Cant say enough about Gran/Hinshaw....

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

I cant recall any bigger additions to a UK staff in my 25 years of following UK football. Especially given the situation, what they've done with the offense is basically magic. Think about this:

Our offense was a discombobulated disaster until this year. First half of the USM game, the offense was wide open, on fire, and scoring at will in no time flat. Barker gets injured. The offense falls apart. Simultaneously, the defense shows it has very little depth up front and wears down quickly.

So 3 games into the season, Gran and Hinshaw completely rework the offense; on the fly. They made sure the offense hid the physical deficiencies of their backup QB, while maximum his abilities and good decision making. They turned from their monsters at WR, to their stable of RBs. They turned a quick strike offense into a ball control offense basically overnight. We focused on picking up first downs consistently, switching field position, and giving the defense much needed rest.

All while proving the "sling the ball" and "we'll never be able to run the ball in the SEC" crowd are wrong.

Pretty incredible.

 

[stuway]

I agree with this a million times. The run game seems much improved. In the passing game, there always looks to be open wrs. If we ever get a true stud qb, this offense could be one of the best in the country. Those two guys are very good at there jobs. Any UK fan should be thankful we have them here

 

[yoshukai]

I cant recall any bigger additions to a UK staff in my 25 years of following UK football. Especially given the situation, what they've done with the offense is basically magic. Think about this:

Our offense was a discombobulated disaster until this year. First half of the USM game, the offense was wide open, on fire, and scoring at will in no time flat. Barker gets injured. The offense falls apart. Simultaneously, the defense shows it has very little depth up front and wears down quickly.

So 3 games into the season, Gran and Hinshaw completely rework the offense; on the fly. They made sure the offense hid the physical deficiencies of their backup QB, while maximum his abilities and good decision making. They turned from their monsters at WR, to their stable of RBs. They turned a quick strike offense into a ball control offense basically overnight. We focused on picking up first downs consistently, switching field position, and giving the defense much needed rest.

All while proving the "sling the ball" and "we'll never be able to run the ball in the SEC" crowd are wrong.

Pretty incredible.

SPOT ON !!

 

[kykats]

Stoops wanted gran in year one. Hinshaw too. MB didn't pursue them with vigor and/or wouldn't offer enough. Hinshaw had fantasticrecruiting year for. UT and gran stayed with tuberville at Cincinnati for about 200 grand if I recall. Disgraceful.

 

[BoNicholas]

I've said since about game 3. This offense is disciplined and well put together. Both get an "A" in year one in my book.

 

[vhcat70]

Not to mention they find & get SJ starting 5-6 weeks before last Feb signing day. We'd be on lesser find than SJ or totally young Hoak w/o SJ.

 

[JPFisher]

Stoops wanted gran in year one. Hinshaw too. MB didn't pursue them with vigor and/or wouldn't offer enough. Hinshaw had fantasticrecruiting year for. UT and gran stayed with tuberville at Cincinnati for about 200 grand if I recall. Disgraceful.

Brown did pretty damn well in his time here.

Gran stayed with Cincy because he wanted to give Tuberville his three years. IIRC.

I don't doubt that Stoops wanted Gran first, but in his opening presser, didn't Stoops guarantee an exciting, ball-slinging offense? Doesn't sound like the balanced spread attack of Gran to me.

Besides, we paid Brown $550,000 to be our OC. I don't math good all the time, but I think that's more than double what Gran was making if your reasoning is accurate. I doubt we'd have trouble paying that or more to an experienced guy if we were willing to shell it out to a guy cutting teeth.

Jmo.

But to get on target, I do like the flexibility and poise that Gran and Hinshaw possess. I always feel like those two are calm. Maybe not 100% right all the time (Johnson fumble and the scoop n score), but damn do they compensate with overall great planning and scheming. I like it.

 

[ukgolfnut36]

Don't forget the wide receavers coach he done a relay great job with them

 

[kykats]

My thinking is MB wanted brown for the air raid and stoops went along. I also think gran would not have turned down a better offer.

 

[willievic]

stuway, I don't know what you mean by a stud QB. There are not many Jacksons out there. Let's give SJ another year, and I think we will be pleasantly surprised. I have seen a lot of improvement since his first game, and with more experience in the SEC, we will see more confidence, better passing, and better decision making. This is not Junior College, so it's going to take more then 4 or 5 games to adjust, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Poetax]

Stoops wanted gran in year one. Hinshaw too. MB didn't pursue them with vigor and/or wouldn't offer enough. Hinshaw had fantasticrecruiting year for. UT and gran stayed with tuberville at Cincinnati for about 200 grand if I recall. Disgraceful.

I'm not sure it went down that way, Gran had already committed to Tuberville and Gran is loyal and money can't buy him if he's committed. I admire that in a coach.

 

[Bank Cat]

Offensive line improvement in the run game is unbelievable! And they're rotating a lot of linemen.
I am very encouraged!

 

[carolinacat]

I cant recall any bigger additions to a UK staff in my 25 years of following UK football. Especially given the situation, what they've done with the offense is basically magic. Think about this:

Our offense was a discombobulated disaster until this year. First half of the USM game, the offense was wide open, on fire, and scoring at will in no time flat. Barker gets injured. The offense falls apart. Simultaneously, the defense shows it has very little depth up front and wears down quickly.

So 3 games into the season, Gran and Hinshaw completely rework the offense; on the fly. They made sure the offense hid the physical deficiencies of their backup QB, while maximum his abilities and good decision making. They turned from their monsters at WR, to their stable of RBs. They turned a quick strike offense into a ball control offense basically overnight. We focused on picking up first downs consistently, switching field position, and giving the defense much needed rest.

All while proving the "sling the ball" and "we'll never be able to run the ball in the SEC" crowd are wrong.

Pretty incredible.

Hmmmm....interesting take. I agree that Gran is miles better than Shannon Dawson and having Hinshaw is a huge plus. I agree they have shown tactical excellence in play calling to maximize our strengths. However, we haven't proven (yet) we can run the ball against the top echelon of the SEC....against the bottom feeders..yes, for sure. UF and UA completely shut us down. I was thrilled to see us take a few shots down the field (with success) against MSU. We'll need to show that balance against the better teams we'll face down the line.

 

[Shydog]

I heard Tubberville say that although Gran had done a good job at UC he had always believed the OC should also be the QB Coach so he was glad to have that now. Well, I am enjoying having an OC who is also the RB coach!!

 

[merrimanm]

Yup. Makes you wonder where we would be had Stoops been able to hire them his first year here like he wanted to.

 

[Deeeefense]

Stoops wanted gran in year one. Hinshaw too. MB didn't pursue them with vigor and/or wouldn't offer enough. Hinshaw had fantasticrecruiting year for. UT and gran stayed with tuberville at Cincinnati for about 200 grand if I recall. Disgraceful.

from everything I've heard it was not a money or "vigor" issue getting Gran, rather he wanted to make good on his commitment to Tuberville to stay at Cincy through 2015. He and Tubby go way back to their Auburn days.

 

[Poetax]

Hmmmm....interesting take. I agree that Gran is miles better than Shannon Dawson and having Hinshaw is a huge plus. I agree they have shown tactical excellence in play calling to maximize our strengths. However, we haven't proven (yet) we can run the ball against the top echelon of the SEC....against the bottom feeders..yes, for sure. UF and UA completely shut us down. I was thrilled to see us take a few shots down the field (with success) against MSU. We'll need to show that balance against the better teams we'll face down the line.

Oh there's room for improvement but with Johnson having that wrist problem you have to enjoy how they have rotated their backs and linemen. Plus getting WRs to buy into downfield blocking just makes this offense so much better. They deserved the kudos for sure.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Hmmmm....interesting take. I agree that Gran is miles better than Shannon Dawson and having Hinshaw is a huge plus. I agree they have shown tactical excellence in play calling to maximize our strengths. However, we haven't proven (yet) we can run the ball against the top echelon of the SEC....against the bottom feeders..yes, for sure. UF and UA completely shut us down. I was thrilled to see us take a few shots down the field (with success) against MSU. We'll need to show that balance against the better teams we'll face down the line.

The sec teams we've faced are bottom feeders because their terrible offense. They've all had stout run defense, especially Bama; and we ran the ball against them better than anyone else yet iirc. same with vandy, by quite a margin.

 

[Xception]

I'm impressed with the offense , talk about lemons to lemonade when your starting qb goes down . I'm also impressed with the defensive improvement , I like watching a team grow and it looks like we're seeing a team transform .

 

[seccats04]

Gran, Hinshaw and Thomas were all home runs. Still not sold on Clinkscale but House has done a good job with ST's too.

 

[tntuk]

Yup. Makes you wonder where we would be had Stoops been able to hire them his first year here like he wanted to.

We had no line, no QB, no RB and no depth at WR. The first year was gonna be rough no matter who the coaches were.

 

[merrimanm]

We had no line, no QB, no RB and no depth at WR. The first year was gonna be rough no matter who the coaches were.

Not talking about the first year alone. I am talking about 2 through now. Towles would have been better IMO. This, allowing us to be a true dual threat team as Towles could run and I believe would have been much better passing with these two. I think if they were here from the beginning, we would have went to a bowl game last year and probably sitting much better this year as Towles would be here and much better.

 

[stuway]

stuway, I don't know what you mean by a stud QB. There are not many Jacksons out there. Let's give SJ another year, and I think we will be pleasantly surprised. I have seen a lot of improvement since his first game, and with more experience in the SEC, we will see more confidence, better passing, and better decision making. This is not Junior College, so it's going to take more then 4 or 5 games to adjust, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

I'm trying to keep this a positive thread. But let's be honest here man. By stud qb, I mean, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Dak Prescott. I mean a bonified stud, best player in the country candidate. While SJ has us winning against some suspect teams, I am still very thankful at the present. But let's not pretend he is or will be a true stud. Hopefully that clarifies what I meant. I love your homeristic attitude, but I'm being real here bro.

 

[SaturnCat33_rivals31681]

Not talking about the first year alone. I am talking about 2 through now. Towles would have been better IMO. This, allowing us to be a true dual threat team as Towles could run and I believe would have been much better passing with these two. I think if they were here from the beginning, we would have went to a bowl game last year and probably sitting much better this year as Towles would be here and much better.

Agreed on Towles. Have no clue as to why he was benched, only to let Barker start. Pisses me off still. Barker has shown no ability to make plays with his feet.

 

[SaturnCat33_rivals31681]

This is why I'm all in on SJ. This far in, you don't mess with things.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I'm not sold on Neil Brown. I would take Gran any day over him.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

Stoops wanted gran in year one. Hinshaw too. MB didn't pursue them with vigor and/or wouldn't offer enough. Hinshaw had fantasticrecruiting year for. UT and gran stayed with tuberville at Cincinnati for about 200 grand if I recall. Disgraceful.

This is an absolutely inaccurate and false statement. Where does this dialogue emanate? CMS wanted Gran and Hinshaw, but coach Gran's loyalty precluded making a change. It wasn't until last year Coaches Gran and Hinshaw left UC with Coach Tuberville's blessing to join the coaching staff at UK.

 

[Deeeefense]

Not talking about the first year alone. I am talking about 2 through now. Towles would have been better IMO. This, allowing us to be a true dual threat team as Towles could run and I believe would have been much better passing with these two. I think if they were here from the beginning, we would have went to a bowl game last year and probably sitting much better this year as Towles would be here and much better.

Maybe, but I've watched Towles play a couple of times this year and he is basically the same inconsistent player as when he was here. For instance, last week BC had the ball on the opponent's 12 YL and Towles roll out to his left. There was absolutely no one within 20 feet of him, he had a walk in TD, instead he runs across the line of scrimmage, throws the ball wildly incomplete, BC picks up the penalty for illegal forward pass and they kick a field goal.

Pat has a lot of physical ability but he just never displayed the right decision making and intangibles to be a winner IMO, whereas Johnson, as raw as he is, and albeit less talented, does.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Maybe, but I've watched Towles play a couple of times this year and he is basically the same inconsistent player as when he was here. For instance, last week BC had the ball on the opponent's 12 YL and Towles roll out to his left. There was absolutely no one within 20 feet of him, he had a walk in TD, instead he runs across the line of scrimmage, throws the ball wildly incomplete, BC picks ups the penalty for illegal forward pass and they kick a field goal.

Pat has a lot of physical ability but he just never displayed the right decision making and intangibles to be a winner IMO, whereas Johnson, as raw as he is, and albeit less talented, does.

No doubt. If you could combine Towles physical gifts with Johnsons intangibles and mental comprehension; you'd have a potential 1st qb taken in the draft

 

[megablue]

No doubt. If you could combine Towles physical gifts with Johnsons intangibles and mental comprehension; you'd have a potential 1st qb taken in the draft

Towles, although strong and somewhat athletic, was not an accurate passer.

 

[megablue]

We had no line, no QB, no RB and no depth at WR. The first year was gonna be rough no matter who the coaches were.

They may have liked working with Whitlow and Smith. Keep that in mind. We'll never know, of course.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Towles, although strong and somewhat athletic, was not an accurate passer.

He wasn't accurate, consistently.

They may have liked working with Whitlow and Smith. Keep that in mind. We'll never know, of course.

Very possible. Whitlow is very similar to Johnson; just a much better athlete. The OL was pretty brutal. But this same unit looked brutal every year till Gran showed up

 

[megablue]

He wasn't accurate, consistently.



Very possible. Whitlow is very similar to Johnson; just a much better athlete. The OL was pretty brutal. But this same unit looked brutal every year till Gran showed up

Whitlow and Smith took an absolute beating back there. That's for sure.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Agreed on Towles. Have no clue as to why he was benched, only to let Barker start. Pisses me off still. Barker has shown no ability to make plays with his feet.

?????? You mean those 14 INT to 9 TD performance for the season wasn't bad enough for you? You are a glutton for punishment. He is stinking it up at BC as well. If anything he should have been coached into a TE because clearly he is no QB.