|
LB
Earl Everett |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Urban Meyer
1st
year |
2004
Record: 7-5 |
|
EASTERN
MICHIGAN |
WON
49-10 |
at
Tennessee |
LOST
28-30 |
KENTUCKY |
WON
20-3 |
ARKANSAS |
WON
45-30 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
LOST
21-24 |
MIDDLE
TENNESSEE |
WON
52-16 |
at
Mississippi State |
LOST
31-38 |
Georgia |
LOST
24-31 |
at
Vanderbilt |
WON
34-17 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA |
WON
48-14 |
at
Florida State |
WON
20-13 |
PEACH
BOWL |
vs.
Miami FL |
LOST
10-27 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-25, Coaches-25, BCS-23
|
2005
Outlook |
The
hubbub for 2005 will be about Meyer,
and rightfully so, but in all of the
new-coach-hype, don't forget these
players. The tests they have been
through with ex-coach Ron Zook - both
from the fans/media as well as from
the schemes that marginally prevented
potential from being fully reached
- were never too much for Florida
to still show major signs of what
could be. In other words, character
through adversity has already been
instilled. Their last three SEC losses
were by 12 points combined (only the
loss to MSU wasn't acceptable, just
ask Ron), meaning the heart is there;
it just has to be enhanced to accompany
the (so far only) partially realized
potential of each. Now, the fruits
of their talents and efforts will
come pouring in. Once together, the
potential will be unlimited - yes,
start the BCS talk here and now.
The
tight relationship Meyer and Mullen
share will be the cornerstone of future
success here, as it has been at both
of Meyer's other head coaching stops.
Also Offensive Coordinator at each,
it has been Mullen's work (too) as
the QB's coach that was the key reason
Meyer's teams cannot be stopped. Meyer
does a great job of judging (coaching)
talent and letting his assistants
then run with the ball, so to speak.
That's how FSU got its 15 year dynasty
going, and Meyer has all the makings
to achieve another "Spurrier-level"
of success (did we just conjure FSU
here? Sorry!). That means lots of
offense to cushion the fledging defense,
and a pension for keeping tighter
games under control via masterful
clock and field position management.
To say the sky is the limit is to
understate just how wide-open this
all is as we presently write - only
huge rashes of injuries could prevent
Meyer from proving why the "fire
Ron Zook.com" site will soon
be validated through hindsight.
The
subtle offensive schemes will complicate
the field and dare defenders to take
what seem to be worthy risks. Once
baited, Meyer will exploit and burn
defenses. When his teams adjust to
other team's adjustments, Meyer shows
why he garners his genius label -
he hasn't been out-coached yet, so
watch out, Bobby, seriously. Leak
& Co. have the multi-talented
abilities needed for such adaptations.
And with an extra recruiting star's
worth of potential for these incoming
freshmen over Bowling Green and Utah's
usual level of incoming freshmen,
the clay Meyer has to shape can only
become a masterpiece by December.
It is up to the defense to bolster
this guaranteed juggernaut and make
Florida back into a national contender.
With
the (early) ease of its non-con slate
and its initial patsy SEC foes, only
Tennessee is in position to impact
Florida's rising star. A trip to LSU
and one to South Carolina (for novelty
reasons) look to be interesting, as
does the "World's Largest Annual
Outdoor Cocktail Party" - their
game versus Georgia in Jax. But once
the Gator's machine starts to roll,
few teams (in their slate's latter
half) will have a chance. Even in
the SEC and with FSU to close out,
Meyer is this good to take what is
already a massively talented squad
and make it an immediate winner. Speed
kills, and speed with savvy coaching
and discipline equals maybe two losses,
at most. It will assuredly seem like
a swamp when you see opposing players'
feet appear to be stuck in mud as
they are demoralized and decimated
(like how Meyer did that to Pitt in
the Fiesta Bowl), but it is only the
Gators that will make it seem this
way as they run past everyone for
its divisions spot in Atlanta come
December. And, yes, as stated already,
the BCS is definitely within reach
Dispatch
the local Gainesville authorities
now - University & 13th will be
a jumpin' as the Purple Porpoise keeps
a thumpin', eh Geno?
Projected
2005 record: 8-3
|
|
FLORIDA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4.5 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Chris Leak, 399-238-12, 3197 yds.,
29 TD
Rushing: Skyler Thornton, 55
att., 230 yds., 1 TD
Receiving: O.J. Small, 35 rec.,
379 yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Andre Caldwell, 43
rec., 689 yds., 3 TD
Punting: Eric Wilbur, 53 punts,
42.3 avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: Brandon Siler, 77
tot., 50 solo
Sacks: Earl Everett, Marcus
Thomas, 4.5 each
Interceptions: Jarvis Herring,
4 for 24 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Andre Caldwell,
11 ret., 15.8 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Vernell Brown,
21 ret., 7.7 avg., 0 TD
|
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QB
Chris Leak |
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FLORIDA
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 8 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
O.J. Small-WR, Jonathan Colon-OT, Mo
Mitchell-OG, Matt Leach-K, Ciatrick
Fason-RB (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Kenny
Parker-DT, Travis Harris-WLB, Reynaldo
Hill-CB, Cory Bailey-SS, Channing Crowder-LB
(NFL) |
|
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
In
the newly established Urban Meyer era, it
all starts and ends with a dual-threat QB
like Florida already employs. Junior Chris
Leak has wowed them from day one, and has
only gotten better. Leak is a sound, strong-armed
passer who can make split-second decisions
for optimal results. Only 12 other QBs threw
more passes in I-A, and only eight had more
aerial TDs (29 for Leak). To then say he
finished 16th in efficiency tells the story
- he can handle the responsibility and the
physical work load. That's good, because
under Meyer and his trusty sidekick Dan
Mullen (QBs coach and Offensive Coordinator),
all of that only increases. Leak will have
more straight runs, and when you take sacks
away from his rushing numbers, Chris averages
five per carry to secure that dimension,
too (4.6-sec 40 speed doesn't hurt, either).
Backup (RS junior) Gavin Dickey is just
waiting for his chance. Even faster than
Leak (4.4), Dickey would fit just as well
(if not more so) with his accurate arm,
keen mind (Honor Roll student), and sense
of winning (two Florida state titles as
a first-team prep all-American and Gatorade
Player of the Year). Others await their
chances, too (6'6" Cornelius Ingram,
Josh Portis). This unit is tight, and will
explode in even more production under the
new staff.
Running
Back
Junior
DeShawn Wynn was relegated to backup status
after a groin injury against Georgia, so
this power runner is hungry to reclaim what
was once his. The competition in classmate
Skyler Thorton is tough, with his slicing
ability and blitz-pickup skills. But we
think Wynn is a better fit for what is to
come (quicker first step and bigger in protection),
especially if it is a one-back set as expected
much of the time. Both will assuredly see
much time, and the depth here (Manson, Ingram,
and even Dickey lines up here sometimes)
must hold up with only one TB in this year's
class. A former walk-on LB, local (Buchholz)
product Matt Latsko will likely see less
duty in the new scheme, but his soft hands
will not be ignored when he is in - watch
for this. Meyer will surely rotate (in)
many of his RB-FB assets, and with the talent
levels and worthy distractions now at his
command, this unit's many facets will produce
huge results. Look for what was a 58th-ranked
effort here to climb into the top 20.
Receiver
Spread
'em
that's what Meyer will do here
within formations and distributing the ball.
Again, the three starters will give way
to bevies of snarlers who will each have
an assured specialty by mid-season. Junior
Chad Jackson's 22+ average per catch mean
s he is again a/the deep threat and designated
field-stretcher, along with leading returner
Andre Caldwell. Big-man Dallas Baker and
fellow-junior Jemalle Cornelius will likely
go short more often, but all of these labels
mean little when Meyer shuffles the corps
for optimal results. Funky, unconventional
formations will give way to simple, yet
effective four- and five-receiver schemes,
making first-down catches and lots of YAC
the norm again in Gatorville. As is ironically
true in this retirement state, the influx
of receivers is strong, so look for new
names to secure Gator wins - that's how
it will be under the new watch, watch.
Tight
End
6'6"
Tate Casey has made waves from day one -
he was one of only two true freshmen to
see action in all 12 games. Trusted with
four TDs in his eight catches (16.9 yards
per grab), this svelte specimen is a perfect
fit for the new age of offense here. Occupying
an extra LB/safety will be the distraction
that makes everything else work. Converted-DE
Markell Thompson punishes foes only, but
that makes him indispensable in a two-TE
set, especially when Casey takes off near
the goal line.
Offensive
Line
NC.net
third-team all-American Mike Degory, the
Gator's senior center (not an old-age facility),
is a great start here, as is returning starters
and fellow seniors Randy Hand (T) and Lance
Butler (G). All are proven mobile crushing
machines. This line secured only 19 sacks
and plowed ahead for 4.5 per run. But for
what Meyer is about to install/instill,
their mobility will be tested, and newbie
quicksters could up heave anyone's permanent
status if/when feet drag. Sarasota-Riverview
products Steve Rissler (two starts at RG),
Drew Miller (first true-frosh lineman to
play opening day since 2002), along with
weight room fiend Drew Tartt (though a guard),
are the biggest and fastest possible replacements
for Colon's vacated tackle spot. The SEC
demands the mobility and size this crew
has, so expect much more from here than
last year's modest results.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Wipe
the board clean and let's start all over
again. The offensive consistency struggles
in Gainesville are about to abruptly end.
Meyer brings his guy Mullen in after dragging
him through Bowling Green and Utah with
him. The/His results have been unstoppable,
and they are (one of) the major reasons
Meyer now has the old Spurrier chair and
Spurrier is in South Carolina. Meyer-Mullen
will allow Leak the freedom to roll out,
with multiple options then available, including
his own well-disguised number more often.
They will go from multiple backs to wide-open
formations in the same play (before the
snap, with call-off options built in), shifting
and deploying and giving no clue as to why
the personnel seen are where they eventually
line up. Ergo, all of the offensive number
will increase, but it will be the way these
guys spread it out that will keep any one
back and/or receiver from hogging the show
(except Leak, of course). That's the key
to Meyer's plans, for if we could tell you
everything here, his plan would have already
been blown. So come watch the new Urban
Meyer Show, as he slaughters your favorite
teams this fall.
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C
Mike Degory
|
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FLORIDA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Chris
Leak-Jr (6-0, 210) |
Gavin
Dickey-Jr (5-11, 205)
Cornelius Ingram-Fr (6-4, 225) |
RB |
DeShawn
Wynn-Jr (5-11, 230) |
Skyler
Thornton-Jr (5-11, 209)
Markus Manson-Fr (6-0, 210) |
WR |
Dallas
Baker-Jr (6-3, 204) |
Kyle
Morgan-Sr (6-2, 221) |
WR |
Chad
Jackson-Jr (6-1, 205) |
Jemalle
Cornelius-Jr (5-11, 190) |
WR |
Andre
Caldwell-Jr (6-1, 200) |
Kenneth
Tookes-Jr (6-2, 209) |
TE |
Tate
Casey-So (6-6, 242) |
Dane
Guthrie-Fr (6-2, 224) |
OT |
Randy
Hand-Sr (6-6, 310) |
Michael
Brown-Fr (6-4, 295) |
OG |
Tavares
Washington-Sr (6-4, 320) |
Ronnie
Wilson-Fr (6-4, 310) |
C |
Mike
Degory-Sr (6-6, 304) |
Steve
Rissler-Jr (6-3, 310) |
OG |
Jim
Tartt-Fr (6-3, 315) |
Drew
Miller-So (6-5, 310) |
OT |
Lance
Butler-Sr (6-7, 315) |
Phil
Trautwein-So (6-6, 310) |
K |
Chris
Hetland-Jr (6-0, 185) |
Eric
Nappy-Jr (5-10, 180)
Jonathan Phillips-Fr |
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|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Senior
Jeremy Mincey is the best of the four returning
starters, with a head for both spotting
the run and/or adjusting to a (play-action)
pass. His thorough stat line shows why this
end will anchor well. Joe Cohen is an ex-FB
who has to be his athletic, blue-chip self
for this line to rise above its former 53rd
ranking. Though marginally successful in
his efforts, he has not hit as expected
so far. Listed as a backup to Cohen, Steven
Harris will bolster that effort regardless
(participated in the second most plays for
any DL in 2004). RS frosh Derrick Harvey
and Jarvin Moss both have huge upsides yet
to be seen, so depth exists. Juniors Thomas
and McDonald play bigger than they seem
for their inside positions with such a hefty
demand, both able to get into opposing backfields
while not allowing the play to go by them
(over pursue) with their speed. Depth inside
is less, but will develop with the talented,
svelte crew available. Sack number will
increase as allowing 3.7 per rush will decrease.
Battle scars will mean valuable lessons
that will equal a strong line by mid-season
at the latest.
Linebacker
Brandon
Siler started as a freshman so well that
he proved why he was the No.4 MLB coming
in (Rivals.com) by leading the team in tackles.
Sophomore Earl Everett similarly came in
No.6 (2003), and his worth is the same (2nd
leading tackler) as he proves also to be
the right fit for stopping both runs and
passes. Experience and numbers drop off
from there, but leave up to two more incoming
freshmen (Demps and Stamper) to help continue
the great Gator LB legacy. It's not that
the backups aren't decent, but they are
rather unproven, and in the SEC, they will
have to be solid here, and they are potentially.
Unfortunately now, it's still wait-and-see,
and this many question marks mean spring
ball will again show everyone how the depth
chart will eventually read. Speed, not size,
reign here, and run-support against major
SEC foes may suffer when the fourth quarter
takes its toll, accordingly.
Defensive
Back
Senior
free safety Javis Herring and junior CB
Demetrice Webb head a super-deep group that
will surely improve on its 27th-rated (defensive)
pass efficiency efforts. Herring drops back
and ball-hawks as well as he hits crossing
receivers with authority. Soph Kyle Jackson
is about to make an impact on north Florida
sport's-talk radio as he starts, and brothers
Jermaine and Tremaine McCollum will do the
same at corner (Jermaine is ahead of Tremaine
for now on depth charts). There are so many
DBs stacked and ready, it will be a travesty
if somehow (interim head coach and) defensive
coordinator Charlie Strong didn't again
improve numbers here. The "strong"
showing here (17 team INTs in'04) will allow
the LBs to help the developing linemen (and
visa versa), but if they are still on islands
come SEC time, Florida gets assaulted here
and doesn't fare as well overall.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Eight
out of eleven isn't bad for starters returning
from the 57th-best defense in I-A. Numbers
and performances were strong enough to make
us believe returning so many will improve
things even more, especially when Meyer's
offensive prowess gives them leads and therefore
allows for more creative schemes and approaches.
This squad wasn't bad; it was just great
SEC ball that would do them in, never a
lack of effort or talent. Last campaign's
shortcomings were predicated on not stopping
the run - we start there in our focus, as
will they. The safeties cannot afford to
again have to help run-stopping efforts,
so the developments at LB will dictate just
how many dimensions this crew can bolster.
The talented LBs and linemen will kick in
quickly, and the stunting can then change
things up well enough that the Gators finish
with a top 20 defensive effort overall.
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LB
Brandon Siler
|
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FLORIDA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Joe
Cohen-Jr (6-2, 275) |
Steven
Harris-Jr (6-4, 281) |
DT |
Marcus
Thomas-Jr (6-3, 285) |
Steven
Harris-Jr (6-4, 281) |
DT |
Ray
McDonald-Jr (6-3, 285) |
Clint
McMillan-So (6-1, 282) |
DE |
Jeremy
Mincey-Sr (6-4, 265) |
Derrick
Harvey-Fr (6-4, 260) |
SLB |
Todd
McCullough-Sr (6-5, 233) |
Bryan
Royal-Sr (6-0, 230) |
MLB |
Brandon
Siler-So (6-2, 239) |
Brian
Crum-Jr (6-3, 237) |
WLB |
Earl
Everett-Jr (6-2, 231) |
Billy
Latsko-Jr (5-10, 230) |
CB |
Demetrice
Webb-Jr (5-11, 190) |
Tremaine
McCollum-Jr (5-8, 178) |
CB |
Vernell
Brown-Sr (5-8, 165) |
Reggie
Lewis-Jr (5-10, 195) |
SS |
Jarvis
Herring-Sr (5-11, 205) |
Tony
Joiner-Fr (5-11, 200) |
FS |
Kyle
Jackson-Fr (6-1, 200) |
Deshawn
Carter-Sr (6-0, 203) |
P |
Eric
Wilbur-Jr (6-1, 195) |
Nick
Fleming-Sr (6-0, 205) |
|
|
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2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Senior
Matt Piotrowicz will again handle KO duties, but
his assured promotion to PK isn't secure until
fall. Senior punter Eric Wilbur, scant on his
KO tries, has also been patiently waiting, so
reports will come after spring ball about how
this pans out. Coverage here will be a reflection
of the budding defensive talent, so it will be
tight.
Punter
Wilbur
has the Gators second-highest career average (43.7),
meaning the Ray Guy isn't beyond expectations
for this tough, fast former-safety - especially
seeing how, in '03, he yielded 44.8 per, something
he can obviously achieve again. But he did force
more than twice the fair catches as the prior
year (hangtime improvement). Again, here, coverage
will only improve, so dredging up last season
is fruitless for analyzing net results.
Return
Game
When
Andre Caldwell struggled, Tremaine McCollum and
Chad Jackson both made waves on KO returns, but
local-hero Vernell Brown will have to be displaced
at his PR position. The jockeying shouldn't detract
from the huge potential impact that this stable
of runners - each ready for this mantle - can
bring. Meyer will make this area better, too.
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