If Barker is our QB against UL...

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Barker will start obviously. PT could play some if Barker is inept so we will just have to wait and see. The staff knows what they have with Towles and have concluded it is not enough. They're not sure about Barker but if they didn't at least think he gives us the best chance against UL then this switch would not have been made. Has nothing to do with what any of us think. I like our chances.

 

[Jon(-24)]

Against Vandy didn't Barker go for 5-8 for 67 yards, 1 TD & 1 INT vs Towles 10-26 for 60 yards, 0 TD & 1 INT?

Well, in fairness to Towles, Lorenzen would like it very much if you ignored the Vandy game. And all the other games that weren't Miami(OH), FLA and Miss. St. last year. If you would just do that, you'd see Towles is the greatest. True fans should really only focus on those 3 games.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Ok. I went back and watched a good deal of the first quarters of both the Vandy & Charlotte games. I watched closely from the second the ball was snapped until the ball left the QB's hands. ( I was counting Mississippi's ..so you know this is very scientific.:smiley. Here are the general averages:

(PT vs. Vandy): Hand-offs: 1-2 seconds
Passes: 2-3 seconds

(DB vs. Charlotte): Hand-offs: 1-1.5 seconds
Passes: 1.5- 2 seconds

Take it for what it's worth.

 

[brianpoe]

At least some of us recognized Towles alarming inability to go through progressions as early as the Florida game. As the season continued, this problem worsened.



I dont think theres anything about the speed with which the handoffs come. But Drew is a noticeably better ballhandler, which means hes much better at selling certain plays. Plus, showing the defense they cant just crowd the line of scrimmage without the threat of someone making a quick decision and getting rid of the ball. Finally by keeping the chains moving, the wore the opposing defense down. Holes get bigger, tacklers get weaker, runs get longer.

Progressions the UF game? LOL, those ends were coming free every play no QB was making progressions that game.

Drew will be fine, but even as awesome as he is, he would have been drilled that game as well.

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

ON a positive note, QB competition USUALLY brings out the best in 2 competitors...

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Progressions the UF game? LOL, those ends were coming free every play no QB was making progressions that game.

Drew will be fine, but even as awesome as he is, he would have been drilled that game as well.

And he refused to step up in the pocket to buy more time. Instead he rolled out, ensuring the sack. Then when he had time to throw, he had no idea what to do with the ball.

He still had a few good games after that, but me and a few other posters recognized his inability to make pre snap reads, go through progressions, and alarming lack of pocket presence even in that game.

Of course we were all just labeled as Towles haters.

 

[fromthe25ydline]

The difference is this, the passing offense was "going through the motions" of route running and QB protection with PT in the game. DB's presence has ignited the competitive fires in many of the offensive playmakers. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe PT's leadership skills have been exhausted. Whatever the case, the offensive squad has responded.

 

[cat888]

we are not going to win, IMO. It's not his fault but he's just not ready. I hope he's our future answer but I think for us to pull out a W next week it's going to be Towles.

I don't think the quarterback is going to make that much difference I think we run the ball and the quarterback will mainly be expected to be a manager so the question is can the OLINE block good enough against Louisville to win. Towles can run better but Barker maybe better at handing the ball off.

 

[shutzhund]

IMO when alll is said and done they're both about the same. Just average qbs on a fair mid conference team. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[brianpoe]

And he refused to step up in the pocket to buy more time. Instead he rolled out, ensuring the sack. Then when he had time to throw, he had no idea what to do with the ball.

He still had a few good games after that, but me and a few other posters recognized his inability to make pre snap reads, go through progressions, and alarming lack of pocket presence even in that game.

Of course we were all just labeled as Towles haters.

Don't pat yourself on the back too hard now brother. Many of us recognized it last year.

The UF game was a joke of an effort by the online.

I think it is hilarious how people think we drops were because the wrs were not expecting a good pass.

But turnaround and mock others for saying PT rushed because of the constant pass rush, even the few times he had time.

I don't think many on here are upset that Drew is playing but the hypocritical stance by so many posters is a bit embarrassing to read. (Not you necessarily just ranting).

I hope drew does great however, imo, we have no idea until Saturday.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Don't pat yourself on the back too hard now brother. Many of us recognized it last year.

The UF game was a joke of an effort by the online.

I think it is hilarious how people think we drops were because the wrs were not expecting a good pass.

But turnaround and mock others for saying PT rushed because of the constant pass rush, even the few times he had time.

I don't think many on here are upset that Drew is playing but the hypocritical stance by so many posters is a bit embarrassing to read. (Not you necessarily just ranting).

I hope drew does great however, imo, we have no idea until Saturday.

Pat myself on the back? I clearly remember being crucified for the mere mentioning that Towles had any fault to bear at all. I wish Id been wrong and Towles was considering whether to declare early or not.

The drops werent because they werent expecting a good pass. Late, inaccurate passes contributed to the drops. Plus alot of the Towles super fans were calling way too many incompletions "drops". At least some were tough but catchable. Either way WRs still need to cut the drops.

The entire offense was dominated by UF, OL included. Looking back, it sorta makes sense. But at the time, UF was way underrated.

All QBs face a pass rush. Some moreso than others. If the OL has a tough game the QB cant carry that over to the next game. He just cant. Towles main struggle was pre-snap reads and progressions. He just had no clue what to do with the ball. Once that became more and more clear, defenses brought more heat because they knew he couldnt make quick decisions. It just compounded.

I do agree the Towles hate on here has been embarrassing, especially the foolishness with his hair. Sad thing is, I think the kid cut his hair in an attempt to appease the fans. Anyone saying anything about a players hair is just pathetic.

I hope youre right too. But I really hope Towles really works on reads and decision making, wins the job back, has a hell of a year, and turns into the first day draft pick we all know he can be. That would be a great recruiting tool and great success story.

 

[brianpoe]

Pat myself on the back? I clearly remember being crucified for the mere mentioning that Towles had any fault to bear at all. I wish Id been wrong and Towles was considering whether to declare early or not.

The drops werent because they werent expecting a good pass. Late, inaccurate passes contributed to the drops. Plus alot of the Towles super fans were calling way too many incompletions "drops". At least some were tough but catchable. Either way WRs still need to cut the drops.

The entire offense was dominated by UF, OL included. Looking back, it sorta makes sense. But at the time, UF was way underrated.

All QBs face a pass rush. Some moreso than others. If the OL has a tough game the QB cant carry that over to the next game. He just cant. Towles main struggle was pre-snap reads and progressions. He just had no clue what to do with the ball. Once that became more and more clear, defenses brought more heat because they knew he couldnt make quick decisions. It just compounded.

I do agree the Towles hate on here has been embarrassing, especially the foolishness with his hair. Sad thing is, I think the kid cut his hair in an attempt to appease the fans. Anyone saying anything about a players hair is just pathetic.

I hope youre right too. But I really hope Towles really works on reads and decision making, wins the job back, has a hell of a year, and turns into the first day draft pick we all know he can be. That would be a great recruiting tool and great success story.

I defended PT against the stupidness, but I have always acknowledged his shortcomings.

I am not necessarily rooting for him to win his job back, I just want the best QB. Regardless who it is we will not succeed without better oline play.

 

[reflaine]

Against Vandy didn't Barker go for 5-8 for 67 yards, 1 TD & 1 INT vs Towles 10-26 for 60 yards, 0 TD & 1 INT?

Let's be fair. Should Timmons catch the td throw and we drop the similar throw by barker see what stats show (both good throws)

Towles 11-26 (Woulda had less throws cause he had two drops this same series after Timmons drop ) for 102 with a td and one pick

Barker 4-8 for 27 Yds. Might not have throw a td but we don't know that. Three of the four completions did come on this drive.

Towles 3.9 per attempt. (Still bad, but did have a couple drops)

Barker 3.38 per attempt. Not much difference. Both balls should of been caught.

 

[Ctroberts1024]

I wonder if some of you all realize that not all of our run plays are straight runs. Drew has a read on the play. He read almost every single play correctly. Towles pulls the ball on the 2 yard line and throws a dumb short side fade route that gets intercepted in the endzone.

Towles won't see the field the rest of his career and I actually think Drew will play really well. I loved seeing him get up and talk crap to Charlotte after he made play. We need that. He's got an arrogance about him that every good QB has. Even the throws he was high on were the right reads, the WRs were wide open. I guess some people think throwing in 30 degree weather with 15 mph wind is extremely easy.

We will win Saturday and Drew will be the reason why.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Let's be fair. Should Timmons catch the td throw and we drop the similar throw by barker see what stats show (both good throws)

Towles 11-26 (Woulda had less throws cause he had two drops this same series after Timmons drop ) for 102 with a td and one pick

Barker 4-8 for 27 Yds. Might not have throw a td but we don't know that. Three of the four completions did come on this drive.

Towles 3.9 per attempt. (Still bad, but did have a couple drops)

Barker 3.38 per attempt. Not much difference. Both balls should of been caught.

Why are you taking so many yards away from Barker while excluded his TD? That TD was what 8-12 yards max?...he wouldn't have dropped to 27 yards.

 

[RealCat41]

Annnnd a swing and a miss on the whole point.

No not at all. I know what you meant. We played the equivalent of a Cincinnati Elder or a Cincinnati St. X the other night. Let's see how brazen and or arrogant we are when our competition gets exponentially better.

I didn't see him being very arrogant against Mississippi State. Good arrogance or bad arrogance.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Talking crap to Charlotte after you make a play. That will bode well for him as a UK QB.

Somebody's got to infuse a little attitude into this team. .

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

So you know why he cut is hair?

I said in the original post that I THINK its because of the social media/message board hell he caught.

 

[RealCat41]

Somebody's got to infuse a little attitude into this team. .

Fair enough.

 

[reflaine]

Why are you taking so many yards away from Barker while excluded his TD? That TD was what 8-12 yards max?...he wouldn't have dropped to 27 yards.

Barker had a big completion on his first play as qb that went for exactly forty yards. Towles had the exact same throw from the 42 that Timmons dropped that was six. I said if it was barkers ball and not Towles ball (both perfect throws) that was dropped what would yardage look like. That took forty of barkers yards (what the play gained). Added just forty to Towles (also the td). Look how close the numbers were. Remember Towles had at least three drops the first possession.(Timmons, book on sweep, and juice ball should of been caught on third down). The numbers are very similar.

 

[Levibooty]

At least some of us recognized Towles alarming inability to go through progressions as early as the Florida game. As the season continued, this problem worsened.
I dont think theres anything about the speed with which the handoffs come. But Drew is a noticeably better ballhandler, which means hes much better at selling certain plays. Plus, showing the defense they cant just crowd the line of scrimmage without the threat of someone making a quick decision and getting rid of the ball. Finally by keeping the chains moving, the wore the opposing defense down. Holes get bigger, tacklers get weaker, runs get longer.

I brought this up after the Mizzou game last year.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Barker had a big completion on his first play as qb that went for exactly forty yards. Towles had the exact same throw from the 42 that Timmons dropped that was six. I said if it was barkers ball and not Towles ball (both perfect throws) that was dropped what would yardage look like. That took forty of barkers yards (what the play gained). Added just forty to Towles (also the td). Look how close the numbers were. Remember Towles had at least three drops the first possession.(Timmons, book on sweep, and juice ball should of been caught on third down). The numbers are very similar.

Ok, got ya now. But if you're doing that you can also add in the dropped pick 6 Towles threw on a late out route in the 4th quarter....

 

[Katwatcher]

Actually the best news is that our Coaching staff is going to be making ALL of the decisions. I haven't seen any post that would change my mind on that. Just think about how this really gives us an advantage, they are the only ones that have seen the players perform everyday at practice.

All these guys have been coaching or been around football all their lives. They know our weaknesses and strengths. This is not their first day on the job by any means.

Choosing who quarterbacks this team is the least of my worries, because it can change at the drop of a hat. In my opinion this game will be decided by who wants it worse, not by who is QB, their hair length. or how quick their hand off is, and most important who makes the least mistakes.

In my lifetime I have seen many games won by determination and effort over talent. Let's fill the stadium and support the coaches and players and send the Cards home with a loss. jmho

 

[RR30]

No not at all. I know what you meant. We played the equivalent of a Cincinnati Elder or a Cincinnati St. X the other night. Let's see how brazen and or arrogant we are when our competition gets exponentially better.

I didn't see him being very arrogant against Mississippi State. Good arrogance or bad arrogance.

Was be supposed to be arrogant in a game down 40 with 2 minutes left?

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

I brought this up after the Mizzou game last year.

Hes always had trouble. The UF game last season just had everyone (including me) so hyped about his potential, we were all willing to watch him work through his growing pains. It helped he had other good games sprinkled in. But now at the end of his RS JR season hes worse than ever with decision making.

Its so frustrating because he has all the physical tools.

 

[JW PRPcoach]

Hes always had trouble. The UF game last season just had everyone (including me) so hyped about his potential, we were all willing to watch him work through his growing pains. It helped he had other good games sprinkled in. But now at the end of his RS JR season hes worse than ever with decision making.

Its so frustrating because he has all the physical tools.

This +100
With maybe a very few exceptions - we ALL wanted to see PT be a huge success. But these two posts sum up the unfortunate reality that is facing our staff, he isn't the answer going forward.

 

[shutzhund]

Somebody's got to infuse a little attitude into this team. .

What did attitude get him in Richmond? Earn it before you flaunt it.

 

[theoledog]

I got no dog in this hunt... Don't care which QB gets it done... The OL that both these young men are playing behind is getting beat consistently at every level of competition... Our offense is terrible on 1st down seems to me... If we are to make it a game on Saturday better be better in those two areas... At least those two.

 

[Levibooty]

Hes always had trouble. The UF game last season just had everyone (including me) so hyped about his potential, we were all willing to watch him work through his growing pains. It helped he had other good games sprinkled in. But now at the end of his RS JR season hes worse than ever with decision making.

Its so frustrating because he has all the physical tools.

I totally agree! I wanted Towles to have a breakout game that started his glorious career but he never seemed to grabbed the opportunity.

 

[Kai Slater]

Do you guys think that Barker will get to play on Saturday?

I do.

 

[RealCat41]

Louisville is going to do what a lot of teams have done to KY I would think. They will rush 4 and keep two deep safeties back. If we can't run the ball in this scenario the game is simply over. If we can't run we will max protect and send 3 guys out into a 7 man coverage. QB play will have to be almost perfect at that point.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

What did attitude get him in Richmond? Earn it before you flaunt it.

He got suckered punched from behind by a coward? Sometimes belief proceeds reality. Sometimes reality proceeds belief. Either way this team needs some swagger and mojo. I wouldn't trust somebody to lead me, that had a lowly opinion of him/herself.

 

[Anon1636989421]

United we stand divided we fall. If the team is as divided as the fan base no wonder we are scrambling for a 6th win.