Losing Riley Cooper, which Im sad about, but Andre Debose (spelling?) should be back and in good form by Spring, and didnt we just get some highly recruited WRs that just verbally committed too? We'll be young and inexperienced at WR... but Im thinking they'll catch on fast.
Woody On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 2:34 PM, John Vega <[email protected]> wrote: > Sun 03 Jan 2010 > By Jeremy FowlerORLANDO SENTINEL > *Multiple Page > View***<http://mobile.orlandosentinel.com/inf/infomo;jsessionid=3513E115049C94FEEA3B.4703?view=sports_item&feed:a=sentinel_5min&feed:c=sports&feed:i=51421577&nopaging=0> > GAINESVILLE — To understand John Brantley's potential, just listen to his > nicknames in the Florida Gators locker room. > "We call him The Future and The Next Tom Brady," offensive guard Carl > Johnson said. "He's going to be really good." > Throughout the turmoil surrounding the Florida program, Gators fans can > take solace in the presence of a capable young quarterback replacing Tim > Tebow. > Urban Meyer might step away from the Gators, but Brantley is the staple of > an offense likely to be plagued by early NFL draft entrants. > Junior tight end Aaron Hernandez and offensive linemen Mike and Maurkice > Pouncey are mulling the draft. Senior receiver Riley Cooper led the team in > yards and touchdown catches. Cornerback Joe Haden announced Sunday that he's > skipping his final year of eligibility and entering the NFL draft. > John Brantley III, Brantley's dad and head coach of Ocala Trinity Catholic > High School, said his son is "good to go" for the Gators future despite > potential coaching changes. Meyer's career is uncertain after recent job > flip-flopping and health issues. > The former Gatorade High School Player of the Year out of high school has > been Tebow's primary backup for two years. He even spent two weeks preparing > to start at LSU while Tebow battled a concussion, only to find out before > the game that Tebow was starting. > Brantley III, a former UF quarterback himself, said the process was a > little hard on Brantley, but his son has the right long-term perspective. > "I always reminded Johnny that you just have to be ready at all times and > prepare like you're starting tomorrow," Brantley III said. "He'll always be > ready to be the Gators quarterback." > While Tebow barreled his way to first downs, Brantley is the type of pure > passer who inspires instructional videos. Everything from the dropback to > the release is textbook. > Brantley's ability could have earned him early career playing time at > almost any other school, but he remained patient while camouflaged by > Tebow's Swamp-sized star. > In the preseason, Meyer promised Brantley meaningful playing time but had > trouble fulfilling that claim. Brantley played in seven games, mostly in > mop-up time, while completing 36-of-48 passes for 410 yards, seven > touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was a stellar 194.88. > Brantley embraces Tebow's legacy while carving his own way as a facilitator > for UF playmakers. > "I'm not really trying to match it," said Brantley of Tebow's expectations. > "I just want to come out and not miss a beat when my number's called and > hopefully win championships as a starter if I get that opportunity. I don't > have to go in there thinking I have to do everything and make every play." > Brantley's succession plan comes equipped with Scot Loeffler, the NFL-bred > quarterbacks coach hired mainly to tailor Brantley. > Yes, Loeffler's NFL experience could have helped Tebow in his last year as > a starter, but even Tebow admitted the coaching staff didn't want to tweak > his throwing motion in fear of altering his successful style of play in > Meyer's system. > Quarterbacks on Loeffler's resume include Brady, Chad Henne and Brian > Griese. Loeffler, who said after Friday's Sugar Bowl he's not taking any > other jobs this offseason, said Brantley's progression is "absolutely > astronomical" and his improvement is "mind-boggling." > "He's had the best thing that could ever happen to college quarterback — to > watch a great one in front of them," Loeffler said. "That's the trend I'm > used to, develop, develop, develop, and then go in and dominate. That's the > plan for Johnny Brantley. His future's up." > Every quarterback dreams of playing right away, Brantley said, but waiting > has taught him to savor the starting job that awaits him. > Brantley's model for success can be Mark Sanchez, the former USC > quarterback who waited until his junior year to start in 2008. A year later, > he's starting for the New York Jets. > Brantley said such examples give him hope. He's going to need optimism when > facing Alabama on the road next year. > "What I've realized sitting is [starting early] might not have been good > for me," Brantley said. "I think this sit has been better for me as a person > and a quarterback. We'll be able to do good things." > Read Jeremy Fowler's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/swampthings and e-mail him > at [email protected]. > > > -- > GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! > 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions > 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions > 2008 National Football Champions | > Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), > Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us >
-- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
