FB Recruiting Comfort Zone: Stoops valued familiarity in hires

[JRowland]

Mark Stoops' four new assistant coaches have very different backgrounds and diverse resumes. It's a mixed bag in that regard.

But one of the themes common in all the hires is this: Mark Stoops is familiar with each of his new staff members, or someone very close to him is. Here are quotes proving it and analysis breaking down its significance.

STORY: Comfort Zone || Stoops' valued familiarity in hiring

 

[docholiday51]

Enjoyed the article,this is more evidence that Stoops is putting it all on the line to get to the 6 win plateau this season.He has made the best moves he can from a staff standpoint.I hope we see some payoff from this in terms of W's and L's and I believe that we will

 

[JRowland]

Honestly, I think the staff moves this offseason were actually more about 2017 than 2016. If he only had one year to get to a bowl game I think this level of turnover would be less than ideal, even if he wasn't happy with the results to that point. But since Stoops (seems to) know he has two years, heavy turnover even with a steep learning curve is less daunting.

 

[docholiday51]

Honestly, I think the staff moves this offseason were actually more about 2017 than 2016. If he only had one year to get to a bowl game I think this level of turnover would be less than ideal, even if he wasn't happy with the results to that point. But since Stoops (seems to) know he has two years, heavy turnover even with a steep learning curve is less daunting.

I can see that line of thinking as well,I didn't mean to imply that I think Stoops is to the point of one and done.I believe he realized that changes needed to be made,in the QB position he is just about starting from scratch with Barker and Johnson so who better to start from that point than Gran and Hinshaw.

I think it is almost mandatory that he match last years win total if he wants to keep any momentum going forward into '17,I think an extra win or two is there for the taking.I would think we will get a pretty good sense of where we are in the spring game,I understand with all the changes it will be way too early to draw any real conclusions but from an offensive standpoint I believe we will see a difference in how things are done and what the expectations are going to be.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I can see that line of thinking as well,I didn't mean to imply that I think Stoops is to the point of one and done.I believe he realized that changes needed to be made,in the QB position he is just about starting from scratch with Barker and Johnson so who better to start from that point than Gran and Hinshaw.

I think it is almost mandatory that he match last years win total if he wants to keep any momentum going forward into '17,I think an extra win or two is there for the taking.I would think we will get a pretty good sense of where we are in the spring game,I understand with all the changes it will be way too early to draw any real conclusions but from an offensive standpoint I believe we will see a difference in how things are done and what the expectations are going to be.

I think UK will win more games this year, at least 4 opponents are going to have new coaches, USC, UGA, Missouri and Southern Miss. Truthfully everyone could be a downgrade from the previous staff, 2 having no head coaching experience, one was a program wrecker and I don't know about Southern Miss's coach. UT will be the big favorite to win the East, UF lost a ton off a very good defense, their best RB and who knows who their QB is going to be. Vandy could be better, they were much improved last year. Bama is likely a loss, but you lost the crossover last year, State is going to take a step back without Dak. As bad as everyone here hates to admit it, Louisville's offense will be tought with that QB, too fast to shadow him with anyone other that a CB, Southern Miss could have been trouble but lost their coach.

I think Missouri is in real trouble, no qb, lost their coach who was very good, think they lost their DL coach. USC may start a true frosh at qb, lost Cooper who was their offense last year, have no proven RB or WR, They hired a coaching staff of recruiters, their talent level will get better so need to jump on them and keep the streak going. UGA will likely be starting a true frosh qb, leading returner at WR had 35 catches for about 400 yards, very likely a frosh or 2 will play alot at WR, if he stays on offense, one is 6'5 240, I wouldn't be disappointed if he went to OLB, runs sub 4.6, defensive POY in Georgia as a S of all things, that is a scarey S. But we return a 1000 yard rusher and according to reports we are hearing Chubb will be 100% by first of summer, already sprinting straight lines, cutting, pivoting scheduled to start in a week. So hopefully we will be decent offensively, defense should be pretty good, returning 7 starters, but Kirby still has to manage his first game and you have seen firsthand how that goes sometimes. So until he proves he can run a gameplan without any hiccupps we could lose any game.. Of course our hope is he comes out like gangbusters and knocks it out of the park from day one against UNC.

 

[3kidsandme]

Honestly, I think the staff moves this offseason were actually more about 2017 than 2016. If he only had one year to get to a bowl game I think this level of turnover would be less than ideal, even if he wasn't happy with the results to that point. But since Stoops (seems to) know he has two years, heavy turnover even with a steep learning curve is less daunting.

I do not think Stoops would be very happy with less than 6 wins. I am patient but in year 4 you need to go bowling.

 

[JRowland]

Well I certainly agree that he wouldn't be happy with less than six in year four. Most every fan would agree with him. But the reality is they are probably going to be predicted by most people to finish 5-7 or 6-6 and the schedule is not easy at all.

 

[docholiday51]

Well I certainly agree that he wouldn't be happy with less than six in year four. Most every fan would agree with him. But the reality is they are probably going to be predicted by most people to finish 5-7 or 6-6 and the schedule is not easy at all.

I believe some are over rating our schedule,I think six wins are there to be had with any improvement at all and I don't see us being any worse than last season(if we are then Stoops is going in the wrong direction)

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I do not think Stoops would be very happy with less than 6 wins. I am patient but in year 4 you need to go bowling.

I am not going to predict 10-2 for UK, but as of right now I am going to say I only see 2 losses for sure, UT and Bama. UK gets UF pretty early, I have no idea if Harris will be the QB or not, might be their frosh qb too, not only did they lose the RB Taylor, but lost their best WR to the draft too I think,not 100% on that but I think he left. I think Missouri will be bad this fall, very bad in fact, maybe the worst team in the division. USC could also have a frosh qb, Cooper gone, their RB gone, several of their OL gone, defense will probably be better but not sure how they score, Muschamp will keep things close to his vest and play field position I think. UGA and UK play fairly late in the year, our frosh qb will have some games under his belt, Chubb will be all the way back I hope, UK will be better at WR unless we have some frosh step up, we are still recruiting one kid for 16 who would very likely start at WR for us if he comes to us. Got to find a T who can play, defense returns entire secondary from last year, even the depth, lost 2 OLB but the guys replacing them are pretty good and both have started multiple games, DL returns 1 fulltime starter and 1 partime starter, we signed 4DL and 3 are very likely to play alot. Won't be quite as big up front, but much more athletic, but probably a year away from being pretty good. But we may not have an OL we can score with so we may be a carbon copy of USC. I think we can win 8-9 games, but we draw OM from the West this year and they should be pretty good. I see UT as a loss, OM and UF likely losses, think we can win the rest but you never know with a true frosh at qb.

 

[3kidsandme]

Well I certainly agree that he wouldn't be happy with less than six in year four. Most every fan would agree with him. But the reality is they are probably going to be predicted by most people to finish 5-7 or 6-6 and the schedule is not easy at all.

I don't think getting to 6 wins is going to be the difficult part. UK can get 6 wins by beating 3 ooc cupcakes and 3 sec wins. Missouri Usc Vandy and Ms st will all be around 4 8 to 7 5. UK wins 3 of those and we go bowling.

 

[JRowland]

Don't get me wrong. If you're saying they can get to 6-6, I agree wholeheartedly. No reason they can't go 7-5. But if you're hinting you think beating three of Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Mississippi State is the expectation that most national, conference and even local pundits will share, then I think it's not quite so simple. I think Kentucky can be as good as all of those teams and maybe even better than most/all if all things go right. But when your margin for error is going 3-1 against the four teams in the league most similar to you, and they have their own reasons to be optimistic (Mullen hasn't lost to UK, Vanderbilt has some nice pieces and a good defense returning, new staff/life at USC, etc), then I think it's important to keep it in perspective. FWIW, Southern Miss is not a bad team.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Don't get me wrong. If you're saying they can get to 6-6, I agree wholeheartedly. No reason they can't go 7-5. But if you're hinting you think beating three of Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Mississippi State is the expectation that most national, conference and even local pundits will share, then I think it's not quite so simple. I think Kentucky can be as good as all of those teams and maybe even better than most/all if all things go right. But when your margin for error is going 3-1 against the four teams in the league most similar to you, and they have their own reasons to be optimistic (Mullen hasn't lost to UK, Vanderbilt has some nice pieces and a good defense returning, new staff/life at USC, etc), then I think it's important to keep it in perspective. FWIW, Southern Miss is not a bad team.

Southern Miss was a pretty good small 5 team last season, but they lost their coach, I think they also lost a good bit of their offense. I wouldn't say they were better than UK last year, but they lost alot that would have made that game an interesting game to watch as a football fan. I think its a game UK should expect to win fairly easy because of those things, this isn't last year's Southern Miss, or UK for that matter. My guess is very few of Joker's players remain, if any, so these are all Stoop's guys for the most part, some have been in the program 4 years, if its going to show it will start showing this year, next year should be better with some 5 year guys mixed in, but anything less than 6 wins wouldn't be a good sign going forward for Stoops or UK football. I think that's a fair statement, I think more than 6 but the ball bounces funny sometimes. Do you agree with that?

 

[pikespeak1]

Southern Miss was a pretty good small 5 team last season, but they lost their coach, I think they also lost a good bit of their offense. I wouldn't say they were better than UK last year, but they lost alot that would have made that game an interesting game to watch as a football fan. I think its a game UK should expect to win fairly easy because of those things, this isn't last year's Southern Miss, or UK for that matter. My guess is very few of Joker's players remain, if any, so these are all Stoop's guys for the most part, some have been in the program 4 years, if its going to show it will start showing this year, next year should be better with some 5 year guys mixed in, but anything less than 6 wins wouldn't be a good sign going forward for Stoops or UK football. I think that's a fair statement, I think more than 6 but the ball bounces funny sometimes. Do you agree with that?

Please come around more. You are one of the better posters on this board.

 

[jauk11]

I am not going to predict 10-2 for UK, but as of right now I am going to say I only see 2 losses for sure, UT and Bama. UK gets UF pretty early, I have no idea if Harris will be the QB or not, might be their frosh qb too, not only did they lose the RB Taylor, but lost their best WR to the draft too I think,not 100% on that but I think he left. I think Missouri will be bad this fall, very bad in fact, maybe the worst team in the division. USC could also have a frosh qb, Cooper gone, their RB gone, several of their OL gone, defense will probably be better but not sure how they score, Muschamp will keep things close to his vest and play field position I think. UGA and UK play fairly late in the year, our frosh qb will have some games under his belt, Chubb will be all the way back I hope, UK will be better at WR unless we have some frosh step up, we are still recruiting one kid for 16 who would very likely start at WR for us if he comes to us. Got to find a T who can play, defense returns entire secondary from last year, even the depth, lost 2 OLB but the guys replacing them are pretty good and both have started multiple games, DL returns 1 fulltime starter and 1 partime starter, we signed 4DL and 3 are very likely to play alot. Won't be quite as big up front, but much more athletic, but probably a year away from being pretty good. But we may not have an OL we can score with so we may be a carbon copy of USC. I think we can win 8-9 games, but we draw OM from the West this year and they should be pretty good. I see UT as a loss, OM and UF likely losses, think we can win the rest but you never know with a true frosh at qb.

Thanks, great rundown, not sure how you have time to follow so many programs but I like it.

I think 6-6 isn't the most likely outcome for UK next year, and that would keep progress going, but none of Brooks years would have been that great without at least one upset win, and Joker did beat top ten USC and came within three points of NC Auburn. Probably even harder to explain was beating TU without a QB.

But of couse other teams that we should beat can beat us also, it is football, so I would be happy with 6-6 this year. But I think there is the potential for more.

 

[JRowland]

Southern Miss was a pretty good small 5 team last season, but they lost their coach, I think they also lost a good bit of their offense. I wouldn't say they were better than UK last year, but they lost alot that would have made that game an interesting game to watch as a football fan. I think its a game UK should expect to win fairly easy because of those things, this isn't last year's Southern Miss, or UK for that matter. My guess is very few of Joker's players remain, if any, so these are all Stoop's guys for the most part, some have been in the program 4 years, if its going to show it will start showing this year, next year should be better with some 5 year guys mixed in, but anything less than 6 wins wouldn't be a good sign going forward for Stoops or UK football. I think that's a fair statement, I think more than 6 but the ball bounces funny sometimes. Do you agree with that?

I've heard some people expect them to win quite a few games this year. I'm not saying people ought to freak out about the game, but I will say this. Kentucky may be roughly the same kind of favorite re: the spread against USM that some of Kentucky's SEC opponents are against UK. After games against Lafayette and EKU last year I don't think it's wise to discount a team with the talent USM will have. Not great talent, but good enough to beat Kentucky's C effort if they bring it.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I've heard some people expect them to win quite a few games this year. I'm not saying people ought to freak out about the game, but I will say this. Kentucky may be roughly the same kind of favorite re: the spread against USM that some of Kentucky's SEC opponents are against UK. After games against Lafayette and EKU last year I don't think it's wise to discount a team with the talent USM will have. Not great talent, but good enough to beat Kentucky's C effort if they bring it.

I knew Lafayette would be a tougher game than alot of UK fans were expecting, but the difference to me anyway is Southern Miss, while having some talented players will be breaking in a new coach and most likely new schemes. Lafayette came in confident and expecting to win, I think Southern Miss comes in with some questions and doubt in the new coaches and schemes.

Thanks, great rundown, not sure how you have time to follow so many programs but I like it.

I think 6-6 isn't the most likely outcome for UK next year, and that would keep progress going, but none of Brooks years would have been that great without at least one upset win, and Joker did beat top ten USC and came within three points of NC Auburn. Probably even harder to explain was beating TU without a QB.

But of couse other teams that we should beat can beat us also, it is football, so I would be happy with 6-6 this year. But I think there is the potential for more.

Pretty simple Jauk, I don't have a job, follow recruiting fairly close, news of transfers travel pretty quick so not hard to keep up with. OM took a kid who transferred from UGA to JUCO last August after being passed by 2 frosh ILB and they seem to think he is the next Ray Lewis. He left because 2 frosh passed him on depth chart first week of fall camp. We are still recruiting a 16 kid awfully hard, very likely would start for us next fall at WR but would be a pleasant surprise if we get him. Good WR avoid us like we run it every snap, nevermind a UGA qb holds almost all the career passing records in the SEC.

 

[JRowland]

I knew Lafayette would be a tougher game than alot of UK fans were expecting, but the difference to me anyway is Southern Miss, while having some talented players will be breaking in a new coach and most likely new schemes. Lafayette came in confident and expecting to win, I think Southern Miss comes in with some questions and doubt in the new coaches and schemes.





Pretty simple Jauk, I don't have a job, follow recruiting fairly close, news of transfers travel pretty quick so not hard to keep up with. OM took a kid who transferred from UGA to JUCO last August after being passed by 2 frosh ILB and they seem to think he is the next Ray Lewis. He left because 2 frosh passed him on depth chart first week of fall camp. We are still recruiting a 16 kid awfully hard, very likely would start for us next fall at WR but would be a pleasant surprise if we get him. Good WR avoid us like we run it every snap, nevermind a UGA qb holds almost all the career passing records in the SEC.

I hear ya. My overall point is that if people are assuming 6-6 is the most likely scenario then they're assuming 3-1 against Vanderbilt, Missouri, Mississippi State and South Carolina is probably going to happen, unless they beat Louisville. I'm not being a negative guy here, but can't you see that at the very least the assumption that 3-1 in those games is the most likely scenario is a little optimistic? I'm not saying it's beyond the pale to expect that and certainly not to hope for it. All four teams are really flawed and definitely don't present glaring match up problems. But when fans of those teams look at their "must win" games and they're wearing red, black, maroon, etc., glasses, do they really think about Kentucky any differently than you guys are thinking about those teams? IMO, best we can say is that between those four teams and Kentucky, it wouldn't shock me (and shouldn't shock anybody) to see any results; Vandy could be the best of the five (unlikely), Kentucky could be, or any of the others could be. I do know that UK has yet to prove they can beat Dan Mullen and they go to Missouri on the road, although that game seems winnable. They get Vanderbilt and USC at home, but they were 1-1 in those games and could have been either 2-0 or 0-2 if one play in each game went differently. I'm just taking issue with the appearance of assuredness that 6-6 is the most likely scenario. I would be slightly surprised if they are favored in six games this year, although they could be. The problem is it's tough to predict UK would beat the teams nobody is talking about (Florida, Alabama, etc), so the problem (as is always the problem for UK) is the lack of a margin for error that most other schools have.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I hear ya. My overall point is that if people are assuming 6-6 is the most likely scenario then they're assuming 3-1 against Vanderbilt, Missouri, Mississippi State and South Carolina is probably going to happen, unless they beat Louisville. I'm not being a negative guy here, but can't you see that at the very least the assumption that 3-1 in those games is the most likely scenario is a little optimistic? I'm not saying it's beyond the pale to expect that and certainly not to hope for it. All four teams are really flawed and definitely don't present glaring match up problems. But when fans of those teams look at their "must win" games and they're wearing red, black, maroon, etc., glasses, do they really think about Kentucky any differently than you guys are thinking about those teams? IMO, best we can say is that between those four teams and Kentucky, it wouldn't shock me (and shouldn't shock anybody) to see any results; Vandy could be the best of the five (unlikely), Kentucky could be, or any of the others could be. I do know that UK has yet to prove they can beat Dan Mullen and they go to Missouri on the road, although that game seems winnable. They get Vanderbilt and USC at home, but they were 1-1 in those games and could have been either 2-0 or 0-2 if one play in each game went differently. I'm just taking issue with the appearance of assuredness that 6-6 is the most likely scenario. I would be slightly surprised if they are favored in six games this year, although they could be. The problem is it's tough to predict UK would beat the teams nobody is talking about (Florida, Alabama, etc), so the problem (as is always the problem for UK) is the lack of a margin for error that most other schools have.

I agree that 3-1 is very doable against those 4 teams, in fact 4-0 against those 4 is very doable, 2-2 would be more of a surprise to me than 4-0. Vandy, I think, returns their qb and that might not be a good thing he was pretty bad, USC could start a true frosh, they are very high on him and he is a great athlete as for the other 2 I have no idea. But I expect Vandy and USC to be pretty good defensively. I think Muschamp will run an offense much like he did at UF, maybe not by choice, lost their playmaker at WR, best RB and haven't recruited very good at either position, how are they going to score? Vandy's defense will be built to stop the spread and Mason has called games and beaten the best spread teams, at the time, in the country in Oregon, but scoring will also be an issue for them. Missouri couldn't score last year and I don't see it any different this year, probably worse and with a worse defense, they could be winless against P5 teams. State lost Dak, I can't name anyone else on their team. The 4 OOC games, at the absolute worst being 2-2 but much more likely 3-1. Then UGA and UF come in the next group, UF fell apart after their game with us last year, and we will have a new system on both sides of the ball and almost an entire new coaching staff. I think UK could split, win or lose both these games. I see UT and Bama as losses, probably the best teams in each division, as long as Dobbs is playing, if Dobbs goes down UT is in big trouble.

I guess UK football is kinda like UGA basketball, against decent teams it is pretty much assumed we are going to lose. I think Fox is a pretty decent X and O basketball coach, but he can't recruit at all. Our class is normally made up of guys who are left after the top 15-20 players sign somewhere else.

 

[3kidsandme]

Don't get me wrong. If you're saying they can get to 6-6, I agree wholeheartedly. No reason they can't go 7-5. But if you're hinting you think beating three of Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Mississippi State is the expectation that most national, conference and even local pundits will share, then I think it's not quite so simple. I think Kentucky can be as good as all of those teams and maybe even better than most/all if all things go right. But when your margin for error is going 3-1 against the four teams in the league most similar to you, and they have their own reasons to be optimistic (Mullen hasn't lost to UK, Vanderbilt has some nice pieces and a good defense returning, new staff/life at USC, etc), then I think it's important to keep it in perspective. FWIW, Southern Miss is not a bad team.

I am saying those are the most likely wins. I don't think any team on are schedule is unbeatable accept Alabama and probably Tenn. I just don't think in year 4 the expectation should be 6 wins and we all sing kumbyya lol. 6 wins with this schedule is very likely imo. Getting the 7th or 8th win is what will be a challenge and take very good qb play.

 

[docholiday51]

I agree that 3-1 is very doable against those 4 teams, in fact 4-0 against those 4 is very doable, 2-2 would be more of a surprise to me than 4-0. Vandy, I think, returns their qb and that might not be a good thing he was pretty bad, USC could start a true frosh, they are very high on him and he is a great athlete as for the other 2 I have no idea. But I expect Vandy and USC to be pretty good defensively. I think Muschamp will run an offense much like he did at UF, maybe not by choice, lost their playmaker at WR, best RB and haven't recruited very good at either position, how are they going to score? Vandy's defense will be built to stop the spread and Mason has called games and beaten the best spread teams, at the time, in the country in Oregon, but scoring will also be an issue for them. Missouri couldn't score last year and I don't see it any different this year, probably worse and with a worse defense, they could be winless against P5 teams. State lost Dak, I can't name anyone else on their team. The 4 OOC games, at the absolute worst being 2-2 but much more likely 3-1. Then UGA and UF come in the next group, UF fell apart after their game with us last year, and we will have a new system on both sides of the ball and almost an entire new coaching staff. I think UK could split, win or lose both these games. I see UT and Bama as losses, probably the best teams in each division, as long as Dobbs is playing, if Dobbs goes down UT is in big trouble.

I guess UK football is kinda like UGA basketball, against decent teams it is pretty much assumed we are going to lose. I think Fox is a pretty decent X and O basketball coach, but he can't recruit at all. Our class is normally made up of guys who are left after the top 15-20 players sign somewhere else.

We see this very much the same way,it may/will come down to Stoops' in game coaching.Does he have more help in that area,will he get better input from assistants? Did he have to keep too many balls in the air during games last season? Did he learn from the mistakes of last season?

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

We see this very much the same way,it may/will come down to Stoops' in game coaching.Does he have more help in that area,will he get better input from assistants? Did he have to keep too many balls in the air during games last season? Did he learn from the mistakes of last season?

Stoops may have made a mistake or two alone the way, every coach does, even the mighty Nick, that cost them a game. What hurt UK was inconsistency, when the qb was on, UK could put points on the board against anyone in a hurry. But the QB would start out on fire, UK get up 2-3 scores and all of a sudden he couldn't throw it into the Atlantic, I don't know enough about qb mechanics to know if that was the issue or if it was all above his shoulders. But when he was on, he was scarey good, but when he was off, he was pretty bad, that tied Stoops hands as well as the OC because they had no idea when or if it would change. You know he would look great driving UK down the field for 2-3 quick scores, next series or rest of game he would look awful. I know very frustrating for a fan, was there last year too, and even more so for the coaching staff. What little I saw of Barker I noticed he had a very quick release, but like a new qbs he wasn't use to the speed of a SEC defense is going to show him. But he has some skills and the chance to be very good before he leaves UK. Our new QB is going to be in for a rude awakening when he sees a P5 defense for the first time. He played in Washington state's highest classification but watching his film it looked like Georgia's lowest classification, maybe not that good, so he will have some growing pains and will throw more INTs than I might be able to take.

 

[docholiday51]

Stoops may have made a mistake or two alone the way, every coach does, even the mighty Nick, that cost them a game. What hurt UK was inconsistency, when the qb was on, UK could put points on the board against anyone in a hurry. But the QB would start out on fire, UK get up 2-3 scores and all of a sudden he couldn't throw it into the Atlantic, I don't know enough about qb mechanics to know if that was the issue or if it was all above his shoulders. But when he was on, he was scarey good, but when he was off, he was pretty bad, that tied Stoops hands as well as the OC because they had no idea when or if it would change. You know he would look great driving UK down the field for 2-3 quick scores, next series or rest of game he would look awful. I know very frustrating for a fan, was there last year too, and even more so for the coaching staff. What little I saw of Barker I noticed he had a very quick release, but like a new qbs he wasn't use to the speed of a SEC defense is going to show him. But he has some skills and the chance to be very good before he leaves UK. Our new QB is going to be in for a rude awakening when he sees a P5 defense for the first time. He played in Washington state's highest classification but watching his film it looked like Georgia's lowest classification, maybe not that good, so he will have some growing pains and will throw more INTs than I might be able to take.

Interesting take on things,the SEC east may not be much (if any) better than it was last year.UT may be a handful
As to Towles,I always thought he had more talent than Barker but there was an issue(maybe more than one) that kept him from approaching his potential,hopefully Gran and Hinshaw will find a QB that can do what they want done.

We have to make some stops at or near the line,Forrest made a ton of tackles last season but most were after the ball was 5 or 6 yards downfield.I don't think it will take too much to have a better overall defense than we had last season.The secondary will be strong,maybe a little thin at LB but the starters should be a better group.

The OL will be better (it couldn't get a whole lot worse)

UGA may take some time to find it's identity,but there are enough good players on hand to make a good showing while they are doing that.

UF was a lot of smoke and mirrors for most of last season,the smoke may have cleared a bit this time around

USC may go thru a year or two of retooling,they lost some big time playmakers

Mizzou will find it tough going without their coach,who never got the credit he deserved till very late in his career

Vandy is still Vandy they are decent in some areas but if we can contain their high school trick plays at the end of the day we are better.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Interesting take on things,the SEC east may not be much (if any) better than it was last year.UT may be a handful
As to Towles,I always thought he had more talent than Barker but there was an issue(maybe more than one) that kept him from approaching his potential,hopefully Gran and Hinshaw will find a QB that can do what they want done.

We have to make some stops at or near the line,Forrest made a ton of tackles last season but most were after the ball was 5 or 6 yards downfield.I don't think it will take too much to have a better overall defense than we had last season.The secondary will be strong,maybe a little thin at LB but the starters should be a better group.

The OL will be better (it couldn't get a whole lot worse)

UGA may take some time to find it's identity,but there are enough good players on hand to make a good showing while they are doing that.

UF was a lot of smoke and mirrors for most of last season,the smoke may have cleared a bit this time around

USC may go thru a year or two of retooling,they lost some big time playmakers

Mizzou will find it tough going without their coach,who never got the credit he deserved till very late in his career

Vandy is still Vandy they are decent in some areas but if we can contain their high school trick plays at the end of the day we are better.

Forrest played like our 2 ILB did the 13 and 14 seasons, one led the SEC in tackles and the other was top 5, that looks good on the charts, but when most of those were 5+ yards downfield and always getting drug a couple more yards it isn't so good.. They weren't fast enough to get to the edge quick enough to stop outside runs near the line or physical enough to stop inside runs on contact, so frustrating to what, on top of that they were not good in coverage at all. Played hard, just limited because of athletic skills.