It's Time For Florida To Get Real!

I'd like to start off by introducing myself to the BleacherReport.com community. My name is Ralph Seegobin, and I'm a Gator through and through. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a degree in Criminology and am currently attending Barry University School of Law as a 2L. I've written quite a few articles on my beloved alma mater and the SEC, and these can be seen on ESPN Profiles: SeAGoBLin15

I won't waste time beating around the bush. We know that there are still seven games on our schedule and the season is not lost by any stretch of the imagination, but there are some serious problems in Gainesville. Let's go through a few.

By the way, I'm in a terrible mood so this very well might be a random train wreck of thoughts and criticisms...Just going with the stream of consciousness, here!

I don't know Steve Addazio personally. Never met the guy, never looked through his play-book; In fact, I don't know much about him.

I do know that he specializes in Offensive Line Coaching, and that he came to us in 2005 by way of Indiana where he was Offensive Coordinator/O-Line Coach (much like he is, now). [Let the record state that in 2004, Indiana went 3-8; 1-7 in conference play with Addazio leading the offense. To be fair, Indiana averaged 23.8 ppg that season, but it's clear that the Hoosiers were less than impressive.]

I also know that under Dan Mullen's direction, Florida averaged 32 ppg when facing No. 1 Ohio State (2006), No. 1 Alabama (2008), and No. 1 Oklahoma (2008), compared Addazio's spectacular 13-pt output vs #1 Alabama in last year's SECCG and tonight's implosion in Tuscaloosa.  

It's clear, and it's been clear for some time now, that Addazio is not the quality of OC we require at Florida. We have been blessed with some of the most highly recruited offensive players in school history in the last five years and it's disappointing to see their talent wasted week after week.  There is no excuse for a loss like tonight's when you have the resources, talent, and coaching that Florida does or should have.

I can't remember seeing a Florida team execute so poorly in the redzone; Interceptions, fumbles, stops...Very disappointing play calling inside the 20 vs an Alabama defense that was shredded through the air for much of the game. How do you finish with more yards than the opposition and lose? FOUR turnovers (2 in the red-zone), 3/13 (23%) on 3rd down conversions, and 2.5 yds per rush on 31 attempts...

So, what exactly makes Addazio so bad? Play calling or Personnel?

Well, I'm no coach nor do I claim to have a great deal of football knowledge. I'm like most of you; I sit on my couch and I observe. It's evident what works and what doesn't work, and frankly I'm surprised that a guy who gets paid $375,000 to watch video all week and come up with a decent game plan doesn't notice the same things we all see and complain about in 30 seconds...

Why on earth do we continue to run that damned dive play with Jeff Demps? Sure, he'll break one every 40 tries, but what about the other 39 when he'll gain maybe a yard or two?! I'll contend, that's a play for Gillislee!

He's a bigger back, you're not losing too much quickness, and you're actually gaining meaningful yards. The worst thing you can do with a young offense is put them in 3rd and long. We've GOT TO QUIT THAT DIVE PLAY and make things happen on 1st and 2nd down.

Addazio's specialty is working with the big boys up front, right? So, why are they the biggest under-performers on the team?!

The one area we can say we have a veteran, experienced group is on O-Line and those guys were abused all night long! Running backs can't make plays when all the holes are plugged.

They must improve rapidly! (On a side note: If I see one more bad snap out of Pouncey, there's no choice but to move him back to his normal position and bring in Robey at center. No excuse for bad snaps five games into the season...)

I've got some issues with personnel...

Can we all just admit that the Emmanuel Moody Experiment failed? Don't get me wrong, I love the kid. I think he's a Godly young man and an admirable player, but he is just not getting it done. I'd rather give Mack Brown those opportunities and see what the freshman can do!

Final thought: Trey Burton. Listen, I like the kid. Nice, young man. Kept the 2010 recruiting class together after Urban 'retired', scored a school record six TDs in last week's romp over Kentucky; Just a great kid...but, can someone explain why he is on the field for every play?! Hear me out for a moment.

Trey was a 3-star recruit coming out of HS. Not a particularly great passer, but was blessed with prototypical size (6'3'', 203 lbs) and good speed (4.56 40-time). You're telling me that this guy comes into college and all of a sudden is the most versatile player on the team? Are you kidding me?!

Every time I watch the Gator offense trot on to the field and I see No. 8 join them, my blood pressure sky rockets. He's not a FB or a TE; he's not all that strong and he can't block.

So why is he taking up a spot that an athlete specialized in that position and recruited to play in should occupy?! We have a stable full of 4-star, 5-star WRs that run sub 4.4/4.5 40's, so why is this guy lining up at receiver? As far as I'm concerned, Burton takes up a spot that a true play maker should be occupying.

I can't buy this versatility nonsense any longer...I don't care how much of the play-book Debose knows or doesn't know. He should be occupying that spot on a full time basis. He's too good not to be. Similarly, Omarius Hines needs to be on the field.

We've got to reach a point where, if we want to improve as a team, we need to give the ball to players who can make plays. I just hope this loss brings Urban to his senses...We can't continue this way and win anything meaningful.

It's 1:15 AM and I really wish I could have said this more coherently, but hopefully I'm not the only person in Gator Nation that feels this way...I'm not a hater, just a fan concerned with the direction our program is taking...