Dropping some Truth Bombs

kyrivals

Sophomore
Jul 27, 2016
131
153
0
A few quick thoughts after seeing a couple practices, meeting players and discussing the team with former teammates this weekend.

  • Winning 6 games should not be the goal. More than enough talent to win 7-8 games.
  • Several true freshman will play. Drew Barker looks better. Stronger arm, better mechanics and just has more confidence.
  • Strength and conditioning has improved 100%. Maybe one of the keys to this season.
  • We have elite SEC talent in the defensive backfield.
  • Coaches are more on the same page. Lamar Thomas is awesome.
  • Team now has leaders.
  • WR's could be our strength. I could type a whole page on Ross.
  • Im freaking pumped.



 
Sep 27, 2015
15,079
25,149
98
Nice, and that's an understatement. I know you played, so thanks for the input

Is defensive line an overblown worry? I like what I hear and am coming to the point of expecting that bowl

Ross really looks like he will be trouble... Like it!
 
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kyrivals

Sophomore
Jul 27, 2016
131
153
0
Nice, and that's an understatement. I know you played, so thanks for the input

Is defensive line an overblown worry? I like what I hear and am coming to the point of expecting that bowl

Ross really looks like he will be trouble... Like it!
The DL is still the biggest weakness so I would say its not overblown. I like what I see out of the LB's. Big improvement over last year. Talent and depth in the secondary. We will score a lot of points. If offensive line can come together and stay healthy this team only has one weakness getting a pass rush. Special teams will be a lot better. That alone might win us a game or two.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
The DL is still the biggest weakness so I would say its not overblown. I like what I see out of the LB's. Big improvement over last year. Talent and depth in the secondary. We will score a lot of points. If offensive line can come together and stay healthy this team only has one weakness getting a pass rush. Special teams will be a lot better. That alone might win us a game or two.
With a motivated Elam and a veteran Meant i think the dline will be pretty formidable. The key will be Middleton Bell and Dubose
 

bratboy

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2014
1,552
2,319
0
What do you guys know about Walter Robinson? He's a fr receiver from Florida, listed 6'4" 190. Was at fan day and if eye test means anything at all this guy is an athlete.
 

Kingseve1

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2016
2,791
4,315
0
A few quick thoughts after seeing a couple practices, meeting players and discussing the team with former teammates this weekend.

  • Winning 6 games should not be the goal. More than enough talent to win 7-8 games.
  • Several true freshman will play. Drew Barker looks better. Stronger arm, better mechanics and just has more confidence.
  • Strength and conditioning has improved 100%. Maybe one of the keys to this season.
  • We have elite SEC talent in the defensive backfield.
  • Coaches are more on the same page. Lamar Thomas is awesome.
  • Team now has leaders.
  • WR's could be our strength. I could type a whole page on Ross.
  • Im freaking pumped.


Please describe Ross and your expectations for him?
 

dorkmeister

Junior
Oct 25, 2006
6,668
396
0
You guys are doing it again!!!!! Bringing me back to 8 wins and believing.

Most have been saying that 6 wins is the floor for this team and 8 is a very likely possibility. This means a really good bowl in warm weather and a packed stadium. This is going to be a FUN year!!!!!
 

shutzhund

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2005
29,202
2,619
0
A few quick thoughts after seeing a couple practices, meeting players and discussing the team with former teammates this weekend.

  • Winning 6 games should not be the goal. More than enough talent to win 7-8 games.
  • Several true freshman will play. Drew Barker looks better. Stronger arm, better mechanics and just has more confidence.
  • Strength and conditioning has improved 100%. Maybe one of the keys to this season.
  • We have elite SEC talent in the defensive backfield.
  • Coaches are more on the same page. Lamar Thomas is awesome.
  • Team now has leaders.
  • WR's could be our strength. I could type a whole page on Ross.
  • Im freaking pumped.




Those are widely imaginative hope bombs that would do a carnival barker proud.

However, I hope you are right so I'll buy a ticket.
 

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
31,836
11,258
0
great pipe bombs, thanks for dropping them. from what i watched on Saturday my feelings are the same on the talent & expectations of what this team should be. this team has a fantastic collection of athletes, fast ones, tall ones, big ones.

HOWEVER, my doubt at quarterback, given that Drew only started 2 games & looked awful in the last one, and at O line still hold me at expecting 6-6. Also the question mark at O line, particular tackle. Landon Young has gotta win one of those starting T spots, just gotta do it. no disrespect to Cole Mosier, great kid great story of a walkon earning time....but he cannot be our starting left tackle against the SEC.
 

bthaunert

Heisman
Apr 4, 2007
29,518
21,619
0
Damn you OP, you're getting my hopes up again. You have to crawl before you can walk. Let's get to a bowl game then we can talk about our first 8 win regular season in 31 years.
 

BigBoyBlueMMA

Senior
Jul 14, 2013
849
479
63
This is the best time of year to have a tall glass of Blue Kool-Aid! Have you some.
I FREAKIN' LOVE BLUE KOOL AID
 

UK Cats Rock

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2001
5,463
3,328
103
HOWEVER, my doubt at quarterback, given that Drew only started 2 games & looked awful in the last one

I thought your entire post was legit, but I wanted to give my input on this statement, and it's a pretty simple one..... I think Gran will put Barker in better positions... at least I hope so. His mental maturity (from what we are currently hearing) and a bit more experience + new coordinator.... let's hope that brings us a more improved Drew Barker.
 

maysvilleky

All-American
Aug 13, 2003
15,769
5,109
0
O line and D line will determine the whole season for UK. I will stick with 6 wins and take it for this year. Anything above that is pure gravy.
 
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kyrivals

Sophomore
Jul 27, 2016
131
153
0
Please describe Ross and your expectations for him?
Physically looks like he could play on the DL. Deceptive speed. Great hands. Hard worker with a chip on his shoulder. Still a bit raw and I'm interested in how they will utilize him. Should be great for goal line inside the 15-20 yard plays.
 

cardkilla_rivals379685

All-Conference
May 10, 2002
2,076
1,695
0
great pipe bombs, thanks for dropping them. from what i watched on Saturday my feelings are the same on the talent & expectations of what this team should be. this team has a fantastic collection of athletes, fast ones, tall ones, big ones.

HOWEVER, my doubt at quarterback, given that Drew only started 2 games & looked awful in the last one, and at O line still hold me at expecting 6-6. Also the question mark at O line, particular tackle. Landon Young has gotta win one of those starting T spots, just gotta do it. no disrespect to Cole Mosier, great kid great story of a walkon earning time....but he cannot be our starting left tackle against the SEC.
The weather in both of Drew's starts were terrible for QBs, especially a first time starting QB.

Talent was never really the issue with Drew, it was with his leadership and the mental part of the game, whether things would slow down for him. You just cannot go by what he did last year. New offense, more time as the bonafied leader of the offense, and from all accounts, he is taking this new position very, very seriously.

The oline does have question marks, but I tend to believe Gran will develop an offense that helps overcome any deficiencies on our oline. Slow developing plays will be the exception, not the rule. Looking for my slants, quick outs, rolling the pocket, etc. that will take advantage of our strengths and hide our weaknesses.

If Young and Leavitt give us good snaps the oline improves tremendously.

6 wins should be the minimum expectations for this year. We finally have talent and experienced talent all over the field. Dline will be a surprise this year and that will only allow our LBs to demonstrate their improved play.

We'll see how things go, but I believe this is a special year for the Cats. Stoops finally has everything in place and the addition of some new experience in the coaching staff should improve the cohesiveness of the staff and lead to better coaching on that sideline with a staff he now completely trusts and are all on the same page.
 

Deeeefense

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 22, 2001
44,045
50,929
113
Winning 6 games should not be the goal. More than enough talent to win 7-8 games.

Thanks for the report - this is a very key point IMO. If you goal is to be a 6 win team, guess what, you're going to play like a 6 win team. If your goal is to win the East - you have a good chance to overachieve.
I would much rather the team sets incremental goals - #1 get to 6 wins ASAP, #2 get the 8th win to ensure a premium bowl in a warm venue, not sitting in Nashville or Memphis in December in 30 degrees and sleet.
#3 Win the East.

I hope the coaches take this approach. It does not generate a lot of confidence to make a team think they are only capable of 6 wins regardless. History has shown we could have easily reached that goal the last 2 years with much less talent then we have this year so there is no reason to put that type of limitation on the goals.

I personally believe this team has a lot of potential to reach well beyond the bare minimum of bowl eligibility.
 

rock264

Freshman
Sep 30, 2015
123
67
0
I personally think that a misguided belief in "digital" conditioning has worked to UK's detriment in the past two years. UK last year was injury prone and obviously gassed. Did it cost them games? Can't say. As for this summer and fall - it appears UK has reverted to more conventional conditioning concepts. Time will tell if the encouraging media day imagery is predictive of better gameday results.
 
Sep 13, 2003
23,905
33,655
0
This season will hinge on QB play. Drew needs to play with the least amount of unforced errors for our offense to click.

My main question is: Can our defense stop a running QB?!!!!
 

JPFisher

Heisman
Jul 24, 2013
6,130
10,878
113
Rivals, I just saw your other post. Welcome to the board.

If what you say is true, though, it falls on line with what coaches are saying and is pretty positive. I'm excited to see where this team goes this season.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,889
60,242
113
With all these pieces in place the only question is, can Stoops coach?
All other excuses are gone.

Seems the observations of the OP included coaching. Also, what is not known is how the OP woukd react to seeing the open practices of our opponents. (Yes, I took your bait)
 

Deeeefense

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 22, 2001
44,045
50,929
113
I personally think that a misguided belief in "digital" conditioning has worked to UK's detriment in the past two years. UK last year was injury prone and obviously gassed. Did it cost them games? Can't say. As for this summer and fall - it appears UK has reverted to more conventional conditioning concepts. Time will tell if the encouraging media day imagery is predictive of better gameday results.

The High Performance Program (which we still have) is largely based on the use of the Catapult system which is used at Florida State and other colleges and several NFL teams:

Jimbo Fisher has a strange way of getting to the point.


The Florida State coach has embraced a sports science that he directly credits for last season’s national championship. It is both mysterious and effective. It’s also from Australia.


That gets Fisher going on our nation’s global athletic positioning.


“Here’s my philosophy in America,” the coach began. “We’re spoiled. We have the largest gene pool of athletes in the world. When one breaks down we say, ‘Go get another one.’


“The toy isn’t broke, don’t fix it. All these other countries and all these other sports, how do they beat us and don’t have the caliber of athlete?”


“They’re ahead in training.”


Otherwise, Fisher is gushing because as far as he is concerned Florida State is catching up in its own corner of the world. The coach has no problem directly attributing some of the Seminoles’ 2013 success to Catapult GPS. The physiological/biological player monitoring system from Down Under is blowing up in the NFL and college.


Fisher said the Noles suffered 88 percent less soft-tissue injuries last season using Catapult. That’s less pulls, less tears, more front-line players on the field.


Catapult is more than happy to ride the wave of hype. It is the hip player development tool of the moment.


WHAT IS CATAPULT?


Catapult is aphysiological/biological monitoring device that allows coaches and trainers to know who is overworked and economize practice by removing the guesswork with scientific performance management. It compares athletes, sessions, weeks and seasons and stops the guessing.


Those who use it, though, aren’t exactly sharing. Half of Catapult’s 14 NFL clients can’t be mentioned according to Gary McCoy, one of the company’s sports scientists. The company’s own website calls it “The Most Used Secret In Sport.”


Catapult counts five college football programs that have at least played in a BCS bowl since 2010 as clients. FSU, Oregon and LSU have played for national championships since that year. Baylor and Central Florida played in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.


“It is to strength and conditioning,” said fellow convert Tommy Moffitt, the LSU strength coach, “what the barbell was 40 or 50 years ago.”
 
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ukalumni00

Heisman
Jun 22, 2005
23,358
39,114
113
I want to believe but I have been down the preseason hype road too many times now. I have to see it on the field to believe it. Hoping this is the season it all starts to turn around.
 

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
OP could be notch8 from the UL Scout board. I found this post over there.


Posted: Today 10:50 AM

Re: Only UK lol
LegendZero wrote:

--- twiggy502 wrote:

things are a lot worse down the road than we could possibly imagine. To quote the POTUS, "Its going to be great!"

Apparently you haven't heard the" truth bombs"

Lamar Thomas is Awesome and 7 or 8 wins is a given.

The slappys getting trolled hard. They eat it up..lol
 

ZZBlueComet

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2009
46,206
2,148
0
Ask yourself this, how many games will be favored to win? If it's 6 games, I'll be shocked - 4 or 5 at the most. Of course, a loss to Southern Miss and it gets ugly, we should win that one.
 
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BearBryantsWatch

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2016
632
2,679
93
In the #BBN we know what players are playin for us and how good they are.

National media outlets and those within the SEC footprint have no idea what we have and I'd like to keep it that way. It's simply a lack of in game experience. The opponents are gonna run 60 plays, we are gonna make 60 tackles. It's just a matter of who's gonna step up and make the stops. The opponents won't be runnin through a screen door. Have faith. I believe.
 

BoulderCat_rivals187983

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
7,871
3,227
0
Glad to hear it! I to think we have a shot a 7-8 wins, but being a UK football fan I'm sticking with the expectation of 6. Who knows though maybe we'll finally have a year when everything comes together. We're certainly due.
 

RealCat41

Senior
Oct 1, 2009
1,250
461
0
Losing Regie Meant is tough. I agree that we have a very talented secondary, but if we can't stop the run teams won't have to throw.
 

kyrivals

Sophomore
Jul 27, 2016
131
153
0
Ok if we keep losing starters I might have to change my thoughts. I didn't see that coming. Hadn't heard any rumors.
 

ukfan03

Senior
Mar 31, 2007
50,926
987
0
I told myself after last season that I would keep my expectations low going into the season. Until I see it on the field I'm going to keep them low. Hopefully the op is right though. The recruiting has been pretty good since Stoops arrived. It's time to start showing up on the field.
 
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