2002 Statistics

written by Dave Hershorin

Thus begins the real new era of Gator football. Things seemingly changed when Spurrier left, and they did, somewhat. What was still consistent through sophomore coach Ron Zook's first year was QB Rex Grossman. He allowed Zook the leisure of slowly easing into this pressure-filled post. Grossman declared, leaving Zook rather desperate for a replacement. But that is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg for a team that also lost both its top rusher and receiver.

Zook's solutions to his QB problem are untested, making for a rather lengthy debate not winnable until August, when we see what develops between now and then. Ingle Martin is the choice for experience. The sophomore has real game-time clocked under his belt, as well as being named a team captain briefly in 2002. Martin has running skills, too. He lined up at WR for eight games, making him a possible decoy/wild-card who can add an extra dimension. Look for this to occur as either red-shirted freshmen Gavin Dickey or true-freshman Chris Leak work out to become Zook's choice. Dickey has the complete package, speed with a 70-yard throwing arm, but at 5'10" is challenged to purvey all outlets over a huge line. He was Florida's 2001 Gatorade Player of the Year after taking his team to win two state titles. His stock is high, but then Chris Leak enters the picture. He set the NATIONAL high school record with 185 TDs (second in career passing yards for all prep history!) as he won 46 consecutive games and three state titles in Charlotte. The nation's top-rated 2003 QB recruit has to have the inside track. Zook couldn't have recruited Leak with the present QB situation with intentions of keeping him under wraps for long. We will keep you updated on the nation's top QB controversy. A rotation could prove beneficial to start, but one of them will eventually (by game 3) get the job to lose. The developmental pace at QB will be interesting, a true test of Zook's defensive mind and its needed range to get this done. Now, the Gator faithful will see what their future is going to be for (at least a few) years to come.

A gifted front line will help in these not-so-deep area's development. Four of the five 2002 starters return, meaning the unit will have the identity that was missing when they modestly averaged 3.8 yards-per-carry and allowed only 19 sacks. OG Shannon Snell will continue his dominance, pancaking so many opposing linemen the NCAA might investigate to see if he owns IHOP stock. They should forge better running numbers with senior speedster Ran Carthon taking over as feature back. His 5.1 average-per-run needs to carry over for this to happen. But this is another area where a player will make a name for himself this fall - someone else will be worked in for both immediate depth and 2004's need for an experienced inheritor.

But the line's most important task is to make whichever QB feel safe enough so he can develop as needed. Zook would like to avoid having broken plays and scary hits as his QB's only lessons. The starting QB's confidence is the key to this team going anywhere. If without any, the veteran line will be rightfully blamed, just as they will be commended if the next level is reached in 2003, a realistic stretch, but just not likely to be seen.

The three-receiver set is crying for recognizable names upon which to hang confidence. Yet both returning starters give reason why WR- and QB-confidence are to be developed and in better shape than how either appear now. Seniors Kelvin Kight and Carlos Perez have experience and decent 2002 numbers. They will be running routes knowing the need to get the air-game jump-started. But season-long plays by each of 36 and 41 yards suggest they are not the ones to instill DB honesty by stretching the field. Neither they nor any of the other three listed receivers show much size. Big senior TE Ben Troupe is the only oasis of size and experience. But the new running game may require him to stay home, negating his solid route-running and sticky hands. This area will be a work in progress, knowing back-ups will take over by 2004 and therefore need experience, too.

A toned down offensive scheme will help get the snowball rolling. The offense is easily tuned-up for higher performance if all parts fire properly. Zook will have his coaching metal tested as he tries to motivate a young team in the pressure-packed Swamp. Simplifying what the newbies have to remember will get their focus on performance - worrying about whether or not they are messing up complicated plays they may not even grasp yet would hinder any progress. This defensively strong coach better have some offensive cards to play after his initial five-loss season.

OG Shannon Snell

written by Dave Hershorin

Uh oh. Florida returns four defensive starters, only two from a front-seven that allowed over 4 yards-per-rush. Most of the down-linemen, LBs and their back-ups vacated. The DL's lone returning starter only produced two 2002 sacks and 20 tackles, with a beacon-in-the-night seven TFLs. This area of their defensive profile is presently unknown to even the Gator coaches. Talent exists, but it is (mostly) untested, and especially 'never-started' in status. Only weakside LB Cory Bailey brings game-time knowledge to their qualifying traits. The LB prospects all have size and speed, with Zook to lend his insights to jump-start these troops ASAP. Young linemen need to stay in their pass-rushing lanes, and not think their innate speed will change more than it can ruin through eventual over-pursuit.

Look for opponents to attack on the ground until stopped. Even if 2002's squad was fully back, they would get marginal scouting nods from us. It may seem like a lost cause to many true fans, but remember the tradition of Gator DL-men stepping up and establishing their names out of nowhere to eventually have great Sunday careers. We will update when needed.

The secondary returns two of the four who set the nation's 7th ranked pass defense in motion. But the loss of underneath help in LBs Natiel and Hardmon make the replacement of two DBs huge, too. Quality LBs make for (up to) a 20-yard buffer that secondaries get real used to having when running their schemes. Once its gone, there is an added challenge for DBs to stop big gainers that are actually small dinkers turned into major YAC by out-of-position, chasing frantically, two-steps-behind LBs. This area will be key…big plays cannot be allowed.

This Florida team will have their pass-stopping chores cut out for them. A big showing against Miami's unestablished QB could instill what the 2003 secondary needs confidence-wise. And 18-22 year old kids with confidence seemingly can do anything to which they put their minds, especially with team effort. Keeping the play in front of them will be important. Giving up big plays in early tilts could have an opposite, confidence-draining effect. Run-stopping cannot be their priority. So, if a DB is the team's tackle leader by the LSU game October 10th, believe the defense will be the team's weakest 2003 link.

SS Guss Scott