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Florida football: Tim Tebow Weighs in on Anthony Richardson

By Travis Robinson

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators throws a pass during the 2nd quarter of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators throws a pass during the 2nd quarter of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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This Saturday, it is apparent that Coach Billy Napier must do something to get Anthony Richardson going to lead Florida football to victory.

Richardson started off the year with a bang in his long-awaited first career home start against Utah. However, he is now 3 games into his first year in Billy Napier’s offense, and since then he has been disappointing.

Richardson ranks last in the SEC in quarterback rating, and he has 0 touchdown passes with 4 interceptions.

This Saturday, the Gators have a showdown against rival Tennessee and Napier must find a way to turn the offense around.

Florida football: Tim Tebow weighs in

On the SEC Saturday Night broadcast, Jordan Rogers spoke about how the high-percentage throws were lacking. Tim Tebow brought up that the high-percentage throws might not actually be what Richardson needs to get going.

“We think the screens and the shorter passes are easier and sometimes they are, depending on what it is. But sometimes, for some quarterbacks, myself being one of them, I’d love to take a shot early. Maybe that’s something that gives (Richardson) some confidence, too,” Tebow said. “What’s important is you understand the player. All of us are different, right?”

Richardson may just need a big play early in the game to regain his confidence and get going.  It may be a good idea for Napier to draw up a play where Richardson can take a shot downfield early. Not only will it keep the defense honest, but it can show Richardson that Napier trusts him and that he is capable of taking over the game.

“I think he needs to play with elite confidence,” Tebow mentioned. “When he’s been going, you can see that carry over. When things start to go against the offense, or the team or him, it’s been more hesitation. Play with elite confidence. If you make a mistake, make it going a million miles an hour. To play with elite confidence, the coaching staff has to help get him going. For everyone, it’s different. But understand how you work.

“For me, I love getting going early. Meaning if it just doesn’t feel right, I want to run 97-Q Power and hit someone between the eyes as hard as I possibly can and it would settle me down and get me into the game. What is that for (Richardson)?”

We haven’t seen what it is that will get Richardson back on track. It didn’t happen against Kentucky and didn’t fully happen this past week against South Florida either. Hopefully, we see that in the rivalry game against Tennessee.

“We all have these mechanisms and these practices that when we get skewed a bit, we can get back on the right page,” Tebow said. “It’s not doing what I would do. It’s not doing what you would do. It’s doing what’s best for him, what’s best for that system, what’s best for that offense. That’s where I can’t necessarily answer that.

“(Richardson) needs to be able to answer that for himself.”

Only time will tell if we see Napier, Richardson, and the rest of the offense get back on track.

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