For anyone who is a ravenous consumer of sports and entertainment, the summer months can be trying times.
Baseball is in full swing, but that’s about it. The NBA and NHL playoffs end sometime in June, and minus a couple of mini camps that don’t really matter, the NFL is on a full hiatus.
Television can be much the same. I've been so starved for something interesting that I have spent hours watching Big Brother 15.
The summer is pop culture purgatory until August comes and awakens the soul. For me, I am now most interested in two things: How the Gators perform — because it is my job — and the final half-season of “Breaking Bad,” what I believe to be the best show on television.
So as each gets going, I’ll take a look at three storylines entering UF's season told through quotes from characters in “Breaking Bad.”
“You clearly don’t know who you’re talking to, so let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think of me? No! I am the one who knocks!” — Walter White
Florida’s passing game was atrocious in 2012, finishing 114th out of 120 teams nationally. That must improve this season.
Jeff Driskel and his receiving corps must be able to stretch the field vertically and pose some threat to opposing defenses that will look to crowd the box and slow Matt Jones.
If Demarcus Robinson, Quinton Dunbar or some of Florida’s other explosive skill players can answer the call, the Gators’ offense could go from being the ones who open the door to being the ones that knocked — just as Walter did when he became the kingpin of his empire.
“This kicks like a mule with its balls wrapped in duct tape!” — Tuco Salamanca
After losing Matt Elam and Sharrif Floyd to the NFL draft, the Gators need guys to fill in to maintain the identity they had on defense.
In 2012, Florida’s secondary was full of ball-hawking playmakers. The defensive line had the depth to continually make life hell for opposing quarterbacks. Entering this season, the depth and talent remain, but guys like Cody Riggs, Antonio Morrison and Leon Orr need to unleash the beasts within themselves for the UF defense to be dominant once again.
“You are a wealthy man now. One must learn to be rich. To be poor, anyone can manage.” — Gus Fring
The way Walter transformed from a broke high school chemistry teacher to a conglomerate is the situation the Gators currently face.
After two subpar seasons, Florida did not carry the target it did during the heyday of Urban Meyer and Steve Spurrier. That worked well last season as the Gators flew under the radar for much of the season — they opened the year No. 23 in the polls — and eventually won 11 games to earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl.
The stakes are raised this year. Fans were offered a taste of the success they so desperately crave last season, and opponents were put on high alert that Florida is back.
For as much progress as was made in Year Two under Will Muschamp, coming up short of Atlanta for a third consecutive year would leave a sour taste in the mouths of everyone.
Expectations are high. How will the Gators respond? I believe well enough to make their first Southeastern Conference Championship Game since 2009.
Contact Phil Heilman at pheilman@alligator.org.
Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (1) catches the game-tying touchdown during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
