Tim Tebow, Roman Harper discuss Florida's desperation, potential need to play DJ Lagway
Things have gotten a bit sideways with Florida football under Billy Napier, with the Gators sub-.500 in his tenure and struggling to show signs of growth. And Tim Tebow, one of the greatest Gators ever, hopes to see some necessary desperation from his alma mater on the field on Saturday.
Sitting at 1-1 and facing a Texas A&M team that should be beatable, Tebow and Roman Harper spoke on the “Paul Finebaum Show” to the need for Florida to scratch and claw for a win. Put simply: They think it’s more or less time to put up or shut up for Florida.
“It’s an interesting time but I think this game is critical,” Tebow said. “Do I think Florida is a better football team than Texas A&M? I don’t know. Probably not when you watch the film. But, I don’t know that this game is just about who’s better. Obviously that matters but I think what also matters is the desperation that you play with. And I think Florida has to play with desperation. I think they have to coach with desperation. And I think both of these teams, it’s pivotal. It’s so important, both losing Week 1, having a chance to bounce back, in an SEC game — especially with A&M having a little bit of an easier schedule in front of them. This is pivotal for both teams, for both staffs, but I think there’s more pressure on Florida and I also think because of that, they’re going to play with more of a desperation and I’m excited to see what that looks like.”
Harper tended to agree with Tebow. And he thinks desperate times could mean breaking the glass and starting true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. Napier has already said Graham Mertz will be starting, but Harper thinks the upside of Lagway could be too much to ignore.
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And when he brought up the point in front of the Florida fans in Gainesville, Harper got a hearty cheer.
“Because now we have a sense of hope, a sense of belief. And I’m with Tim, that comes with DJ Lagway. He is the quarterback for this University of Florida,” Harper said. “And I will go out there and flat out say it, that is what needs to happen. If they want to win this game, he will have to have a day. And then, on the other side defensively, can you create a turnover? That’s one thing that’s been lacking of this defense the last two years and they have to be better than that. If they do that, they will win this game.”
However, Tebow wasn’t so sure Lagway should start, though he certainly thinks he should play.
For Tebow, the issues run so much deeper than quarterback that he’s not sure dropping Lagway in would make much of a difference.
“Does DJ bring a lot of excitement and hope? Absolutely and I am so excited,” Tebow said. “I think he’s an incredible, young football player and I think he’s even a better young man. I am so impressed with this young man. So grateful he’s a Gator. But let’s also be honest: Their issue has not been the quarterback position.”
Harper concurred, and Tebow continued.
“It has not. Like a lot of people want to point because it’s the most important position in, you could argue all of sports, but guess what? A different quarterback’s not going to stop from getting hit in the mouth against Miami. A different quarterback couldn’t have the offensive line block in the running game or run the football or get after Cam Ward or tackle somebody. It’s not just on the quarterback,” Tebow said.