Billy Napier jokes his wife told him UF's passing needs to improve
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Billy Napier doesn’t need the media or fans to tell him Florida’s passing game needs to get better. His wife, Ali Napier, already has.
While the No. 20 Gators (2-1, 0-1 SEC) boast one of the nation’s best rushing attacks through three games, their passing offense ranks 121st nationally and last in the SEC with an average 141 yards per game.
“It’s an area of our team where we need to improve, there’s no question about that. You can tell that. The average fan can tell that. My wife can. She’s informed me of that,” Napier joked Monday.
In addition to the lack of production, the Gators have been unable to find the end zone through the air. They are one of only three teams in the country without a passing touchdown this season, along with Hawaii and South Florida.
UF has eight rushing touchdowns on the year, which is tied for third in the SEC and 30th nationally.
“We’ve been able to run it and haven’t gotten into many of those four-point plays where we’ve had to throw it,” Napier said. “One of the points of emphasis with the offensive players is precision in the throw game. I think settling into some lineups. Obviously figuring out what we do well, what can we do well, what’s the quarterback comfortable with, all those things that go into that.
“When I say that, I’m talking about protection. I’m talking about detail and the steps and depths of the route, the aiming points, and the quarterback progression and decision-making. So, all 11 players contribute, and I think we need to be more precise and more detailed in that part of our football team.”
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Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has thrown four interceptions in the last two games and struggled with inaccuracy. He has also had a few dropped passes and some route running issues. The pick-six against Kentucky was a miscommunication between him and running back Nay’Quan Wright.
Napier feels the lack of precision in the passing game is a result of a first-time starting quarterback and his skill players in a different offense with a new coaching staff.
“First year in a new system, and certainly a first-year quarterback in a new system too, to go along with skill players that are playing in a new system,” Napier said. “I think we have protected the quarterback well to some degree. There have been a handful of plays where we maybe can do it better, but we haven’t been sacked, and Anthony’s done a nice job making some plays with his legs when it has broken down.”
How can Richardson’s receivers help him?
“Just being precise,” Napier said. “I think the attention to detail. There’s a lot that goes with that position as well in terms of learning a new system. A receiver’s job is to get open and catch the ball, so get open and catch the ball.”
