Football fundamentals--Any improvement???

[WeepNoMore]

Just finished reading some of the posts on our Spring game and don't recall seeing a single comment regarding football fundamentals. Our Cats have been weak in terms of fundamentals since the end of the Brooks era.

Did not see the Spring game. So my question for those of you who did see the game: Have we improved at all in football fundamentals???? My biggest disappointment of the Stoops era is that there has been little improvement in this key aspect.

 

[WildCard]

You can look HERE and judge for yourself.

Peace

 

[Dan71268_rivals210055]

Still some drops that HAVE to be cleaned up if we want to succeed. Hard to judge too much from a Spring Game but the dropped passes jumped out to me.

 

[Pike 96]

Just finished reading some of the posts on our Spring game and don't recall seeing a single comment regarding football fundamentals. Our Cats have been weak in terms of fundamentals since the end of the Brooks era.



Did not see the Spring game. So my question for those of you who did see the game: Have we improved at all in football fundamentals???? My biggest disappointment of the Stoops era is that there has been little improvement in this key aspect.

these coaches know how to teach fundamentals. drops just becomes kind of contagious after a while. the real issue is Talent along the d-line and offensive tackle. we'll see if maturity and some of the young guys can Shore up those issues

 

[akaukswoosh]

UK was 89th nationally in total offense last year. If Gran and co. cant improve that stat, nobody will.

 

[WeepNoMore]

You can look HERE and judge for yourself.

Peace

Thanks!!!

 

[WildCard]

Thanks!!!

You're welcome. Tell us what you think. [winking]

Peace

 

[Beatle Bum]

Unfortunately, we again have a new OC. So, spring practice represents 15 practices into a new offense. With that as the filter, things looked promising. Especially when you consider the fact that we were without two primary receivers and our star RB.

 

[richbrookstomato]

I thought the tackling was much improved over last season. Blocking also looked better.

I agree that we must cut down on mistakes. AT UK, doing all of the little things is a must for our team to succeed in the SEC.

We actually need to play near mistake free football.

 

[JPFisher]

I don't know why so many folks harp on the drops in this game. Most of them were by a freshman Holtzclaw with a brace/cast or by freshmen walk-ons. One was by a true soph running back. I'm not worried about drops. The first drop was by Johnson and he was covered up and it was damn near the first play of the game. Nerves, covered up, cool, move on. Looks like most of our guys (sans two of our better receivers who weren't playing, mind you) have improved.

Our interior line is fantastic and their blocking was excellent. Running backs are making smart runs. Our linebackers are playing instinctively and not making as many mistakes. Our problems against the run were less evident than usual. We set the edge much better than we have and the big runs can be attributed to 1) solid plays by the offense or 2) refs missing tackles (Josh Allen or other LB's could've flattened Johnson several times).

I didn't see many blitzes. I didn't see many variations. Very vanilla game, but I'm cautiously optimistic about next season. Crazy, I know. Barring any unforeseen meltdowns, I think we have the potential to bowl.

Also of note, our depth is finally getting to a respectable level.

 

[Rhavic]

I seen a lot of fundamental improvements. 1st string offensive line showed very good technique, and the interior offensive line showed good technique going into the 3 deep at both guards, and the center position. Running backs didn't waste movement, took care of the ball, and I think the player that benefited the most from learning how to be a fundamentally sound, and patient RB, was Sihiem King. I think we'll have a very, very good running game under Gran.
In one play in the whole spring practice, Barker displayed bad footwork (the footwork he showed last year). It resulted in a way, way overthrown pass. He immediately started showing the footwork that he's been working on under Hinshaw, and he threw some beautiful passes as a result. Huge bonus for us that Hinshaw is such a stickler for footwork. It's paying dividends for Drew's accuracy.
Also agree that our tackling got better. One instance was Jordan Jones's tackle in the backfield, he displayed perfect form tackling. Seen a few plays like that, and that will lead to a lot more plays in the backfield this season (We had a lot of missed tackles in the backfield this past season. Our team probably should have sacked Florida's QB 5-6 times in that game).
Finally, loved the technique our DB's. Our CB's being as big and lengthy as they are, playing bump and run coverage (which in turn will help our pass rush because it takes more time for the opposing receivers to get into their routes), showing good footwork, and keeping good position on our receivers (which we know are SEC caliber players) and using their length to disrupt and break up passes.
I liked the things I seen technique-wise from a lot of our players on both sides.

 

[BARBQGRILLER]

Wait until they are in a real game situation before we judge ! Southern Miss. will be a Good test to see where Stoops has the program in his 4th season .