10/12: Addazio not bothered, Debose poised

By Adam Silverstein
October 12, 2010

Florida Gators offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Steve Addazio, assistant head coach and defensive line coach Dan McCarney, redshirt freshman wide receiver Andre Debose, redshirt senior running back Emmanuel Moody, redshirt freshman linebacker Jelani Jenkins and freshman quarterback Trey Burton spoke to the media Tuesday as the team took a final look back on its close loss to the LSU Tigers and ahead to its match-up against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday.

BOOING DOESN’T BOTHER ADDAZIO

Addazio was booed during Florida’s final scoring drive on Saturday, something he has claims does not bother him. In fact, he has taken the incident in stride and understands what is expected of him and the offense.

“I really don’t pay much attention to any of that stuff,” he said on Tuesday. “You are locked into the game. What I really hear in that game is just the energy from the game. I’ve got so much going on; I’ve got headsets on. […] Hey, this is not a sport for the thin-skinned now. It’s a tough business and I think we’ve talked about this before here. You came here for a reason – [there are] high expectations, that’s why you’re here, that’s what it’s all about. You better embrace that. If you don’t embrace that, then you are at the wrong place.”

DEBOSE A READY FOR PRIME TIME PLAYER

Showing his playmaking ability with an 88-yard kickoff return and some other nice passing routes on Saturday, Debose has proven to coaches that he deserves more touches and should be a bigger part of the Gators offense. “He’s emerging as a guy that can make a play. You can see that. It’s really nice to see that. He’s a guy that can make plays,” noted Addazio. “[He’s improving because of] experience and getting on the field and doing it and gaining all that confidence and that trust. That’s what’s happening with him right now.”

The player agrees with his coach’s assessment. “[It was] just picking up the plays. Just feeling comfortable and making the coaches feel real comfortable with me and the ball and everything,” Debose said. “It was just the little things as far as reading coverages on the run and stuff that takes time and takes more game experience.”

POWELL MOVED TO LINEBACKER

One interesting tidbit coming out of the media availability Tuesday was McCarney confirming that five-star freshman defensive end Ronald Powell has been moved to the strong outside linebacker position for the remainder of the season. Powell, who also played tight end in high school, is more than athletic enough to play the position and coaches feel he is a better fit at linebacker right now. Expect him to head back to defensive end after the year is over.

POSSIBILITY OF A FAKE WAS BROUGHT UP

Asked whether or not the concept of a fake field goal was discussed with the field goal blocking unit prior to LSU running that exact play, Jenkins told the that it was part of the team’s conversation during the timeout. This confirms what a handful of other players said after the game.

QUOTES (After the break…)

Addazio on Rainey rejoining team: “He’s got some stipulations that he’s working back through. I know Urban [Meyer] released a statement on that. All of that is being handled internally right now, so he’s not there yet. Chris is a great athlete, great speed, a play-maker, explosive guy. You guys all know that. You’ve seen that. That’s documented. I do know him personally, and I do care for Chris. Absolutely.”

Addazio on if he is spread to thin and overwhelmed as offensive coordinator: “Absolutely not; not even a little. I’ve been doing this a long time, coaching the offensive line a long time. I feel great. I feel great about my guys. I don’t think Mike Pouncey has ever played any better than he is playing right now to be honest with you. I don’t think Marcus Gilbert has ever played better than he is playing right now. I think Mo Hurt is playing great football. I would tell you that we’ve got a great staff here on offense. This has never been about a guy – me or anybody else for that matter. We don’t operate that way. To say overwhelmed, no.

“There are great coaches here with great input and great ideas and segments they are responsible for, and I think they are doing a great job with that. I think right now it’s really all about keep working, keep grinding, keep developing young players, keep finding the right mix. There were some good things that happened in that game. We don’t like the result – you don’t and I don’t. But there were some things that were pretty productive in there; what struck you the most was a 17-play drive that we didn’t get any points on. We were down to the six-inch line. That was kind of one of those deals you would like back. In every game we are doing some really good things. We say it, and I know it gets boring […] you would just like to see those good things done more consistently. You don’t want to make excuses. You just got to keep working. We’ve got good players and you’ve got some good thoughts. You just gotta be steady in the boat and just work, just go. We’re all hurt over a game, that’s the way it is.”

Addazio on first down: “You’ve just got to be more efficient. We’re a pretty good mix on run and pass, so there is no tendency there at all. There’s just a bunch of efficiency issues that we’ve got to get worked out. We’re a multiple offense, we always have been. So what we’ve got to do is stay on schedule the best we can. […] First down is something to me that has to even out better.’’

Addazio on the offensive line’s play: “We’ve got a real high bar here. They have played pretty solid throughout the year. What happens is, when things don’t go right, I’m going to pick things apart […] you don’t have all the facts really what’s going on in there. I want certain guys to fire out a higher level, because I’ve got a real high bar.”

McCarney on the familiarity between the coaching staffs: “I think a little bit of it is overrated to be honest with you.”

McCarney on Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen returning to The Swamp: “He had a lot to do with the success and the history making seasons that he and Urban put together here. The same old thing, the gun goes off, the game starts, the foot hits the ball and everybody’s just trying to win games and put their players in a position to win games.”

Debose on what opened his eyes: “Not getting on the field. I’ve never experienced that in my life. I’ve been playing football since I was seven and I’ve never sat on the bench, so I had to figure out something – fast.”

Debose on if he wasn’t giving good effort: “I feel that I gave great effort. I don’t know why the coaches felt that I wasn’t giving great effort. I think I was just doing a lot of thinking, and when you think playing football it does slow you down. I think that had a lot to do with it.”

Moody on junior RB Jeff Demps’ injury: “Jeff’s, his injury is legit. He’s really tough and he really wants to be with the team and playing out there. You can see it’s killing him being out of practice and [not] being out there with us. We’re trying to get all the guys healthy to have a full stable of running backs again.”

Moody on Rainey’s personality and return to the team: “He smiles a lot. He’s a great kid. We love having him around the program. He’s not some guy who brings negative energy. He’s not that type of guy. Seeing Chris back, we love him. We’re happy he’s back on the team. He’s told me he’s learned a lot from the situation. He’s become a better man and now he’s starting to grow up from it and he’s saying. […] He has a great attitude right now. He’s just smiling. The first time I saw him he was just sitting with his arms crossed in the hallway and just looking at me smiling the whole time. He’s like, ‘I’m back, man.’ I gave him a hug and stuff. It’s really good to have Chris back. We missed him.”

Burton on the orange jerseys: “At first I wasn’t too sure about them, but once I put everything on they were pretty sweet.”

24 Comments

  1. OBgator says:

    I don’t know if Addazio is merely stating that everything is ok, and that the line play is solid…just so the outsiders don’t perceive chaos inside the locker room…or if he really thinks everything is hunky-dory.

    I hope it’s the former, because I don’t think he’s fooling anybody. The O-line play is atrocious, and a major weakness on this team. The play calling is pretty bad, but could be overcome with great O-line play. The play calling can be amazing, but would be blown up by poor O-line play. I think he’s fooling himself if he thinks he’s not being spread to thin, because he’s not doing either of his two jobs very well. I’d much rather see him be good at one thing and let someone else handle some of the duties.

    Honestly, Mike Pouncey was at his best when he was a guard. He was an all-american type guard, but now he’s a below average center. With the entire Oline suffering from injuries and playing out of position, something has to be done to shore up the Oline. It’s probably too late to make drastic changes, so I guess we’re gonna have to accept what we have.

  2. zurbo says:

    more of the same

  3. Ftheguido says:

    ” I don’t think Mike Pouncey has ever played any better than he is playing right now to be honest with you”………. Thanks Addazio you have just proven you are out of touch with reality, put’s things into perspective, don’t it. How can you fix the problem, if you don’t even recognize there is one.

  4. DC Gator says:

    Why won’t Addazio start Robey at center and move Pouncey back to guard? This has baffled me all season. Someone please enlighten me.

  5. caligator says:

    Coach Addazio may need a drug test…

  6. Gatorgrad79 says:

    And the other SEC coaches are dissin’ us – Saban said he wasn’t like “some other coaches” and he knew he had problems and would move heaven & earth to fix them this week. Contrast Meyer and Addazio, “everything’s super!!” Who do they think they’re fooling? Every other coach in the SEC ( and fsu) is lickin’ their chops!!

  7. Gatormiami says:

    Reading or listening to Addazio just convinces me that he doesn’t know what the efff— he’s talking about. How can he continue to fool Meyer? He’s LOST on the sidelines & his comments only prove it! INCOMPETENT…. Last years’ players could overcome it, while suffering throughout an underachieving season. More of the same this season could realistically drop UF to around .500.

    LOOK OUT FOR MSU! One thing for sure… if it comes down to coaching, we’re definitely screwed! (Is Meyer proving that his past success must be credited to Mullen & Strong?)

  8. GatorsFanLA says:

    I am going to smash Steve Addazio’s face in to a car windshield, then take his mother out for a seafood dinner and never call her again!

    Much like everyone, I am upset too. I hope that everyone whom is upset can also realize that we’re in a transition year. The departure of Nelson, Cooper, Hernandez, Maurkice Pouncey, and Timmy’s leadership on offense is way too much to overcome. On top of that, we also do not have Haden, Cunnigham, Wright, Stamper, and Brandon Spikes just to name a few on defense This is way too much to over come.

    Considering we’re still in it to win the SEC East, and possibly the SEC altogether is remarkable.

    Let me channel my inner Kevin Bacon in Animal house when I say “All is well!”

  9. Gatorbuc15 says:

    I wonder if anything bothers Addazio.

    On another note, interesting decision moving Powell to outside linebacker. I’m not sure wether I like it or dislike it.

  10. Gatorgrad79 says:

    At least the defense is willing TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT!!!

  11. Aligator says:

    Addozzio is oblivious as he is the eternal optimist like Zook. Maybe if they relieved him of his OL coaching duties he may do better?

  12. npgator says:

    Debose is poised = more dive plays up the middle with no blocking and undersized running backs.

  13. Escambia94 says:

    Addazio is the smartest coach I know. He has us fooled into thinking he is totally inept. In reality he is hiding all our problems so he save up for 2011 when we will score 200 points per game using only the dive play and a banana. Obviously, he has us all fooled.

  14. Mr2Bits says:

    GatorsFanLA : Watch what you say about Adazzio as I’m the only one who can rough him up. [Edited by admin]

  15. Joe says:

    noted Addazio. “[He’s improving because of] experience and getting on the field and doing it and gaining all that confidence and that trust

    If this is true, then why aren’t others given the same chance. Guys like Brown, Roby, Reed, etc.
    Also, why did we only run Debose on the jet sweep one time. It got a bunch of yards and then we went away from it only to run dive play after dive play.

  16. GG says:

    Adam, it’s getting ugly in here insulting coaches wives.
    I for one like Powell at LB, guy needs to find a way onto the field. Don’t think he’s even played the last 2 games.

  17. Tony M says:

    DC Gator: Addazio is faithfully carrying out Meyer’s orders the best that he can. I recall that very early on this season Addazio indicated to the press that he was considering using Robey at center with Pouncey at guard (one of the other lineman was nicked-up I believe). One of the reports later questioned Meyer about what Addazio said, and Meyer reacted with some genuine-looking shock and indicated that there’s no way Pouncey is moving from center and that he’d have to get with Addazio. Since then, the notion of moving Pouncey back to guard has been heresy.

  18. GG says:

    Lots of “noise in the system”. Feels like the Zooker has returned.

  19. Mr2Bits says:

    So my post gets edited for talking about Olive Garden but GatorsFanLA’s is good to go? Must have missed something here or GG is a little too uptight.

    • Your comment was edited because it was talking about his wife. Just like your previous post, I let GatorFanLA vent his frustration out as well. GG did not influence my decision to edit it, I had done it on my iPhone but it didn’t take, so I had to do it a second time.

      Mr2Bits- Your passion, energy and everything is admirable. I do not condemn you for having strong opinions, nor do I wish to edit anything you or anyone ever has to say. However, that being said, there are certain lines I won’t let be crossed here and even joking about harming someone’s wife is just unacceptable to me. I am not going to let our comments section turn into what I see on newspaper and major media sites where everyone is cursing, threatening violence, etc. Trying to curtail it before it gets out of hand. I hope you can understand that.

  20. Drew 4 Orange & Blue says:

    Adazzio doesn’t need to be fired but certainly replaced as OC!!!!!

  21. DCgator says:

    Tony, thanks for filling me in. That definitely changes the complexion of the O-line issues: you can’t fault Addazio for Meyer’s stubbornness. If Meyer’s not going to respect the judgment of unit coaches (much less coordinators) on personnel decisions, he has to be held accountable for the results at the end of the season.

  22. Wingtee says:

    So I guess Coach
    Can be accountable for 2 NC’s ??

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