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[Bearsman]

Brantley And The Young Gators Have Much To Learn

By Eric Dorman

Well, I know a lot of us probably expected that John Brantley and the Florida Gators would be like they used to be. However it's a new era at Florida with a lot of talented freshman and a lot of fast players. John  Brantley has been the one player I have criticized for a while and the first Gator Game proved to me that Brantley has a lot of work to do.

However he did make a lot of good throws,but what really messed the Gators up was their Center, Pouncey who seemed like a first time snapper. Pouncey shouldn't have been Center because he isn't used to that position and he would be better used somewhere else.

Like I have said before John Brantley proved to me that he is still a young quarterback even though he's been their for three years learning under one of College Football's Greatest Quarterbacks,Tim Tebow. Even though he learned from Tebow that doesn't mean he will be as good or come out his first game and throw for a huge number of yards. The Gators remind me of a young team that have good talented players around them,but lack experience in big time game situations.

Chris Rainey,Demps,and a few others should true talent when they needed to step up for the Gators. Since Demps is the fastest of the whole Gator Team in my opinion he should once again why I believe he will be the Gator go to man when they need a big burst if speed.

I still don't see where Brantley has a better arm then Tim Tebow because he seemed to do be more of a scrambler in his first game. I know that one game doesn't show all of the potential,but it gave myself a pretty good idea of who he is.

As for my opinion of how John Brantley was in his debut of being the Gator's Quarterback well, he reminds me of a young quarterback that shows potential,but has much to learn about how to settle into being the quarterback of one of the top leading schools in the SEC.

However I did like what I saw of how he scrambled around and didn't rush his throws. In time I think John Brantley will be a very good quarterback for Florida and make his own legacy at a school that has in the past held quite a place for top College Football Players.

[RJINTAMPA]

good article, however, I think UF will loose next weekend against USF in Gainesville. 

[xZACHARIUSx]

John Brantley has more "typical" quarterback potential than Tebow did-although Tebow clearly has the "IT" factor. He's got an equal amount of arm strength, but has to hone in his accuracy. The Gators are also lacking some in the speed department. None of their receivers really got "wide" open-they don't have a Percy Harvin on the roster anymore. Don't get me wrong, I believe all of their wideouts are fast, I just don't believe they're as good as the previous crew, and you can't coach speed.

However, look at Jerry Rice. When he was drafted, he only ran a 4.6 40 yard dash, and he's considered the best to have played the game. The fact of the matter is, this team is very young, with a large majority of players not having been in big game situations. Some of these players hadn't even started previously.

It is obvious that the Gators have a lot to learn, but we need to remember that we cannot expect the same from this team that we did from the "Tebow" era. An entire dimension of the Florida offense was removed when Tebow was drafted, as well as the centerpiece of the defense, Brandon Spikes. That takes a lot away from the intimidation abilities of the Gators. This new team will have to rely a lot more on their running game, and their offensive line. Brantley cannot make the same plays that Tebow did, despite playing the same position. Both are good quarterbacks, but they play the position in completely different ways. We must get used to having a pocket-passing quarterback who can't run over 230 pound linebackers.

I am a Florida fan, but they will need to do a lot more than amass 13 yards of offense in the first half if they want to keep a number four ranking. Especially when they play teams like Miami (OH), and USF, schools that are good-but schools that don't have the same pool of talent that Florida is able to draw from. Games against LSU, Alabama, and South Carolina bother me the most.

[Bearsman]

I'll admit I did have high expectations for this opener. I was excited to see what John Brantley was capable of,but he slowly made me realize that this is a new team.  

They do have Demps who is like Percy in many ways I believe.

Brantley just didn't show me a lot of potential in the first game. However it is only the first game of many so my view of will probably change in time.

Tebow has a better arm I still believe though. Brantley will have to prove to me that he does have better arm then Timmy.

[RJINTAMPA]

Gators have no excuses.... just like any other big time school in the country and in Florida as in FSU and the U. I have a feeling that USF will get yet another win for the record books next weekend.

[xZACHARIUSx]

I disagree. This was a good game for Florida to work out the kinks in the offense. The team will most likely be a lot more level headed when USF comes into town. Don't forget, this team is also under a new administration and is dealing with issues of their own. They also have a lesser pool of talent to draw from than Florida does, and it isn't an easy task coming into one of the loudest stadiums in the entire country. Florida has a week to rebound, watch game tape, and get their mistakes fixed. Fumbling is a lot easier to fix than a completely broken offense. I think Florida should be fine against the Bulls.

[RJINTAMPA]

watch out.... FSU overlooked USF as well last year... In fact I am willing to bet with you that USF will win the game next weekend.