ESPN's Palmer and former Gators teammate Manuel see different UF program than when they played
Monday, August 8, 2011 | Football, Men's Tennis, Scott Carter
When Jesse Palmer played quarterback for the Gators from 1997-2000, he didn't come up to the football offices where the coaches work like the players do today.
"The only time you came up here was if you were in trouble,'' Palmer said.
Palmer has total access today as he hosts ESPN's all-access coverage of Florida's training camp today from Gainesville.
Palmer has already stepped inside a meeting with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis talking to quarterbacks John Brantley, Tyler Murphy, Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett. He also reported from a special-teams meeting led by D.J. Durkin.
One of Palmer's former Gator teammates is Marquand Manuel, who recently returned to UF as a quality control assistant to see if coaching is something he wants to pursue.
Like Palmer, Manuel sees a lot of changes around the program over the last decade. Players routinely chat with Gators coach Will Muschamp and the rest of the coaching staff in the football offices.
"The players' space back then was the locker room,'' Manuel said. "Now it's more open and the coaches interact more with the players. It's cool to see.''
Check back in later for a Q&A with Palmer to get some of his thoughts on first-year Gators coach Will Muschamp, the 2011 team, and what advice he would give any quarterback who plays for the Gators.
