Comments on: John Brantley: Florida Gators Backup Quarterback – Spring Game Preview

By: Bill in Sandy Springs

Bill in Sandy Springs — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:34:11 +0000

I’m not a Gator fan or SC fan either. In fact, as a Georgia fan I really hope Georgia pulls the upset but that is not very likely. They do have two weeks off just like in 2007, 2004, 1997- all Georgia wins.
My sports talk philiosophy is to believe that the most obvious possibility is likely to happen because 80% of the time it does. Kind of like a Vegas Sports book. Last year the Gators covered in EVERY GAME. Not just won the game but they covered too. Urban Meyer doesn’t pull starters unless he is beating the snot out of a team. Keeping him in late helps cover an average or bad game– pading the stats. Seriously, Tebow was playing against Georgia when they were up 42-3 in the 4th. Brantley led the Gators for their last TD drive. Tebow is extremely competetive and I get the impression that he doesn’t like being taken out.

How hard can it be to train a QB with that kind of talent(Brantley). You don’t need to play him that much for him to be ready. He is ready right now, it just that he has to wait his turn. Andre Debose is basically going to take over where Percy Harvin left off. Brantley taking over for Tebow will be like Tebow just handing Brantley the keys to an old but still very efficient car that gets young every year(recruiting).

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:43:46 +0000

That’s funny – you’re right, the Gators do reload – USC does too – they never run out of superstars to plugin. I also can not believe Florida is returning all 11 defensive starters. I’m not really a Florida hater, but that kinda made my stomach turn.

Ya know, you’re probably right – I’m thinkin that if I’m coachin, I want the guy that’s taking over next year to get some game experience so he isn’t comin in too cold. Besides, they’re going to be winning most games by 24 points going into the 4th quarter, with one of the top defenses in the land. But alas, Tebow will be shooting for the Heisman, the greatest year in college history, and a high draft pick in the NFL so you’re probably right, they won’t play Brantley any more than five to ten minutes a game. He’ll get more against whatever crappy teams are on the schedule ( I haven’t bothered to look at their schedule – not too many teams are going to challenge them ) and he’s gonna be awesome in 2010.

I’m trying so hard to enjoy Tebow and the Gators but I’ll be honest, I’m just not a big fan of the Gators. I am a big fan of Urban Meyer though.

By: Bill in Sandy Springs

Bill in Sandy Springs — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:42:07 +0000

“Plenty of Playing time” this season? Are You Serious? Define “Plenty of Playing time”. Do you mean inside of 5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. This is Tebow’s farewell tour and he is going to be pulling out all the stops! I don’t remember Fulmer playing Tee Martin alot, Peyton’s senior year. If Urban told this kid that he is going to get “plenty of playing time” than he really is the “king of BS”.
He is a great athlete but Brantley is on mop duty this year. I watched all of the Gators games last year and the only game that Meyer pulled Tebow before the start of the 4th quarter was the Kentucky game when they were up 56-3 at the end of the 3rd. This kid almost transfered to Texas which he was originally committed to before switching to the Gators a few years back. He beat out Cameron Newton for the Number 2 role(I believe Newton transferred). I agree with you that once he takes the reins (next year), he will be successful. The Gators don’t rebuild, they reload.

It might even be better for Brantley to wait till next year to start. The Gators have a bunch of new receivers including superstar recruit Andre Debose. Starting as a Redshirt Junior might be just the ticket with everybody playing at their prime.