If Gators offensive coordinator Charlie Weis mentions Tom Brady, Tyler Murphy's ears pop up
Saturday, August 6, 2011 | Football, Men's Tennis, Scott Carter
Gators back-up quarterback Tyler Murphy was in middle school in Charlie Weis' final season as New England's offensive coordinator in 2004.
Murphy grew up in Connecticut and was a big football fan, so he was more familiar with Weis' background than some of the Gators when Weis was hired as Florida's offensive coordinator in January.
“He was a very big name in New England,'' Murphy said Friday. “I've heard a lot about him. I knew about his résumé. I'm very excited about him being here and to learn under him.''
Despite growing up in Patriots territory, Murphy was more of a Vikings fan because that was his dad's favorite team. However, Murphy paid special attention to New England quarterback Tom Brady since he played the same position.
Once Weis arrived, Murphy locked in on everything Weis said in meetings with the quarterbacks. Besides his role as offensive coordinator, Weis is also the Gators' quarterbacks coach.
Murphy couldn't help but wonder at times if Weis was telling the group the same things he used to tell Brady.
“As high school went on, I became a big fan of Tom Brady because of his success and I tried to mirror my mechanics and stuff like that after his,'' Murphy said. “I try my best to imitate him. He's a great leader and I really feel like Coach Weis has – if not a lot – a little bit to do with it because he's coaching him and given him advice.''
Murphy climbed the depth chart in the spring after the two quarterbacks who split snaps with starter John Brantley last season – Jordan Reed and Trey Burton – moved to other positions. Reed is now a full-time tight end and Burton a running back/receiver.
Murphy culminated a solid spring practice by leading all quarterbacks in the spring game by going 7-for-11 for 68 yards and a touchdown. He said his brief time around Weis has helped him improve and at least get on the radar.
“Mentally, just reading defenses and react to what the defense does [is what I've learned most from him],'' Murphy said. “If a defense throws something at him, he usually has an answer for it.''
With Brantley the starter entering camp, Muschamp is looking for Murphy and true freshmen Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett to prove which one is most capable should Brantley get hurt.
“We need to create some separation after John,'' Muschamp said. “Tyler and Jeff and Jacoby are all very talented and we feel are certainly very capable players. We need to get some separation and get a direction going there.''
One story Weis has shared is how Brady was New England's fourth-string quarterback his first season in the NFL. He soon changed that and the rest is history as they say.
Murphy (6-1, 205) was the least-touted of the Gators' four quarterbacks coming out of high school, so that's a story he appreciates – and another part of Brady that he wouldn't mind emulating. Murphy dressed for all 13 games as a freshman but did not play.
However, he at least put himself on the radar with a solid spring.
“I feel like I just went out there and competed at the best level I could,'' Murphy said. “I had fun going out there and finally being able to step onto the field and get my jersey dirty and sweat. I really developed in certain areas.''
