Finally, A Reason to Love Steve Addazio: "We Didn't Just Fall Off the Pickle Boat"

Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio has taken more than a few hits this year. That's partly unfair, because Gators fans raised on Steve Spurrier's "hang half a hundred" attack and spoiled by the brilliance of a spread offense with the inimitable Percy Harvin would probably be frustrated with a Bill Walsh-style West Coast offense. But there are also fair criticisms of red zone efficiency: Florida is 111th in red zone touchdowns.

Last night, Addazio answered those criticisms, and then some.

He makes some interesting points about Florida playing to its great defense (best in the country in scoring defense and second in total defense) and controlling the clock, sure, but it's the way everything is framed that is special, from Addazio's gesticulations to a vehement defense of time of possession. The pickle boat metaphor, especially, is choice.

"There’s a reason why we’re at 9-0. We just didn’t fall off the pickle boat and all of a sudden we showed up 9-0 now. And we’re 19-0 because I think we’ve done a good job managing our people. Managing our people. If you try to be something you’re not, sometimes that fails. You’ve got to be careful, OK."

Yes, this buys Addazio a little leeway with the faction of Florida fans who can use the Internet. But if the offense struggles against South Carolina's rugged defense, the boo-birds will be back. They didn't just fall off the pickle boat, either.

(Video via Gator Country; quotes via Swamp Things.)

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