Former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, left, shares a laugh with Emory Jones, center, and Anthony Richardson on Friday afternoon as they filmed a segment for SEC Nation. (Photo: Kevin Camps/Gators Football)
Carter's Corner: Tebow Visits Young Gators Duo, Has Done What They Hope To Do Saturday
Friday, September 17, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The trio of Gators quarterbacks stood on Florida Field early Friday afternoon to shoot a segment for SEC Nation to air on Saturday morning.
One of them knows what it's like to beat a No. 1-ranked Alabama team. The other two hope to find out on Saturday when the 11th-ranked Gators (2-0) host top-ranked Alabama (2-0) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Soon after he wrapped his interview with Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson, Tim Tebow took a trip back in time. Specifically, to his junior season in 2008, the last time Florida defeated the Crimson Tide.
That was the season the teams met in the SEC Championship Game, Alabama ranked No. 1 and Florida No. 2. The Gators prevailed, 31-20, and a month later throttled Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game.
Since then, Florida has dropped seven consecutive games to Alabama and head coach Nick Saban, including a 52-46 loss in Atlanta nine months ago. Tebow liked the approach UF head coach Dan Mullen used in that game: fast and aggressive.
He said the way he sees it, that's the only way to beat Alabama.
"You know when you play Saban and their defense, they're going to shoot and they're going to shoot fast. To beat them, you can't play hesitant, you can't play slow, you can't play scared, you can't play for long drives," Tebow said. "You've got to be aggressive. When we were successful against them, I think it was a lot of times because we were able to go at 'em hard. Get big plays down the field, whether that was Coop [Riley Cooper], or that was [Aaron] Hernandez, or that was Murph [Louis Murphy], or it was being able to bust off some runs.
"You know, be aggressive and get them a little bit on their heels, because almost every game they have played the last 10 to 12 years, Alabama has dictated the tempo. And when they're uncomfortable is when you dictate the tempo to them, when you dictate the aggression to them. You don't let them set the tempo, set the mode, set the way the game is going to be played. It's a lot harder done than said, but to me, it's so important. Make them uncomfortable. Don't let Nick do all the things he wants to do and play his combo coverages. Go at it. Very similar to the game plan they had at last year's SEC Championship."
In his segment with Jones and Richardson, Tebow shared that he knows what it's like to be coached by Mullen in a two-quarterback system. He was the backup situational quarterback to starter Chris Leak as a freshman in 2006.
In Florida's first two games, wins over Florida Atlantic and USF, Jones has started and Richardson has received spot duty and made a series of dynamic plays. Mullen said to expect both to play every game when healthy.
Tebow said Mullen is good at managing a dynamic that can be disruptive if not handled properly.
"I think that's one of the areas where he really excels, is managing and handling and clarity and transparency -- all of those things and giving specific roles,'' Tebow said. "I think the way that he has done it so far has been great and giving Anthony such great opportunities to learn and being so supportive of Emory and just balancing the whole thing, because it's hard. There's been a lot of different teams that have done it and not many where it's been great, but some of them it has been very successful. I think Dan is really good at it, plus he's got two really good guys. They're very talented as well, and that helps."
Tebow clearly enjoyed being back at "The Swamp" and talking to Florida's two young quarterbacks. Before his interview began, he engaged Jones and Richardson in a game where each took turns throwing the football from various distances off the crossbar of the goalpost.
Asked what it's like to see another No. 15 receiving a lot of attention at quarterback for the Gators -- Richardson switched to Tebow's old number prior to the season -- Tebow didn't hesitate.
"I think he's got a lot of attention because he is very gifted,'' Tebow quipped. "I think he looks good in it."
Tebow informed Jones of his number at Nease High prior to UF: No. 5.
The same number Jones wears for the Gators.
One of them knows what it's like to beat a No. 1-ranked Alabama team. The other two hope to find out on Saturday when the 11th-ranked Gators (2-0) host top-ranked Alabama (2-0) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Soon after he wrapped his interview with Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson, Tim Tebow took a trip back in time. Specifically, to his junior season in 2008, the last time Florida defeated the Crimson Tide.
That was the season the teams met in the SEC Championship Game, Alabama ranked No. 1 and Florida No. 2. The Gators prevailed, 31-20, and a month later throttled Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game.
Since then, Florida has dropped seven consecutive games to Alabama and head coach Nick Saban, including a 52-46 loss in Atlanta nine months ago. Tebow liked the approach UF head coach Dan Mullen used in that game: fast and aggressive.
He said the way he sees it, that's the only way to beat Alabama.
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"You know when you play Saban and their defense, they're going to shoot and they're going to shoot fast. To beat them, you can't play hesitant, you can't play slow, you can't play scared, you can't play for long drives," Tebow said. "You've got to be aggressive. When we were successful against them, I think it was a lot of times because we were able to go at 'em hard. Get big plays down the field, whether that was Coop [Riley Cooper], or that was [Aaron] Hernandez, or that was Murph [Louis Murphy], or it was being able to bust off some runs.
"You know, be aggressive and get them a little bit on their heels, because almost every game they have played the last 10 to 12 years, Alabama has dictated the tempo. And when they're uncomfortable is when you dictate the tempo to them, when you dictate the aggression to them. You don't let them set the tempo, set the mode, set the way the game is going to be played. It's a lot harder done than said, but to me, it's so important. Make them uncomfortable. Don't let Nick do all the things he wants to do and play his combo coverages. Go at it. Very similar to the game plan they had at last year's SEC Championship."
In his segment with Jones and Richardson, Tebow shared that he knows what it's like to be coached by Mullen in a two-quarterback system. He was the backup situational quarterback to starter Chris Leak as a freshman in 2006.
In Florida's first two games, wins over Florida Atlantic and USF, Jones has started and Richardson has received spot duty and made a series of dynamic plays. Mullen said to expect both to play every game when healthy.
Tebow said Mullen is good at managing a dynamic that can be disruptive if not handled properly.
"I think that's one of the areas where he really excels, is managing and handling and clarity and transparency -- all of those things and giving specific roles,'' Tebow said. "I think the way that he has done it so far has been great and giving Anthony such great opportunities to learn and being so supportive of Emory and just balancing the whole thing, because it's hard. There's been a lot of different teams that have done it and not many where it's been great, but some of them it has been very successful. I think Dan is really good at it, plus he's got two really good guys. They're very talented as well, and that helps."
Tebow clearly enjoyed being back at "The Swamp" and talking to Florida's two young quarterbacks. Before his interview began, he engaged Jones and Richardson in a game where each took turns throwing the football from various distances off the crossbar of the goalpost.
Asked what it's like to see another No. 15 receiving a lot of attention at quarterback for the Gators -- Richardson switched to Tebow's old number prior to the season -- Tebow didn't hesitate.
"I think he's got a lot of attention because he is very gifted,'' Tebow quipped. "I think he looks good in it."
Tebow informed Jones of his number at Nease High prior to UF: No. 5.
The same number Jones wears for the Gators.
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