10 Reasons why The Gators will be better in 2010

It is almost football season and there are many ideas floating around about the Gators this upcoming season with the departure of so many great players.  Here are 10 reasons that Gator Nation should be excited and expect another National Championship run.  That's right, don't lower your expectations because the Gators may even be better than last year.

10. The Loss of Tebow

A lot of you just stopped reading, but for those of you who muscled through the headline of this slide I ask for you to bear with me.  As a Gator fan it pains me to even suggest that losing one of the greatest college football players in history could actually help us, but I think that it may.  Please do not misunderstand me, this is not me saying that Tebow was not exceptional.  However, here is my explanation:

For the past three years we knew who was getting the ball in clutch situations, and so did the opposition.  The Gator offense relies heavily on misdirection and allowing the ball to spread to different home-run threats.  We were happy to rely on Tebow and were very comfortable to have him grind out those 3rd and 2s, 4th and 1s, etc.  However, the defense won't know where it's coming from now.  This will allow us to play action fake a bit more and get large gains on late down, short yardage situations.  There was no need to risk long passes when you knew Tebow would get you a fresh set of downs.  Now there is a bit more ability to take risks.

Another reason that the loss of Tebow may benefit the Gators is that there were times in the last three seasons in which he tried to do too much.  He was superman, but even superman had his kryptonite.  Tebow's greatest strength and his greatest weakness was his competitiveness.  With Brantley at the helm he will not be able to take the game over as well as Tebow (which I do realize is also a draw back) and will be distributing it to other playmakers.  It is much harder to guard the Gator defense when you do not know where the attack is coming from, i.e. our strongest games last season were when Demps and Rainey were set loose and Tebow was able to spread the field.

Though we lost a great leader, player, and competetor it may not be as bad as everyone believes.

9. Recovering from Injuries

There will always be injuries during a season, and so I do not count this very high on my list, hence the number 9 ranking; nonetheless, the potential for Moody, Moore, DeBose, and Hunter to be at 100% this season is something that could make this season special.

Moody and Moore have shown glimpses of their potential but have not fulfilled the role that they came to UF for.  If these two are able to live up to even half of the hype they have received, they could be difference makers.  Moody could be the power back we have so desperately needed (aside from Tebow that is) and Moore could be the next Cooper, Murphey, or Caldwell.  These are vital roles for our offense and need filling.

Debose and Hunter were both highly touted and have big play potential.  Urban Meyer doesn't say you are the next Harvin, or the Tebow of a recruiting class about just anybody.  If these two players are fully healthy it will provide an even bigger spark to a team that is still loaded with talent.

8. Secondary

Joe Haden is gone, as is Major Wright; both of whom will be greatly missed.  Though, Will Hill and Janoris Jenkins could fill in the slots.  Remember, Will Hill was said to be the next Eraser, and for those of you who can remember Reggie Nelson he was arguably the best safety UF has ever had.  Jenkins also is a shut down corner and was part of the best secondary group in the league.  In addition, there are plenty of strong candidates stemming from our recruiting classes that have the ability to make a difference.  This position may not be a weak as many people expect it to be.

7. Recruting

Having consecutive top 3 recruiting classes (and each one arguably #1) allows the fans to sit a little more easily after losing such a talented group of players.  Remember losing Earl Everett and Brandon Silo from the 2006 NC team?  We were pretty worried about replacing them too until Brandon Spikes showed up and became an All-time Gator great.  Each recruting class is going to bring in more studs that are going to be guys we regret to lose in 2-4 years.  With the defensive class the Gators nagged this past year, it is going to be a deep defense for years to come.  And as for offense, with players like Mack Brown, Debose, Dunkley, Reed, Burton and many more, rest assured the offense will not skip a beat.

6. Linebackers

I touched a bit earlier on the loss of Brandon Spikes, a defensive powerhouse and leader.  However, the Gators boast Jelani Jenkins, A.J. Jones, Jon Bostic, Dee Finley, and many more.  Remember that Jones and Bostic played significant roles last year, and with the addition of the speedster Jenkins this group may be even better.

The one major reason i think this group will be better is that Spikes had one downfall, one negative attribute that all the NFL scouts pointed out: he lacked the desired speed.  The one thing we keep hearing about Jenkins is he is down right fast.  If the this core is faster than last years, they may be able to be even more intimidating.  That is saying a lot from one of the Nation's best linebacker units.

5. Depth at Receiver

Losing Riley Cooper hurts, there is no denying that; but Deonte Thompson showed a tremendous upside last year.  He has one more year experience now and should be able to be a deep threat.  With the addition of Carl Moore and Andre Debose the core could be dangerous.  Not to mention that Hammond has been making strides, and Rainy is now in the slot as well.  This group has a lot of potential and should be better than last year's group.

5. Depth at Receiver

Losing Riley Cooper hurts, there is no denying that; but Deonte Thompson showed a tremendous upside last year.  He has one more year experience now and should be able to be a deep threat.  With the addition of Carl Moore and Andre Debose the core could be dangerous.  Not to mention that Hammond has been making strides, and Rainy is now in the slot as well.  This group has a lot of potential and should be better than last year's group.

4. Defensive Line

We lost a lot on our D-line with Cunningham and Dunlap bolting for the NFL; nonetheless, the class that the Gators just brought in should establish themselves quickly as a dominant force.  The incoming freshman include: Easley, Johnson, Marseile, Powell, Trail, Floyd, and Orr.  That in itself could put together an impressive defensive line, young sure but impressive.  Then you add them to the list of returners: Green, McCray, Johnson, Okine, Lemmens, Trattou, Howard, Hunter, and Antwine.  This is not only a talented list but a deep list.  This line is going to be able to rotate a lot, stay fresh, and pressure the opposing offensive line every single play.  This line may lack the type of star power we lost, but the depth is much better than last year.  Also don't be surprised if stars emerge this season, some may even be better than the tandem we lost...and that is saying something.

3. Running Back

The RB position didn't lose anything, it just got stronger.  It has Moody as healthy as he has been, Demps returning stronger but just as fast, Gillislee a year more experienced, and Brown coming in with exceptional skills.  In addition Rainy will be added to the mix as a Harvin-type hybrid.  This will easily be the most formidable part of the offense this year.  These backs will be able to dice the opposition much like they did last year.

Watch for the dive plays, sweeps, and the option out of the Wild Cat.  With the speed and added power to this group it will allow for some exciting game changing runs.  Not to mention that the strength of this core will open up the passing game and allow play action to be extremely successful.  We may even see a 1,000 yard rusher this season.

2. John Brantley

How do you replace a player like Tim Tebow?  Well, you don't really, but it helps when the guy taking his place is the same guy that broke his records.  John Brantley broke Tebow's passing records in high school.  I would say that he is a good guy to be at the helm in a year that is supposed to be an "off year."  The Gators don't have off years, they just have years where they settle for going to a BCS Bowl...okay, maybe that's a little arrogant but hey, I like me them Gators.  But in all seriousness, Brantley is going to run the offense extremely well.  He has sat behind and learned from Tebow for three years.  He has also recieved tons fo praise for his arm power and accuracy.  Is he a bruiser like TT?  No, but neither was Leak and he led us to a Championship.  Their has never been a Tebow before and teams still manage to run their offenses and gain short yardage; now that Tebow is gone we will just have to go on with the new generation.  And honestly, it looks bright.  The passing game should be more effective with Brantley at the helm and the running game hasn't changed at all with the backfield staying the same.  The only thing that may change is the short yardage running game.  But even that I think may be better as we transition into the number one reason why I think the Gators will be better next season...

1. The Offensive Line

According to the Florida coaches, this offensive line is the best they have seen.  It is hard not to be, with the exception of Maurkice Pouncey, the Line has stayed the same.  Not to mention there are 6 freshman O-linemen that are battling for spots on the depth chart...depth is the word for sure.  This line is going to be an anchor, an anchor that will be able to be rotated, refreshed, and drive the whole game.  This group of guys is the reason that Tebow will not be as missed as he could have been.  They are going to open holes that you could walk through to gain the first.  With the backfield returning as much as it is, and the O-line as deep and talented as it is, opposing teams are going to have a nightmare trying to stop the run game.  Team may have to put 8 or 9 guys in the box to slow down the backs and o-linemen which will open up the passing game for Brantley.  Everything offensively will be developed here in the trenches, and it is because of these players that the Gators offense will surge and be better than they were last year.  Watch for the Gators to be back in the hunt comes the end of the year.

Please let me know what you think of my ideas, and hope you enjoyed it.