Eddie Gran Appreciation Thread

[BlueRattie_rivals]

When Kentucky hired Eddie Gran, I had a whole host of expectations from UK's upcoming offense. At mid-season, I find that Gran has exceeded my expectations, given the situation he was handed. The facts on the ground:

• Gran has done an excellent job of identifying and employing UK's strengths. Currently, UK has the 16th best rushing attack in all of football. Credit Gran with realizing that the best thing for UK's offense (and defense) was to turn UK's offensive attack into a ground-and-pound operation, releasing the three-headed monster of Boom, Snell, and Kemp.
• Gran has mitigated the damage of loosing Barker after only two games. With Johnson at QB, Gran simplified the playbook, incorporated QB runs, and made the read-option the linchpin of the offense. Johnson's development has been slow, but Gran has wisely kept the weight of the offense off the inexperienced QB's shoulders. Later in the season, Gran may open the playbook when Johnson is ready, but the "right now" version of Johnson is doing just enough to win--which is fine by me.
• UK offense, especially the OL, has taken on the demeanor of it's coordinator. The offense is no longer the passive unit that was afraid to run it up the gut at Vandy with a bowl game on the line. It's an aggressive, physical front line, complemented even by the likes of Alabama. Against Vandy and South Carolina, 3rd and 4th and short were automatic runs, even if the defense knew it was coming. Such faith in the reliability of the ground game has been a boon to the overall confidence of the offense.

More than anything, Gran has brought stability and professionalism to the offense. There are some obvious limitations to our attack, at least until we see a fundamental change in Johnson's abilities, but the days of silly "three bombs and out" are over. The defense has really improved; bully for Stoops. However, Grand deserves a great deal of credit for turning the offense into a efficient unit capable of winning.

 

[tuck66]

If we could just find a passing game to go with it we'd be lethal! Kudos to Gran, goes through an untold amount of $H!T, but still getting it done somehow! Hint.....more TE, RB wheel routes.

 

[docholiday51]

I would think he is doing all he can to get a 2nd QB ready if/when we need one.Probably been going on for a couple of weeks,maybe Johnson's wrist heals up and he returns to form a bit

I hope we are as ready as we can get for Miss St,we have a chance in this one,may as well win it.

 

[allabouttheUK]

With all he has done for the offense and RB's, we haven't even seen him at his best yet. I can't wait to see what the results of his recruiting are, and an open offense, when the time comes.

 

[vhcat70]

Perhaps Gran is the reason for the demeanor change. Me, I lay that on Benny Snell Jr. His hard-nosed running with success changed everything imo. Gave everyone else a reason to work harder.

 

[StubbornPenny]

I've been quite impressed with Gran. Can you imagine Dawson trying to work with a backup QB? Gran calls a game with the 4th quarter in mind, and I love it. He calls plays that, even when they don't work, are meant to bait the defense and make them jump later. He showed his cajones with two 4th down tries on one drive against Vandy, that set the tone for our offense. He's balancing three good RBs very well, and Snell is looking like an emerging star. I'll be very interested to see if we add any new wrinkles over the bye week. We may end up a dink and dunk offense, but we've got to find ways to involve our WR talent more if we can't go deep.

Overall I'd give Gran (shoutout to Hinshaw) an A-. If this staff sticks around, I guarantee you he finds a quarterback for us.

 

[CB3UK]

It seems like Johnson's wrist injury has been downplayed. He is better than he showed against Vandy. We can go bowling with him back there, depending on the severity of the injury.

 

[Soupbean]

I know the one thing Stoops liked about Gran was that he thought he could change the physical nature of the offense and it has. Not just the backs but the Oline play has become more physical at attack in the run game. Guys like Snell certainly help, but I know that was a real emphasis coming into Spring and it's made a difference so far.

 

[Anon1660081258]

I am very happy with Coach Gran and Coach Hinshaw. The OP says it all.

 

[Callinstraight]

What I like about Gran is he has adapted his play calling to the strengths and weaknesses of his O line. This O line (and last year's too) is a run blocking line. They don't have the foot speed and/or experience to run a pass oriented offense. Gran was smart enough and experienced enough to realize that you tailor your O to the O line. Dawson was too green to figure that out. He saw Towles big arm and talented receivers and thought the O should be based upon throwing the ball down field a lot. Don't get me wrong: you need to occasionally throw the ball deep to keep the DBs honest even in a run oriented O. But if your QB is getting smacked around 2 out of 3 deep pass attempts, it's just not going to work. I think we'd have been bowl eligible last year if Dawson had called a run oriented O. I really do. I like what Snell has added, but with Boom, Kemp and King running the ball, I think we'd have won that 6th game. Johnnies and Joes are important, but so are the Xs and Os.

 

[StubbornPenny]

What I like about Gran is he has adapted his play calling to the strengths and weaknesses of his O line. This O line (and last year's too) is a run blocking line. They don't have the foot speed and/or experience to run a pass oriented offense. Gran was smart enough and experienced enough to realize that you tailor your O to the O line. Dawson was too green to figure that out. He saw Towles big arm and talented receivers and thought the O should be based upon throwing the ball down field a lot. Don't get me wrong: you need to occasionally throw the ball deep to keep the DBs honest even in a run oriented O. But if your QB is getting smacked around 2 out of 3 deep pass attempts, it's just not going to work. I think we'd have been bowl eligible last year if Dawson had called a run oriented O. I really do. I like what Snell has added, but with Boom, Kemp and King running the ball, I think we'd have won that 6th game. Johnnies and Joes are important, but so are the Xs and Os.

What, deep center/deep left/draw wasn't cutting it? Lol yeah, if we committed to the run like we do this year, we'd have beaten Vandy and gotten our 6th win. Sad, really.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Good post op. When they have a passing attack too, we'll be tough to stop.

Throw in stoops massive improvement with the D, and we're onto something imo

 

[sambowieshin_rivals]

It's scary to think what Gran could do if we had a legit SEC caliber QB to go with our backs.

 

[ulismyman]

There are very few teams in SEC with a great QB...not a QB league..never has been...i love Coach Gran...calming presence

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

OP, totally agree, especially the part about "professionalism". When I hear Gran talk, I'm very confident the offense is in good hands. I really like his management of the offense and trying to accentuate our strengths right now.

If he can get Johnson passing a little better, this offense will be one of the best in the SEC.

 

[The-Hack]

Great post, OP, and good responses. I know that the standard line on Johnson has become "game manager type player," but if you look at the totality of his work since NM ST, the numbers compare favorably even to Ky QB's with bigger profiles. Lots of credit to Gran who has him playing within himself.

I have a feeling we will soon see Johnson emerge from he tepid Vandy performance, should down filed passing become necessary. And should it not . . . .

 

[buckkiller]

Damg if we had a passing game we are on the verge of being a complete team.

 

[tuck66]

I've been quite impressed with Gran. Can you imagine Dawson trying to work with a backup QB? Gran calls a game with the 4th quarter in mind, and I love it. He calls plays that, even when they don't work, are meant to bait the defense and make them jump later. He showed his cajones with two 4th down tries on one drive against Vandy, that set the tone for our offense. He's balancing three good RBs very well, and Snell is looking like an emerging star. I'll be very interested to see if we add any new wrinkles over the bye week. We may end up a dink and dunk offense, but we've got to find ways to involve our WR talent more if we can't go deep.

Overall I'd give Gran (shoutout to Hinshaw) an A-. If this staff sticks around, I guarantee you he finds a quarterback for us.

Exactly!!! Bill Parcells dink and dunk! All we need is 3.3 yds per play! Control the clock and time of possession..... Boring football, but W's are all that count!

 

[KY1WING]

Exactly!!! Bill Parcells dink and dunk! All we need is 3.3 yds per play! Control the clock and time of possession..... Boring football, but W's are all that count!

In today's game a long possession is around 15 plays X 3.3 yards a play only gets you in the end zone if you start in their territory.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Perhaps Gran is the reason for the demeanor change. Me, I lay that on Benny Snell Jr. His hard-nosed running with success changed everything imo. Gave everyone else a reason to work harder.

Eddie Gran has coached some of the top running backs in the sec over the last 20 years. I would think as a top rb coach hes coaching our RB's to play at a higher level. Personally i see improvement with Boom and his overall play as a running back. Snell is looking like a warhorse right now and a back to build a program around.
The line is looking 10x better and Gran started working with them several weeks back. Is that just a coincidence? Funny how he comes in and all of a sudden things start picking up. If it is just a coincidence (doubt it) or just good coaching (more than likely) it is something we are needing and we are starting to see the results.

 

[buckkiller]

I hope Boom sticks around next year. Him and Snell 2 off seasons with Gran will be pretty special. Our Line will be really good next year.

 

[GonzoCat90]

A true professional, and you see it in the on-field demeanor of the players. Some of the behavior, like we saw from Baker in the past, has been cut out. There seems to be an identity and cohesion.

 

[EnPassant]

UK is 55th in rushing, not 16th.

 

[buckkiller]

If he can find him a QB that can pass! We will be in there!!

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

When Kentucky hired Eddie Gran, I had a whole host of expectations from UK's upcoming offense. At mid-season, I find that Gran has exceeded my expectations, given the situation he was handed. The facts on the ground:

• Gran has done an excellent job of identifying and employing UK's strengths. Currently, UK has the 16th best rushing attack in all of football. Credit Gran with realizing that the best thing for UK's offense (and defense) was to turn UK's offensive attack into a ground-and-pound operation, releasing the three-headed monster of Boom, Snell, and Kemp.
• Gran has mitigated the damage of loosing Barker after only two games. With Johnson at QB, Gran simplified the playbook, incorporated QB runs, and made the read-option the linchpin of the offense. Johnson's development has been slow, but Gran has wisely kept the weight of the offense off the inexperienced QB's shoulders. Later in the season, Gran may open the playbook when Johnson is ready, but the "right now" version of Johnson is doing just enough to win--which is fine by me.
• UK offense, especially the OL, has taken on the demeanor of it's coordinator. The offense is no longer the passive unit that was afraid to run it up the gut at Vandy with a bowl game on the line. It's an aggressive, physical front line, complemented even by the likes of Alabama. Against Vandy and South Carolina, 3rd and 4th and short were automatic runs, even if the defense knew it was coming. Such faith in the reliability of the ground game has been a boon to the overall confidence of the offense.

More than anything, Gran has brought stability and professionalism to the offense. There are some obvious limitations to our attack, at least until we see a fundamental change in Johnson's abilities, but the days of silly "three bombs and out" are over. The defense has really improved; bully for Stoops. However, Grand deserves a great deal of credit for turning the offense into a efficient unit capable of winning.

Excellent observations, agree that Coach Gran, who is a very experienced coach, has done a Great job !

 

[BlueRattie_rivals]

UK is 55th in rushing, not 16th.

16th in S&P+ rushing. S&P+ puts more weight on relative production during competitive situations and less weight on rushing during garbage time. It's a truer indicator of effectiveness because it measures the probability of success in actual game situations.

I strongly advise you look into advanced statistical metrics. They're much better tools for evaluating teams than the old "YPG" statistics.

 

[WildCard]

...It's a truer indicator of effectiveness because it measures the probability of success in actual game situations.

I strongly advise you look into advanced statistical metrics. They're much better tools for evaluating teams than the old "YPG" statistics.

I hope they are not too good because they project another 1-5 finish. [winking]

Peace

 

[Poetax]

Damg if we had a passing game we are on the verge of being a complete team.

And who would have ever thought that.