Will Muschamp spent his time on the stage deflecting any questions about hot seats and underperforming offenses by filibustering the press conference with a detailed reading of the Florida media guide. We are now all intensely aware of each player's height, weight, zodiac sign, favorite fast food chain, and preferred Game of Thrones house. Like any good salesman, he pushed specifications at the customer until they couldn't remember any of their concerns about the rusted body panels or unseasoned defense. All we could think about was that recently rebuilt V8 quarterback under the hood.
Those who lasted through his diversionary tactics were treated to a slightly more charming version of the usual non-committal coachspeak that we are clearly in for this week.
Florida does have much to be hopeful about after a disappointing 4-8 season. QB Jeff Driskel is back after a season-ending broken leg sustained during the Tennessee game last year. You might remember Driskel from his first start as a college quarterback when he went 13 of 16 for 162 yards at Kyle Field in 2012. Muschamp will have a third-year veteran QB on his squad for the first time since he got to Florida, which should make anyone feel more confident about their offensive production in 2014.
Coach Muschamp should be given credit for being probably the only coach to directly address the hot seat question, probably in the vain hope that it would prevent further questions.
There will be a lot of chatter about hot seat business. That's part of it. The way you combat that is having a winning football team and winning football games, which is what we're going to do.
He wasn't the only one being grilled (because hot seats guys get it) as the topic came up to all of the players Florida brought to the event. Player feelings were mixed, with the general agreement that it was a non-issue and they would be winning for their own sake.
QB Jeff Driskel:
At the end of the day, we're not playing for his job.
DB Vernon Hargreaves:
We don't talk about [winning for Coach Muschamp] in the locker room. We just talk about winning the game.
Hot seat talk or not, Muschamp and Florida will definitely be under a microscope this season as the school looks to improve on a record that Hargreaves described as "unacceptable at Florida." That said, looking at the weapons that will hopefully stay healthy this season, it is hard to believe that the Gators will stay down for long.
In the meantime, Will Muschamp really needs you to buy this car because his boss is really on his ass to close more deals. Did he mention that D.J. Humphries is up to 295?
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