Meyer to change the Gators offense to land Scroggins? Riiiiight.

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 23, 2009 8:39 AM EDT in College Football

Jesse Scroggins is jacked because Urban Meyer has told him that the Gators are going to change their offense when Tebow leaves:

"I'm hyped on Florida for sure," Scroggins told the Web site's West Recruiting Blog. "They win national championships there and coach Meyer does a great job with the quarterback position. They said they're changing the offense after (Tim) Tebow graduates to a more drop back style offense and they brought in Scott Loeffler to be the OC there and that's the kind of offense he has always run so I know it will be a good fit for me.

"My coach and I plan to take an unofficial visit out there in the summer and we're just working out the dates. I've only been to Washington so far and liked it there a lot but I want to check out a few more schools in the summer because I plan to try and make a commitment before the school year starts up."

Riiight. As a public service to Mr. Scroggins (and the rest of the nation, including us Volunteers), let me remind you that Meyer is rumored to have told QB and prospect Jevan Snead that the Gators were recruiting Tebow as a linebacker, too. Snead saw through that and committed elsewhere. Good decision.

Urban Meyer changing the offense that has won 2 of the last 3 national championships? Almost as unbelievable as "Tebow? Oh, he's just a linebacker."

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If Heaps goes to BYU

The Gators taking this kid over us would be so much worse than us getting Nu’Keese from them.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on May 23, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

I don’t have the book on hand at the moment, but wasn’t that Snead story verifiable enough to warrant a reference in Feldman’s Meat Market? I know it was in a book I read and I think it was that one.

Meyer’s not going to offer a kid that’s a questionable talent: UofF currently enjoys too much popularity to blow 1/85 on a stunt like that. However, I can certainly see him trying to snitch away a potential qb of a rival, especially when that rival is already hurting for a quarterback and could practically end up without any quarterbacks in a 3-year period otherwise. Like any qb, Scroggins is your typical roll-the-dice prospect who might or might not be useful to Florida. But he’s not somebody they’re going to reinvent the wheel for.

That said, I do believe Meyer is going to use more pro-style stuff from now on. I think he’s deeply offended that his crown jewel isn’t getting serious hype as an NFL quarterback prospect. After all, USC runs a pro-style offense and is doing an absolutely fantastic job at getting qbs to the NFL, even though Florida has had more college-level success recently. Over time, that will make a difference and I think Meyer’s ego is big enough to want to say he’s the best at making NFL qbs.

But I think the pro-style stuff in the offense will be more for the NFL pony show than for seriousness. When push comes to shove, I’m certain Meyer will want to stick with the spread and field a qb who can run the ball.

by David Hooper on May 23, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

He won't make significant changes to how he's running the offense.

I’d almost refer to it as a pro-style spread, since it’s basically constructed around a few plays but can easily be tweaked for its personnel. Calling Meyer’s system entirely static would be a misnomer as well, so while Scroggins may be right that Meyer would change the offense, ti wouldn’t be close to being of the magnitude that he thinks.

And yes, I know the term pro-style spread is weird, but I don’t know of another description for it; it’s clearly not the Airraid or its derivatives, and it’s clearly not whatever Rich Rodriguez is calling his offense. It’s a hybrid of a few different approaches, which is why I’d call it pro-style. It retains a few constants but has the ability to adapt to its personnel.

by Chris Pendley on May 23, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Pro-style spread is a good term.

And Meyer has shown that he can adapt. After all, the first NC was with Chris Leak as the main QB; Tebow was, for all practicall purposes, merely a runner whenever he stepped on the field.

But then again, Meyer also showed that year that he was quite willing to sacrifice Leak’s shot at the pros in order to hype Tebow. That whole year boiled down to: we’re doing well with this guy in place, but just wait until this other guy gets up to speed; here’s a sneak preview.

Caveat Emptor

by David Hooper on May 23, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Um… I watched most every game Chris Leak played for four years and I gotta tell you – he didn’t have a shot at the pros to sacrifice.

by peachy rex on May 25, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I was thinking the same thing about hearing that story in Meat Market as well, but didn’t want to take the time to confirm it, so I left it out. Consider it verified now.

Of course, that just means that it’s in two locations and not necessarily that Meyer actually said.

But you wouldn’t put it past him, would you?

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

It was definitely in Meat Market.

Just finished reading the book a week ago.

by rblakeh on May 23, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that Meyer is recruiting Scroggins for retaliation purposes. He wouldn’t do that… would he??

"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it."

by Getoffmyvols on May 23, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Heh.

I understand the rhetoric, so this is not meant to misrespond to your intent. I do want to say, however, that whether the “Tebow = linebacker” story is true or not, Urban was most definitely recruiting Snead. Since Snead was basically down to SEC schools at that point, the only rationale was that Meyer was recruiting a backup quarterback. While Snead would have been a nice backup to have, the real advantage would have been that Snead would not have been with Ole Miss last year in Gainesville. I have absolutely no doubt that Meyer would recruit a quarterback simply to keep the guy away from a rival/conference foe. Maybe not so much other positions, but definitely quarterback.

by David Hooper on May 24, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

[Fulmerized] This

Like Hooper said.. Scroggins is not exactly the guy you change your offense for.

Wanna hear some music?

by samhitch on May 24, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Technically, Oscar Meyer isn't lying

I doubt anyone will fill Tebow’s shoes exactly. Scroggins doesn’t seem the type to turn into a 275lb fullback who likes to run. I also don’t think he can throw a jump pass as ugly as Tebow’s. So the offense has to change no matter who is recruited to run it.

Let’s hope this kid realizes that Urbie is blowing sunshine up his shorts. If the kid wants to play in the massive heat and humidity that is Gainesville, then go ahead.

Let’s hope he’s not geographically-challenged either. Scroggins, the Florida campus is NOT on the beach. There’s a reason they chose a swamp animal for the mascot.

by memphispete on May 24, 2009 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

Three points from a Gator :

A – As noted, Meyer did heavily tweak the offence once it was clear that Leak wasn’t going to be able to operate his preferred form… and the tweaked offence did win a national title. (Granted, it played second fiddle to a tremendous defence that year.)

B – even in the Tebow years the offence has evolved significantly; I would point particularly to the increasing emphasis on the run from mid-season on last year, as Demps and Rainey proved they could be real weapons in the backfield.

C – Brantley is the heir-apparent and his game is quite different from Tebow’s – he will, I hope, be a decent runner, but he’s a shorter, leaner drop-back passer. Even if UF doesn’t work in more pro-style elements this year, the 2010/11 offence will necessarily be significantly different from 09/10.

by peachy rex on May 25, 2009 7:49 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the input

From what I’ve been told, a lot of Meyer’s success is due to his every game is a new game plan mentality. His ability to adjust based on those factors he can’t control is part of what makes him so good. So yeah, I’m sure he just meant to say that if Scroggins signs and wins the starting job, he’ll take into account that Scroggins is the QB and play to his strengths.

But saying that is not nearly as much fun.

;-)

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 25, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions