Reese Phillips vs. Davis Mattingly

[JABJRS]

While the news at first seems troubling; that Reese Phillips is transferring, leaving us with only one scholarship quarterback currently on the roster… I have to question: was Philips that much better, or even better at all, than Davis Mattingly? I realize that Mattingly was very lightly recruited and thus chose to be a preferred walk on the Kentucky. However, from the practice reports I heard it appeared that Davis is quite capable as a back-up quarterback. Well, isn't that what Reese Phillips was going to be… A back-up quarterback at Kentucky? If this is accurate, that David Mattingly is as capable as a back-up as Reese Phillips, what have we really lost? Next season Drew Barker is the presumed entrenched starter, Davis Mattingly and Gunnar Hoak (Who will get an extra spring practice under his belt) are the backups.

I I suppose my question is…If Drew Barker were to go down are we really worse off of with Davis Mattingly/Gunnar Hoak than we would've been with Reese Phillips? It seems to me, that although the situation certainly won't be good, we won't really be worse off without Reese Phillips.

 

[vhcat70]

4 is better than 3 imo.

 

[TJS4UK]

3 is likely not enough, especially when 1 of them should probably RS. Also, it would be a ton better if Mattingly were an upperclassman with some limited game experience.

 

[docholiday51]

While the news at first seems troubling; that Reese Phillips is transferring, leaving us with only one scholarship quarterback currently on the roster… I have to question: was Philips that much better, or even better at all, than Davis Mattingly? I realize that Mattingly was very lightly recruited and thus chose to be a preferred walk on the Kentucky. However, from the practice reports I heard it appeared that Davis is quite capable as a back-up quarterback. Well, isn't that what Reese Phillips was going to be… A back-up quarterback at Kentucky? If this is accurate, that David Mattingly is as capable as a back-up as Reese Phillips, what have we really lost? Next season Drew Barker is the presumed entrenched starter, Davis Mattingly and Gunnar Hoak (Who will get an extra spring practice under his belt) are the backups.

I I suppose my question is…If Drew Barker were to go down are we really worse off of with Davis Mattingly/Gunnar Hoak than we would've been with Reese Phillips? It seems to me, that although the situation certainly won't be good, we won't really be worse off without Reese Phillips.

It seem harsh but you are probably right, with that being said if you are trying to win games(or even be competitive in the SEC) can you be this thin at the QB spot. Stoops is in a tough spot and is he really willing to go into a season without another QB plus what kind of OC in his right mind would go into a job in this situation

 

[brassnux66]

I don't find it troubling that Phillips is transferring. He want to play. He can go to EKU or another OVC school and step in as a starter. You're only in college once. Might as well get on the field if you can.

 

[JABJRS]

I don't find it troubling that Phillips is transferring. He want to play. He can go to EKU or another OVC school and step in as a starter. You're only in college once. Might as well get on the field if you can.

That's kind of what I'm getting at… If our starter goes down we have to play a second stringer who is probably OVC material anyway, what does it really matter who it is? Reese Phillips, Davis Mattingly…..six one-way, half dozen the other. We're just like most other teams - if the starter goes down it's not a good situation.

 

[Katwatcher]

It seem harsh but you are probably right, with that being said if you are trying to win games(or even be competitive in the SEC) can you be this thin at the QB spot. Stoops is in a tough spot and is he really willing to go into a season without another QB plus what kind of OC in his right mind would go into a job in this situation

I agree Doc, it seems to me that your 1-2 backup could gt some minutes to help them get some much needed experience. I think that would be good for the entire team. Just a few snaps would show how important they could be to the team. jmho

 

[CloverforkCat]

Mattingly is not your average walk on IMO. He also has a year under his belt as a college player, although no game action. He was spectacular as a HS player, in the states' highest classification. He could actually be quite a servicable player in the future !

 

[Mountain air]

Lol, the only reason you think Mattingly is any good is because he is from KY. Good grief if Phillips had been from UK the people on here that question his abiluty would have been singing his praise. UK is in trouble at QB and it's because of the head coach.

Phillips is gone because Dawson is gone. If Dawson had stayed he would still be there. So two of the three scholarship QB's are now on record singing Dawson's praise. Funny neither had anything g good to say about Stoops.

 

[Robcatt24]

Phillips should've been a backup safety at Chattanooga.

That is his ceiling.

 

[TJS4UK]

Mattingly is not your average walk on IMO

I agree with that, but he is a RS FR with no game experience. Right now, he's the backup to another young QB who only has 2 games and a few plays worth of experience. Youth and inexperience is the problem, IMHO.

 

[Mountain air]

Phillips should've been a backup safety at Chattanooga.

That is his ceiling.

Saying that shows how little you know about football.

 

[Robcatt24]

Saying that shows how little you know about football.

Let me know when he's a starting QB. Anywhere.

 

[Mountain air]

Let me know when he's a starting QB. Anywhere.

Will do.

 

[JABJRS]

Lol, the only reason you think Mattingly is any good is because he is from KY. Good grief if Phillips had been from UK the people on here that question his abiluty would have been singing his praise. UK is in trouble at QB and it's because of the head coach.

Phillips is gone because Dawson is gone. If Dawson had stayed he would still be there. So two of the three scholarship QB's are now on record singing Dawson's praise. Funny neither had anything g good to say about Stoops.

You say UK is in trouble at QB, and that very well may be accurate. However, I have to ask......how can the QB play get any worse than last season (under Dawson)? Seriously , have you looked at the passing game stats, they are worse than atrocious. Are you sincerely implying that Dawson did a good job?

These are serious questions, I'm struggling (like everyone else) to figure out what happened to an offense that seemed, at first, to have so much promise, AND that the team was counting on to carry it after the loss of Bud and Z?

 

[Brock28]

Kid is better than people think.

 

[CloverforkCat]

Stoops future depends on who the next OC is that he brings in, although the DC should be replaced also IMO. Oh, and the Special teams are somewhat pathetic as well.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

Reese Phillips is a quality young man that deserves to play some where. Wish nothing but the best for Reese!
Davis Mattingly is another quality young player who gained experience as scout team leader last season.
I also think Coach's future beyond two more seasons depends on next o. c..

 

[JPFisher]

Brown said that the kid would one day be a starting SEC QB. Pretty high praise from anyone who is a coach.

While the SEC part may not come to pass, it's been noted that Reece's accuracy was the nicest of the bunch, but for whatever reason(s) did not start. Weaker arm, poor pocket presence, slow release, nobody knows, but until he gets a chance to actually play in a game as a starter or for any reasonable minutes, it's unfair to judge his abilities.

 

[wildcatdon]

Our backup quacks not getting game reps is entirely on Stoops and Dawson..Dawson and Towles were joined at the hip and Dawson did not want anyone else taking snaps. Stoops should have taken the bull by the horns and put Barker in early games because I guarantee you he could have thrown as many inaccurate and incomplete passes as Towles did..This is all on Stoops and I hope he can pull us out of it.

 

[VikingsCat]

You say UK is in trouble at QB, and that very well may be accurate. However, I have to ask......how can the QB play get any worse than last season (under Dawson)? Seriously , have you looked at the passing game stats, they are worse than atrocious. Are you sincerely implying that Dawson did a good job?

These are serious questions, I'm struggling (like everyone else) to figure out what happened to an offense that seemed, at first, to have so much promise, AND that the team was counting on to carry it after the loss of Bud and Z?

1. No pass protection that lead to Dawson having to play the TE and a FB as blockers in the backfield.

2. Derived from 1. Only 3 WRs out on pass routes on many plays.

3. A HC that wanted a power running game, which makes it impossible to run an air raid offense.

4. Wide receivers that didn't show up in games. Johnson being the one exception.

5. A HC that plays Barker in the last games even though Barker clearly wasn't ready


Then the results started to spiral downward. Fans quit on the team and Stoops was forced to sack Dawson. I really believed Stoops could change it around at UK, but the above factors, the locker room issues and his handling of Dawson have made me change my mind.

 

[docholiday51]

1. No pass protection that lead to Dawson having to play the TE and a FB as blockers in the backfield.

2. Derived from 1. Only 3 WRs out on pass routes on many plays.

3. A HC that wanted a power running game, which makes it impossible to run an air raid offense.

4. Wide receivers that didn't show up in games. Johnson being the one exception.

5. A HC that plays Barker in the last games even though Barker clearly wasn't ready


Then the results started to spiral downward. Fans quit on the team and Stoops was forced to sack Dawson. I really believed Stoops could change it around at UK, but the above factors, the locker room issues and his handling of Dawson have made me change my mind.

Now Stoops has to handle the OC and QB situations, how tat plays out decides his future here. If you think about it he has been in crisis management mode most of the time he has been here. Several of them he created mostly by decisions he made, he has to get the next 2 right or he is done.

I thought he was a good choice at the time and still hope that proves to be the case, but there is not much evidence to pin those hopes on.

 

[Blue Decade]

While the news at first seems troubling; that Reese Phillips is transferring, leaving us with only one scholarship quarterback currently on the roster… I have to question: was Philips that much better, or even better at all, than Davis Mattingly? I realize that Mattingly was very lightly recruited and thus chose to be a preferred walk on the Kentucky. However, from the practice reports I heard it appeared that Davis is quite capable as a back-up quarterback. Well, isn't that what Reese Phillips was going to be… A back-up quarterback at Kentucky? If this is accurate, that David Mattingly is as capable as a back-up as Reese Phillips, what have we really lost? Next season Drew Barker is the presumed entrenched starter, Davis Mattingly and Gunnar Hoak (Who will get an extra spring practice under his belt) are the backups.

I I suppose my question is…If Drew Barker were to go down are we really worse off of with Davis Mattingly/Gunnar Hoak than we would've been with Reese Phillips? It seems to me, that although the situation certainly won't be good, we won't really be worse off without Reese Phillips.

Your questions must be answered in practice. Barker has barely had a chance to show whether his performance on the field can catch up to his talent. Early results from the Louisville game were not reassuring, but he still has time. I choose to believe Barker will benefit from a change in the offensive coordinator. The other names you mentioned have not had chances to show what they can do in a competitive college game. Reese Phillips left for 2 reasons, fondness for Shannon Dawson and lack of playing opportunities. Gunnar Hoak has a chance to become a productive college quarterback, but that will take several years. Hoak's participation in spring practice can only help, but he needs a redshirt. I do not believe Davis Mattingly has the talent or the arm strength to quarterback Kentucky to an SEC victory. If he did, some P5 team would have offered him a scholarship. But I would like for Mattingly to prove me wrong. In the meantime, Barker needs a lot more OJT in 2016. But if Barker goes down with an injury, then we are really hosed. And Stoops would be hosed too.

 

[Woodrow24]

The article on KSR posted about Reece confirms that he is pissed off at stoops. Said that stoops " all but hung up on him" when he told him he was transferring.

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

Saying that shows how little you know about football.

Good to see you back. Wondering your thoughts on Reese leaving. Didn't see ya around. Hope all is well.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/...hillips-weighing-numerous-fcs-options/342103/

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/...hillips-weighing-numerous-fcs-options/342103/

Yikes

 

[Levibooty]

We have a disruptive and disgruntled player who looked like the proverbial "Deer in the headlights" when he played last year against UT taking shots at Stoops. Yeah he's got my attention but not for the reasons he wants. He seriously thinks fans want to hear his snivels after leaving? Well yeah some might those that need drame in their lives. This isn't some BCG story about player abuse. This is a young man who is throwing a hissy fit after leaving the team. A QB no less that thinks his concerns should override a HC decision.

There were a lot of fans that were very happy with the idea that there will be no "QB competition" next year. I am one of them. From what our two departing QB's have said after leaving the team, I'm convinced the obstacles to a unified locker room have been fired and transferred.

 

[Beatle Bum]

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/...hillips-weighing-numerous-fcs-options/342103/

Phillips did not have three OCs. To include Sanders in the mix is ridiculous. Sanders was not the OC when Phillips signed with UK.

 

[Beatle Bum]

BTW, telling Pat that Drew was the starter for 2016 was arguably the fairest thing Stoops could have done for Towles. That gave Towles the clear out, rather than sticking around only to sit as a 5th year senior.

For Reece? Well, I am not sure anyone ever thought Reece was in the hunt and was nevet going to be more than a backup. Reece being the exception.

 

[Mountain air]

Good to see you back. Wondering your thoughts on Reese leaving. Didn't see ya around. Hope all is well.

I lost my inside information about a year ago and haven't posted much since then. I recently started posting again because I felt the wheels were about to come off on the offensive side of the bus. I'm not surprised to see Towles and Phillips leave. Stoops has put all his eggs in the Barker basket and I hope Barker lives up to his expectations. What's more important right now is hiring an OC that runs an offense that Barker can run, which isn't the air raid.

 

[Beatle Bum]

http://www.courier-journal.com/stor.../28/former-uk-qb-clarifies-comments/77968054/

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

I lost my inside information about a year ago and haven't posted much since then. I recently started posting again because I felt the wheels were about to come off on the offensive side of the bus. I'm not surprised to see Towles and Phillips leave. Stoops has put all his eggs in the Barker basket and I hope Barker lives up to his expectations. What's more important right now is hiring an OC that runs an offense that Barker can run, which isn't the air raid.

Well hope to still see you around, you provide good football insight and from the state in which my father played football.

 

[Mountain air]

http://m.missoulian.com/sports/coll...cle_ba95b211-02e5-566a-8a54-1dc1edc0b572.html

Interesting the Dawson recommended him to go to Montana. Also interesting the Montana coach said he wanted to bring in an oler QB. I've said all along both Brown and Dawson wanted to play Phillips but we're over ridden by Stoops. The fact that Dawson is helping him land at a place with a friend speaks volumes to me. I've said said I lost my connection a year ago but I was pretty sure Dawson thought as highly of Phillips ability as Brown did.

 

[trueblujr]

Neither Towles or Phillips were true Stoops guys. Phillips hung in there with Stoops initial class. I think Stoops sold Barker on the fact he was going to be the future of the program when he landed him. I don't think Stoops ever intended for Towles to be the long term starter, but Barker ended up showing a bit of immaturity off the field that likely forced stoops hand. He needed Barker to mature some and learn that he wasn't going to be handed the keys until he can proved to be a leader on and off the field.

I do get a bit ticked at the people insisting now that Barker isn't the answer based on a very limited body of work. Tom Brady would have struggled behind our Offensive line and with the obvious differences among the coaches that played out. We now have the potential of having Barker here as the starter for 3 years unless he epically fails or gets injured. That's something we should all be happy about. I like the idea of a seasoned senior starter in 2018. He will likely approaching school passing records by then. Again, that's assuming he doesn't epically fail or get hurt or do something stupid off the field to throw it all away.

 

[3kidsandme]

http://m.missoulian.com/sports/coll...cle_ba95b211-02e5-566a-8a54-1dc1edc0b572.html

Interesting the Dawson recommended him to go to Montana. Also interesting the Montana coach said he wanted to bring in an oler QB. I've said all along both Brown and Dawson wanted to play Phillips but we're over ridden by Stoops. The fact that Dawson is helping him land at a place with a friend speaks volumes to me. I've said said I lost my connection a year ago but I was pretty sure Dawson thought as highly of Phillips ability as Brown did.

He going to Montana for Christmas sake. If he's such a freaking stud why not Wvu? Hell he isn't even getting mac offers

 

[Mountain air]

He going to Montana for Christmas sake. If he's such a freaking stud why not Wvu? Hell he isn't even getting mac offers

For Christmas sake you don't understand college football do you? He has to go the FCS route or sit out and lose a year of elligabilty. And Montana over the years has been at the top of the FCS and the other FCS Schools he listed are all top FCS schools so he isn't going to a scrub program.

Towles graduated so he can go to another FBS program without sitting out.

Oh and remember EKU who we barley beat 34-27, remember them? They are not even a top 25 FCS program. So right now I'm not sure Montana or any other top 25 FCS program would be to much of a step down. Hopefully this will change, but I've been waiting for the change for a long time. Maybe with the new coaching structure good things will come.