I expect to see a resemblance of 2006 & 2007 team in the offense

[UKani]

I was just looking at some old games and starting to think that we'll see a team this season that would resemble the 2006 or 2007 team in some ways..... I don't know if we win 8 games, I'm not predicting any wins or losses. At OLine besides the LT position UK was better blocking up the middle in those years and I think that will hold true this year as well. One thing about the 2006 and 2007 years is that Joker Philips actually called plays in a way to help these guys out. Joker called a million screens, but most of the time, especially against Tennessee in 2007 they worked almost every time, and it really helped the OLine put DLines on its heals and lessen there aggression. I fully expect to see that same thing from Eddie Gran's play calling this year, he may not call screens, but he'll call plays in a way that will help our offensive tackles. I think too many times under both Neal Brown and Shannon Dawson we alienated those guys and didn't give much help. Joker also stayed vertical and liked going north & south, this is also something Eddie Gran will do as well, unlike Neal Brown even the later years of Randy Sanders UK went east and west a little more.

Of course to make all this come together is going to be the QB position. Watching Woodson in that 2006 season I noticed that he wasn't asked to make a lot of hard throws. All of them were easy throws and a lot of check downs to the RB because the WRs and TE was a real vertical threat in the passing game.... We saw this same thing in the spring game with Drew Barker checking down to the RB a lot. One thing about Woodson in the 2007 season it seemed like he immediately knew where to go with the ball after looking at the defense. That is something that only Michael Hartline developed and we've not seen in another QB since, hopefully Drew Barker can develop that savyness towards the end of the season.

As far as skill offensive personnel... I say Boom Williams > Ralf Little : However I'd say Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, Dickie Lyons and Jacob Tamme are > Juice Johnson, Dorian Baker, Jeff Badet, and CJ Conrad. I do think CJ Conrad is destined to have a Jacob Tamme type of impact and career at UK. As far as the WR position, this season will tell a lot. Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson and Dickie Lyons really did some advanced stuff to get open, especially in the 2007 season, stuff that I've not our WRs do since Stoops has been head coach. Maybe Coach Lamar Thomas will help in that department because I do think UK has 2 NFL capable WRs in that starting lineup just like that 2006 and 2007 WR Corps had. However I'd say that UK's current skill positions are deeper than those in the past were.

Surprisingly UK's offense in 2015 were just within a few YDS/G of the 2006 offense in Total yards. 2006 team average 375 YDS/G and 26.7 PTS/G, while the 2015 team averaged 372 YDS/G and 24.7 PTS/G. However that 2007 saw a major uptick in offense with 443 YDS/G and 36.5 PTS/G, hopefully this 2016 team can see at least a modest uptick in offense....

 

[jauk11]

I was just looking at some old games and starting to think that we'll see a team this season that would resemble the 2006 or 2007 team in some ways..... I don't know if we win 8 games, I'm not predicting any wins or losses. At OLine besides the LT position UK was better blocking up the middle in those years and I think that will hold true this year as well. One thing about the 2006 and 2007 years is that Joker Philips actually called plays in a way to help these guys out. Joker called a million screens, but most of the time, especially against Tennessee in 2007 they worked almost every time, and it really helped the OLine put DLines on its heals and lessen there aggression. I fully expect to see that same thing from Eddie Gran's play calling this year, he may not call screens, but he'll call plays in a way that will help our offensive tackles. I think too many times under both Neal Brown and Shannon Dawson we alienated those guys and didn't give much help. Joker also stayed vertical and liked going north & south, this is also something Eddie Gran will do as well, unlike Neal Brown even the later years of Randy Sanders UK went east and west a little more.

Of course to make all this come together is going to be the QB position. Watching Woodson in that 2006 season I noticed that he wasn't asked to make a lot of hard throws. All of them were easy throws and a lot of check downs to the RB because the WRs and TE was a real vertical threat in the passing game.... We saw this same thing in the spring game with Drew Barker checking down to the RB a lot. One thing about Woodson in the 2007 season it seemed like he immediately knew where to go with the ball after looking at the defense. That is something that only Michael Hartline developed and we've not seen in another QB since, hopefully Drew Barker can develop that savyness towards the end of the season.

As far as skill offensive personnel... I say Boom Williams > Ralf Little : However I'd say Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, Dickie Lyons and Jacob Tamme are > Juice Johnson, Dorian Baker, Jeff Badet, and CJ Conrad. I do think CJ Conrad is destined to have a Jacob Tamme type of impact and career at UK. As far as the WR position, this season will tell a lot. Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson and Dickie Lyons really did some advanced stuff to get open, especially in the 2007 season, stuff that I've not our WRs do since Stoops has been head coach. Maybe Coach Lamar Thomas will help in that department because I do think UK has 2 NFL capable WRs in that starting lineup just like that 2006 and 2007 WR Corps had. However I'd say that UK's current skill positions are deeper than those in the past were.

Surprisingly UK's offense in 2015 were just within a few YDS/G of the 2006 offense in Total yards. 2006 team average 375 YDS/G and 26.7 PTS/G, while the 2015 team averaged 372 YDS/G and 24.7 PTS/G. However that 2007 saw a major uptick in offense with 443 YDS/G and 36.5 PTS/G, hopefully this 2016 team can see at least a modest uptick in offense....

Great post, but don't be such a stranger.

I think this team has the potential to improve on offense as much as that team did from one year to the next. Just hope it happens, and of course Barker improving would have to be a big part of that, but I stay convinced that a lot better help is going to make him look a whole lot better this year, and I think the coaching changes are also going to help a great deal. Another addition by subtraction might be Stoops putting almost all of his attention on the defensive side of the ball and trusting our new guys to take care of the offense.

 

[BigBlueTuckian]

I tend to agree but I think the combination of Barker inexperience and new OC/QB/WR coaches is too much to overcome this year. In 2006 and 2007 Woodson had plenty of experience after starting 11 games in 2005. Also Joker was in 2nd season as OC and he was hired from within so there was staff continuity. Barker is on 3rd OC in 3 years.

We may start looking like the Wildcats of 06 and 07 by the 8th or 9th games. It's very possible. Question is how much will the growing pains hinder us at the beginning of the year. Now 2017 no doubt we will resemble the Wildcats from 07.

 

[JasonRDunn]

I tend to agree but I think the combination of Barker inexperience and new OC/QB/WR coaches is too much to overcome this year. In 2006 and 2007 Woodson had plenty of experience after starting 11 games in 2005. Also Joker was in 2nd season as OC and he was hired from within so there was staff continuity. Barker is on 3rd OC in 3 years.

We may start looking like the Wildcats of 06 and 07 by the 8th or 9th games. It's very possible. Question is how much will the growing pains hinder us at the beginning of the year. Now 2017 no doubt we will resemble the Wildcats from 07.

I tend to agree with this. I think it will take some time and growing pains for Barker to start to learn how to play effectively in the SEC. Next year, I am hoping we can have a 2006/2007 type season.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Woodson had 2 amazing years at UK in his Jr/Sr years. To throw for 31 TD/7 Int and 40 TD/11 int is outstanding production w/o alot of big mistakes. I am not sold Drew Barker can be that good ever...but given he'll be a RS So...I don't expect anything close to those numbers Woodson put up this year.

2. Gary Williams and Justin Jeffries were very solid tackles for UK. I see a major drop off if it's Cole Mosier/Kyle Meadowns on the edges vs. what those 2006/2007 offenses had at the tackles. Mabye it's talent and maybe its Heggins vs. Schlarman as coaches. But the pass protection has been very bad the last few years and with Leavitt having a bad spring...I'm not sure we can reasonably expect it be very different this year.

Other than those 2 areas...I think UK's current talent/production is very bright to lean upon for a solid offensive season.

 

[TBCat]

I can't imagine we will be anywhere near 2007. The talent is there but the continuity isn't. 2007 had a strong 2nd half of 2006 as a lead in. Starting in 2007 we knew who the QB was and who the top 3 receivers were. Tamme was fully integrated into the offense. The RB rotation was set and experienced and we had the same OC calling plays. This team is at best capable of being what 2006 was but not 2007. We still don't know who our prime receiver is. Boom has never come close to a 1000 yard season. Raphael already had two 1000 yard seasons heading into 2007. Conrad was badly under used last season and is still trying to establish a role in the offense. The O line is still a work in progress to say the least. And we have a brand new OC trying to install the 3rd offense in 3 years.

 

[Mr Schwump]

I was just looking at some old games and starting to think that we'll see a team this season that would resemble the 2006 or 2007 team in some ways..... I don't know if we win 8 games, I'm not predicting any wins or losses. At OLine besides the LT position UK was better blocking up the middle in those years and I think that will hold true this year as well. One thing about the 2006 and 2007 years is that Joker Philips actually called plays in a way to help these guys out. Joker called a million screens, but most of the time, especially against Tennessee in 2007 they worked almost every time, and it really helped the OLine put DLines on its heals and lessen there aggression. I fully expect to see that same thing from Eddie Gran's play calling this year, he may not call screens, but he'll call plays in a way that will help our offensive tackles. I think too many times under both Neal Brown and Shannon Dawson we alienated those guys and didn't give much help. Joker also stayed vertical and liked going north & south, this is also something Eddie Gran will do as well, unlike Neal Brown even the later years of Randy Sanders UK went east and west a little more.

Of course to make all this come together is going to be the QB position. Watching Woodson in that 2006 season I noticed that he wasn't asked to make a lot of hard throws. All of them were easy throws and a lot of check downs to the RB because the WRs and TE was a real vertical threat in the passing game.... We saw this same thing in the spring game with Drew Barker checking down to the RB a lot. One thing about Woodson in the 2007 season it seemed like he immediately knew where to go with the ball after looking at the defense. That is something that only Michael Hartline developed and we've not seen in another QB since, hopefully Drew Barker can develop that savyness towards the end of the season.

As far as skill offensive personnel... I say Boom Williams > Ralf Little : However I'd say Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, Dickie Lyons and Jacob Tamme are > Juice Johnson, Dorian Baker, Jeff Badet, and CJ Conrad. I do think CJ Conrad is destined to have a Jacob Tamme type of impact and career at UK. As far as the WR position, this season will tell a lot. Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson and Dickie Lyons really did some advanced stuff to get open, especially in the 2007 season, stuff that I've not our WRs do since Stoops has been head coach. Maybe Coach Lamar Thomas will help in that department because I do think UK has 2 NFL capable WRs in that starting lineup just like that 2006 and 2007 WR Corps had. However I'd say that UK's current skill positions are deeper than those in the past were.

Surprisingly UK's offense in 2015 were just within a few YDS/G of the 2006 offense in Total yards. 2006 team average 375 YDS/G and 26.7 PTS/G, while the 2015 team averaged 372 YDS/G and 24.7 PTS/G. However that 2007 saw a major uptick in offense with 443 YDS/G and 36.5 PTS/G, hopefully this 2016 team can see at least a modest uptick in offense....

Raffy had 4000+ total yards for his career, if Williams has anything close to that it'll be a joyous day in Lexington.

 

[WildCard]

I tend to agree but I think the combination of Barker inexperience and new OC/QB/WR coaches is too much to overcome this year. In 2006 and 2007 Woodson had plenty of experience after starting 11 games in 2005. Also Joker was in 2nd season as OC and he was hired from within so there was staff continuity. Barker is on 3rd OC in 3 years.

We may start looking like the Wildcats of 06 and 07 by the 8th or 9th games. It's very possible. Question is how much will the growing pains hinder us at the beginning of the year. Now 2017 no doubt we will resemble the Wildcats from 07.

I tend to agree with this as well. The POTENTIAL is clearly there to be better on offense but it must materialize on the field. And I think this will largely come down to whether or not Barker is the QB he is supposed to be. There is just no position on the field that can "single handedly" lift a team up more than QB. We have not really seen enough of Barker to make a fair evaluation but his performance to date has been pedestrian at best. That said, I will repeat my biggest criticism of Stoops' staff to date...they have done a really poor job with the QB position. But I think that is now over. However, every year we see many HS hot shots simply not become the QB they were at the HS level.

Regarding the "comparison" between the 2006/2007 and 2015 total offense numbers I think you must consider how much offensive football has changed in that relatively short period. Against FBS opponents, the Cats averaged 371 YPG in 2006 and 2015. In 2006 371 YPG was good for #35 but in 2015 it was good for #82. The 433 YPG mark in 2007 was good for #29 but would have come in at #41 in 2015. Spread offense football is sending DCs into mental hospitals! [laughing]

Peace

 

[I need this]

Raffy had 4000+ total yards for his career, if Williams has anything close to that it'll be a joyous day in Lexington.

This. Boom is nowhere near what Little was producing. Little is absurdly underrated at this point.

 

[VikingsCat]

I don't disagree, but what worries me is how San Diego St with a top defense manhandled Cincinatti in the bowl game. We will face a lot of San Diego State caliber defenses this year. How well Gran/ Hinshaw adapts to SEC defenses will IMO determine how well we do this season.

 

[3kidsandme]

I don't disagree, but what worries me is how San Diego St with a top defense manhandled Cincinatti in the bowl game. We will face a lot of San Diego State caliber defenses this year. How well Gran/ Hinshaw adapts to SEC defenses will IMO determine how well we do this season.

Cincy started a true frosh at qb in the bowl game.

 

[Pike 96]

Cincy started a true frosh at qb in the bowl game.

I believe that true frosh was also starting his first game and seeing his first non mop up action if im not mistaken.

And on the post above about Raphael Little..he was absolutely underrated when we talk a our best backs. He was a stud and would have been playing in the pros if not for the injuries. I watched some highlights from the UK Fl. St. game from 07 and he was killing them. He just looked to glid through and around the defense. I still remember him juking Eric Berry(who is a stud) in the UT game that year and leaving him picking up his jock. He was great to watch!

 

[TBCat]

This. Boom is nowhere near what Little was producing. Little is absurdly underrated at this point.

Little might well be the most underrated player in UK history. He's certainly in the conversation anyway.

 

[UKani]

Guys... In no sentence above did I say this season UK's offense will be like UK's 2006 or 2007 offense. I did actually note that according to stats, last years offense as bad as it was, was pretty similar to UK's 2006 offense. My statement in the OP is saying the offensive operation will be similar meaning pro-style, playcalling that helps the OLine, WRs and TEs who are vertical threats which causes space to check down to the RB, QB having easy throws, wanting to stay vertical and physical, ect..... Don't take the comparison any further than that....

Talent wise at LT, Gary Williams was a better tackle than the ones we have this season, but not Justin Jeffries. Justin Jeffries was solid because of how plays were called. Go back and watch film and you see him getting beat a lot one-on-one, then Joker would call a screen or draw or play action and then the next few plays Jeffries looks good again. That's because of Joker's play calling....

Talent wise of Ralf Little vs Boom Williams.... The problem with the disparity in stats is a combination of the OC and RB coach and OLine blocking, its definitely not talent. Boom Williams actually has the opportunity to go to the NFL after this year and be a mid round draft pick... At least that's the info that the coaching staff is receiving. Ralf Little never had that opportunity.

Lastly about the WR's.... The 2006 and 2007 teams knew who the starting WRs were going to be because they didn't have a lot of depth at that position. This year's UK WR corps has a ton more depth... and the upside is greater.

 

[Mr Schwump]

Guys... In no sentence above did I say this season UK's offense will be like UK's 2006 or 2007 offense. I did actually note that according to stats, last years offense as bad as it was, was pretty similar to UK's 2006 offense. My statement in the OP is saying the offensive operation will be similar meaning pro-style, playcalling that helps the OLine, WRs and TEs who are vertical threats which causes space to check down to the RB, QB having easy throws, wanting to stay vertical and physical, ect..... Don't take the comparison any further than that.... meaning how plays are called, helping out the OLine and such....

Talent wise at LT, Gary Williams was a better tackle than the ones we have this season, but not Justin Jeffries. Justin Jeffries was solid because of how plays were called. Go back and watch film and you see him getting beat a lot one-on-one, then Joker would call a screen or draw or play action and then the next few plays Jeffries looks good again. That's because of Joker's play calling....

Talent wise of Ralf Little vs Boom Williams.... The problem with the disparity in stats is a combination of the OC and RB coach and OLine blocking. Boom Williams actually has the opportunity to go to the NFL after this year and be a mid round draft pick... At least that's the info that the coaching staff is receiving. Ralf Little never had that opportunity.

Lastly about the WR's.... The 2006 and 2007 teams knew who the starting WRs were going to be because they didn't have a lot of depth at that position. This year's UK WR corps has a ton more depth... and the upside is greater.

I don't know what kind of chance Little had as a pro, I just know 4000 yds is one helluva lot of yds. Williams can't stay on the field long enough to remotely approach that.

 

[UKani]

Williams also had some injuries... but also Chad Scotts RB rotation had been bizarre. Jojo Kemp told someone that he's just glad to have a position coach with some experience...lol... Also, how many times under Neal Brown or Shannon Dawson did the QB ever check down to the RB? Last year vs Charlotte is the first time we saw it all season, Ralf Little and made a living off that from Woodson.

 

[Mr Schwump]

Williams also had some injuries... but also Chad Scotts RB rotation had been bizarre. Jojo Kemp told someone that he's just glad to have a position coach with some experience...lol...

True, re Williams and injuries. That's why I said he can't stay on the field. I'm hoping he improves his dedication and conditioning...maybe it'll lead to more PT.

BTW, Little had injuries too.

 

[WildCard]

Cincy started a true frosh at qb in the bowl game.

I'm pretty sure that frosh QB played quite a bit last year and had a QBR just a couple of points less than Kiel. He threw fo over 1500 yards last year. IOW, damn good #2. that should inspire some confidence in Gran and Hinshaw.

Regarding Williams v. Little, Williams is more explosive (I.e., faster) but Little did everything else better as a RB. If I were choosing I'de take Little in a NY minute. JMO, but, when healthy (seem to recall he had injury problems as well) Little was the best RB at UK since Mo Williams.

Peace

 

[JasonS.]

2006 would be one hell of a year to emulate. We went from 96th in offensive efficiency (S&P) in 2005 (first season of Joker/Woodson) to 24th in 2006.

We were 104th nationally last season, so we certainly have the baseline part down ...

 

[UKani]

I don't disagree, but what worries me is how San Diego St with a top defense manhandled Cincinatti in the bowl game. We will face a lot of San Diego State caliber defenses this year. How well Gran/ Hinshaw adapts to SEC defenses will IMO determine how well we do this season.

That Gran/Hinshaw offense also torched Ohio State defense for a lot of yards too.... bad games happen to the best of them.

 

[UKani]

I'm pretty sure that frosh QB played quite a bit last year and had a QBR just a couple of points less than Kiel. He threw fo over 1500 yards last year. IOW, damn good #2. that should inspire some confidence in Gran and Hinshaw.

Regarding Williams v. Little, Williams is more explosive (I.e., faster) but Little did everything else better as a RB. If I were choosing I'de take Little in a NY minute. JMO, but, when healthy (seem to recall he had injury problems as well) Little was the best RB at UK since Mo Williams.

Peace

Yeah Ralf was great... Not taking anything away from him because he was one of my favorite and to be so short on the Blue Courts he dunked over soo many people. I remember him coming in as a freshmen dunking on people in basketball and everyone was trying to figure out who Ralf was then... He's great.

I'm just saying from a pure talent standpoint at the RB position, most people would consider Boom more talented than Ralf. I think Ralf was in the better system and better supporting cast to showcase those all around skills. Lets face it, in regards to Boom Williams, NFL personnel isn't going to tell a school that a 5'9" 195lbs RB could go after his junior year as a mid-round pick if they didn't think he could do all those other things that we've not seen him do in games.... Like I told someone else the first time since Stoops that we saw a QB check down and use the RB as a safety valve in a game was against Charlotte last yearl.... Woodson did that with Ralf all the time.

 

[3kidsandme]

I'm pretty sure that frosh QB played quite a bit last year and had a QBR just a couple of points less than Kiel. He threw fo over 1500 yards last year. IOW, damn good #2. that should inspire some confidence in Gran and Hinshaw.

Regarding Williams v. Little, Williams is more explosive (I.e., faster) but Little did everything else better as a RB. If I were choosing I'de take Little in a NY minute. JMO, but, when healthy (seem to recall he had injury problems as well) Little was the best RB at UK since Mo Williams.

Peace

He did play quite a bit but he was not near as productive as kiel. San Diego St had a good defense but I think cincy just laid an egg.

 

[3kidsandme]

This uk offense will average over 30 ppg. Barker will eclipse 3000 yards. This uk offense is loaded. Barker will be asked to make short quick throws lots of screens and pick routes. The tackles will look a whole lot better because the screen game will be huge. Badet is going to be a big cog in this offense. Badet is a legit 4.35 4.4 wr and Gran will screen teams that pressure alot to death. This is the most confident I have been offensively since 2007. That team was loaded but this offense will have more draft picks imo. The biggest thing about drew that gives me hope is not so much his arm talent but he is an absolute gamer. This team will grow as the year moves on setting up huge expectations for 2017.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I would love to see us using some more RB screens, some slip screens or something like that. Get those big linemen moving downfield and get the RB behind them. That worked wonders with Little and he carved up defenses with it. I'm not as big of a fan of the WR tunnel screens.

I also need to see a lot more of Juice in the middle. Get him behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties and that kid can work magic. Need Barker to protect him, but as long as he is hit in stride and not hung out to dry in the middle then he can and will kill opposing defenses. He will eat zones alive.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

I think this offense will look completely different from the last several years. I'm not sure this offense will be as good as 2006 or 2007 but it will be the best we've had since then. Little was a great RB but so is Boom. People should avoid comparisons until after this season. Boom should excel in this new offense.

 

[bigbluewildcat84]

.

As far as skill offensive personnel... I say Boom Williams > Ralf Little : However I'd say Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, Dickie Lyons and Jacob Tamme are > Juice Johnson, Dorian Baker, Jeff Badet, and CJ Conrad.

I don't know if the skill set will ever be the same for the players listed above but I did find it interesting at how similar they are in HT/WT.

Stevie Johnson- 6’3/205 Dorian Baker- 6’3/208

Keenan Burton- 6’2/175 Jeff Badet- 6'0/180

Jacob Tamme- 6’3/205 CJ Conrad- 6’5/245

Dicky Lyons- 5’11/180 Juice Johnson- 5’11/175

Rafael little- 5’9/194 Boom Williams 5’9/196

Andrew Woodson-6’4/230 Drew Barker- 6’3/225

I do believe that Kentucky has a deeper stable of WR with speed and Height that will most likely spread passing targets to a multitude of players and not just 3 or 4.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Boom is a better runner than Little. Little was a better receiver, much better.

 

[TBCat]

Boom is a better runner than Little. Little was a better receiver, much better.

Depends on what you mean by better. Boom is by far more explosive but I'd bet more on Little hitting 1,000 yards. Little was more consistent, more durable and didn't go backwards. Boom is a human highlight reel but seems to only be good for 10 to 12 touches per game. You could give Little 3x that and he wouldn't slow down. Boom will make the NFL while Little didn't but I would call Little more of a featured back.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Depends on what you mean by better. Boom is by far more explosive but I'd bet more on Little hitting 1,000 yards. Little was more consistent, more durable and didn't go backwards. Boom is a human highlight reel but seems to only be good for 10 to 12 touches per game. You could give Little 3x that and he wouldn't slow down. Boom will make the NFL while Little didn't but I would call Little more of a featured back.

Boom played in 10 games and had limited touches in two of those because of injury. Had he been able to play a full game against UT and UL, he likely hits 1,000 yards rushing in 10 games.