🏈 Who was this Florida player?

[CtrlAltDel]

He was, according to the announcers, the fastest player on Earth and would have gained 40 + yards if he had only caught the ball.

From what I can see, it looked like Javier Arenas had the corner turned on him and was about to make contact. I don't think the announcers knew it was Javier that had zoned in on him. I don't think they knew that he dropped the ball because he saw who was about to deHelmet him.

Verne and the other guy didn't realize that Javier was returning the opening kickoff. They swore up and down that Arenas was not returning the kickoff.

So, looking at these photos: (click to enlarge)

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do any of you think this world class sprinter, whoever he is, would have slipped past Javier as the guys in the booth declared that he would?

I certainly don't believe that he would have skipped right past him. Javier looks like he was already just about at full tilt and locking in on this guy.

Hell, if you ask me and I know that you aren't, I don't think he would have even have made a first down if he had been Usain Bolt.

 

[firestorm]

Guess that florida's player should be Jeffery Demps going out of the backfield. Wel, Demps is fast, but like you said, not so much faster than Arenas and looks like Javy got the angle and direction for making a play on the open field.

RTR,
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[LBS]

First of all, consider the source. Verne does well not to argue that the Gators should get 10 points for a touchdown, and a Noble Prize for the extra point.

Second, the player is Demps, who is a speedster.

Third, to quote Verne again, "...this ain't Kentucky." Speed is a relative term, and that is speed all over that field. Demps might have indeed gone for 40 yards -- if the All-American Cornerback misses a tackle that he is in place to make.

Any other questions? refer back to #1.

 

[JoshB]

I cant see the number but it looks like either 2 or 3 and that would mean its either Demps or Rainey, both are fast as hell. But like is said, I'm fairly confident Javy would got him but it doesnt really mater because he dropped the damn ball.

 

[LBS]

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Photo 1: Javy is carrying NFL Cornerback speed and momentum (he is at speed) in a direction that will cut off Demps (Javy has the angle), who is virtually stopped.

Photo 2: Javy's angle of attach has shallowed -- meaning he actually had too much of an angle is transitioning into the closing phase of the tackle.

Bottomline" Damps was toast.

BTW, Demps has been the fastest guy of UF's team for a while.

 

[CtrlAltDel]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I was watching the game again and Verne and Gary's commentary provided some entertainment of sorts.

 

[ExiledTidefan]

I certainly can appreciate Demps speed, but something tells me that a Saban defense just isn't going to allow a guy like to get out in the open and build his speed quickly. We do have the propensity to let someone get behind us from time to time, but we don't spread the players all over the place and leave big holes in the defense.

And this is Nick Saban is a genius. And that is why Alabama will every National Championship that will ever be played again. And many Super Bowls.

 

[rammerjammer]

Not to totally divert the thread, but one thing that I will miss more than anything is Javy's tackling ability.

Most everyone will remember his electrifying punt returns, but one on one in the open field nobody was better at tackling. I hope whoever steps up in Javy's spot will be as sure at tackling as he was.