Fran Curci told me that it takes 4 things that make a good SEC football player. Strength, size, good work ethic, and quickness. Guess which of those he said was the most important? Quickness
Why? Because it doesn't matter how big you are, how strong you are, or how hard you work if you can't get to the block you are suppose to make or the tackle that stops a run at the line of scrimmage you will lose the battle.
Now it seems to me that is basically UK problem, no quickness on either the OL and the DL, but that can be fixed with better recruits. UK has always had good offensive weapons but in the past the line falls apart as the season moves through the SEC schedule. We have had a few good lineman in the past but no depth.
This is football not basketball. It takes 25-30 quality players to get over the hump plus a lot of luck. Now we recruit 25-30 players a year but many just don't make it due to injury, grades, etc. The better teams red shirt their entire class especially most of the lineman. That alone puts UK behind the 8-ball since to even get close these young men end up playing as freshman. That is a real disadvantage.
I think having a good team that wins 5-6-7 games ever few years is much different than building a program that can get to the next level. Everyone is disappointed in this season but we as fans must stay the course because it's recruiting that gets you their. Now no question Coach Stoops has made some mistakes but I for one expect UK to have another good recruiting season and will judge the program after his fifth year. Then if the team is no better, blame it on the coach but to,do it now after only 2 true recruiting classes makes no sense.
Just my opinion.
Why? Because it doesn't matter how big you are, how strong you are, or how hard you work if you can't get to the block you are suppose to make or the tackle that stops a run at the line of scrimmage you will lose the battle.
Now it seems to me that is basically UK problem, no quickness on either the OL and the DL, but that can be fixed with better recruits. UK has always had good offensive weapons but in the past the line falls apart as the season moves through the SEC schedule. We have had a few good lineman in the past but no depth.
This is football not basketball. It takes 25-30 quality players to get over the hump plus a lot of luck. Now we recruit 25-30 players a year but many just don't make it due to injury, grades, etc. The better teams red shirt their entire class especially most of the lineman. That alone puts UK behind the 8-ball since to even get close these young men end up playing as freshman. That is a real disadvantage.
I think having a good team that wins 5-6-7 games ever few years is much different than building a program that can get to the next level. Everyone is disappointed in this season but we as fans must stay the course because it's recruiting that gets you their. Now no question Coach Stoops has made some mistakes but I for one expect UK to have another good recruiting season and will judge the program after his fifth year. Then if the team is no better, blame it on the coach but to,do it now after only 2 true recruiting classes makes no sense.
Just my opinion.
