Good News in Gators Loss to Miami

You did not think we were going to win them all, did you?

 

This is the kind of loss that can do our team a lot of good. In fact, we could not have asked for a better loss. Sure, we hate to lose to Miami, but the game has no bearing on the SEC race. We still determine our own outcome.

 

Losing this game, gives us a better chance to win the big games we face in the SEC, because the players and coaches will learn a lot about what to do to get better.

 

What we need to do better is have a downfield passing game, duh. We have a great defense. We have great special teams. We have a strong running game. If we can throw the ball down the field, opponents are going to have a lot of trouble.

 

You learn more in a loss than you do in a win.

 

During the Gators win over Toledo, in my section of the stands, there was constant moaning over the Gators passing game. All we got were tentative plays around the line of scrimmage.

 

"Throw the ball down the field," was the cry.

 

The Gator passing game played afraid all last year and looked the same way against Toledo. For the most part, they looked afraid against Miami. It is hard to watch a team that is afraid.

 

But, with only a few minutes to play, they took the ball the length of the field in about a minute to score a touchdown we had to have, with big throws by Driskel and receptions by Dunbar and Patton.

 

If we were able to win this game by plodding like usual, the players would never have gotten a chance to open up. You have to let the players open up to loosen up.

 

Those turnovers were not Driskel's fault. They were the coaches fault. First, you have to put your quarterback in circumstances to gain the experience he needs to perform under pressure. Second, even with enough experience, you have to give your quarterback a chance to get loose.

 

Loosening up your players is the same with every sport. When I played in a volleyball tournament. Right from the beginning, I told my partner to serve hard. It does not matter if they go in. We need to be loose at the end of the day for the playoffs, so we have to get the mistakes out of our system early. If you start off being tentative, you never get loose. If you start off serving hard, by the end of the day, you get in a zone and everything goes in.

 

That is how athletics work. If you play afraid to make mistakes, you get tight and make crucial mistakes when the pressure is greatest. If you get loose early, you get into a zone and can do amazing things.

 

Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke's junior years were full of promise and errors. The FSU coaches gave their stars a chance to grow from mistakes, which paid off. They were rewarded with senior years that were Heisman trophy, national championship seasons. Driskel should have been, but was not given that chance last year, nor in the Toledo game, or even the Miami game, until the end. Driskel looks like a pro quarterback. He just more experience with throwing the ball under pressure.

 

Some people say the Gators do not have the playmakers to go downfield. I do not believe that. Our guys were awesome players in high school. They are tremendous athletes. We saw that at the end of this Miami game.

 

Yes, they maybe do not do all the things they are supposed to do yet, but they for sure can run and catch. Did you see the catch Solomon Patton made in the first half. That was incredible. I bet we have a few other guys that can make some pretty good catches too.

 

Do not worry about the Gators. There were promising signs. If the Gators open up the passing game, I think we are going to beat Alabama.