Murray and Brantley: QBs Headed in Opposite Directions

Coming into the 2010 season, many of the “experts” ranked Florida quarterback John Brantley as the third best quarterback in the SEC despite the fact that he had never started a game in his collegiate career. Ryan Mallett has once again had a fine season for Arkansas and we all know what Cam Newton is doing on the Plains. So at this point in the season, who is the third best quarterback in the SEC?

The answer is certainly not Brantley. Not a true fit for the Urban Meyer offense and without many of the key weapons Tim Tebow had to work with last year, Brantley has struggled to the tune of a passer rating of only 117. How bad is that? Only Jordan Jefferson and Larry Smith, two quarterbacks who are more dangerous running the ball than they are throwing, are worse in the SEC. Florida’s best offensive game this season came against Kentucky, when back up Trey Burton scored six touchdowns. Many have wondered if Brantley may lose his job to Burton if the Gators offense continues to struggle.

The real answer to the question is Georgia freshman Aaron Murray. For all of us who have followed the roller coaster 2010 season, we know the one bright spot has been the play of the kid from Tampa. His 157 rating is fourth in the SEC, while throwing for 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions (tied for least amongst starters in the SEC). His running ability has also provided the Georgia offense with a spark and he has contributed fours scores on the ground.

These two quarterbacks appear to be at very different junctions in their career. Brantley may be playing for his job on Saturday while Murray could be writing one of the first chapters in a historic Bulldog career. Considering how bad Florida wanted Murray out of high school, a victory on Saturday could be that much tougher for the Florida staff to swallow. Earlier this year, I quoted an interview Murray did with David Hale about his decision to choose Georgia over Florida. Here is again:

"It was huge just because the perception is that if you're in Florida, you're going to go to one of those three schools Miami, Florida or Florida State. It wasn't tough for me because I knew where I wanted to go, but for the people down there, everyone's a Florida fan, so they were all like, 'You need to go to Florida, blah, blah, blah, this and that.' In the end, I was going to go where I felt more comfortable. I fell in love with Georgia."

"So I went to Georgia, and the next week I went to Florida. I left there and I called my mom and I'm like, 'I'm ready to commit.' She was like, 'Oh, so you're ready to commit to Florida?' I was like, 'No, I'm ready to commit to Georgia.' Right then, when I left Florida with Georgia on my mind, I knew that it was the place for me. "

GO DAWGS!!!

The Countdown 2010: 49 Days to Go

49: John Brantley, Linebacker #59 (1984 – 1987)

Linebacker John Brantley was a member of some of the final Georgia teams coached by Vince Dooley. And while today the name is usually associated with the new Florida starting quarterback, this John Brantley has already secured his legacy in the SEC history books. The native of Wildwood, Florida, Brantley combined with Terrie Webster to form a linebacking duo Georgia fans called “Rambo and Rambro”.

1986 would be the first of two consecutive seasons as a member of the All-SEC squad for Brantley. The Georgia Bulldogs won 8 games in ’86 including an upset victory over rival Auburn. He racked up a career high 20 tackles, before the Auburn police decided it was a good idea to turn the water hoses on the Georgia fans. He was quoted as saying, "I was on still on the field and people were picking us up on their shoulders. I didn't get wet, but I could see all the people who were getting wet. Man, that was something else." He finished the season with 160 total tackles, the fourth highest season total in Georgia history.

Returning for his senior season in 1987, Brantley was named the permanent defensive captain of a team that would win 9 games. He racked up another 154 tackles and was once again named to the All-SEC first team. For his career, Brantley had 415 tackles, the fourth highest total in Georgia history. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers and later played for the Washington Redskins.