SCREW THE I-FORMATION

by Orson on Apr 2, 2009 12:11 PM EDT

See? It can be done.

Something's been bugging us about any and all commentary surrounding the I-formation in Florida's playbook, and we have to take a moment to swat it out of the sky like King Kong batting away a hapless biplane.

The I-formation isn't anything new in the Meyer playbook: it's been there all along, and was first cracked out at Florida after the 2005 LSU debacle where Chris Leak struggled in the spread, Florida lost despite LSU handing the Gators multiple turnovers, and Urban Meyer cried after the game. (DURRR FAGG KRY!!! There. We said it for you.) Its reintroduction this spring is nothing new for the offense.

It's not new for Tebow, either: Tebow's tried taking the ball from under center in previous springs, and encountered the same oddity each time. That oddity? A left-handed qb taking snaps from under center needs someone who can snap the ball left-handed. The angle's a bit different for both center and qb, and causes a left-handed qb to reset the ball in his hands if the snap's coming from someone who snaps right-handed.

This is one of those tweaky little football things one would assume is very simple (i.e. Mike Leach's "I can teach a pro qb to take a three step drop in an hour" thing,) but is actually more difficult than any coach would like it to be. Tebow's new center this year will be Maurkice Pouncey, who as a new center has quite enough piled onto his learning curve already. Relearning how to snap in the tiny window of practice time available already is likely too much for Meyer to really want to mess with beyond experimentation.

Started every game there last season. Damn you, multiple Pounceys, hole-ridden brain.

(We know as much--don't seem shocked--via actual football-like sources. Don't look so shocked. They don't mind talking to us as long as we're never seen in public with them, and we pretend we don't know them in social situations.)

There's also the matter of fullbacks, h-backs, tight ends, or other people providing the primary block out of the backfield for a tailback. Right now, Florida has no one doing an adequate job out of the backfield for this, meaning the position of the Latsko-back (named for universal football solvent and all-around badass Billy Latsko, who played the position in 2005-6) is empty. Personnel-wise, the I-formation on the depth chart looks less like it's name, and more like the colon formation: two dots with an empty space in between. (And the results would be appropriately shitty on the field! Hat-CHAAA!!!)

Moreover, steaming along at 40 plus points a game, Florida doesn't need it. It would allay sub-mongoloid NFL scouts about Tebow's abilities, but frankly that's not something a coach should be concerned about if they want to keep their sanity or respect for the rest of humanity. Matthew Stafford is as perfect an NFL prospect as Disco God has every put on this planet: huge, cannon-armed, versed in a drop-back passing offense, and cognitively capable of doing whatever is asked of him re: a playbook. And even he's getting scrutiny beyond the pale of what might reasonably called sanity.

They're going to hate him anyway, so you might as well run your offense and let talent and ability win out in the end. The rest will be twirling and prancing to please a critic whose favor you cannot by design win.

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Thats the Maryland I in that picture

by Smartymcfartpants on Apr 2, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

It should say something that the only quickly available photo of Tim Tebow in the I is in the Maryland I, the bulkiest and most rhinotastic of formations. But yes it is the Maryland I, which we would have mentioned if we didn’t know someone wasn’t going to leave THIS EXACT COMMENT MR. SMARTYMCFART—

Dammit. You beat us to that, too.

by Orson Swindle on Apr 2, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Insert “Tim Tebow…three large men behind him” joke here.

by JIMatUA on Apr 2, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Urban Meyer is tinkering with the I-formation? More please!!!

Love,

Willie Martinez

by MaconDawg on Apr 2, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Maurkice is not a new center, he started every single game there last season.

http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2009&player_id=123

by UFTimmy on Apr 2, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Noted appropriately. We can only blame retardation.

by Orson Swindle on Apr 2, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Now now, Orson, it’s not nice to blame retards for your own mistakes. Instead, blame them like I do: for photo-based traffic violation systems and the Jews.

by italiangator on Apr 2, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

I know serious questions are a rarity here and I apologize, but why is he lined up on the left ass cheek if he is left-handed? Seems like it makes the problem worse.

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Because hes taking the snap right handed in that picture.

by Chris on Apr 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Boy I hope Maurkice was already circumcized before Tebow started going under center.

by Stephen on Apr 2, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Ah the old stacked I.

Jack Harbaugh used to call it the I-Bone at Western Kentucky.

There is something very satisfying and violent about watching a guard and tackle double a DT, a tight end scrape a linebacker and then seeing two fullbacks (or fullback and wingback) blast the snot pellets out of a DE who can only stand there as two humans with a five-seven yard head start pound him to mush.

Oh football. You bring us so much joy.

by PeayHog on Apr 2, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

O – thanks for the props to Billy Latsko. A hometown favorite and all around great guy in Gator history.

by hobeg8r on Apr 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

As a former center (HS and D-3, but still), I can say that learning to snap with your off-hand actually isn’t that difficult. I had to learn to snap lefty after breaking my right thumb, and it only took a couple dozen reps before I was comfortable with it. The only difficulty is in doing it long enough to build up the grip strength to be able to handle a slippery ball in game situations.

Now, learning to shotgun snap is a different question, but in this case it’s not necessary since the snapping hand is irrelevant to the QB for shotgun.

by bubba0077 on Apr 2, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Ohio State supposedly “spreading it out” this fall, Florida going back to the I-formation.

God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys god. Man creates useless additions to offenses that probably don’t need an overhaul.

by Sam @ WWAHT on Apr 2, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Is it coincidence that Dr. Phil and Mike Singletary share the same cheesy fucking mustache and smug assholeish countenance of that certain species of overinflated, self righteous prick? Those men are archetypiical of everything I hated about that certain type of authority figure when I was a teenager….and as 39 year old family man, apparently.

by Bobby Decatur on Apr 2, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Watch out Bobby, Mike Singletary just heard that and is running toward you right now….with his creepy bug eyes and thousand yard stare.

by jacketexan on Apr 2, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Off the subject, but Meyer did cry. So did Tebow. A lot. Belittle people’s making fun of that all you want man, but that’s for pussies. This is football for Christ’s sake. If you cry in football, you’re fair game for extraordinarily juvenile taunting. And I’ll lead the charge. Has Tebow lost a game in his college career and NOT cried? I honestly don’t think so. Now, bear in mind, Fulmer crying at his fairwell press conference is different. That was heart-wrenching, whether you love the man or hate him.

by Vol on Apr 2, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Farewell not fairwell. Dammit.

by Vol on Apr 2, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

What happened to Mustache Wednesday? Can we get a belated Mustache Wednesday post to make up for it?

by jacketexan on Apr 2, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Why is it this whole “I’ll move to the I-formation to help get you to the NFL” sounds a lot like Barry Switzer telling Troy Aikman he’d junk the wishbone?

by Billy From Baton Rouge on Apr 2, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

@17

“This is football for Christ’s sake.”

In fact, when Tebow is involved that’s exactly what it is!

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

False idols, Tim. Don’t think you’re supposed to go there.

by Vol on Apr 2, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

If the worst I have to worry is a propensity to get emotional and impinge on others’ masculinity, I’d say the program is doing well enough…

by Wells Lamont on Apr 2, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Wells, don’t be ridiculous. Crying after losing a football game is absurd, and at a minimum shows the blubbering offender to be out of touch with those things in life about which it is truly worth becoming emotional to the point of tears. Plus, they look like pussies.

by Vol on Apr 2, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Vol—

We will cry into our SEC Championship t-shirts like the pussies we are, then.

by Orson Swindle on Apr 2, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Nothing about false idols. Jesus loves a good game of college football.

He also loves to belt out high pitched heavy metal screams, as I learned in Jesus Christ Superstar.

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Orson, obviously that response is hard to argue with, but after my 5-7 season, I must relish in every small victory I can get my hands on.

by Vol on Apr 2, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

We can’t take that one away from you. Relish on.

by Orson Swindle on Apr 2, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

Yes! No emotions! WE SHALL HAVE NO EMOTIONS HERE IN THIS GAME OF FOOTBALL, especially when it’s being played by very young men. Come the fuck on.

by Holly on Apr 2, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

This could only mean 1 of 4 things.

1. What Orson said
2 . A short yardage formation for the future without the big bad baby rhino.
3. Urban is tired of not being able to recruit a real RB so now he can show them we do run the I formation!
4. Urban was bored

by Tom Kazansky on Apr 2, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Holly, shame on you for breaking the Orange Code of Silence.

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Vol – so when fans booed a bunch of 18 and 19-yr. old kids last year in Rocky Top – that was the manly thing to do? We didn’t cry – we booed our players instead.

by hobeg8r on Apr 2, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

5…4…3…2…1…"but you guys booed Chris Leak!

It is one small thing that takes the sheen off my enjoyment of re-watching the humiliation of THE Ohio State in Arizona…that I have to listen to the idiot commentators accuse Gator fans of somehow mistreating Chris.

Sigh.

A photo of him from the 2003 LSU game is still the desktop background on my laptop if that vindicates me at all.

by zzgator on Apr 2, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Bubba @ 13 –
Going to the off hand is really nothing special. Hell I do it from time to time with no practice and… ahem… great success. I think I have heard it called “The Stranger.”

What? Oh, I think I have said too much.

by skinnyphatman on Apr 2, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

Modern Gator fans don’t boo their players, but they do cry on every 3 and out.

WHAT HAPPENED? THE ENTIRE SEASON IS RUINED!!

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Uf players have a propensity for crying. Volunteers have a propensity for vehicular manslaughter. When in Rome?

by Claws on Apr 2, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

OMG!!!! A THREE AND OUT!!!!! FIRE THE O.C.!!!! WHY DIDN’T WE SCORE?…WE HAD THE BALL!!!! THESE COACHES DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING!!!

I believe this may be a direct quote from “drunk BGID guy” who sits behind me at the Swamp.

by zzgator on Apr 2, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

florida runs the i-form all the time in FUCKING NCAA WHEN I GO TO FLORIDA TO RUN THE FUCKING SPREAD AND GET STUCK RUNNING DRAWS

by chops056 on Apr 2, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

I just don’t think anyone who’s not out there on the field sweating through 100-degree two-a-days and what have you gets to decide what constitutes appropriate emotional attachment for football players, is all.

by Holly on Apr 2, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

I have sweated through 100+ degree two-a-days and worked 16 hour shifts generating combat sorties in 100 degrees/90% humidity (fuck Korea) wearing a flak vest, helmet, gas mask, and chem warfare suit.

I can definitively say that crying over football is for pussies unless you either:

A) Lose a major limb

B) get paralyzed

or C) piss off Nick Saban

by Saban's Laser Eye on Apr 2, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

So I guess this is a bad time to bring up my opinion on abortion, being male?

by Tim on Apr 2, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

IRT #1: “Thats the Maryland I in that picture.”

Exactly what I came in here to say but noooooooooooooooooooooo, you did it in the very first post. :(

by Lloyd Carr is a Child Molester on Apr 2, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

I just like it when Holly says “Fuck”. I’m emotional that way.

by Croc on Apr 2, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

I am sure the “Latsko-back” is a fine term, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing. here in title town, we have always used the much less clunky and unwieldy"Sko-dog" to refer to whichever Latsko necessary.

I bring this from committee to the floor – I guess it needs to be seconded before it can be voted on, but fuck Robert and his hegemonic Rules.

SkoDog > Latsko-back

by tmape01 on Apr 3, 2009 8:38 AM EDT reply actions

About the whole “we booed Chris Leak” thing…

The thing about that that pisses me off (And I was AT THAT GAME, mind you), is that NOBODY WAS BOOING CHRIS LEAK.

Chris had been having trouble against Kentucky the entire game. It was clear the defense had him keyed in. Every time Tebow stepped on the field… their defense was clueless. Tebow had just taken a drive that was almost dead, and took it… 40ish yards? Something like that. Anyway, right to the goal line. Then Meyer… puts Leak back in?

People were booing Meyer’s call to take out somebody who Kentucky clearly didn’t plan for, and put in somebody they had planned for, practiced for, and clearly were effective against.

Chris then did nothing for three downs and a field goal was kicked.

My friends at the game who booed all said the same thing: It wasn’t about Chris Leak. It was about Meyer.

Chris Leak was a very good QB, and damned if he didn’t promise that by the time he was done at UF he’d have won a national championship and follow through. And his abject humiliation of Ohio State was priceless. But that day, that game, Kentucky had a defensive plan that was stopping him flat, but they hadn’t planned for Tebow. He had more yardage on that drive than Leak, just let him finish the drive.

Ah well. Leak will always hold a special place in Gator Lore.

by Not You on Apr 3, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions