John Brantley could be back to practice Monday

[travisduncan]

Will Muschamp told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes to have senior quarterback John Brantley back at Gator practice next Monday.

The coach says the quarterback has been "limited" and unable to practice since the injury occurred Oct. 1. Brantley is off crutches and has thrown "a little bit" this week, according to the coach.

Next week's practice will determine whether or not he can start Oct. 29 in Jacksonville against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Muschamp said Tuesday that he ultimately would not make the call on Brantley's status. Rather UF's medical staff would make the determination.

"John's been living in the training room for the last three weeks," said Muschamp.

"He's doing everything to get back. That's not my call, that's the trainer's call and that's John's call. If he feels confident in playing and our trainers say he's OK to play, then he'll play. But I don't get into those decisions, that's something the medical staff handles. You certainly never want to put a young man in a position where he can't be successful."

You can watch Muschamp's press conference here.

Have your say.... Do you think Brantley plays against UGa? Do you believe Muschamp will simply leave the decision up to the athletic training staff?

 

[CaliZona_Gator]

I do believe that Muschamp won't force his players back on to the field. And I have confidence that JB will do everything he can to play against UGA.

 

[DRU2012]

Right--you KNOW #12 wants to get back ASAP--along with all the other reasons, these last few games are literally his last few chances to show what he's got: makin' US better makes his chances at a pro career better too. Coaches M and W won't have to "force him back"--more likely they'll have to guard against letting him get back in there too soon. That wouldn't be good for man or team, short or long term.

 

[CaliZona_Gator]

do we still control our own destiny to the SECCG? with JB back next game we still have a shot.

 

[Leakfan12]

I hate to said this but he's their best hope. Well it isn't Brissett and/or Driskell.

 

[DRU2012]

At this point, I'm more concerned with positioning this team and its chosen personnel for NEXT season--and getting a New Year's Day bowl game just to be able to extend practice time, coaches with players on the field getting ready for a strong(ish) opponent, as long as possible before they have to shut down until Spring ball.
We no longer control our own destiny in the SEC, far as I know, and so what? Things "fall our way" so we can go and see how much less we can be beaten by in a rematch with 'Bama or LSU with #12 at QB? Unless and until I see the REST of this team begin laying it out there for each other and their own personal pride and motivation, I have no illusions as to the outcome. While it may have "ripped the mask away" and precipitated this accelerating downward slide, we know now that the problems do not begin and end at QB, for from it.

 

[Leakfan12]

At this point, I'm more concerned with positioning this team and its chosen personnel for NEXT season--and getting a New Year's Day bowl game just to be able to extend practice time, coaches with players on the field getting ready for a strong(ish) opponent, as long as possible before they have to shut down until Spring ball.
We no longer control our own destiny in the SEC, far as I know

They still have a chance at the SEC East: UGA is not that good, Spurrier's Boys suffered a blow with Lattimore's season over, and seriously Vandy? Unless they find out a find way to swap Jordan Rodgers with his brother Aaron which I highly doubt. Of course I said the same thing about Auburn but it hurt when the Officials were on the Auburn booster's payroll (again).

 

[DRU2012]

They still have a chance at the SEC East: UGA is not that good, Spurrier's Boys suffered a blow with Lattimore's season over, and seriously Vandy? Unless they find out a find way to swap Jordan Rodgers with his brother Aaron which I highly doubt. Of course I said the same thing about Auburn but it hurt when the Officials were on the Auburn booster's payroll (again).

I get it, Lf, and even drowning in angry pessimism I noted the Lattimore blow and its implications (albeit at the back of my mind). That still doesn't change my point in the rest of that post above--or my cold appraisal of our chances until things change fundamentally with this Gator squad (hard to call it a "team" right now). We keep adding new ways to give games away ourselves--we don't NEED any help from hostile officiating. It's not the other team that is our biggest impediment to winning now, it is OURSELVES. Until that changes, we could lose to ANYONE.

(By the way, regarding your comment about Brantley being our "best hope" right now, and that it "sure isn't Brisset or Driskel", I'm afraid I have to agree: the JB IV part of it is to be expected--if anything, it was high time he stepped up into the role, and he finally HAD when fate intervened, against him AND us...with leadership on the field, we DO have a chance to regain some balance and forward momentum; a couple of touchdowns LAST week could have swung even a game where we had so many foolish breakdowns our way.
It's the other part that's a big question mark, an impending problem looming over us: as I've said elsewhere, IF one of these QBs is able eventually to take over and run the offense with composed efficiency (and that's a big "If" AND the best we can hope for, in either case--I don't see any "magic" there), it'll be after a long, patient process of trial and error on that individual's part. While I personally think Driskel has more calm presence back there more of the time, neither of 'em is going to be dazzling performer or strong field general we all long for--and know can "make the difference". Obviously, we'd be wise to keep looking and bringing in more candidates for the role.
For a more detailed look, not only at the questions at QB but the similar ones regarding our team and recruiting in general across-the-board, PLUS a pretty fair overview of the two different views of and approaches to the problems of the Florida Gators, right here, right now, views and approaches that may well consolidate and solidify into separate camps of fans in the weeks and months ahead, check out the last couple of (rather lengthy) posts from E- and myself at the end of the "Post Game Auburn 17-6" article by "travisduncan" at the GE Football Homepage here...be interested in your thoughts.)

 

[totenkopf13]

I hope JB IV is back for Georgia. At the end of last year I would've never thought I would say that. I was hoping he would be done, as I (like many others) felt his leadership skills were not there and his performance was awful. Much has been said since then, and it turns out he was the best choice for QB this season. I would like to see him get a chance at some redemption on his way out. Also, I think that we may have a chance against UGA, USC & FSU with him. Without him, even Furman isn't a sure thing.