Gator Country

Florida head coach Urban Meyer talks with John Brantley during the Gators' first day of spring practice on Wednesday at the Sanders football practice fields. / Gator Country photo by Tim Casey

Urban Meyer is back. Tim Tebow is finally saying good-bye. And Johnny Brantley is poised to take over the task he has waited for all his life: To be the starting quarterback at the University of Florida.

That’s the old news. This is the new: Judging by the first cursory glance, it appears the Florida Gators will be contenders again. On second thought that’s old news, too. Because, as we have seen for most of the Meyer era – and could clearly see on the first day of spring practice 2010—Meyer’s program is evergreen, grooved in an elite status.

“It’s like they just picked up where they left off last season,” said a fan, after seeing Wednesday’s practice. “As if they never stopped practicing from last year.”

Winning is officially a part of the Gator DNA, thanks to Meyer: A 26-2 record over the past two seasons, 57-10 overall, two SEC titles, two national championships and a future as bright as the Florida sunshine.

* * *

The signs were everywhere, including the talent on the hoof at the practice field, just across Gale Lemerand Drive from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where Meyer’s recruiting class of four years ago was auditioning for the pros.

While talent was cycling out, talent was also cycling in.

On the same day 15 athletes were being paraded on Florida field before a raft of NFL coaches, scouts and front office executives, across the way the Gators were downloading 11 more freshmen from the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, with 17 more to come in the summer session. It seems Meyer has built his house on a recruiting rock.

“How do you evaluate recruiting?” Meyer asked the media in a rhetorical question. “You go out on Pro Day four years later and see how you did. That’s the way ought should rank recruiting. That’s a good group of guys … I think it’s the most coaches and general managers who have ever been here.”

The talent is there, the new coaching staff is in place and the quarterbacking torch that Tim Tebow received from Chris Leak following Florida’s 2006 national championship has been passed from Tebow to John Brantley.

The Plan to Win is working.

And just in case some of the outside world didn’t get the message, Meyer is no lame duck. He is very much the head coach, even if he did hold his coaching reins back a bit the first time he had a whistle around his neck since the first week of January. His leave of absence over, Urban needed to get his sea legs under him.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Meyer said when asked by an ESPN reporter if the workday held what he expected for himself. “I’m usually involved a little more in the kicking game, a little involved in the offense. And I will be. I think springtime I’m usually like this. I let the guys coach and let everybody do their job and see what we’ve got. Because we’ve got four new coaches and I just want to see them go.”

He did know what to expect of his players, however, and you could see the gleam in his eye. Especially about his quarterback. And the future of Gator football.

“It’s kind of rebuilding, I guess, reloading or something like that,” said Meyer. “But there are a lot of good players still here. And a lot coming in, too.”

* * *

Perhaps it was a bit unfortunate, however, that on the day Brantley assumed the mantle he was also overshadowed a bit by the larger-than-life Tebow. There has been a national media obsession about how Tim throws the football, ought to throw the football, moves his feet – yada, yada, yada.

I watched Tebow’s workout and – what do I know? – it seemed he moved better in the pocket, held the football higher, released it quicker and was attempting to get more touch on his passes. In fact, some of them were downright soft tosses. Tebow says he is developing “muscle memory,” trying to ingrain these good habits into his regular routine.

I couldn’t help but think of the term “paralysis by analysis” and wondered how a player fueled by great football instincts was going to marry the two. But when I asked Tebow about this he insisted he could do it. And you’ve got to admire his willingness to change and apply the platinum Tebow work ethic to his development as an NFL quarterback.

There is still the unfair criticism of Meyer out there by those who say Tebow’s coach should have prepared him for the next level. You had to admire Tebow’s explanation—that he was kind of busy in college “trying to complete passes, win games and win championships.”

As for Meyer, he has learned to diffuse the criticism with humor.

When a reporter asked, facetiously, about the mechanics of Brantley he fired back: “Don’t ask me! How would I know?”

* * *

As beloved as he is, it is time for Tebow to move on and Brantley to step out of No. 15’s shadow. Even Meyer says that.

“It’s hard to be a leader when the other guy is out there,” said Meyer. “The guy (Tebow) is so overwhelming. But I saw some leadership from Johnny. And that happens. I was hoping it would happen. And it happened today.  It’s hard to take charge of a huddle when the other guy’s right there. And now it’s his huddle and he takes charge. Johnny did a great job today.”

Tebow wished Brantley well and predicted great things for his successor. “Outside his mom and dad,” said Tebow, “I’m probably his biggest fan.”

Brantley said Tebow had “pretty much been my mentor” for three seasons. What he learned from Tim mostly, he said, was leadership. Brantley’s leadership will be different than Tebow’s. There will be no yelling and screaming in the locker room, inciting the fans, pumping up the defense, taking victory laps after the game, etc. But in his own quiet way, No. 12 will lead.

And you can be sure of this: When John Brantley’s career is over at Florida, there won’t be a bunch of experts breaking down his throwing motion, because he’s already got an NFL-caliber arm.

Make no mistake: Meyer is grateful for the gift of talent at quarterback. It’s a little bit like a movie producer losing Tom Hanks and having to settle for George Clooney. Both great actors, although the roles will differ somewhat with the change.

The results, however, could be very similar – because the producer is the same guy.

About the author

BuddyShow

Buddy Martin is the author of seven books, including Urban Meyer's authorized biography, and was a recipient of an Emmy while working for CBS Sports on "The NFL Today." The native son of Ocala and Florida-educated journalist is the former sports editor of the New York Daily News, Denver Post, St. Petersburg Times and Florida Today. He has won more than 165 state and national awards for writing and editing. "Urban's Way" (St. Martin's Press) is now out in paperback. It can be purchased at all major book stores or by writing Buddy at [email protected]

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