Florida senior quarterback John Brantley is able to play from under center and has even been politicking for more under-center snaps this week, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said.
Against Georgia, Brantley took all but a single snap from shotgun. Weis subbed in freshman quarterback Jacoby Brissett early in the third quarter to run an under-center play on third and 13 from UF’s 1-yard line.
Weis added that Brantley will take both shotgun and regular snaps against Vanderbilt, although Weis will evaluate his performance in each situation and adjust accordingly.
“We’ll just have to wait and see how the week goes,” Weis said. “His mobility is better this week than it was last week. But I’m not going to come in here on Tuesday and sit there and say, ‘By the way, John’s not moving very well, so we’re going to sit there and shotgun snap the whole game.’”
Rainey probable: Senior running back Chris Rainey is probable for Florida’s game against Vanderbilt, Weis said.
Rainey’s right ankle was injured in the first quarter Saturday against Georgia, and he wore a protective boot Monday, according to multiple sources close to the team.
Weis said Rainey wouldn’t be at full speed if the game were Tuesday, but his status will not be determined until Saturday. For backs like Rainey and senior Jeff Demps, who rely on their speed and quickness, injuries of this nature can be detrimental.
“Their whole game is their speed,” Weis said. “If by Saturday they can’t play up to that speed, you’re better off really limiting their role.”
Back to the sidelines: After calling plays from the coaches booth Saturday against Georgia, Weis said he would likely return to the sideline versus Vanderbilt.
He said the move upstairs was a result of the pass-heavy attack and that a new gameplan means he will likely coach from the field, where he was stationed for UF’s first seven games.
The Gators drew four false start penalties, three for delay of game and had to take three offensive timeouts in the first half Saturday due to an apparent inability to get play calls in.
“We had some procedural issues, obviously, as far as communication is concerned,” coach Will Muschamp said Monday when asked about Weis in the booth.
“That’s something we’re working through right now to see if we benefit by still doing that.”
Staying the course: Florida’s offensive slump is due largely to failed chances, Weis said.
“We probably had about five missed opportunities for touchdowns in the last game,” Weis said. “We had some really big missed opportunities. I think that in a game that’s a four-point game, all you need is one of them to cash in and everyone feels totally different. And it’s really not that much different than the week before.”
Weis added that play calls, routes, protections, fundamentals, techniques and Brantley’s lack of mobility have all played a role in Florida’s struggles.
The Gators averaged 40.3 points per game over their first four, but scored only 11.8 points per game in four October contests.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
After taking all but one snap from the shotgun formation against Georgia, quarterback John Brantley has healed enough to start working from under center in practice this week. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said he will evaluate Brantley’s progress throughout the week to determine Saturday’s gameplan.
