If you are feeling lucky, drive down SW 2nd Avenue.
Don’t linger too long, of course. But as you creep down the road, peek through the black iron bars in front of the Sanders Football Practice Field. Maybe, just maybe, you will see what all the fuss is about.
Or you can drive to the top of the O’Dome parking lot. Or you can sneak into the bleachers at McKethan Stadium. Or you can paint your face, throw on some camouflage and climb the trees across the street. Whatever you do, though, just don’t let them see you.
Because who do you think you are, trying to check out the football team’s spring practices?
What? You thought the money you spend on season tickets, which pays for scholarships and coaching salaries, actually mattered?
There is something more important happening on those practice fields. The game is being revolutionized.
Well, actually, I don’t know. I haven’t had the guts to get accosted for watching a public school’s football team. I guess I’m no Hunter S. Thompson. Sorry.
But we’ve heard things are different. We’ve heard the team is switching to a pro-style offense. We’ve heard the defense will run a 4-3 and a 3-4 and maybe everything in between.
Sounds awesome. Really, it does. Only problem is, why should we believe any of this if we can’t watch?
Will Muschamp said the team needed to close practices for “obvious reasons,” presumably to eliminate distractions for his team. But spring practices have never been open for the team. They are open for the fans. And, again, it’s the fans who support the program when they pack the stadium, shop at the team store, pay to watch pay-per-view games and donate more money to become “Bull Gators.”
And even when practices are open, it’s not like fans are standing in the huddle, asking Charlie Weis to call trick plays. Fans are roped off on the side, usually about a football field’s width away from the action.
More than anything, this is about controlling the message. If you can’t see anything, you can’t dispute what they say. Of course, none of that will matter come fall. If the team succeeds, people will praise them. If the team falters … well, just think back to last season.
If you are salivating for spring football updates, the players have luckily been pretty transparent about what exactly is happening at Area 51:
What is this new system going to have in it for you?
Wide receiver Andre Debose: I really couldn’t tell you what they are going to do with me.
You say you like the new offense. Why?
Right guard Jon Halapio: I don’t know. I just like it, man. I’m just here to play football. They gave me a playbook, and I’m here to learn it.
How does the offense, as a whole, look?
Center Jonotthan Harrison: The offense as a whole, we’re looking real good. We’re going to be amazing.
How comfortable do you think John Brantley will be running a pro-style offense?
Wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr.: He looks comfortable. He was comfortable last year. Football is football, no matter where you look at it. It’s just another style of offense.
Who has stood out to you on the offensive side of the ball?
Strong safety Matt Elam: Everyone’s doing pretty good.
What about the new “Buck position” is useful? It sounds cool, but I don’t really know why.
Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd: It does sound cool, just saying ‘I’m a Buck.’ But it’s just a big part of our defense.
How excited are you about the new defense?
Defensive end William Green: I like it a lot more, actually. I’m really excited about what we’re doing.
What in particular do you like about the defense?
Elam: I like all of it, basically — the whole scheme. It’s a good defense.
What is different about the defense?
Outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins: We’re going to run and hit hard and be relentless and be aggressive. That’s how we’ve always been.
Middle linebacker Jonathan Bostic: A lot of stuff is real similar from last year; not too much of a difference from last year.
Green: I’m not getting into all that.
Cornerback Cody Riggs: I couldn’t tell you that.
Elam: I can’t talk about that.
Who has made the biggest hit on defense?
Elam: I can’t talk about that.
See, fans, isn’t this even better than watching practice?
