Football Capsules: Irvin pleased that authorities won't file charges

DALLAS — An angry Michael Irvin said Friday he was pleased but not surprised that Florida authorities won’t file sexual assault charges against him.

The former Dallas Cowboys star, at times appearing to hold back tears, was speaking publicly for the first time since prosecutors in Florida declined to pursue allegations that emerged in a lawsuit accusing him of rape. A Florida woman filed suit Feb. 4 seeking unspecified damages for a sexual assault that she alleges occurred in July 2007 at a South Florida hotel.

"This has been the very thing I have tried so hard to avoid," Irvin said during a news conference at his attorney’s office. "I am so pleased that trained investigators concluded that what she claimed occurred never happened."

Irvin has had previous legal problems, including a no-contest plea to a cocaine possession charge in 1996. Later that year, Irvin and another Cowboys player were accused of sexual assault by a woman, but an investigation determined the story was false and the woman recanted.

Irvin described this latest lawsuit as a "horrific ordeal."

Attorney Larry Friedman said Irvin didn’t speak until Friday because he had just returned the previous night from two weeks in Australia, where he was hanging out with actor Russell Crowe and his rugby team.

According to the woman’s lawsuit, Irvin got her drunk and took her to his hotel room where he and an unidentified man insisted on sexual favors. The woman claims Irvin raped her and the other man forced her to perform oral sex.

Friedman said Irvin was approached by the woman’s lawyer shortly before appearing on last season’s "Dancing With The Stars" TV show. Irvin was told he must pay the woman $1 million or a lawsuit would be filed to coincide with the Super Bowl, Friedman said.

Friedman has filed a countersuit against the woman claiming civil extortion and defamation. He is seeking $100 million in damages.

Investigators with the Broward State Attorney’s office in Florida said in a report this week that the woman’s story is "replete with contradictions and inconsistencies ... that significantly diminish the strength of the evidence." The report pointed out that she declined to be examined at a sexual assault treatment center, waited 16 days to report the incident and did so only after meeting with three different attorneys.

The report said "it is problematic that she reported the incident to the police only after consultations with civil attorneys."

The Associated Press does not name alleged victims of sexual assault.

Her attorney, David Lister, said his client has passed a polygraph test and challenged Irvin to submit to one.

"My firm would not have gotten involved in this matter if this young lady did not agree to submit to a polygraph examination," Lister said.

Irvin was fired from his Dallas-Fort Worth ESPN radio show on Feb. 5, the day after the lawsuit was filed. The network said the decision was made before the lawsuit surfaced and pointed to the show’s poor ratings.

Friedman said Irvin may sue ESPN for wrongful termination. An ESPN spokesman declined to comment.

NFL Combine

Tebow hopes new motion creates believers

INDIANAPOLIS — Tim Tebow was the first big-name quarterback to take the NFL’s stage Friday.

He’s hoping the draft goes down the same way.

The man with one Heisman Trophy, two national titles and may be the most intriguing pro prospect since Michael Vick, came to the league’s annual scouting combine with a new look he hopes will improve his draft stock.

"It’s not necessarily changing the whole (throwing) motion, it’s where I’m holding the ball," Tebow said. "I’m holding it higher and not having that loop in there. My release point isn’t different at all."

The combine seems like old hat for Tebow, too.

He walked to the podium with that charismatic smile and trademark personality, then was introduced as "Some guy named Tebow is at podium C." A few moments later, a reporter asked Tebow to autograph a notebook.

But this week is not about impressing the media or his loyal fans.

Nope, Tebow needs to wow the scouts who think it could take up to two years for him to make the transition from combination college quarterback to prototypical pocket passer. Others argue his success in college, his passion for the game and his work ethic will make the transition easier than it now appears.

Tebow, as usual, has tossed aside conventional wisdom in an effort to show NFL executives what kind of player he is.

"I talked to a lot of different quarterbacks coaches and a lot of people who said ‘Wait till after the draft (to change the motion),"’ Tebow said. "But I’m not afraid of what anybody thinks. If I need to change it, then I’m going to do it now."

NFL executives will then have two months to make a decision about where Tebow fits into this year’s draft.

In the meantime, those people will scramble to answer questions about the other high-profile quarterbacks presumably ahead of Tebow on this year’s draft boards.

Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen is still recovering from toe surgery. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner, missed all but three games last season with a shoulder injury. Texas’ Colt McCoy couldn’t finish the national championship game because of an injury to his throwing arm.

All three missed their scheduled media interviews Friday, which in past years has been an indication that players are undergoing additional medical checks. NFL officials could not confirm that happened Friday, saying only that the quarterbacks had "other obligations."

None of the big four, including Tebow, are expected to throw until their pro days next month. Tebow is the only one, so far, who has indicated he will do any of the drills this week.

"You’d love to see them work out here, but for a quarterback this is not the greatest environment," said general manager Billy Devaney, whose Rams have the No. 1 pick in April. "They’re out there throwing to receivers they’ve never thrown to before, they’re throwing routes they maybe haven’t thrown in college. It’s hard to get into a groove when you throw three balls and go to the end of the line and then throw three more."

Trying to make projections is even tougher for talent evaluators because of how different the offenses are.

Clausen played in a prostyle system under Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, which some think give him an advantage. Cleveland’s Brady Quinn came out of the same system and still hasn’t lived up to the expectations.

McCoy and Bradford played in predominantly passing programs in the high-scoring Big 12, which have translated into mixed results in the NFL.

Tebow rarely played under center at Florida and built his reputation as much on running as passing, something he knows must change against the bigger, stronger, faster players in the NFL.

Who is the best? Opinions vary.

Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham and Texas receiver Jordan Shipley each cast votes for the guys they played with in college. Reports have indicated the Rams favor Bradford over Clausen, though Devaney denied that Friday.

And coaches and scouts are still trying to sort things out.

To those looking for a quarterback in the first round, San Francisco general manager Scot McCloughan offers some advice after seeing Alex Smith, the top overall pick in 2005, finally emerge as the player the 49ers expected in 2009.

"If you’re going to take a spread quarterback, know that that’s what he’s used to," McCloughan said. "The reason you’re drafting him is because he’s been a good football player. Don’t completely change what he’s done in the past that’s made him successful."

Tebow isn’t changing everything.

He insists the only real difference is that he’s shortened his throwing motion to get rid of the ball quicker — and he hopes get himself back on the podium come April 22.

"I know wherever I go and whoever drafts me is going to get someone who gives everything to the team, who leaves everything on the field every day," he said. "My dream is to be an NFL quarterback and I’m going to do whatever it takes to do that. If I’m asked to do something else, I’ll do it, because it’s always team first."

Head injuries highlight at second Safety Summit

INDIANAPOLIS — Information came at the players like an all-out blitz as manufacturers explained why their product was the best and safest.

Though the topics were wide ranging, preventing head injuries topped the list Friday at the NFL Players Association’s second Player Safety and Welfare Summit.

Some 25 players heard presentations from helmet manufacturers and medical personnel that included plenty of charts and videos showing helmets getting blasted like crash test dummies. Sneaker companies, turf producers and nutrition experts were there, too, but protecting the head took center stage.

Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad said most players "have a brief overview" of concussions and their long-term effects, but they’re getting a more in-depth lesson from the league and union in the wake of a high-profile study at the University of Michigan that found retired players had a higher-than-normal rate of Alzheimer’s disease and memory problems.

"The NFL is taking it seriously and players’ safety is an issue that’s nonnegotiable," said St. Louis Rams receiver Sean Morey, who has studied the issue and agreed to donate his brain to research after his death. "It’s not an issue that we need to debate. It’s an issue that we’re going to come together collaboratively ... to get the answers right, to understand the long-term cumulative effects and help protect the players."

The NFL last season adopted stricter standards for determining when players can return to games after big collisions. At the combine this week, the league for the first time is giving players tests to establish baseline brain activity and is focusing more on their concussion histories.

Rules changes to limit injuries are under discussion.

The helmet is under the microscope, too.

The league has conducted tests, and this week the manufacturers gave presentations to the league’s competition committee about designs that could cut down on the number of head injuries. On Friday, they had an audience with the players.

"Nobody can guarantee that you’re not going to get a concussive episode," said Vincent Ferrara, president of helmet manufacturer Xenith.

The technology can improve, however. Players can also make more educated decisions.

The fact that they can even choose their helmet caught some by surprise.

"That’s information new to me," said Indianapolis linebacker Freddy Keiaho, who missed a month during his second year because of concussions. "I think that’s more information that we as NFLPA need to inform our players. ... To come away with that information made today really worth it."

Many players simply go with the Riddell equipment that teams distribute, unaware they can wear any helmet approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. Muhammad knew there were choices, but wasn’t sure of the extent.

"Typically, you’re given A-B-C type of selections," he said. "I wasn’t aware of the variety of the selections that were out there."

At the summit, players heard from representatives from Adams USA and Schutt Sports, as well as Riddell and Xenith. Each promoted its cushioning system, some of which contain sensors that make the padding expand like air bags in a car.

They backed up their arguments with studies measuring the force of impact, the number of blows to the head in practices and games. Riddell even tracked where in the head players were most likely to get hit, indicating the company might develop position-specific helmets.

"That could very well happen," vice president Thad Ide said.

The studies mostly centered on college players, which was a sore spot for some in the room. They wondered why the NFL didn’t lead the charge.

Union medical adviser Dr. Thom Mayer cited "inertia" by the league, but also praised the NFL for now taking a closer look at the issue.

Mayer, who also serves on the NFL’s various health and safety committees, sees a day when helmets will have microsensors that can "fire air bags" in response to the forces involved.

"If the Marine Corps can make a helmet that can stop an AK-47 round and the Marine ends up with a concussion and not a penetrating head injury, then we can come up with a helmet over time that — I don’t think will ever be concussion-proof but — will be more protective of the player than it currently is," he said.

--Andrew Seligman

Notebook: Rams keeping open mind about draft's top pick

INDIANAPOLIS — St. Louis general manager Bill Devaney isn't sure what the Rams will do with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Or even if they'll make a pick at that spot.

NFL

Coughlin says Umenyiora has to earn starting job

INDIANAPOLIS — Tom Coughlin isn’t going to hand Osi Umenyiora a starting job to keep the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end happy.

Speaking at the NFL combine on Friday, Coughlin said he has talked with Umenyiora since the season ended, but he was also a little disappointed the disgruntled veteran said he wanted to either be traded or retire if he does not start next season.

Umenyiora, who missed the 2008 season after a major knee injury in the preseason, lost his starting job to Mathias Kiwanuka roughly halfway through last season and barely played in the final weeks.

This year has the potential to be different. Perry Fewell has replaced the fired Bill Sheridan as defensive coordinator so Umenyiora is getting a fresh start now two years removed from major knee surgery.

"He’s going to come in and work hard to establish that position," Coughlin said "He’s a big part of our team, he certainly is a gifted, gifted football player."

Still Coughlin is not going to guarantee Umenyiora a starting job.

"I don’t know how you do that," Coughlin said. "Our field is a field and competition is good; just like we tell to everybody, ‘Go earn it."’

Coughlin doesn’t want Umenyiora’s unhappiness to escalate. That’s what happened with tight end Jeremy Shockey in the season after the Super Bowl and New York traded him to New Orleans, where he got a ring.

"There’s great respect for Osi and his ability, and I think vice versa Osi for the New York Giants," Coughlin said. "I think he wants to be here and I think he wants to be part of our team."

In his meeting with Umenyiora, Coughlin said he told him that the team’s expectations for him are very high and that he was an integral part of the team.

"We expect that he’ll come back and work as hard as he can and be a big part of our defensive rejuvenation, if you will; competition is a very good thing; Osi is a big part of our plan," Coughlin said.

On other issues, Coughlin welcomed new Washington coach Mike Shanahan to the NFC East.

"Mike’s an outstanding football coach, obviously has the two Super Bowl rings," Coughlin said. "We go back a long time competing against each other; I have great respect for Mike; this is a great division."

Coughlin refused to shed more light on the Giants’ decision to release middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, the quarterback of their defense since 2005. He missed the end of last season with a neck injury.

"Antonio was a great player for the N.Y. Giants, was a wonderful acquisition for us," Coughlin said. "He had the qualities of leadership, he was able to inspire other guys around him. He certainly was a huge part of our Super Bowl team and continued to be a leader on the field; the decision was made that we were going to part ways; as I told him when he left, ‘I love ya and you’re a part of the N.Y. Giants history and you always will be."’

Shanahan: Skins want to bring back Jason Campbell

INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Shanahan said that the Washington Redskins plan to tender Jason Campbell, their starting quarterback the past 3½ seasons, before free agency begins on March 5.

But Shanahan wouldn’t commit to Campbell as his starter. Shanahan said he’s still evaluating Campbell, whom Redskins owner Dan Snyder tried to replace in failed attempts to acquire Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez last offseason.

Shanahan spoke to the media from the scouting combine in Indianapolis for the first time in the 51 days since his introductory press conference as Redskins coach.

The coach said that his son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, will call the plays whether the quarterback is Campbell or perhaps a rookie if they take a QB in the draft.

Shanahan didn’t rule out taking a quarterback with the fourth overall pick in April’s draft despite major needs on the offensive line which he called "a battered group."

That was largely true of the entire Redskins in 2009 as they finished 4-12, which prompted Snyder to fire coach Jim Zorn after two seasons and hire Shanahan, a consistent winner with the Denver Broncos.

While the Redskins have won just two postseason games since 1992, their NFC East rivals have put together strong seasons recently. The Dallas Cowboys won the division title as well as their first playoff game in 13 years this past season. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007 and had the NFC’s best record in 2008. The Philadelphia Eagles reached the conference championship game in 2008.

"We understand how competitive the NFC East is and how well these teams have been playing," Shanahan said. "So that’s our goal: to get us back to where we’ve been."

The Redskins will also play a 3-4 defense for the first time.

Using the 3-4 scheme isn’t somewhere the Redskins have been, but it is the preferred defense of new coordinator Jim Haslett. Washington ranked among the top 10 defenses in five of six seasons under Gregg Williams (2004-07) and Greg Blache (2008-09). Shanahan said the Redskins will use both the 3-4 and the 4-3 which means that their defensive linemen will have to be especially versatile.

Shanahan, who just completed his staff with the addition of two assistant strength coaches, wants all of his players under contract to be on hand for the start of offseason conditioning on March 15.

That conflicts with the preference of running back Clinton Portis, who likes to train in Florida and whose production slipped noticeably over his past 16 games before he suffered a season-ending concussion in Week 9 last season.

Portis, who was traded by Shanahan to Washington in 2004 for cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round selection, will be 29 in September.

"Let’s not talk about Clinton," Shanahan said when asked about Portis’ offseason commitment. "Let’s talk about everybody on the Washington Redskins. Let’s not focus on one guy. I want everybody to be as good a football player as they can be. I want all the guys on our football team to make a commitment in the offseason to work, and work extremely hard. That’s how we’re gonna get better as a team ... It’s very important to show your teammates exactly how hard you work and how dedicated you are to the program."

Childress: Vikings OK waiting on Favre’s decision

INDIANAPOLIS — Minnesota coach Brad Childress knows one way to get a definitive answer from Brett Favre.

Wait.

"I’m not going to put him in any box," Childress said Friday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. "Four weeks and change, he’s still healing up from that game (the NFC championship). He’s kind of earned that latitude."

Whether the three-time MVP needs a month or an entire offseason to determine whether to return for a 20th NFL season, Childress isn’t pressing the issue. He spoke with Favre twice this week, but football was not the primary topic.

Instead, the three-time league MVP was busy putting down fresh limestone on a road that leads to his mother-in-law’s house, which is on Favre’s property in Mississippi.

"I couldn’t give him any landscape-architecture ideas or anything of that nature," the soft-spoken Childress said, drawing laughter. "So the conversation didn’t last very long."

The next move is Favre’s — again.

Two years ago in March, Favre made a tearful retirement announcement in Green Bay. That summer, before even missing a training camp, Favre returned to the NFL as a New York Jet. The reason: He said he felt pressured into making a quick decision in Green Bay.

Last year, the waiting game started all over. Favre retired with a torn biceps in his throwing shoulder in February. By the summer, rumors were swirling that he was about to make another comeback, this time with Green Bay’s bitter rival Minnesota.

At first, Favre said no. In August, Favre changed his mind again and signed with the Vikings.

The indecision didn’t cost Favre anything.

After missing all of Minnesota’s offseason workouts and all of training camp, Favre, who turned 40 in October, still had one of the best seasons of his career. He led Minnesota to a second straight NFC North title and had the Vikings in position to reach the Super Bowl until a late interception at New Orleans forced overtime and sealed the Vikings’ fate.

But the gritty quarterback, who hasn’t missed a start since 1993, has never done things by the book. Childress doesn’t expect that to change now.

"I just think it’s important to manage a guy’s resources, particularly a 41-year-old," Childress said. "There’s really not a manual on that, just like there’s not a manual for raising kids, there’s really not a manual for 40, 41."

While most teams are making plans for free agency and the draft, trying to solidify rosters for next season, Childress is content letting the quarterback situation play itself out.

Clearly, he’d like to Favre, the NFL’s career leader in touchdown passes and interceptions, running the offense in Minnesota.

Should Favre call it quits, though, Childress is content going with either of Favre’s backups last season, Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels.

The coach who got into a sideline squabble with his starting quarterback last fall is now in the position of being Favre’s full-fledged supporter — whenever Favre makes his decision.

"I hope he doesn’t jackhammer his foot or something while he’s out there pouring limestone," Childress said. "Would it be nice to know sooner rather than later? Yeah, but you have to be able to deal with ambiguity in this business whether you’re a coach or a player."

--Michael Marot

AP Source: Chargers will non-tender Sproles

SAN DIEGO — First LaDainian Tomlinson, and now Darren Sproles.

The San Diego Chargers have decided not to tender a contract to Sproles, allowing the speedy running back to test the free agent market, a person with knowledge of the situation said Friday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t made an official announcement.

The move came four days after the team released Tomlinson, who ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards.

If the Chargers wanted to keep Sproles, they’d have to make him an offer of about $7.3 million.

The Chargers have always valued Sproles as a multiple threat. While they can still talk with Sproles about a long-term deal, other teams might want to give him a shot as a featured back.

Sproles has said he believes he can be an every-down back. The Chargers have used him as a backup running back, return man and as a receiver out of the backfield.

He made about $6.6 million last season after being tagged as a franchise player. Tomlinson made about $6 million. Still, the Chargers’ running game ranked second-to-last in the league.

Sproles was second to Tomlinson last year with 343 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries, an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He was fourth with 45 catches for 497 yards and four TDs. He was also the primary kickoff and punt returner and scored on a punt return.

Two seasons ago, Sproles had 328 all-purpose yards in a wild-card playoff game against Indianapolis, including the winning 22-yard touchdown run in overtime.

The next week, though, with Tomlinson sidelined by a groin injury, Pittsburgh held him to 15 yards on 11 carries. He did have a 63-yard kickoff return and a 62-yard TD catch in the game’s final two minutes after Pittsburgh had opened a 35-17 lead.

Tomlinson, 30, believes he can play three or four more seasons.

--Bernie Wilson

New Meadowlands Stadium head working 2014 SB bid

NEWARK, N.J. — The head of the new Meadowlands Stadium says Arizona’s decision not to bid on the 2014 Super Bowl doesn’t necessarily make the future home of the Giants and Jets the favorite to land the NFL title game.

Mark Lamping said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Friday night that The New Meadowlands Stadium Companies is concentrating solely on presenting a compelling bid to the league by the April 1 deadline.

The Jets and Giants will start play in their new 82,500-seat, $1.6 billion stadium this season.

Miami and Tampa also plan to present bids for the game. League owners will award the game at their annual meeting in May.

The NFL gave the Jets and Giants the right to bid on the Super Bowl game despite the traditional requirement that host regions have a minimum temperature of 50 degrees or stadiums with domes or retractable roofs. In effect, it set up the possibility of the first cold weather Super Bowl.

The committee gave approval with the understanding that the bid represents a unique opportunity to celebrate the new stadium and the great heritage of the NFL in the New York region.

-- Tom Canavan

Cardinals owner receives Tank Younger Award

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill has received the Paul "Tank" Younger Award for diversity in his hiring practices.

The award is presented by the Fritz Pollard Alliance, formed in 2003 to promote diversity and equality of job opportunity in coaching, front office and scouting staffs in the NFL. The award recognizes individuals for their "extraordinary contributions toward diversity in the NFL."

Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten says that, going back to the days when the Cardinals played in St. Louis, Bidwill has a history of hiring minorities to administrative and authoritative positions.

Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney received the award last year. Other past winners include Ozzie Newsome, Tony Dungy and the late Bill Walsh.

Related NFL News

Brandon Marshall testifies in teammate’s death

DENVER — Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall testified in the trial of a man accused of killing teammate Darrent Williams and identified the suspect as the same man he saw outside a club in a confrontation before the shooting.

Marshall was at times emotional when he testified Friday about the shooting on New Year’s Day 2007, recalling how he later saw former teammate Javon Walker in a bloodstained shirt at a hospital, clutching a necklace that belonged to Williams.

"JWalk just kept looking at this chain, he wouldn’t let no one hold the chain," he said. "It was scary; there was blood on that chain."

Willie Clark, 26, is on trial for first-degree murder, 16 counts of attempted murder and other charges. Prosecutors say he fired the fatal shots into Williams’ rented limousine. Clark maintains he is innocent; his defense attorneys argue he’s a scapegoat.

Authorities said the shooting happened after Williams and other football players got into an altercation at a Denver nightclub with another group that included Clark. Marshall identified Clark in court as being among those involved in the confrontation.

"That’s the guy — in that picture, in that video and at this table right here," Marshall said, pointing at Clark. But Marshall also said he didn’t see who got into the SUV used in the shooting.

"No, I just seen them scatter," he said, referring to the melee’s aftermath. Prosecutors also showed surveillance video of outside the club while Marshall was testifying. They said people were flashing gang signs. Marshall said that at one point he tried to go over a snowbank toward someone in the group but that he slipped and someone punched him in the face.

Marshall, who was not in the limo when Williams was shot, said he later got a phone call from someone telling him what had happened.

College Football

Former TCU player on championship team dead at 90

FORT WORTH — Bobby Sherrod, who played guard on the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs of 1938, has died. He was 90.

Sherrod died Wednesday at his home, according to Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home in Fort Worth.

Sherrod’s death leaves only three known survivors from the school’s last national champion and only perfect season in Horned Frogs history — Don Looney, Mac Best and Connie Sparks — according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Quarterback Davey O

Brien led the team to 11 straight wins, and TCU was named the national champion after beating Carnegie Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

Sherrod was an all-Southwest Conference player. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army.

After the war, Sherrod earned a master’s in public administration at TCU and began a career as a teacher and football coach. He began at his alma mater, North Side High School, and later was a teacher and counselor at Polytechnic High. He retired in 1982.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Frances; a daughter; a son; three grandchildren; and a brother.

Services were set for Saturday.

Frisco awarded NCAA’s FCS championship game

FRISCO — The NCAA has chosen the northern Dallas suburb of Frisco to host its Division I Football Championship Subdivision title game for the next three years.

A statement issued Friday by the NCAA says the Southland Conference will host the game to be played at Pizza Hut Park, home venue of FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. The first game under the agreement will be Jan. 7.

The title game will climax a newly expanded 20-year championship bracket.

The FCS is the subdivision formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA.

Florida QB Brantley juggling football, family

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback John Brantley has much more on his mind these days than replacing former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.

Brantley said Friday that his father, former Florida quarterback John Brantley III, has prostate cancer and will have surgery next month. Speaking to reporters three weeks before spring practice begins, Brantley said his dad is scheduled to have surgery March 10.

"I don’t talk about it too much," said the younger Brantley, who is preparing for the most important season of his career. "I try to keep it off my mind as much as I can. It’s going to be a tough day, a really tough day. But stuff happens. He should be fine."

Although his family keeps telling him not to worry, Brantley said he can’t avoid thinking about his father’s health.

"We’ve got a very close relationship, so it’s been tough," he said. "We’re extremely close. I go down there as much as I can and I talk to him all the time. He calls me all the time. Sometimes, I wonder why he’s calling (when he should be worrying about himself), but he wants to make sure I’m OK and he’s worried about me."

Brantley, a 6-foot-3, 217-pound junior from nearby Ocala, completed 75 percent of his passes for 410 yards and seven TDs last season. He played in seven games, mostly in mop-up duty as Tebow’s backup. He will step into Tebow’s spot when spring practice begins March 17 and should make his first start Sept. 4 against Miami (Ohio).

He would be the third family member to start for the Gators.

His father threw for 1,334 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1978. His uncle, Scot Brantley, was a two-time All-SEC linebacker for the Gators (1978-79). His uncle and his grandfather also have had recent health problems.

Scot Brantley, who played eight seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had heart surgery last summer to repair damage caused by two strokes and lost nearly all his vision in his left eye. John Brantley Jr. is recovering from throat cancer.

John Brantley III’s cancer is the latest blow to the family.

"They say don’t worry about it, just focus on what’s going on now," Brantley IV said. "We’ll figure out the other stuff when it comes down the road. But it’s always tough to just focus on that and not think about other things. But you know, they keep trying to stress to me it’s going to be fine, it’s going to be fine, which it will be."

Brantley, whose father taught him to throw at an early age, said his dad is trying to focus on football and not dwell on his health.

"He’s smart enough to know what’s going on. It’s not like he can totally forget about the situation, but he’s trying as hard as he can to focus on football and spring practice and not let it affect him too much," Brantley said.

--Mark Long