A New Season Of Expectations And Quarterbacks

Were still 152 days out from opening day kickoff against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen at The Swamp but that doesn't mean the discussion can't start for the possiblities the new football season has in store for the Jim McElwain led Gators.  I was optimistic last year for Coach Mac's inaugural season and I wasn't disappointed.  

The 2015-2016 season still reflected the damage done by the floundering last year of Will Muschamp that left the team in disarray with no identity and without a prospect of a starting QB to take the reigns and lead the offense.  But Coach Mac took the team and did something Muschamp was never able to do:  to make the whole of the team greater than the sum of its parts and have the team perform beyond expectations.  

Now that Treon Harris has been tentatively moved to a TE/WR position [though he's still listed on the roster as a QB] the starting QB position is reported to be a wide-open contest between Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby and Oregon State transfer red shirt sophomore Luke Del Rio, son the former head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  For me expectations are high for the new set of QB's due to Coach Mac's reputation for QB development and the putting together high powered offenses. I'm really excited and looking forward to what Coach Mac has cooked up for the new season beginning on Saturday, September 3rd.  Here's Coach Mac talking about what his expectations are for the Gator offense in the lead up to the Orange & blue Game on Friday night [April 8th] at 7:00PM on the SEC Network:

Sounds like he's pretty clear with what he wants out of his offense for this preview of the team dynamic with a new set of QB's.  The schedule looks favorable to help the team develop the quarterbacks for the offensive scheme Coach Mac wants and to prepare it to perform up to expectations that he and the fans expect.

Florida Gators Add Chris Leak To Coaching Staff For 2013

Nice to see Chris Leak back in the Swamp.  One of three Florida Gator Football quarterbacks to lead them to an NCAA national champitonship in 2006, he was hired to compliment the current coaching staff for Will Muschamp.  As Leak is looking to step into a career in coaching, Gatorsports' Robbie Andreu is reporing that Muschamp added him as a quality control coach.  His post college career included stints with the NFL's Chicago Bears where he was signed undrafted in the 2007 season and trained under former Gator Rex Grossman, the CFL [Hamilton Tigercats & Saskatchewan Roughriders], an aborted AAFL career [Team Florida], and finally the Arena Football League where he briefly played for the Jacksonville Sharks.  He was released and finished his playing career after signing with the Orlando Predators.

In his senior year in 2006 he led the Florida Gators to a National Chapionship with Tim Teabow as a freshman back up in an astounding 41-14 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes under Urban Meyer.  He managed to snag the game MVP honors after completing 25 passes in 36 attempts with 213 yards and 1 touchdown.  This after starting the game with nine straight passes.

On top of a great career with the Gators on the field he did pretty well of the field as well.  Each year he played he was named to the SEC's Academic Honor Roll.  This resuted in him being named a finalist for the 2006 Draddy Award which is considered the Academic Heisman trophy for college football.  He was also well know for his off the field charity work with the Goodwill Gators program.  It will be nice to see Leak back on the sidelines again where he left as a champion in more ways than one.

Danny Wuerffel Finally In College Football Hall Of Fame

Well, Its about time.  Tim Tebow's star, celebrity and athletic prowess most certainly got all the press.  But when it came right down to it Danny's record as a starter is 45-6-1.  Tim Tebow's is 35-6-0.  I don't like to compare Danny or Tim because they were two very different QB's.  But for field presence and an uncanny ability to read defenses Danny will always be my favorite because he always seemed so cool and collected in critical games and downs.  On top of that he is the only quarterback to start for four conference championship teams.  There is no doubt the Gators have had their share of great quarterbacks:  Stever Spurrier, Kerwin Bell, Shane Matthews, Chris Leaf, and Tim Tebow.  But for me Danny stands out alone.  For him to be overlooked he first year of eligibility is a disservice to his record.  But still, its better late than never.