New coaches and play calls, more I-formation and use of tight ends — there are obvious changes in store for Florida’s offense.
But there’s really only one difference that matters: Can the Gators improve the toothless attack that sunk their season last year?
With offensive coordinator Charlie Weis installing a pro-style scheme that better suits quarterback John Brantley and a bit more seasoning for skill-position players who seemed in over their heads in 2010, the Gators are hoping for a quick turnaround.
“Fans are going to be happy again,” running back Chris Rainey said.
Rainey is happy again, too. He has returned to the backfield after a one-year stint at receiver and drawing praise from coach Will Muschamp for his ability out of the I-formation.
“When I get the ball, I can just read the whole field and do whatever I want,” Rainey said. “It’s more freedom and a lot of fun. I tell them out there that it feels like high school again.”
That’s the feeling Brantley is trying to recapture, too. A former Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, Brantley never fit into Urban Meyer’s spread offense.
By all accounts, he’s a better fit under Weis. Muschamp said Brantley leads the three-way quarterback battle with Jeff Driskel and Tyler Murphy and looks the most polished, but he’ll have to hold off Dwyer’s Jacoby Brissett when fall camp rolls around.
