OrangeandBlueHue presents the first in a season long series of discussions.  Our contributors (Vince Gagliano, KelticGator and Gatorpilot) are presented with three questions to respond to.  So with the season less than two weeks ago let’s get things started.  Below are the results of Roundtable Number One.

Question #1:  What players do you expect to provide the biggest impact on both offense and defense.  Pick one player from each team that will provide something that last year’s team lacked.  It can be a new starter or someone who will take his game to a new level.  For example Tim Tebow wouldn’t be a selection unless you think he is going to far exceed what he accomplished last year.          

Vincent Gagliano:
Offense: Aaron Hernandez.  One of the weaknesses of the Gator offense last year was a lack of physical playmakers.  Tim Tebow was the only player in the backfield with the strength to muscle past defenders and have the hands to boot.  And it was no accident that Florida suffered even more when Andre Caldwell sat out a few games; his outstanding upper body strength complemented Percy Harvin’s speed nicely.  I almost picked Carl Moore for this one, but since UF didn’t lack that physical receiver, he’ll fill Bubba’s shoes nicely.  Expect the sophomore’s catches to rise with Cornelius Ingram’s ACL injury.

Defense: Joe Haden.  With the Gators’ well-documented secondary problems last season, it’s tough not to pick a defensive back.  Major Wright is clearly one of the leaders on the other side of the ball, and Will Hill’s athleticism provides a nice foundation for success at the other safety spot.

Haden is a physical specimen with a year under his belt.  Add to the fact that he’s cut his teeth against a high-powered offense, and you have the ingredients for a breakout year.

KelticGator:
Offense: I like Emmanuel Moody to change the way teams prepare for Florida’s offense.  I know Chris Rainey is going to make a big splash if he can stay healthy and both he and Brandon James can do a lot of damage out of the slot but I think Moody brings that combination of size, speed and quickness that we’ve been missing at the running back position since Meyer arrived.  Right now Florida’s best RB is a WR named Percy Harvin.  If Moody stays healthy I think by the end of the year he will be mentioned with some of the best backs in the country.

Defense: I think Carlos Dunlap will have the biggest impact on the team.  Sure, he’s received a lot of hype but most of it is deserved.  He’s a physical freak who can be dominant on the line.  Combine with an improved set of tackles, more depth all along the line to keep players fresh and a much improved secondary and you have the makings for a guy who makes a lot of plays in the backfield.  I expect the secondary to be much improved but no one player will have the impact of Dunlap.  I think just about every CB and DB you see out there this year will be better than what we played with last year but none of them can dominate a game like a great lineman. 

Gatorpilot:
Offense: I’m going to go with Kestahn Moore, strangely enough.  I know he’s got a reputation for being a fumbler, and it’s well-deserved; last year I gave him a huge ration of crap (literally) when he managed to be involved in four disastrous plays against Georgia, all of which led to turnovers and helped the Dawgs win.  In the off-season I was excited about Emmanuel Moody, but I have this feeling based on what the coaches are saying and what I hear out of practice that Kestahn is going to be the go-to power back we’ve been craving ever since DeShawn Wynn had that big game against Miami years and years ago.  I think he’s finally going to emerge and challenge the defense right up the middle, which is something our offense has lacked whenever someone other than Tebow was running the ball.

Defense: Well, everyone is obviously talking about Carlos Dunlap, who is supposedly the new “Freak” in the line of DEs started by Jevon Kearse.  Since he’s too obvious, I’ll go with Major Wright.  By his own description in a GatorCountry interview he wasn’t really sure what he was supposed to be doing at his safety position last year, but this year is completely on the same page as the defense and his DC.  I like him to be a “Reggie Nelson-lite” in his sophomore year.

Question #2:  Which game do you feel is the most dangerous for the Gators this year and why. (more…)