Comments on: Ten Unsung Heroes Going Into This Season

by: Vince Gagliano

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:15:05 +0000

If you don’t think kicking is important, just ask FSU.

They suffered through at least four “Wide Right” games and a “Wide Left” against Miami. And the days of Sebastian Janikowski are long since gone.

At least Gary Cismesia booted a 60-yarder to salvage some respect against us.

by: GatorPilot

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:20:59 +0000

Yeah, but the ball has to pass between the uprights.

by: Vince Gagliano

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:23:39 +0000

A good kicker may not gain yards on the air or ground, but he can act as a good insurance policy if a good drive doesn’t go all the way.

If Sturgis can be more accurate, it’ll make the Gator offense even scarier. No endzone on that drive? UF can score from the 30, 40, maybe even 50 yard line now.

by: dad

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:39:33 +0000

I think Caleb is important just for kick-offs - if he can consistently put it in the end zone we will be winning the field position battle. With the new 35 yard kick-off rule last year the average starting position changed dramatically.

by: skigator93

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:41:25 +0000

Amen to Pilot on the kicking. I don’t need to see 50 yard boomers all season, but let’s get to the point where we can be confident when we are attempting a 32 yarder.

by: GatorPilot

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:26:13 +0000

Great work here, Vince. It’s high time the o-line gets a little praise. Harvin and Tebow combine for such an amazing plethora of mouth-dropping plays that it’s easy to forget the guys who spring ‘em free time after time. This o-line is gonna be damn, damn good.

I’m not ready to give any props to a freshman kicker, no matter how big his leg, until he proves he can hit the routine 30-yarder 99% of the time and the 40-yarder at 80% or better. Until then he’s just a frosh kicker.

I do think kicking is important. The Gators won it all in ‘06 in spite of Chris Hetland. Some of those games were unbelievably close (Tennessee, FSU) thanks in large part to his kicking woes. There’s no excuse for not signing great kickers at the University of Florida.

by: This Guy

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:26:12 +0000

The rest of the receiving corps deserves at least the #3 spot. Ask Ohio State about the risks of depending on one phenomenal wideout to carry your entire offense.

by: Dave

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:44:43 +0000

Sturgis had some serious accuracy problems at the Orange and Blue game. Kid has a big leg, but power is nothing without control. Florida won the title in ‘06 with 4-13 Chris Hetland, so I don’t think kicking is that big a deal.

Chas Henry’s a better guy to put there because after the few times the offense can’t move, he booms unreturnable punts to assist in the field position game.