Does Stephen Johnson get snaps

Greasy Creak Mafia

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If Barker has consecutive problems moving the chains then look for Johnson to give it a run. But I think Drew will be a clear starter, yet give SJ his cred cause I believe he is just good enough to do some damage to some defensive backfields in the SEC.
 
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Sep 27, 2015
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All indications are Barker IS your QB. Should UK find themselves up or down significantly I would expect to see him
 

cardkilla_rivals379685

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It will be interesting to see how he's used as the season progresses. If the kid is able to help us and give Barker a rest, I'm all for it. I don't know how Gran has used QBs in the past if he has 2 capable ones or with differing styles.

Might also depend on how much weight he's put on too. The SEC lines are full of future pros, not easy to go up against at 175lbs. If he could get up to 200 that can only improve his chances of getting snaps.

But yes, Barker is the leader of the offense this year. I don't see any QB supplanting him this year.
 

kyrivals

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JMO but what I've seen and heard Hoak is coming along very good. He will push Barker this year. He is better than Johnson
 

Onomatopoeia

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JMO but what I've seen and heard Hoak is coming along very good. He will push Barker this year. He is better than Johnson

This.

I don't see UK taking Barker out unless things are absolutely out of control or an injury.

First of all, he needs experience. He has what, 2 games under his belt? The coaches would like to see him do at least half a season of full games regardless of the score...probably more than that.

If an injury situation occurs, Hoak will play. he's just better than Johnson from all reports.

I think Johnson may get some Wildcat packages, or some trick plays but I can't see more than that.
 
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CB3UK

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Can we let Drew do his thing first before we start calling to see Johnson? Unless we are up big or Drew turns into a dumpster fire we'll see limited action from SJ this season. Perhaps Gran will have a situational package for him.
 
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zcats

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May 29, 2001
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I don't care who is second string but we need to give the second QB some live snaps for obvious reasons. I can't imagine that Johnson won't be second string and Hoak will red shirt. We don't have a QB named Jones to my knowledge.
 

vhcat70

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Against So Miss or does Gran hold him back until the Florida game so they won't get any new film on him?
This is pretty funny. You ought to want DB to be successful. If he is, SM will not be an issue & SJ can get some snaps in that game with DB carrying the fight to the Gators; i.e., we want FL to be concerned about DB & DB only. Go GBB!
 
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vhcat70

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I don't care who is second string but we need to give the second QB some live snaps for obvious reasons. I can't imagine that Johnson won't be second string and Hoak will red shirt. We don't have a QB named Jones to my knowledge.
Coaches shouldn't GIVE snaps to anyone. Let em earn them.
 
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jauk11

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JMO but what I've seen and heard Hoak is coming along very good. He will push Barker this year. He is better than Johnson

Encouraging to me, (maybe not to Johnson) and some others seem to agree, but I think the only way they burn Hoak's redshirt is if Barker is out a significant amount of time. I was impressed with Hoak in the Spring game. But then I think Johnson adds some things to the offense also.
 

shutzhund

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Reflect on last season. When it appeared obvious Barker, or some one, should have been given snaps only when it was too late was a change made.

If Barker struggles or flat out fails history has a mean habit of repeating itself.

Don't know how good Johnson or the others may be but their chances for meaningful minutes are just as good as their chances were of a level field in the Spring competition. Nada.
 
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dorkmeister

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The only reason Johnson will get snaps is if UK is up by 30 in the 4th quarter, which I expect in several games.

I think the staff wants Drew to put up Heisman numbers to get more talk and more press. If he can throw and run like we know he can then the press will be talking up UK and Drew all the time. He will get invites to ESPN and national radio and television. This will lead to even better recruiting, if that is possible, down the line.

Nothing against any backup but Drew is the man. He should have Heisman type numbers with our depth at receiver and should not be taken out unless we are up by 30 in the middle of the 4th. Let him pad his stats some.
 
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We all have short memories. Curtis Pulley excited the BBN and the coaches until his personal habits resulted in dismissal. Enter Mike Hartline and the BBN went into meltdown. Well, Mr. Hartline acquitted himself quite well and became a respected SEC quarterback.

Here we go again with the BBN fearing Drew Barker isn't up to the job and let's get Mr. Johnson ready to salvage a few wins this season. What's more fans want to rush Gunnar Hoak into playing so we might beat Austin Peay and New Mexico State.

While my comments are facetious to the majority of this board, there exists a strong faction who remain in denial. Let's kick off in a few weeks and let the coaches coach and the players play. We may be surprised at their results.
 
Jun 11, 2012
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The point of this thread was not to debate if Johnson would unseat Barker. I think Drew is the guy unless he is godawful. The point is will Johnson gets some reps to get his feet wet in our first game or will he see his first game action against Florida?
 
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The point of this thread was not to debate if Johnson would unseat Barker. I think Drew is the guy unless he is godawful. The point is will Johnson gets some reps to get his feet wet in our first game or will he see his first game action against Florida?
Who knows? I'm quite sure the coaches don't. Every game decision is based on what happens during the game. Football 101.
 

RV

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If Johnson is ready and the coaches think him capable, then of course he should get a series here and there.

The fact they chose to play Barker last year was nothing short of desperation as it has been stated many times by Granshaw that he is a much different player/QB than when they stepped foot on campus. The Dawson dumpster fire caused a lot of problems last year but all that should be in the rear view mirror.
 

Rhavic

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I'll disagree with you. Hoak is a way better passer. I really think he can play in the SEC. I seen him at some off season workouts.

Hoak may be a better passer, but he's not better than Johnson overall. Any of the coaches will tell you that, and the coaches have praised him heavily anyway. Johnson is a player. With his athleticism, he offers an interesting dynamic to our offense. Hoak is not better than Johnson though.
 

jauk11

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Reflect on last season. When it appeared obvious Barker, or some one, should have been given snaps only when it was too late was a change made.

If Barker struggles or flat out fails history has a mean habit of repeating itself.

Don't know how good Johnson or the others may be but their chances for meaningful minutes are just as good as their chances were of a level field in the Spring competition. Nada.

I thought we had changed our OC, and not just that but we now have a QB coach.
 
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Lol, everyone acting like the OP is calling for the 2nd stringer already. pretty sure he meant, will Johnson get a series or two just to try and throw something new at the defense, like a lot of us are assuming will happen throughout the year.


Imo, if were clicking, you give him a series or two just to make florida spend time practicing it.

Im sure they know about the possibility so might as well make them burn some practice snaps.
 

Bluetick2100

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Somebody better get some snaps. What are the odds that the starting QB doesn't get injured with our O-Line.
 

shutzhund

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I thought we had changed our OC, and not just that but we now have a QB coach.


That's encouraging but do you really believe that Barker had not been penciled in as the starting qb prior to Spring practice. Now I don't know which of our qbs are best but I feel that come hell or high water Drew was going to be the pick all along.

It will take a Towles like meltdown before another gets a shot in my opinion. Some head coaches ride the plane right into the ground rather than make a change.

Now my original and this reply was predicated on the question if another qb was likely to get meaningful snaps not on whether Barker might not be the best qb. My response was more directed towards what these coaches might do if he or any other qb stumbled.

I hope Drew succeeds because it might be sink or swim with the starter and no matter the new coaches. The head coach weighs heavily on any qb decision.

The two qb transfers might be a hint of how they felt the coach feels about change.

Now this is a response to a poster whose opinions I respect as a dyed in the wool UK fan with football knowledge. Give it the same value as any other nonexpert opinion. Zero.
 
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UKSanders_rivals37733

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I have never like Petrino, but one thing I always thought was impressive during his first stint at UL was the way he handled his QBs. IIRC, when Brohm was a freshman, he had 1-2 dedicated series in the first quarter of every game.

To me, this seems to be a great strategy, and I don't know why more coaches don't do it.

There are obvious differences with that team was he had an established, seasoned starting QB (LeFlors maybe?), as opposed to the current UK situation of needing Barker to get as many live snaps as possible. Regardless, it would be nice if Johnson can get a few snaps against USM & especially against NM St.

So, if Barker develops the way we hope he does, I could see this strategy next year with Hoak.
 

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
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I have never like Petrino, but one thing I always thought was impressive during his first stint at UL was the way he handled his QBs. IIRC, when Brohm was a freshman, he had 1-2 dedicated series in the first quarter of every game.

To me, this seems to be a great strategy, and I don't know why more coaches don't do it.
Because he would not have signed there if not for a promise that he would play as a true freshmen, and play every game. Most coaches dont have to give that kind of promise to sign a kid.

Ah, love this thread. Just not a football season without pining for the 2nd string QB!!!
 
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CATFANFOLIFE87

Heisman
Apr 8, 2008
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I tend to think that they will want to get Drew as many snaps as possible to get comfortable before going to the Swamp in week 2. I guess if we get up by 4 scores they might consider it but I would be a little surprised if it happened in the first game
 

vhcat70

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
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The point is will Johnson gets some reps to get his feet wet in our first game or will he see his first game action against Florida?
It's not an either/or situation. There are other options, including the most likely to me: DB takes all snaps.
 

UKSanders_rivals37733

All-American
Jan 1, 2003
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Because he would not have signed there if not for a promise that he would play as a true freshmen, and play every game. Most coaches dont have to give that kind of promise to sign a kid.

Ah, love this thread. Just not a football season without pining for the 2nd string QB!!!


I know a few posters have gotten off track, but neither the OP or myself were pining for any QB other than Barker. My point is simply that I don't understand why coaches don't try to prepare to replace their starting QBs.

I was thinking about it from a business model, and the best business models always have structures in place that make everyone replaceable. Again, that's why I stated the strategy would be good for the 2017 season. It seems silly to me to PLAN to go into 2018 with a completely green QB if you don't have to.
 

Black Diamond Cat

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Apr 9, 2016
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The point of this thread was not to debate if Johnson would unseat Barker. I think Drew is the guy unless he is godawful. The point is will Johnson gets some reps to get his feet wet in our first game or will he see his first game action against Florida?
Exactly, Johnson should be able to get some snaps against USM. You don't want him thrust into his 1st game action at the swamp, in case of an injury to Barker.
 
Oct 1, 2001
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Exactly, Johnson should be able to get some snaps against USM. You don't want him thrust into his 1st game action at the swamp, in case of an injury to Barker.
Stephen Johnson is a veteran quarterback albeit via junior college. He will handle himself appropriately if called upon. Mr. Hinshaw will take care of his preparation. However, a bit of playtime wouldn't hurt his confidence and.........ours.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
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That's encouraging but do you really believe that Barker had not been penciled in as the starting qb prior to Spring practice. Now I don't know which of our qbs are best but I feel that come hell or high water Drew was going to be the pick all along.

It will take a Towles like meltdown before another gets a shot in my opinion. Some head coaches ride the plane right into the ground rather than make a change.

Now my original and this reply was predicated on the question if another qb was likely to get meaningful snaps not on whether Barker might not be the best qb. My response was more directed towards what these coaches might do if he or any other qb stumbled.

I hope Drew succeeds because it might be sink or swim with the starter and no matter the new coaches. The head coach weighs heavily on any qb decision.

The two qb transfers might be a hint of how they felt the coach feels about change.

Now this is a response to a poster whose opinions I respect as a dyed in the wool UK fan with football knowledge. Give it the same value as any other nonexpert opinion. Zero.
The OC picks the qb with input from the headcoach. Stoops wanted to play Barker earlier in the year and Dawson did not want to. This is from both coaches comments. Stoops is not going to force the OC to play anybody but the best option at that time. I'm not sure what your implying about the transfers but Reese was not a sec qb and Towles was given 2 years to succeed. I'm not sure what Stoops could have done differently other than hire a better oc.
 

RealCat41

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This staff knows this game is an absolute must win and they will pull out all stops to win it. As long as there is some semblance of a passing game he will remain in the game. If for some reason they can't throw, they'll bring in Johnson.