Gators fans could be welcoming back some familiar faces next season.
Despite rumors and criticism, coach Urban Meyer said Monday he believes UF offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be back calling plays next season.
And quarterback John Brantley dispelled rumors that he was thinking about transferring from Florida.
Addazio has received much of the blame for the offense’s struggles. The Gators are currently ranked 82nd in total offense.
And if Addazio is the most frequent name when discussing the offense’s failures, Brantley isn’t far behind.
He has thrown eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season as Florida’s starting quarterback.
His inability to run the option has led to a decrease in playing time as he is now splitting time with two other quarterbacks. But Brantley denied ever contemplating a transfer from Gainesville.
“My dad called me last weekend right when he landed back from Nashville (Tenn.),” Brantley said. “He didn’t know what was going on, and I had no idea either. I haven’t said anything to him about that. He has never said anything to me about that. Those are just all rumors.”
Looking for energy on offense: Florida’s offense hasn’t just lost three first-rounders in the last two NFL Drafts. Evidently, it’s missing something else.
On Monday, Meyer pointed toward a lack of energy as one of the offense’s problems.
“I don’t see an offense full of life,” he said. “I don’t see a lot of energy. That’s one thing as a head coach that concerns me. That’s all personnel-based and success-based. And you try to recruit those types of personalities (that bring energy).”
The offense is averaging about 29 points per game (50th in the nation), and Brantley is the third-worst rated passer in the conference.
Meyer said dual-threat quarterback Jordan Reed’s role may expand Saturday to help bring some life to the group.
“[Reed] does provide some energy,” Meyer said. “Just the way he plays. You see the energy level, which is obviously critical at the center of the offense.”
The freshman completed three of seven passes against South Carolina, one of them for a touchdown.
But so far the energy provided by players such as Tim Tebow, Maurkice Pouncey, Percy Harvin, Aaron Hernandez and Riley Cooper has not been matched by this season’s unit.
“You lose two first-rounders on offense and a lot of great players playing in the NFL now,” center Mike Pouncey said. “You lose a lot of energy and emotion toward the game. Guys that really show while they are playing that they love it and they bring other guys up around them. I think that’s where we were hurting all year.”
Easley back practicing with team: Freshman Dominique Easley was not on UF’s travel roster for the Vanderbilt game and his status with the team was in doubt.
But Easley is practicing with the team again as of Monday, according to Meyer.
The defensive tackle has recorded three tackles in four games this season. He arrived to Florida as a five-star recruit, according to Rivals.com.
