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Post by edgehollow on Jun 9, 2014 14:11:34 GMT -5
Now that the signees are starting to make their way to campus , I figure it's time to start discussing the 14/15 season. Who starts where? What the season holds? Discussing the QB situation...anything and everything relating to this fall's campaign. As of today, I'm 80% in the 5-7 record, and 20% in the 4-8. I've mentioned it before...by kickoff of the first game I will have convinced myself of a 10-2 record. But, realistically, I know that's not happening (yet). I think next season will be the breakout year. I'm going with 5-7 just for discussion's sake. We beat the 3 scrubs, and 2 of (in order of likelihood) Vandy, UL, Miss St, Mizzou, or Tennessee. Maybe a 10-15% chance of beating UF, UGA, or S. Carolina. 1% chance of beating LSU (it being a noon game would help a bunch, because that would lead to a lethargic crowd and team). Positions: QB, I thought Towles did best with the 1's. I keep going back to that last drive of the first half, he was money throwing out-routes and moving the team down the field into field goal range. IMO, he starts in the fall, Barker redshirts, Phillips is backup, Max I don't think will be medically able to go. RB, gonna be stacked. Probably the first time in recent memory we had a SEC level complement of running backs. Think Heard/Kemp are 1/2, and Clemons will be 3 if he can stay healthy (hoping he does, I thought he looked good in the Spring Game). Hoping to RS the Freshmen, to start building for the future. O-line worries me. We shall see how they gel. I like the kids coming in, just not sure they will be ready to take on the SEC right out of the gate. WR worries me too. Hoping Montgomery comes back from the most UK injury ever, and the inbound kids can help contribute. D-line should be ok. Ends are well known, DT's will be the X-factor. LB scares the sh!t out of me. Hoping Flannigan, Hendrix, and others come in ready to rock. DB's and Safeties should be improved. Need more TO's from this bunch. Was it 1 interception credited to the secondary last year? I REALLY liked how Stamps looked, hoping he can help lock down a good chunk of the field...we really miss having a lock-down guy in the secondary. Weigh in. Whatcha got? Edge
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Post by thabigbluenation on Jun 11, 2014 17:34:00 GMT -5
5 wins. 3 non conference and vandy and louisville. but we will be very competitive this year.
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Post by edgehollow on Jun 12, 2014 9:12:01 GMT -5
Yeah, I think next year is when we break the 7-8 win barrier.
Heard via the Twitter yesterday that Max Smith was looking pretty good. So, Lord knows what is going to happen in the QB position if he's healthy enough to join the fray.
We shall see.
Edge
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Post by clutchcargo on Jun 12, 2014 9:37:34 GMT -5
It's hard for me to see Max Smith ever working out at this point. I think he has a good feel for the game, but he just hasn't had a healthy offseason to lift and gain the strength he needs due to rehabbing all the time.
I'm hoping Towles will nail down the QB spot for the next couple of years, then Barker can hit the ground running as a RS sophomore. Much like the twins returning for basketball, that could have a positive effect over the next few years.
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Post by thabigbluenation on Jun 12, 2014 17:00:02 GMT -5
agreed that '15 should be a breakout year, but we scare some folks this year. gunna be real good at some positions, like at def end, going to be real young but talented at others. the offensive line is still a yr away but should be better. wide receivers need to get healthy. linebacker unit can't really be any worse sans avery than last year. need some of the jucos to contribute in a big way. the qb position should be big improvement this year no matter who ends up taking the reigns.
overall, we beat the teams we are supposed to, and beat a few that we aren't. teams are going to have to show up for 4 quarters in the other games against and take us seriously this year, ala the georgias, fla's mizzous and s. carolinas. if they don't, then they could get clipped. LSU down their is just too much right now. the Miss st, tenn, vandy, louisville games should be really interesting and could go either way. which is i why i say end up with 5 wins without get too blue tinted on my expectations. really expect this coaching staff to show us what they are made of this year.
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Post by edgehollow on Aug 22, 2014 13:46:05 GMT -5
Bumping this back to the top, now that we're a week out. Weigh in.
Edge
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Post by kacat on Aug 25, 2014 14:34:30 GMT -5
Okay, it's time for my look by position as to what I think we have and what we have going into the season. I will say again up front, I'm a UK homer and always want to believe the best about our program. That being said I try to be realistic and frank with what I've seen so far. First, some random thoughts.
I think this is the most physically talented teams we have put on the field in some time. UK has some pro talent and has more 4 star caliber recruits then we have had since they have been ranking recruits. That being said we are also extremely young and don't have much SEC experience. We will have talent but likely prone to making a lot of mistakes.
The biggest change I've seen is not only in physical development but the mental part. This is a program that was divided by a lot of clicks in the past. Some guys bought in and some didn't. Coaches also tended to have favorites. In some ways coaches like Curry and Joker saw their job was more then just coaching football. That may be noble but it doesn't help you win football games. Stoops in his staff are about accountability and winning football games. That is what they do and what they expect. You can actually feel the difference when you see the guys together. It's a no excuse type of environment and the players are now holding each other accountable. I think that will help when we hit the field.
Offense-For the first time we have seen the pace and the offense run in sync this fall camp and it will be awesome at times this year. BUT it will also get bogged down at times for various reasons. We will see noticeable improvement but expect some ugly stretches mixed in with enough to get really excited about.
QB-Not surprised Towles got the nod. He has the arm and can make all the throws. But he is a redshirt SO and still has a ways to go in terms of learning the WRs and defenses in the league. He knows the offense and he is a smart kid but its the speed and variations of SEC defenses that will cause problems. That and still learning and working with young WRs will cause problems at times. He will struggle for periods during the games and season so get ready for it. But he will also make throws that make you understand why he was so highly regarded coming out of HS. I like Phillips and Barker is a stud but its Patrick's time and his team to take for now.
RBs-Big time talent and depth. Kemp and Heard will get the majority of reps and both are similar. Very fast with good power. We haven't had home run type backs in a while and now have 3 when you add in Williams. Clemons and Horton add the power element and give KY a different look when needed. If you aren't excited about this group I don't know what to tell you. 3 Four star kids along with high 3 star talents like Kemp and Clemons. What's not to like? Plus, they don't need a lot of space to make something happen. I think our OL will be better but thankfully these guys are very fast to the line and can makes cuts in the hole. They don't need a lot of space or a lot of time to make solid gains. I would be shocked if we didn't have a very productive running game. Plus all can catch the ball out of the backfield and will get a chance to do that frequently.
WRs-Very talented and very young. Blue, Robinson and Timmons have experience but not much experience catching balls from Towles. So it might take some time before they really find their groove. but the talent is getting significantly better. Baker and Bone add much needed size on the outside and should be very good but again, they haven't played SEC football so we have to be patient. Both TV Williams and G Johnson are jets in the slot and along with Timmons can change the game in hurry. Its a good group. Blue, Timmons, Bone and Baker where all 4 star caliber recruits. When was the last time we had that many 4 star WRs? Badet is another jet who will be a big addition once he gets back form an eye injury. One of my favorite kids is Alex Montgomery but I tend to think he will RS this year which isn't a bad thing. Cunningham has had his moments this spring but I still seem him dropping more balls then catching them. Its hard for me to trust him but we will see. TE is a bit of a question mark but Steve Borden has a lot of physical talent and can catch the ball. Ronnie Shields has the body but can't catch the ball. I still think we will see Horton in the role of an HBack and I think that is scary for other teams. Horton is a flat out beast and can really catch the ball.
OL-We are getting there. Much more size and having a 300 lbs Toth who has a year of experience at Center is really big. They center makes the line calls and with a new QB is critical. He is a talented kid and really smart so I think he makes a big leap this year. Myers is a nasty physical kid at one OG and West is a good sized OG who has had to come back form shoulder surgery. Nick Haynes is really pushing West and a battle to keep an eye on this year. Miller and Swindle are athletic OTs although not massive. They are long and can move so I think they should be solid this year. Miller was a 4 star kid on scout coming out of HS and is still the fastest OLmen on the team. He has started forever and has a lot of experience. Meadows should get the nod as the 3rd OT and has a lot of promise. Eatmon-Nared is huge but has issues moving his feet and doesn't excel at pass blocking. But he is a moose and is a heck of a run blocker. Don't underestimate Cole Mosier, at 6'6 350 lbs he is a legit player at OG. The only reason he is a walk on is that he was hurt as a JR and missed most of his SR year in HS. Kid is very talented and will factor into the rotation inside. The best part of any OL is being able to work together as a unit. This group lost only one starter last year and has worked together since spring camp. We have a chance to be pretty solid but again, we play the best defenses in the country so time will tell.
Defense-I think we will see a good bit of second year improvement but only if the offense can sustain drives and control the ball some. Depth is still an issues but we have a good bit of front end talent that should show noticeable improvement.
DE-Smith and Dupree are all SEC top end NFL draft candidates. That's a good place to start. Add in Hatcher who has had a great spring and fall camp and the underrated Huguenin and KY has a very solid DE rotation. Put it this way, Tubman and Ware are 4 star DEs and they are both going to redshirt so tell me when that last happened at UK? At DT we are much more athletic but mostly raw. Mike Douglas is smaller at 285 but played well last year and has earned the starting nod. C. Johnson is a highly rated Juco who is starting to figure it out and R. Meant is a beast in the making. All of these guys have a non stop motor and should be very active inside. The beef of the DL comes in Juco Redshirt M. Lewis and 5 star mega talent M. Elam. Add in another 330 monster and J. Hyde who is the midget of the group and I like our potential. Coleman could contribute but I expect he will get hurt like usual so I'm not going to spend much time factoring him in.
LB-A lot of questions here and rightfully so as they haven't proven themselves. But don't let lack of experience be confused for lack of talent. K Henderson has had his moments and was considered a 4 star recruit by some coming out of HS. R Flannigan will push him but so far he has held his spot. Both are good in space and athletic although Flannigan is longer and better in pass defense. Josh Forrest has the physical skills to be outstanding, especially in pass defense. The question with him has always been commitment and a willingness to be physical inside. He has been pretty good this fall but until he is consistant on the field its hard to trust him. The better run defender inside is Paschel who will play a good bit. He is very good in run support but missed all of spring camp and has been battling shoulder issues for a while now. Brause and Blaylock have the ability to provide capable depth. Blaylock actually is as physically gifted as anyone but he is also a kid that will inherit millions from his trust fund and doesn't always put everything into it on the field. It's a group that has some interesting talent but the real hoss cats are in the FR class. Hendrix would have been a 4 star kid if he was a few inches taller. Love how he plays and is an incredible young man. Firios is legit and will be a monster inside once he learns how to play LB. Physically he is the preverbal "freak". K. Walker is also a kid that has a lot of potential and just needs a year to get stronger.
S-The key to this position is Juco newcomer AJ Stamps. It isn't often that other DBs say any kid is better then they are but they all say it about Stamps. Athletically he is on another level then anyone we have seen in a very long time. We need him to be really good which is asking a lot from a Juco. Lowery provides a lot of experience but he has been hurt a good bit. Another concussion and its likely a career for him. I think the kid to keep in eye on is McWilson. His speed isn't as good as you would hope but he is a physical tackler and should take over for Lowery either this year or next. Dixon is limited physically but plays hard and doesn't make mistakes. I wish I could say the same for the ultra talented Faulkner. He continues to frustrate the staff with his mistakes. Zach Blaylock is probably our best ball hawk but is still battling back form a knee injury. At nickel B McClain has proven to be invaluable and true FR. Randolph is playing really well. It's a tough position to play but very critical to the defense. Frankly it's hard taking McClain off the field as is is just that good and dependable.
CB- I like where we are going but still need some depth here. I still contend J Hytcheye is our most physically talented CB but he is still on the lean side. But has tremendous speed. Quinn and Tiller will likely start but I think Willis and Harmon have the types of bodies our staff prefers. We like to play taller CBs and both those guys are more in the mold of what we want to see. Willis has had to come back from some nagging leg issues, however, so he hasn't got in as much work as needed. Depth is an issue at CB and we need luck to stay healthy. Reinforcements are coming but its a position to keep an eye on, especially early with the heat and all the cramping issues that seem to come up.
Special Teams-Don't think we have been very special the past few years. I like our return game potential now with Timmons stepping into the Punt and Kick return roles along with G Johnson, Boom and TV Williams. Robinson and Blue will also factor in here. Foster didn't have much of a year as a punter but should bounce back this year. Hopefully we won't have to use him as much though. We have a FR kicker so that is always reason to be concerned. He was highly regarded in HS but until he kicks under pressure during a game we don't know what we have. I still can't believe Mansour wasn't redshirted and was used as a true FR just for a handful of kickoffs. What a waste.
Overall, I'm really excited about this group. I won't predict wins or losses because how in the world can you predict a season when you don't even know who is playing in the games. I will say that if our QB play improves dramatically we can win a lot of games. If it improves marginally we will win some. If it is the same we will have the same record. Its just that critical of a position and its been a very long time since we have been good at QB. We have three very good options so I like our chances but starting with Towles this week, we have to make significant improvement with the passing game to see results this year.
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Post by thabigbluenation on Aug 25, 2014 18:41:14 GMT -5
love and appreciate the write up KACAT.
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Post by thabigbluenation on Aug 25, 2014 18:57:15 GMT -5
at stoop's previous stops as a coordinator, his defenses made pretty big leaps from season 1 to season 2. so i am excited to see what happens this year. and absolutely agree that qb play will determine a lot of what happens with this bunch. the defense performed pretty well at times last year given the lack of depth and talent compared to the competition, but the offense was bad and could never stay on the field. that put a lot of pressure on the D. improved qb play and a little improvement of the offensive side this year ( tho i expect much more improvement than that) will help the defense out as much as anything. add in the fact that there is more depth, and more quality depth and experience returning, i expect to see a much better product this year.
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Post by truebluewildcatgirl on Aug 26, 2014 6:29:06 GMT -5
Saturday can't get here soon enough.
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Post by MassCat on Aug 29, 2014 23:29:16 GMT -5
I know it's a longshot, but how awesome would it be to play Louisville for bowl eligibility.
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Post by truebluewildcatgirl on Aug 29, 2014 23:41:22 GMT -5
Be better to be in before we get to Louisville. 11.5 hours and we shall see...
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Post by truebluewildcatgirl on Aug 30, 2014 12:40:03 GMT -5
1st half hasn't hurt my feelings
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