UF offense searching for big-play payday

Like just about everyone else who has been watching Florida's offense this season, the UF offensive coaches have been perplexed by one puzzling problem.

Where have all the big plays gone?

To try and find out, the coaches went back and did a study on big plays this week. What they discovered was somewhat surprising.

"We did a comparison to last year, and we're exactly where we were one year ago at this point in the season (in number of big plays)," offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said. "You wouldn't think that, would you? Me neither. But we are.

"It's a very deceptive deal right now. We define big plays as 20 or more yards. A lot of big plays are happening. We're right where we were at this time last year. There's only a negligible difference. But the feeling is we're not having as many big plays."

Here's why:

By the 20-yard plus definition, the Gators have amassed almost 50 big plays on offense — 25 in the running game, 23 in the passing game. That's plenty, only a few less than last season through nine games. But the home runs, those long, game-changing plays, are missing.

In seven SEC games this season, the offense has produced only two plays of 50 yards or longer — a 77-yard TD pass from Tim Tebow to Deonte Thompson against Arkansas, and a 64-yard pass from Tebow to Aaron Hernandez late in the game against Vanderbilt. UF's three other 50-plus yard plays came against out-manned Charleston Southern.

Last season, the Gators had 10 plays of 50 yards or longer, five coming against SEC opponents.

"What we're lacking, after really addressing this a little while, is hits, big hits," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "Other than the speed option (that Jeff Demps scored on from 25 yards out), the longest run was 12 yards (against Vanderbilt). We need to get some hits.

"Last year we had those hits. It's sustaining blocks a little longer and it's taking more chances down the field. But it's predicated on how we're playing on defense. In 2007 (when the Gators had numerous home-run plays), it was back and forth. Game management is a lot different (this season)."

The Gators don't want to put unnecessary stress on their defense by taking risks and turning the ball over. Still, Meyer said, the offense needs to start hitting some home runs.

"It's everything. It's a guy pulling through a tackle, a guy going up and making a big catch," Meyer said. "(Riley) Cooper, (Tim) Tebow, (Jeff) Demps (are playmakers). You're not blaming anybody.

"Deonte Thompson has got to get more opportunities because he's got that juice to go get it. It's not, 'Here's one thing you do.' It's a conglomeration of stuff."

Part of the problem is two of last year's biggest play-makers (wide receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy) are now doing their thing in the NFL.

"With Percy and Murph we had a few of those extended (plays) that might have gone 80 yards," Addazio said. "Those things create momentum and pop games. That's what we haven't been able to do on a regular basis.

"We've popped some, obviously. But that's where that is right there. You want to create those (home runs). But it's hard to recreate Percy Harvin, too, now. (Big plays) are happening in the run game at a much higher level now."

Even without Harvin and Murphy, the Gators still have players who can take it the distance, Addazio said. Demps and Chris Rainey in the running game. Cooper, Hernandez, Thompson and James in the passing game.

The quest to produce some home runs will continue down the stretch.

"Here's what we're doing a good job of, we're moving the ball more consistently than we ever did," Addazio said. "It appears we had more big-play strikes a year ago. We didn't, but we had much longer ones.

"Plays of 20 or more yards are considered explosives. We have the same amount of explosives we had at this point a year ago. Our goal is to create (bigger) explosives. How do you do it? You put it in the explosive guys' hands. That's what they're trying to do."

The lack of big plays seems to be Meyer's biggest concern about the offense.

"I'm very pleased with the coaching staff. I'm very pleased with the development of our players. I'm very pleased with our record," Meyer said. "I'm not pleased with the fact we don't have enough big plays. That's something we're continually addressing."

Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or at andreur@gvillesun.com.