OT: Malik Zaire and Florida's QB situation
Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated looks at the QB position at Florida (highlighting the ND transfer Malik Zaire):
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/07/malik-zaire-florida-quar…
Its a team we play in 3.5 weeks! Super on topic!
August 8th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
That's why he used the OT (On Topic) qualifier. /s
Zaire: "I think we have the potential to be the best offense in the country."
now that is one HAAAWT take
with Nussmeir calling plays mmmk
Yeah, Nuss was forced out as OC at Bama before he landed here
August 8th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
I remember all of us trying to convince ourselves we stole him from Bama rather than Bama having become tired of him. I think Nuss' career since leaving Bama tells you all you need to know about what the terms of his exit from Tuscaloosa were
August 8th, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^
If the only stop where Nussmeier had been successful was Alabama, then fine, I would agree that he's bad. But you also have to account for his success at Washington.
Nussmeier was OC there for three seasons, 2009 through 2011. The 2008 team he inherited had gone 0-12 and finished 112th in offensive FEI. Nussmeier's teams finished 38th in offensive FEI in 2009, 70th in 2010, and then shot up to 23rd in 2011. After Nussmeier left, the 2012 Washington team dropped back down to 82nd (in offensive FEI).
I don't think the evidence establishes that Nussmeier is a great OC, but I do think it suggests he's competent. I just think people around here discount him because of the 2014 debacle at Michigan.
Another thing to keep in mind with Nussmeier is, he runs a single-back offense predicated on inside zone, and he's a constraint theory guy. So that means if his offense is consistently banging out 4-5 yards a pop on inside zone, then everything else falls into place. But if his base play isn't working, then everything falls apart. That could explain why Nussmeier's offenses are usually either really good or really bad.
Lane Kiffin was "effective" at Bama and got his butt fired!
He had good players at Michigan. What happened????
he could be right, after the 1st week is over and he's finished pulling the turf out of his facemask. I know, Jerry world doesn't have actualy grass, but the Florida qb is still gonna be ground into the little rubber pellets!
***wiping the pellet stained tears from his eyes
August 8th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
I think a better question is, how many QB’s that start the game against our defense eventually have to leave the game due to injury? If I remember correctly, last year that was a pretty high percentage; somewhere around 60 to 70%. I hope this is something that both Zaire and Franks are considering.
Col, MSU, but wo else was injured ? I can't remember.
who his OC is. lol
but I do recall the year he coached here, we had one of our worst offensive lines ever (at least that I can recall).
I just can't get too excited for this Gator football season. I was hoping we'd have a QB from the two young guys, but with Zaire as our QB? Its not looking good. I love my Gators and will root for them all season long (I'm hoping for just a good game with no injuries for the season opener), but we haven't had a GOOD QB in far too long. Is a competent QB even too much to ask for?
And his buddy writes for espn and covers the gators. He seems to think its a 90% chance that Franks starts. They are also overly confident that they will beat us in the first game whoever starts at QB.
are also overly-confident that we will beat them in the first game whoever starts at QB, so it should be a good one.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^
Good news is we can lose to Florida and, if we tune up throughout the season and are fully weaponized by the PSU game and roll the B1G (no easy task, of course) we would still be in the national debate by the end of the season. An early loss does not a season end.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
Their offense has been terrible for several years, Michigan defenses has been killer for several years, and their starter still might be a guy who's been on campus for just a few weeks. I mean, maybe if they think their D is good that they could beat us 9-7 I could see it, but otherwise I don't know where they think their points are coming from (unless they're also just looking at the 'returning starters' we have on D)
August 8th, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^
For whatever it's worth, initial reports out of their first few days of camp indicated Zaire hasn't come in and immediately set the world on fire.
They could turn it around before we see them, but so far he hasn't been some magic elixir that dropped out of the sky to fix all their issues.
August 8th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
So why would he be that magic elixir? I mean, Zaire is the guy that couldn't beat out the starter of a 4-8 team. Not sure why anyone would think he's a magic elixir - unless he had transferred to Smokey Mountain U in Div 2...
Still, Zaire is a JT Barrett type of QB. He is quick to pull it down and run if he doesn't see his first read open or if he feels pressure. He WILL feel pressure. We must do a better job at theLB position to contain the scrambles that killed us, particularly in the 4th quarter at OSU. That said, I like our chances against Zaire.
I think the LB's are better suited this year to stop that. In my lifetime, I don't recall another UM defense that was even remotely close to the ones Don Brown is putting out there in regards to matching up against an offense with a mobile QB.
It wasn't an issue that year IIRC. Next year, though? The same linebackers and everyone else had trouble with Mr. McNabb.
August 8th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
Zaire has had one good game his entire career, the 2015 opener against a terrible Texas team. Comparing him to Barrett even on running ability is ridiculous.
Are we calling Bush "DBJ" now? We already have a DPJ. That could get confusing. Maybe we should stick with Bush.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^
Cue the "I like Bush!" comments...
August 8th, 2017 at 11:12 AM ^
August 8th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
I don't know man.
If we're going to create a nickname for him that's similar to another guy on the team, my vote is for, "The Hammering Hammer."
I dont like Bush blitzing, I like him playing run support and containment. Id rather have more athletic guys who wont over-pursue blitzing like Hudson, McCray, Villain,
Only having a few short months in a new system + Our attacking defense = Joy for us
Much like Penn State's, Florida's offense will "improve greatly" only after they've played Michigan.
Florida will have good WR's, some speculate one of the better WR groups UM will face. I don't think any or their QB's, Zaire included, will light the world on fire.
think this game will be a grind to watch in the first half. Both defenses are pretty good, and both teams are breaking in quite a few new faces on offense. Florida's QB situation is up in the air and our entire receiving core has essentially be swapped out and our O-line doesn't exactly open gaping holes if recent past is any indicator. Protection could be an issue as well. Florida's defensive line is always athletic and attacking. I think this could be like a 10-6 at halftime kind of game.
While I expect we will settle in and be pretty potent as the year goes on, there is going to be an adjustment period there. I think the most important thing in this game will be not to give Florida any short fields. From what I have seen from them the last couple of years, they really struggle to keep their offense on the field and maintain long drives. If we are able to make them go the entire length of the field I think our defensive line will simply be too much for them. I am NOT expecting a Citrus Bowl type whomping. We are replacing too much experience for that.