|
|
Post by ukbelle on Nov 16, 2013 14:02:43 GMT -5
I just don't see anyway an early enrolling Drew Barker doesn't win the QB race come fall. Even as a true freshman. I respect the guys we have at QB because they're been through the ringer, but we are woefully bad at that position when it comes to throwing the ball. And I don't blame the guys currently on staff or the guys attempting to throw it either. Whitlow was a backup in HS, was meant for the wildcat (and is wonderful with his legs), but is being forced into a starting position where at most SEC schools he'd be backing it up/a package QB. Smith obviously had throwing talent but it's pretty obvious that his shoulder may never be right again especially if he doesn't have surgery.
My only criticism is that we may should have burnt up Phillips redshirt and gave him a little separation from Barker (who I don't see us RSing at this point). I understand not wanting to burn a redshirt, but I feel like we've had some winnable SEC games that maybe if we had someone who could open it up a little bit that our running game alone could've snagged us some games this season.
Towles unfortunately I think was a recruiting bust by the previous staff. I hope this isn't the case but they're track record at QB hasn't exactly been superb and there's obviously some issues there if he couldn't win it out in the pre-season against this bunch.
Just terribly frustrating because I truly believe with some of the talent Stoops has brought in at key positions that we're a QB away from competing. And our defense has played their hearts out this season despite being on the field majority of the game. I hate to see that wasted.
|
|
|
|
Post by clutchcargo on Nov 16, 2013 14:19:04 GMT -5
Can't disagree with any of that, except that I'm not all that frustrated about this season. We've been terrible for awhile now, so what's another season, as long as the guy in charge is taking a long-term approach to getting better. I'm taking Stoops at his word that he is frustrated with the play of this team this season, because it is obvious he is not used to losing at this magnitude. I'm also convinced that he is capable and determined enough to get this thing turned around, but it will take several back to back excellent recruiting classes.
|
|
|
|
Post by ukbelle on Nov 16, 2013 14:38:40 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I'm not frustrated with the current staff or players. I am frustrated that we're in the personnel situation that we're in, especially at QB and at CB. Stoops is obviously making a significant effort in changing that and I think we're going to be just fine in the future under Stoops. But that doesn't make me any less frustrated right now.
And it wasn't that long ago that we were going to bowl games under Brooks. That's not too much to ask for at Kentucky in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by uktaubetapi on Nov 17, 2013 18:10:39 GMT -5
I wasn't at all disappointed with our performance this season. We were 2-10 last season, lost some key players from last season, and had a tougher schedule this season. I figured that anything better than 2, or maybe 3 wins, would be gravy. However, I'm not sure that we can expect Barker to come in and take over the QB position from the get-go. The ultra- high level 5 star QB recruits in the SEC can sometimes take over a team from the start, but I think it is rare. I know that Stafford did this at UGA (we beat them during his Fr year). I think that starting as a QB as a Fr in the SEC can possibly jeopardize a kid's long-term success. The QB has to read the defenses and call out the proper blocking schemes. When a serious misread of the defense is made, the QB is quite often left open to a real "teeing off" sack. I think a kid's physical well-being, and confidence, could be permanently impacted. If Barker comes in and is capable of pulling this off, I will be elated. But, I would rather he spend a red-shirt/ backup year studying defenses/ QBing the scout team than jeopardize his long term success. JMHO
|
|
|
|
Post by kacat on Nov 18, 2013 10:36:12 GMT -5
We will see a change at QB next year for sure. Either Smith or Whitlow will get significantly better or there will be a different QB altogether which I tend to think will happen. I can give you a significant reason why Drew Barker won't be the starting QB. The step up in competition. If J Manzel and J Winston need a redshirt then I wouldn't be shocked of a Barker needed one as well. Barker has great tools but the speed of the game and complexity of the defensive fronts are light years from low level KY HS football. I don't know where anyone can call Towles a miss a this point. He played a quarter and got hurt last year and redshirted this year. How about letting him hit the field before tossing him on the failed pile. Also don't look past R Philips. The kid has a lot of ability.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitler on Nov 18, 2013 15:31:04 GMT -5
We will see a change at QB next year for sure. Either Smith or Whitlow will get significantly better or there will be a different QB altogether which I tend to think will happen. I can give you a significant reason why Drew Barker won't be the starting QB. The step up in competition. If J Manzel and J Winston need a redshirt then I wouldn't be shocked of a Barker needed one as well. Barker has great tools but the speed of the game and complexity of the defensive fronts are light years from low level KY HS football. I don't know where anyone can call Towles a miss a this point. He played a quarter and got hurt last year and redshirted this year. How about letting him hit the field before tossing him on the failed pile. Also don't look past R Philips. The kid has a lot of ability. THIS! Don't give up on Towles just yet. Phillips could very well be the starter next year. IMO Barker, Towles and Phillips will compete for the starting job and Whitlow will hopefully run the Wildcat and play WR. Thats wishful thinking in regards to Whitlow as he may just decide to go elsewhere. It might be too hard for him to give up the experience he's gained playing QB for the last couple of years and transfer to a place with an offense that is more suited to his skillset but I hope he stays and switches positions.
|
|
|
|
Post by clutchcargo on Nov 18, 2013 16:34:07 GMT -5
I think Whitlow could be that Anthony White type guy that was so valuable back in the Mumme days, but more of a receiver than a running back. I don't know what kind of hands he has, but he makes things happen when he gets in the open field.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimlowe7 on Nov 20, 2013 21:21:47 GMT -5
We will see a change at QB next year for sure. Either Smith or Whitlow will get significantly better or there will be a different QB altogether which I tend to think will happen. I can give you a significant reason why Drew Barker won't be the starting QB. The step up in competition. If J Manzel and J Winston need a redshirt then I wouldn't be shocked of a Barker needed one as well. Barker has great tools but the speed of the game and complexity of the defensive fronts are light years from low level KY HS football. I don't know where anyone can call Towles a miss a this point. He played a quarter and got hurt last year and redshirted this year. How about letting him hit the field before tossing him on the failed pile. Also don't look past R Philips. The kid has a lot of ability. THIS! Don't give up on Towles just yet. Phillips could very well be the starter next year. IMO Barker, Towles and Phillips will compete for the starting job and Whitlow will hopefully run the Wildcat and play WR. Thats wishful thinking in regards to Whitlow as he may just decide to go elsewhere. It might be too hard for him to give up the experience he's gained playing QB for the last couple of years and transfer to a place with an offense that is more suited to his skillset but I hope he stays and switches positions.
I just don't see Barker starting, and if he does not start he will redshirt and learn in practice. Highly rated freshman QB's are SELDOM highly effective in the SEC, even the ones at the "elite" schools. He WILL start for 2-3 years. I would be pleasantly surprised if Phillips is NOT the starter next year and MAYBE the following year because that would mean Towles finally achieved his potential. Towles has to overcome his need to "slow down" the game to make the right choices and, if he can't do it now, I have little hope he can do it next year but it IS POSSIBLE. We could win 6+ games and go to a minor bowl next year but I don't see it as more than a possibility. 2015 is when the REAL change is going to begin happening, and by that I mean us winning 8+ games EVERY year. We have to move into and solidify our place in the "middle tier" of the SEC (Top 4 are Elite teams regularly in the BCS Bowls and Capital One/Cotton Bowls; Middle 4 are Great teams regularly in the Outback/Chik-fil-A/Gator/Music City Bowls; Bottom 6 are Average-to-Poor teams who take turns trying to qualify for the final 2-3 SEC bowls). |
|
|
|
Post by jbcook0 on Nov 20, 2013 21:44:32 GMT -5
I agree with what KACAT is saying, I have said myself that Barker may come in and win the starting job, but after reading KACAT's post, I have changed my mind. The only thing I haven't changed my mind on is that Jalen Whitlow is not the answer at QB next year unless he can show some serious improvement throwing the ball.
|
|
|
|
Post by kacat on Nov 28, 2013 11:20:41 GMT -5
I tend to think someone other then Jalen will be out QB next year. That being said he will get better and he is the only QB we have that can really run. Unless we get better line play it's hard to ignore that aspect. Still, I think Reece Phillips will get the nod come opening day next fall.
|
|
|
|
Post by wvslim on Nov 29, 2013 15:53:57 GMT -5
I see either Barker or Phillips. Going back to Jalen would really risk irritating the fans. It will be a hard sell to try to convince us to be optimistic without a QB change.
|
|
|
|
Post by wtjones1 on Nov 30, 2013 9:22:00 GMT -5
I hope everything works out with this situation. Jalen is a gutty playmaker and I LOVE his effort. I hope we can find a home for him and would love to see him in the Wildcat early and often.
|
|
|
|
Post by kateyes on Dec 1, 2013 12:26:10 GMT -5
I see either Barker or Phillips. Going back to Jalen would really risk irritating the fans. It will be a hard sell to try to convince us to be optimistic without a QB change. Don't know that I would agree. If jalen improves dramatically, then I am all for him. I'm not sure I care who is the QB as long as he is not as terrible as this year. |
|
|
|
Post by uktaubetapi on Dec 1, 2013 18:57:11 GMT -5
If JW could just improve his accuracy, he brings a lot to the table. If I were him, I would be soliciting WRs everyday this off season to "play catch" with me in this effort, if he wants to keep the job. The UK fans need to realize that these coaches are going to put the QB on the field that gives us the best chance of winning. Why fans who don't see these kids in practice everyday think they know better than the coaches is a mystery to me. On another board, there is a "fan", and I use the term loosely, that is always criticizing the coaches because Towles hasn't been "given a chance". In my opinion, watching this guys posts over the years, the UK fans should take up a collection to pay him to be a UL fan. We could just hope once he is over there, they don't recognize his potential and make him an assistant coach. They would probably never lose another game, assuming they listen to him, and only him!!!! (what a moron!!!!!!!!1)
|
|
|
|
Post by wildcatdon on Dec 5, 2013 8:55:24 GMT -5
I tend to think it will be Barker,Towles or Phillips also..Whitlow has a chance but we need to take a step forward and I think these
other guys provide that. They have been qbacks their entire career..Should be an interesting spring.
|
|
