Ask the Expert: Members Orange & Blue Debut Q&A with Matt Hamilton
Inside the Gators provided members an opportunity to ask NFL Films Matt Hamilton questions regarding Florida's Orange & Blue Spring Debut.
-----------
MORE FLORIDA FOOTBALL SPRING COVERAGE
* In-depth Defensive O&B Debut Breakdown
* In-depth Offensive O&B Debut Breakdown
* Spring Take Five: Helped, hurt, surprised & disappointed
* McElwain talks quarterbacks, facilities & more
* Film Review: Examining the themes of Florida's 2016 spring game
* Orange & Blue Debut: Offensive & Defensive Observations
* Where Florida's depth chart unofficially stands after its spring game
-----------
Q: Please break down the running ability of Mark Thompson, seems like he can be an okay SEC running back, but not elite. He has the size, but something is missing compared to Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, Jalen Hurd and the other elite backs of the SEC. Initial burst through the hole and elite change of direction maybe?
A: You hit the nail right on the head. Thompson lacks that initial acceleration and burst. Once he gets going and builds up a head of steam, he has pretty good top end speed and he’s difficult to bring down in the open field. Overall, if he can’t improve his quickness to the hole, we are going to see a lot more of what we saw on Friday: a bunch of minimal gain runs with the occasional big play sprinkled in.
-----------
Q: Looking at Luke Del Rio, what does he do better than the Florida quarterbacks who started last year, what are his weaknesses compared to them?
A: Del Rio’s performance mentally impressed me the most on Friday. He sees the field better than what I remember seeing from Treon Harris or Will Grier. His ability to read a defense, anticipate, and get the ball out on time is outstanding. He also seems to have a great sense of when to try to extend a play, and when to get rid of the ball and live to play another down. He doesn’t seem to be as mobile as the other two, but moves well enough. He was accurate and displayed excellent patience, allowing his routes to develop. I think the biggest questions I have left are his arm strength and his ability to stick in the pocket and deliver the ball when he knows he’s about to take a hit.
-----------
Q: Why does Fred Johnson continue to struggle in pass pro? How hard is this to correct? We know the coaches are high on his potential
A: Johnson is a bit slow-footed and lacks elite lateral mobility. That can be improved marginally, but that is who he is as an athlete. He will struggle with quicker pass rushers. His strength is in the run game where he can use his power and toughness to overwhelm defenders. I’m sure the coaches love the tenacity he plays with and I would assume he’s a hard worker, but his ceiling in pass protection is limited because of his feet.
-----------
Q: What can the offensive line do better in pass protection, especially the tackles? What techniques do they need to improve upon or employ more when facing pressure off the edge?
A: I thought David Sharpe looked exceptional. His feet were quick, he used his hands well, and I think he’ll hold up well against pretty much anyone. As discussed above, Johnson will have issues with quicker pass rushers. The Gators can benefit from a combination of chipping to help him, keeping a tight end in on some plays (although Lewis struggled the few times they tried this), and from utilizing some bootlegs and moving the pocket.
-----------
Q: Jarrad Davis looked like his normal dominate self during the spring game, but how would you grade David Reese and Kylan Johnson. Both did well playing sideline to sideline as well as shooting the gaps and making plays in the backfield. Then Matt Rolin and Daniel McMillian, do u see any development from last year?
A: I was really impressed with both Reese and Johnson. I see Reese developing into Davis’ potential replacement. He is a tough, strong, downhill linebacker and a solid fundamental tackler. I think Johnson can be a star if he continues to develop mentally with the transition from safety. He reminds me of Zavier Gooden, who made the same switch when I was at Missouri, although I think he has even a little more upside. He is a superb athlete for the position, has good instincts, and most importantly, he trusts them and sticks his nose in without hesitation. He can be a huge asset in coverage as well. I thought Rolin had some tough moments. He was a little hesitant when it came to taking on blocks and didn’t take great angles.
-----------
Q: In a follow up on the above issues, how does our linebacker group look at this time? If you have the further opinion, do we look okay for the coming season if we retain our health?
A: I think the linebacker group looks very strong, surprisingly so, especially given the injuries. I think Davis is a strong player, and as I discussed, I think Johnson can be a star. Throw Anzalone, McMillan, and Reese into that group and I think it is a very strong and deep position group.
-----------
Q: Please rank the running backs and explain the ranking.
A: These would be my rankings for where these backs are right now based solely off of what I saw Friday:
1) Jordan Cronkrite
2) Jordan Scarlett
3) Mark Herndon
4) Mark Thompson
I think Cronkrite is slightly ahead of Scarlett because he was hitting the hole quicker. Both backs have good vision, but Scarlett seemed a bit hesitant and wasn’t playing at his top speed. Herndon impressed with his speed and quickness, but he missed a few holes. I think Thompson would possibly benefit from shedding a few pounds, as he is just lacking that initial burst and quickness right now.
-----------
Q: We are known as DBU but our depth doesn't quite constitute that, please break down the orange secondary? How does Chauncey Gardner and Marcell Harris grade out in coverage? What is the potential/strengths and weakness of Chris Williamson and McArthur Burnett? Lack of next level talent or knowledge of scheme or both?
A: Before I get into the Orange secondary, I just want to say that I think the top three corners (Jalen Tabor, Quincy Wilson & Duke Dawson) can match up against any team’s. I think all three have next level potential. As for the others, I think Williamson is the next in line. He impressed me with his speed and physicality. I think the others’ mistakes came mostly out of youth and inexperience. There were players out of position on a bunch of the big plays the Blue were able to make. I think there is talent there and Williamson is pretty much ready, but the others just need some time to develop mentally.
-----------
Q: With 1 minute left in the 3rd quarter on a completion to tight end C'yontai Lewis does Del Rio get sacked on the delayed safety blitz in a real game? Who's responsibility was it to block the safety?
A: I think Del Rio would have still had a solid chance to get that off in an actual game, but he would’ve taken a hit for sure. The safety was Mark Thompson’s responsibility. There was a playfake to the left, where everyone was accounted for, so Thompson should have scanned back to the right before releasing. Thompson did appear to be looking at the delayed blitzer, but released anyway. It was a tricky blitz though and that’s something that should come with experience.
-----------
Matt Hamilton was a former student assistant for the quarterbacks at Missouri, coach at the high school level in Connecticut, intern scout for the Detroit Lions and currently works at NFL Films breaking down film for use on the show Playbook on NFL Network.
-----------
---
Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.
***SIGN-UP TODAY AND GET THREE MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ($9.99)***
Just click the link and sign up for either an annual or a monthly membership and two months will automatically be added to the subscription. Coupon Code: Gators3for1