Florida Gators Quarterbacks – 2010 vs. 2011

Part one in a series where One Eyed Willy and I go over the Florida roster differences position by position from this season to last and what to expect in 2011.

2010: John Brantley – RJR, Jordan Reed – RFR, Trey Burton – FR, Tyler Murphy – FR

Preseason Rating: B

Postseason Rating: D

Yes, this is a unit I would have happily given a B to going into the season. Although three of those listed had yet to appear in a college game (keep in mind that Jordan Reed had actually been moved to tight end at this point, to be moved back at times throughout the season), all signs pointed to John Brantley becoming a star. Everyone knew things would change with Tim Tebow in the NFL. The spread would have to be altered to utilize Brantley’s strengths, which were very different than Tebow’s. But he still had plenty of strengths. More of a pocket passer, most not only thought, but expected Brantley to connect with receivers at will and tear apart SEC defenses with his arm.

In terms of depth, this unit was a D heading into 2010, but that was not supposed to matter. As long as Brantley was healthy, everything would be okay. It was not biased at all to think this team would be good to go at the quarterback position. Sure, there were questions about the transition from no. 15 to no. 12, but this was not just someone off the street. It was a quarterback rated highly coming out of high school, one that broke records, and one that was entering his fourth year in the system. Florida fans were very optimistic.

Too optimistic. There are some out there that might think giving the position a D rating after the season was a little harsh (I disagree). There are others that would say that a D is too much and the quarterbacks completely failed (again, I would disagree).

Why do they not deserve at least C? Only one quarterback on the roster had an efficiency rating over 119.71. That was Trey Burton who only attempted six passes. And only one quarterback had a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio. That was Reed who threw only three touchdowns to one interception. The best game of the season by a quarterback who attempted more than three passes in that game would come from Brantley against Vanderbilt. In the win over the Commodores, Brantley posted an efficiency rating of 171.04. That is not bad. Not bad at all. But consider a few things. Including that game, Brantley’s rating for the season was only 116.36. And is that 171.04 for one game all that impressive when you consider that the Gators have had five passing SEASONS of 170.6 or higher? Tebow posted a 170.79 for his entire CAREER.

It is hard to put all the blame on Brantley and that is why the unit does not get an F. Part of it had to do with coaching and play calling. Brantley was not exactly in an offense suited for him and it did not help that in many situations he had no time to get rid of the ball or even make his first read. There was supposed to be a transition in the play calling to utilize his strengths. That never appeared to happen. It was a tough season all around for the quarterbacks from coaching to execution. One that was so hard to stomach that it is difficult to imagine it getting much better in 2011.

2011: John Brantley – RSR, Tyler Murphy – RFR, Jeff Driskel – FR, Jacoby Brissett – FR

Preseason Rating: C

You might as well flip a coin this year. On one side it would read “Brantley will adapt to an offense better suited to fit his abilities and the Gators will be fine.” The other would state “it is much more than just the offense, it has to do with self-confidence and past performance. Florida could be in trouble.”

The Gators are in a situation very similar to the one they faced before 2010. Behind the starter is a group that has not taken a single snap in college. Tyler Murphy was the only one of the three on the roster last season and the other two, while high-rated recruits, are new to the program. Heading into 2010, fans only had one worry: “Brantley better stay healthy.” This season that wonder goes to him staying healthy and improving dramatically.

To be fair, he may not have to become great. It would be a thing of beauty, but it might not be necessary. In a transition year with new coaches and systems, he may just need to be solid. Brantley may have to reinvent himself as a game manager who does not make mistakes. We would all like to see him become the superstar we thought would arrive roughly 10 months ago, but that ship may have sailed. What he needs to be first, is a quarterback who makes the correct read and the right throw.

If it does not work out and we see a repeat 2010 all over again, one of those inexperienced backups may have to step in. Although some already hope Jeff Driskel is handed the ball, that is just as much of a guess as to what could happen. Tebow may have been great if he had been the full-time starter during his true freshman season. He also may have flopped. We will never know. But looking back, we cannot deny that putting him into the offense slowly in certain situations throughout that first season helped to kick start an amazing career. If Brantley struggles again, Driskel may have to be inserted into the lineup before he is ready. The same can be said for Murphy or Jacoby Brissett.

After saying all of this, it would be easy to give the unit a D heading into the 2011 season. Based on the D given to them postseason after 2010, it would make sense. However, Brantley is given the benefit of the doubt because of the new offense and the idea that he has to improve. He just has to. It is hard to put it any other way. And this is no knock on Reed and Burton (who are now permanently entrenched in other positions…we think), but Driskel and Brissett make many more comfortable with the depth at the position this time around.

What happens in 2011 is anyone’s guess, but the quarterback position may be the most important on the team. The chains have to move, drives need to be sustained, and points need to be generated. All of those things start with the quarterback, whoever it ends up being. A C is not great. It is essentially average. Gators fans do not want average and never have, but it may be exactly what we are getting in 2011. We will hope for more, but for the moment, we will have to accept it until we see with our own eyes that the position puts a product to be proud of on the field.