC coach in trouble for his comments on the refs. Lane Kiffin once again gets on the bad side of Mike Slive. Slive said “further violations of SEC policies by Kiffin will subject the coach to additional penalties, including suspension.”

Tim Tebow was able to tie Herschel Walker’s SEC rushing TD record of 49 against Mississippi State. The first thing that many were to point out is Herschel Walker set the record in three years. Tebow tied the record in three and a half years, and oh by the way he is a Quarterback. Mark Bradley over at the AJC still says that Herschel Walker is the best ever (he makes some great points) , but in pointing out “Tebow has demonstrably more talent around him” there is no mention of the “demonstrably” better defense Tebow or any player in the SEC faces now verses the early 80’s.

With his sub-Tebow preferences since the UK game, Tim has now dropped behind  Mark Ingram in ESPN’s latest Heisman watch. Everyone has seen that Tim has held onto the ball longer than he should have when there is no one open, but it seems to me that Tebow’s throwing motion has gotten longer and at times slower than in years past. Two of his fumbles this year have come from defenders knocking the ball out when the ball is as the back of his throwing motion. (looking for photos)

Also a big thanks for the RTs, comments, and general discussion during the game goes to @Pattric, @HankatMarlows, @whitegatorz, @osgators, @LisaHorne, @ThatGuyBama, @deann16, @SirGQHollyWood, @ fuddmain, @DJBobbyV32, @kjhurst15, @AndyR24, @EricMcDonald, @thechodog, @edsbs, @Matti09, @ObiSun, @JrCoram, @Gatrbate, @SwamiG8R, @Sara6590, @guiltyofcraving, @theNFLguy, @GulfCoastGold, @gatormiami, @pixie1212, @1996Gator, @KyleHagler, @wealthdocintl, @rickydee1955, @donwb, @_karthik, @brianjsmith, @Umlat, @_CReX_, @CTiffany24, @dreamscometrue_, @Bgator13, @GOPMichael, @DALLASHALL. Sorry to anyone I missed.

The night in Baton Rouge has not been friendly to many visiting teams, but the Gators were able to escape the night with a 13 to 3 victory over LSU. Tim Tebow was also able to return to the field after his concussion versus Kentucky. With the uncertainty around Tebow’s health, Coach Urban Meyer and Steve Addazio called a very conservative offensive game play against the Tigers.

There seem to be two problems with the Gators’ offense right now. First of all,  the big O-Linemen that are great for the nation’s top rushing attack are not as quick setting up for pass blocking, and Tebow is under a lot of pressure when he drops back to pass. Also,  outside Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez, nobody seems to be getting open.

Tebow got the honor of the next SI cover this week after the LSU game. Over on ESPN’s Heisman Experts’ Poll Tebow took 13 of the 14 first place votes.

Tebow wasn’t the only Gator to take home honors this week. Brandon Spikes was name SEC defensive player of the week.

CBS will air this week’s game agaist the Arkansas Razorbacks. The game starts at 3:30 PM EST, so let the Swine Flu jokes roll in. For full broadcast information check out Gatorzone.com.

Here is the news all Gators fans were wanting to hear–Chris Rainey has put on 12 pounds, is learning the offense better, and teammates are beginning to see him becoming a more complete Running Back. In my opinion, Rainey has the best chance of any player on the team to fill the “Percy Position.” He has the same quick step with more top end speed but won’t be able to run between the tackles like Percy could. Gator fans everywphere hope he keeps developing and is  a full time contributor on this year’s team instead of a role player.

Randy Shannon spins to da U of Coral Gables when going after new recruits. I like how he just uses the stats for Coral Gables, a town about 4 times smaller than Gainesville, for his crime rates. If you use the same site Shannon used for his reports for the Miami area you get these numbers: Murders: 70,Rapes: 432, Robberies: 2341, Assaults: 6420, Burglaries: 9381, Thefts: 33802, and Auto thefts: 7025. As a friend told me “Anyone who’d fall for this is too stupid to be admitted to UF anyway.”

There is a Battle at Safety everyday at practice. Coach Meyer breaks it down like this, “The safeties battle is pretty tight right now because we have four guys who can play like starters here.” Will Hill say his goal is to start this season. “If I want to get that job, then I have to be better than the next guy in every little last thing.”

Florida coach Urban Meyer admits he’ll take No. 1 any time. Us Gator Fans will take the #1 ranking anytime as long as the Gators are in the same spot at the end of the season.

“Someone asked me that question and I heard someone say I hope we’re never ranked No. 1,” Meyer said. “I hope we’re ranked No. 1 every year for the next 10. I’ll take it right now. That means we’re really good and we’ve got really good players. That’s obviously not going to happen because of recruiting and who’s going to leave early and all that. We don’t really pay much attention to it, but if someone asks me would you rather be 114 or No. 1, I’ll take No. 1 because that means you have really, really  good players.”

In his blog Pat Dooley wonders about Sitting Tebow. With all the talk about Joe Haden playing QB, and John Brantley getting more snaps what is Tebow going to do? Last year all we heard were questions of  Tebow’s ability to make tit hrough a season without getting hurt. This yearthe question has become one of his  getting enough snaps to put up the stats to be in the running for a second Heisman?

Tim Tebow, Gators welcomes the “haters” - “There are going to be haters, but you know what?” Tebow said. “I don’t really care.” Tim, we don’t either. Nobody hates on you unless you are on the top.

Mr. College Football Tony Barnhart goes along with every other publication and gives the Gators the SEC  East title.

The Gainesville Sun has #8 Carlos Dunlap as the 8th best player in the SEC. They point out he has a lot on the line for the 2009 season. Most mock drafts have him as a top 10 pick for the 2010 draft.

Heismanpundit.com has released their Heisman Watch list and has Tim Tebow 2nd behind Colt McCoy.

The Sentinel reports Billy Donovan’s star is not shining  as bright as it once did. With 2 National Championships I say Billy D will always be a super nova in Gainesville. His success has caused UK to go through three coaches in the last 4 years.