Matt Elam

[Kratz]

Not trying to start any trouble with you guys, but what's going on with him? 5 star coming out of high school that Nick Saban personally flew in to visit. The times I've watched UK this year he hasn't been a factor at all. With his credentials coming out of high school he should have had a field day against UofL's O line yesterday. It's the worst O line UofL has had since Dave Ragone took that beating from you guys way back when JLS was coach at UofL.

Over rated coming out of HS?

Poorly coached and conditioned?

Or I just don't watch the games at the right times?

 

[NCukcat62]

Maybe a little bit of everything but he should of been redshirted. Unfortunately though our talent depth was abysmal.

 

[elwood_blue]

I think this is a case of him dominating most high school players because of his size and not getting to play against high school teams now.

 

[Blue Wildcat]

Not trying to start any trouble with you guys, but what's going on with him? 5 star coming out of high school that Nick Saban personally flew in to visit. The times I've watched UK this year he hasn't been a factor at all. With his credentials coming out of high school he should have had a field day against UofL's O line yesterday. It's the worst O line UofL has had since Dave Ragone took that beating from you guys way back when JLS was coach at UofL.

Over rated coming out of HS?

Poorly coached and conditioned?

Or I just don't watch the games at the right times?

Poor conditioning-yes
Poor technique-yes
Poor development-yes

The kid pushes against his opponent standing straight up and down. Expects he can move them through size and brute strength.

 

[CoachR35]

Maybe a little bit of everything but he should of been redshirted. Unfortunately though our talent depth was abysmal.

Definitely would have benefitted from a red shirt year, but is still very much outta shape. Makes me wonder if the high performance conditioning program offered by Korem is optional.

 

[Levibooty]

First of all Elam was rated a 5.6 three star by Rivals coming out of HS. Elam's progression is tracking to that ranking perfectly so far.

 

[oldsports_]

You can't teach size, and it's obviously no coach is pushing this kid to meet his potential. Every person on a message board can see it, but our coaches can't? Name a player, who under Stoops early career at UK, is better now, than the day they signed their scholarship.

 

[BigBlue8]

I would love to to see a list of his measurements when he arrived at UK and what they are now. I would like to see if there has been significant improvement in any of the following; bench press, squat, body fat, 40 time and lateral quickness.

 

[konnor]

like Towles they weren't even in the top class in KY high school football. Their competition was low tier.

 

[qwesley]

There is a reason you don't see tall DTs in the NFL.

Aaron Donald is the best and is 6'1""

 

[tmuck]

One of the problems of this board. The mods let a UL fan start a thread like this on our board. :flush:

 

[WildCard]

I would love to to see a list of his measurements when he arrived at UK and what they are now. I would like to see if there has been significant improvement in any of the following; bench press, squat, body fat, 40 time and lateral quickness.

I'm sure UK has all that data because that is what that "High Performance" thing is all about. The only thing the fans know is that he arrived at UK at 392# and played near that weight last year. He was listed all year long this year at 360# although his pre-season target weight was 330#. In addition to his aforementioned technique issues he has trouble getting into a 3/4 point stance due to either bad weight or height without flexibility. He looks very uncomfortable in his stance which I think contributes to his bad technique of "standing up and playing high". This tendency makes it impossible for him to get an explosive charge off the line; the OLs "get into him" rather than vice versa.

Peace

 

[Katwatcher]

Not trying to start any trouble with you guys, but what's going on with him? 5 star coming out of high school that Nick Saban personally flew in to visit. The times I've watched UK this year he hasn't been a factor at all. With his credentials coming out of high school he should have had a field day against UofL's O line yesterday. It's the worst O line UofL has had since Dave Ragone took that beating from you guys way back when JLS was coach at UofL.

Over rated coming out of HS?

Poorly coached and conditioned?

Or I just don't watch the games at the right times?

Saban saw the potential in Elam like several other coaches did. Seldom ever does a freshman DL come in and get a lot of minutes. It usually takes a year to get them in shape especially if they weigh more than 300 #.

Elam with a years experience could be a major addition to the UK defensive line next year.

 

[Saguaro Cat]

I thought he played pretty well the last few games of the year. Yesterday he was partly responsible for first interception of the game. He got a qb hurry. We're still poor at run defense, but remember how much used to be straight up the gut? Not as much as it used to be. He's responsible for a lot of that. The guy still had two more years eligibility left. I expect some solid contribution. All American? No. But I bet he's a third round draft pick in two and a half years.

 

[JABJRS]

You can't teach size, and it's obviously no coach is pushing this kid to meet his potential. Every person on a message board can see it, but our coaches can't? Name a player, who under Stoops early career at UK, is better now, than the day they signed their scholarship.

Melvin Lewis, CJ Johnson, Khalid Henderson, John Toth, Adrian Middleton, Josh Forest.

.....and no, I am NOT happy at all with this staff or the back-to-back season collapses, but some players have developed over time.

 

[reflaine]

Hueganin had a nice year too and was a pretty solid end for us. He improved also

 

[Bigtyrone]

Melvin Lewis, CJ Johnson, Khalid Henderson, John Toth, Adrian Middleton, Josh Forest.

.....and no, I am NOT happy at all with this staff or the back-to-back season collapses, but some players have developed over time.

Hatcher, Ware... Most of our freshmen in the secondary improved throughout the season as well.

Agree with the second part of your post as well.

 

[TBCat]

Part of it is that Matt is a bit of a project. He was never meant to be an All American in year 1. He is still about 30 pounds over weight and needs to improve conditioning. Matt is one of the few players I am happy with as far as progress goes. Other than Edwards, and both our corners Elam is one of the few players that was noticeably better in the final game of the year than he was in the first game. Elam is still improving and that's rare on this team right now.

Also there is still some confusion as to what his role is on the team. Anyone expecting 100 tackles and 10 sacks is misguided. We didn't have that in mind for him from the day we recruited him. Even if he fully reaches his potential you will likely see no more than 30 or so tackles on the year and maybe 1 or 2 QB sacks. Matt's job is to consume blocks and allow our LBs to run free. You will be able to judge his progress not by looking at his stats but at how efficiently our LBs make stops. With that said Elam isn't there yet but he's not as bad as some think. He is a reliable back up right now that was forced to start after Lewis' injury.

 

[Anjiejo]

There is a reason you don't see tall DTs in the NFL.

Aaron Donald is the best and is 6'1""

Albert hayneworth..Marcus Stroud...John Henderson ect..

 

[jauk11]

Good Lord!!

A thread that hasn't gone over the edge------yet.

Thanks.

 

[IHATEUAVEL]

One of the problems of this board. The mods let a UL fan start a thread like this on our board. :flush:

correct...Kratz is a uavel troll..these threads should be shut down

 

[K_TIME]

I personally thought he did solid job the last 6 games of the year in place of Melvin. His job as NT is to create piles up the middle and allow the LBers to scrape clean lanes to stuff the running game.

- UT game was mostly passing and big runs off the edges
- UGA game was a complete disaster on defense
- Vandy game...the D played very well and only gave up that goofy pass to the sideline for a TD.
- Charlotte was as shutout
- UL game was all Lamar Jackson on QB read option where our damn DE/OLB (Ware was awful and Hugenin/Miggins as well) kept blowing their assignment. Radcliff didn't run much on UK.

I know Elam is a big target for fans, but he's going to be NT than Melvin Lewis/Donte Rumph/Mister Cobble. UK's biggest problem on D is our pathetic performance off the edges in Hatcher/Ware/Josh Allen, etc.. Next year, I think Meant/Miggins/Ware/Hatcher will be the weak links up front...not Elam.

 

[qwesley]

Albert hayneworth..Marcus Stroud...John Henderson ect..

All retired and physical freaks. Go search the top DTs in the last two drafts.

 

[theoledog]

He was a OL waiting to happen at Bama........ OMO

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Part of it is that Matt is a bit of a project. He was never meant to be an All American in year 1. He is still about 30 pounds over weight and needs to improve conditioning. Matt is one of the few players I am happy with as far as progress goes. Other than Edwards, and both our corners Elam is one of the few players that was noticeably better in the final game of the year than he was in the first game. Elam is still improving and that's rare on this team right now.

Also there is still some confusion as to what his role is on the team. Anyone expecting 100 tackles and 10 sacks is misguided. We didn't have that in mind for him from the day we recruited him. Even if he fully reaches his potential you will likely see no more than 30 or so tackles on the year and maybe 1 or 2 QB sacks. Matt's job is to consume blocks and allow our LBs to run free. You will be able to judge his progress not by looking at his stats but at how efficiently our LBs make stops. With that said Elam isn't there yet but he's not as bad as some think. He is a reliable back up right now that was forced to start after Lewis' injury.

Good post. Elam lacks conditioning. When he isnt exhausted, he plays his position very well. He clogs the middle and occupies blockers.

 

[KopiKat]

I've been very critical of Matt but I actually thought he did a much better job yesterday of not getting completely vertical after the snaps - moving forward with his weight lowered sort of thing. Glimpse of hope, like he may be figuring some things out. I've written in the past that you can't use a blocking sled the way Matt plays football. Yesterday, he was working a sled from time to time. What he does with his diet and body for the next 8 months will tell everything about what he is willing to contribute to football and this program.

 

[ulismyman]

He be fat and out of shape

 

[Jay Mc]

Not trying to start any trouble with you guys, but what's going on with him? 5 star coming out of high school that Nick Saban personally flew in to visit. The times I've watched UK this year he hasn't been a factor at all. With his credentials coming out of high school he should have had a field day against UofL's O line yesterday. It's the worst O line UofL has had since Dave Ragone took that beating from you guys way back when JLS was coach at UofL.

Over rated coming out of HS?

Poorly coached and conditioned?

Or I just don't watch the games at the right times?

Coming to UK was the best thing to happen to Elam. Saban would have cut him by now if he wasn't in playing shape. Elam needs to get his eating disorder under control, get into SEC football shape, then he might have a chance of playing on Sundays.

 

[pauled#1]

I agree with Robo, he seems to have quick feet and if in shape he may have made a great O tackle.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Not trying to start any trouble with you guys, but what's going on with him? 5 star coming out of high school that Nick Saban personally flew in to visit. The times I've watched UK this year he hasn't been a factor at all. With his credentials coming out of high school he should have had a field day against UofL's O line yesterday. It's the worst O line UofL has had since Dave Ragone took that beating from you guys way back when JLS was coach at UofL.

Over rated coming out of HS?

Poorly coached and conditioned?

Or I just don't watch the games at the right times?

It's just that you and many others don't know anything about football and you wouldn't know a good D-Lineman if it was in your face.

Elam played well this season. He is NOT a pass rusher. I'm not sure why some people can't get that through their thick heads. Stoops has mentioned it about a thousand times already...

 

[Anjiejo]

All retired and physical freaks. Go search the top DTs in the last two drafts.

My point was they can be successful... I do think Elam will be a solid NT,I thought he slowly improved in the last 5 games.. If we can get a offense that can keep the defense off the field would go a long way.
I do think the coaching changes at mizz/GA makes the east weaker..IMO they were the best 2 coaches in the east division.

 

[CardChipper]

Elam is the middle of a 3-4, just like Ted Washington was for so many years. Grantham and most P5 defensive coordinators would love to have a kid like Elam if he had more athleticism and could drop some weight. I did notice he just can't get into a 3 or 4 point stance. He looks awkward now, but I don't think the book has been finished on him yet.

 

[irishcat1965]

I thought he improved as the year progressed. One of the few on the team that did.

 

[cookscats]

work in progress? too much put on ratings.....

 

[DelkBowl]

No starting a reply without first calling your first quote a lie....

 

[Soupbean]

Still needs work but loved his attitude later in the year. Sort of surprised me to see that. He was really playing hard against UL and got some good push most of the game. If we can just build some agility so that he can get off blocks we'll have something there.

 

[bratboy]

Matts a bad boy just young..give him time and he will be pretty damn good..needs to work harder in this off season!

 

[moe#8]

You can't teach size, and it's obviously no coach is pushing this kid to meet his potential. Every person on a message board can see it, but our coaches can't? Name a player, who under Stoops early career at UK, is better now, than the day they signed their scholarship.

name one as good. as long as we have barny we will have scrubs like stoops.