Season Opener Gets A Whole Lot More Interesting

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
Stoops is responsible for every hire he makes. If stoops had kept Dawson the I had an issue. Gran will not automatically run 70 30-65 35 ratios. Like any Coord worth his salt Gran will run what fits this teams personnel. We actually average 29.8 ppg Browns 2nd year so I'm not sure that is the barometer. I don't care if Gran runs 70 30 run pass as long as we average between 28 40 ppg we go bowling most likely. Now I will say this if we are not an uptempo offense like Gran said and we fail that is on Stoops. This is year 4 and Stoops TRUSTS Gran so I think he turns him loose. This all is just my opinion.
And I agree ,or at least hope so , although I refuse to get excited about it until it takes place...one thing I think is that we are going to see it tested right away in the first game as So Miss ran a high octane ,high scoring offense last year and we will see if it continues under a new HC coach and SD as OC
 

CatDaddy4daWin

All-Conference
Dec 11, 2013
6,147
1,580
0
The first time Gran struggles this year we're gonna be hearing about how Stoops needs to take over and change the play on offense every now and then...you know it's true
 

jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
0
I actually believe that WildCard is a fan of both programs.

Just a bigger fan of UL's than UK's, not much doubt he wants them to win the head to head.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
And I agree ,or at least hope so , although I refuse to get excited about it until it takes place...one thing I think is that we are going to see it tested right away in the first game as So Miss ran a high octane ,high scoring offense last year and we will see if it continues under a new HC coach and SD as OC
If Dawson can get first downs he will be doing better than what we saw. Stoops got frustrated because of all the questionable calls given situations of games. Good thing for Dawson is he gets to start over. Plus he has a 4000 yard Passer to work with.
 

theoledog

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2008
4,306
1,444
0
The only thing we know for certain is that UK is going to be paying the OC of our first game opponent to coach aganst us...
Just how much we're going to be paying him is ? Last I read he hadn't signed a contract so maybe he's doing the job for $1.
Wouldn't that just be peachy?
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
If Dawson can get first downs he will be doing better than what we saw. Stoops got frustrated because of all the questionable calls given situations of games. Good thing for Dawson is he gets to start over. Plus he has a 4000 yard Passer to work with.
But did MS not say that even after PT left that he thought he could still play on Sundays? So let me get this straight...MS thinks PT is good enough to play in the NFL BUT not at UK...i'm sorry that makes no sense to me.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
But did MS not say that even after PT left that he thought he could still play on Sundays? So let me get this straight...MS thinks PT is good enough to play in the NFL BUT not at UK...i'm sorry that makes no sense to me.
It's called being nice.
 

hmt5000

Heisman
Aug 29, 2009
26,976
82,650
0
Dawson will have to change a bit to be successful. There were some things about the inverted wishbone that were pretty cool. His application was not as creative and as others have said, he doesnt distribute the ball around enough.

If he learns from his mistakes and adjusts his playcalling he could be really successful. If he rolls out the exact same thing he did here then Eliot will blitz the shat out of them and everyone else will too.
 

BigBoyBlueMMA

Senior
Jul 14, 2013
849
479
63
Wouldn't worry about Souther Miss on his recruitment; I'd be more worried about an in-state school like Florida trying to snag him. He's going to have a lot of P5 offers before it's all over with.
I'm not worried but it was letting the poster know whom Dawson was coming after - I have trust in our NEW GUYS to pick who they want at QB
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
The only thing we know for certain is that UK is going to be paying the OC of our first game opponent to coach aganst us...
Just how much we're going to be paying him is ? Last I read he hadn't signed a contract so maybe he's doing the job for $1.
Wouldn't that just be peachy?
And how does that affect the game and what difference does it make who's paying him
 

theoledog

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2008
4,306
1,444
0
And how does that affect the game and what difference does it make who's paying him
oh I don't have a clue how it effects the game do you?
and the difference it makes who's paying him....?.... if you fired your lawn man would you like to paying him to mow someone else grass?
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
oh I don't have a clue how it effects the game do you?
and the difference it makes who's paying him....?.... if you fired your lawn man would you like to paying him to mow someone else grass?
I don't sign guaranteed contracts with my lawn man, besides I mow my own...nature of the beast in college sports...
 

KY1WING

Senior
Sep 15, 2005
1,363
623
0
oh I don't have a clue how it effects the game do you?
and the difference it makes who's paying him....?.... if you fired your lawn man would you like to paying him to mow someone else grass?

When you have contracts it really doesn't matter what one likes or dislikes and this is the contract we signed.

BTW didn't we pay Joker to coach and recruit against us?

I've got a feeling as long as the checks cash and they are for the right amount it really doesn't matter whose name is at the top or whose signature is on them.
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
Does it work that way? just curious because I do not know.

You're right to question that because a lot of coaches leave with a pay out that continues even if you are hired by someone. I believe Coach Ansley came to us with that type of payout. Plus Coach Pelini at Youngstown is getting paid while being HC, I believe I read that.
 

The_Oak

All-Conference
Mar 3, 2007
9,629
3,913
0
So now they hired Dawson they will come out and move the ball for a few drives, then it's 3 and out the rest of the game with no adjustments. I can live with that.
 
Sep 10, 2015
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This game makes me a little on the nervous side. 1st games of the season players are usually a little rusty. While learning a new offensive scheme could make the game a little more difficult.

Then you throw in the fact that our worst position group (OL) on offense will have 2 possibly 3 new starters. Yes Leavitt is a very talented OT but he is a JC transfer in his first D-1 game. Young is by far the best OL recruit I have ever seen come to UK. If he does earn the starting job there will be a lot of growing pains with him being a true frosh. Then their is the outside possibility of Drake coming in and earning a spot at Guard until Toth is gone. Or a redshirt player could potentially unseat someone one the line. The worst part about this is a OL needs continuity. How much will they have with 2 or more starters and new QB.

A new QB could pose as a problem to. With the addition of Hinshaw as a true QB coach I believe it will make a positive affect.
Barker didn't really impress me much in his limited time. But circumstances weren't great for a new inexperienced QB to step into. A woeful OL, WRs that couldn't catch a cold and, a play caller in over his head. Overall confidence and moral of the offense and team as a whole was lacking.
Then you have Johnson again would be a JC transfer in his first D-1 game. He is also a relatively unknown. While not being a run first QB he does have that in his arsenal. Everyone knows when a defense has to account for the QB on every play its harder to game plan.

Have the WRs grown up and progressed. Not making excuses for them but in my personal opinion I believe the way Dawson played hurt the WRs. WR depth was suppose to be a strength of last year's team. Either it was over exaggerated or underutilized. Not rotating players more wore the few he used down quickly. Then add in he was consistently trying to go deep just added to the fatigue factor.

The RBs should be the strength of the offense as long as they can remain healthy.

With the defense losing Melvin Lewis, C.J. Johnson, A.J. Stamps, Ryan Flannigan and, Josh Forrest will hurt. The loss of Stamps is the one I am not really concerned with. The staff have accumulated secondary talent and depth. If Courtney Love and De'Niro Laster are as good as advertised this will be a moot point. Enrolling early will hopefully get KASH on yhe field. Then there is the forgotten man Nico Firios if healthy should be ready to contribute.

Where it gets really scary is the D-Line. after Big Mel went down the team just seemed to crumble. Johnson was on his way to becoming a real special player for us. I know they were not on the team last year but we have yet to be able to replace Bud and Z. The coaches have added numerous players but the question is will any of them step up and provide the much needed pass rush.

How will all of the coaching changes truly affect these kids on the field. They all seem to be good moves and upgrades minus the Ansley move. Even though we don't yet know his replacement yet it will be hard to spin it in a positive direction.

This could be a good year if.
1.) Improved QB play.
2.) Establish a pass rush.
3.) Better O-Line.
4.) WR catching ability.
5.) Minimize coaching blunders and ignorant penalties.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
This game makes me a little on the nervous side. 1st games of the season players are usually a little rusty. While learning a new offensive scheme could make the game a little more difficult.

Then you throw in the fact that our worst position group (OL) on offense will have 2 possibly 3 new starters. Yes Leavitt is a very talented OT but he is a JC transfer in his first D-1 game. Young is by far the best OL recruit I have ever seen come to UK. If he does earn the starting job there will be a lot of growing pains with him being a true frosh. Then their is the outside possibility of Drake coming in and earning a spot at Guard until Toth is gone. Or a redshirt player could potentially unseat someone one the line. The worst part about this is a OL needs continuity. How much will they have with 2 or more starters and new QB.

A new QB could pose as a problem to. With the addition of Hinshaw as a true QB coach I believe it will make a positive affect.
Barker didn't really impress me much in his limited time. But circumstances weren't great for a new inexperienced QB to step into. A woeful OL, WRs that couldn't catch a cold and, a play caller in over his head. Overall confidence and moral of the offense and team as a whole was lacking.
Then you have Johnson again would be a JC transfer in his first D-1 game. He is also a relatively unknown. While not being a run first QB he does have that in his arsenal. Everyone knows when a defense has to account for the QB on every play its harder to game plan.

Have the WRs grown up and progressed. Not making excuses for them but in my personal opinion I believe the way Dawson played hurt the WRs. WR depth was suppose to be a strength of last year's team. Either it was over exaggerated or underutilized. Not rotating players more wore the few he used down quickly. Then add in he was consistently trying to go deep just added to the fatigue factor.

The RBs should be the strength of the offense as long as they can remain healthy.

With the defense losing Melvin Lewis, C.J. Johnson, A.J. Stamps, Ryan Flannigan and, Josh Forrest will hurt. The loss of Stamps is the one I am not really concerned with. The staff have accumulated secondary talent and depth. If Courtney Love and De'Niro Laster are as good as advertised this will be a moot point. Enrolling early will hopefully get KASH on yhe field. Then there is the forgotten man Nico Firios if healthy should be ready to contribute.

Where it gets really scary is the D-Line. after Big Mel went down the team just seemed to crumble. Johnson was on his way to becoming a real special player for us. I know they were not on the team last year but we have yet to be able to replace Bud and Z. The coaches have added numerous players but the question is will any of them step up and provide the much needed pass rush.

How will all of the coaching changes truly affect these kids on the field. They all seem to be good moves and upgrades minus the Ansley move. Even though we don't yet know his replacement yet it will be hard to spin it in a positive direction.

This could be a good year if.
1.) Improved QB play.
2.) Establish a pass rush.
3.) Better O-Line.
4.) WR catching ability.
5.) Minimize coaching blunders and ignorant penalties.
I am not overly concerned with oline play this year. Gran has a quick strike offense. Gran will use pace to keep defenses vanilla. WR is a deep position and we return 3 WR that had 400 plus yards. Gran had a similar TE to Conrad in Travis Kelce and Kelce put up really good stats. Boom Williams is a stud. The oline was not very good on the edges last year we will be better because Leavitt and Young are better tackles than Meadows GAA or Swindle. George gets to move to his natural spot at guard. George, Meyers, Mosier, and Haynes are very talented interior guys with tremendous size and playing experience. I think adding Ross to this wr Corp gives us a legit alpha dog on the outside. The defense is young but very experienced. The pass rush will be better with more experience and depth. I think the run Defense actually improves. Love and more athleticism at will is going to help the rush defense.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,876
60,205
113
Dawson was frustrating on the field, but the offense did click at times. Off the field, I really liked the guy in interviews. I think he can be a good coach. I think he was just a big over his head here and could not rewind some poor mistakes. I suspect he will learn and in the right environment will really be a good OC.
 

KY1WING

Senior
Sep 15, 2005
1,363
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You're right to question that because a lot of coaches leave with a pay out that continues even if you are hired by someone. I believe Coach Ansley came to us with that type of payout. Plus Coach Pelini at Youngstown is getting paid while being HC, I believe I read that.

I think Charlie Weis had the best deal as he was getting paid by ND and Kansas at the same time to not coach.

I've often wondered if Steve Brown's contract had a straight payment with no offset if hired by another team and that's why Joker had to retain him a year longer than he wanted to.
 
Sep 10, 2015
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[T3kidsandme, post: 3710688, member: 30111"]I am not overly concerned with oline play this year. Gran has a quick strike offense. Gran will use pace to keep defenses vanilla. WR is a deep position and we return 3 WR that had 400 plus yards. Gran had a similar TE to Conrad in Travis Kelce and Kelce put up really good stats. Boom Williams is a stud. The oline was not very good on the edges last year we will be better because Leavitt and Young are better tackles than Meadows GAA or Swindle. George gets to move to his natural spot at guard. George, Meyers, Mosier, and Haynes are very talented interior guys with tremendous size and playing experience. I think adding Ross to this wr Corp gives us a legit alpha dog on the outside. The defense is young but very experienced. The pass rush will be better with more experience and depth. I think the run Defense actually improves. Love and more athleticism at will is going to help the rush defense.[/QUOTE]

You are right Leavitt and Young are better tackles. But at this point neither have played a down of division 1 college ball. Also one is an extremely talented true freshman. While I have all the faith in the world in Young you do have to factor that into the equation. I will give it to you I don't know how but big George sliding down to his more natural position slipped my mind. The line will be better because it can't get much worse. How good depends on how long it takes them to mesh and build chemistry as a unit. Conrad is going to be a beast. Boom is a potential All-American IMHO behind a good line. Can he stay healthy is the problem. Ross may or may not be good this coming season. You have to be realistic with him. If memory serves me correct its been at least 2 years without a meaningful down of football and the last was in JC.

The defense has the potential to be very special. We are still waiting to see who our DB coach will be. Yes the past rush should be better but it not given. Can Hatcher stay on the field. How much have the younger guys grown-up. Did the focus on the off season lifting program. Losing Johnson and Lewis are what's going to hurt the most. How is Elam going to transition to be the man. Has he finally put in the work to lose much needed weight and has he finally put it all together. Love is going to be a good one. I think Kash and Love will be the heart and soul of the D. But Love is coming off a transfer year with very limited playing time at Nebraska.

I do believe and have faith this is the year we get over the hump. But it all depends mainly on finding an improvement at QB and if the defense plays to it potential. All in all truthfully too many what ifs and off-season changes for anyone to honestly know what to expect.

I may seem negative just trying to be realistic. I actually am really optimistic. My prediction without any major defections is 7-5 make it 8-5 after a bowl win. Finally getting a key signature win and upsetting someone.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
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[T3kidsandme, post: 3710688, member: 30111"]I am not overly concerned with oline play this year. Gran has a quick strike offense. Gran will use pace to keep defenses vanilla. WR is a deep position and we return 3 WR that had 400 plus yards. Gran had a similar TE to Conrad in Travis Kelce and Kelce put up really good stats. Boom Williams is a stud. The oline was not very good on the edges last year we will be better because Leavitt and Young are better tackles than Meadows GAA or Swindle. George gets to move to his natural spot at guard. George, Meyers, Mosier, and Haynes are very talented interior guys with tremendous size and playing experience. I think adding Ross to this wr Corp gives us a legit alpha dog on the outside. The defense is young but very experienced. The pass rush will be better with more experience and depth. I think the run Defense actually improves. Love and more athleticism at will is going to help the rush defense.

You are right Leavitt and Young are better tackles. But at this point neither have played a down of division 1 college ball. Also one is an extremely talented true freshman. While I have all the faith in the world in Young you do have to factor that into the equation. I will give it to you I don't know how but big George sliding down to his more natural position slipped my mind. The line will be better because it can't get much worse. How good depends on how long it takes them to mesh and build chemistry as a unit. Conrad is going to be a beast. Boom is a potential All-American IMHO behind a good line. Can he stay healthy is the problem. Ross may or may not be good this coming season. You have to be realistic with him. If memory serves me correct its been at least 2 years without a meaningful down of football and the last was in JC.

The defense has the potential to be very special. We are still waiting to see who our DB coach will be. Yes the past rush should be better but it not given. Can Hatcher stay on the field. How much have the younger guys grown-up. Did the focus on the off season lifting program. Losing Johnson and Lewis are what's going to hurt the most. How is Elam going to transition to be the man. Has he finally put in the work to lose much needed weight and has he finally put it all together. Love is going to be a good one. I think Kash and Love will be the heart and soul of the D. But Love is coming off a transfer year with very limited playing time at Nebraska.

I do believe and have faith this is the year we get over the hump. But it all depends mainly on finding an improvement at QB and if the defense plays to it potential. All in all truthfully too many what ifs and off-season changes for anyone to honestly know what to expect.

I may seem negative just trying to be realistic. I actually am really optimistic. My prediction without any major defections is 7-5 make it 8-5 after a bowl win. Finally getting a key signature win and upsetting someone.[/QUOTE]
Your post is not negative. I disagree with saying the pass rush improving is not a given. Hatcher missed a ton of first string practice reps all spring and fall because Stoops did not trust him to run with the 1s. Hatcher still lead the team in sacks and had 6 tfl in 7 games. Having him for a whole year improves the pass rush. Ware will do better than 1 sack imo. I do agree we have some ? But we do have a bunch of returning experience. Dline is the area I actually expect improvement Meant is healthy again going in his rs Jr year. Elam is in his junior year and shed 40 pounds from year 1 to year 2. Elam got a ton of experience last year. I expect good things from Middleton, and KG. Pringle is a solid back up. The big ? For me is Bell and Miggins. Jucos under Brumbaugh have taken huge leaps from year 1 to 2. If Miggins and Bell become good players watch out.
 
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jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
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rt
But did MS not say that even after PT left that he thought he could still play on Sundays? So let me get this straight...MS thinks PT is good enough to play in the NFL BUT not at UK...i'm sorry that makes no sense to me.

PT has ALL the physical tools to be a great QB at any level, the height, the size, the speed, the quickness (fastest shuttle time at the elite 22 which included a 5' 10" athlete), the physical toughness, the athleticism (manhandles Florida's All American DB after the interception AND knocked another DB winding out of bounds), the arm strength, etc etc. He just needs to get his stuff together, and the revolving OCs, OL, receiver drops, etc etc did him no favors in that department, it would have to wear on your confidence. Matt Smith ended up his career at SDS with 155 completions without an interception.

I think he gets drafted or gets several chances on his potential alone. Did you know that Phil Sims holds the Super Bowl record for pass completion percentage, 88%, 22 of 25 with TWO drops. Look up his completion percentage against OVC competition at Morehead State, I think it was never over about 55% and less than 50% for his career-----and he was the 7th OVERALL pick in the draft his last year.

I hope he makes a lot of our fans look bad in the future, not likely but possible.
 
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jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
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I think Charlie Weis had the best deal as he was getting paid by ND and Kansas at the same time to not coach.

I've often wondered if Steve Brown's contract had a straight payment with no offset if hired by another team and that's why Joker had to retain him a year longer than he wanted to.

Doesn't that kind of make you wonder if Weiss didn't try to get fired at Kansas? LOL
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
rt


PT has ALL the physical tools to be a great QB at any level, the height, the size, the speed, the quickness (fastest shuttle time at the elite 22 which included a 5' 10" athlete), the physical toughness, the athleticism (manhandles Florida's All American DB after the interception AND knocked another DB winding out of bounds), the arm strength, etc etc. He just needs to get his stuff together, and the revolving OCs, OL, receiver drops, etc etc did him no favors in that department, it would have to wear on your confidence. Matt Smith ended up his career at SDS with 155 completions without an interception.

I think he gets drafted or gets several chances on his potential alone. Did you know that Phil Sims holds the Super Bowl record for pass completion percentage, 88%, 22 of 25 with TWO drops. Look up his completion percentage against OVC competition at Morehead State, I think it was never over about 55% and less than 50% for his career-----and he was the 7th OVERALL pick in the draft his last year.

I hope he makes a lot of our fans look bad in the future, not likely but possible.
I'm all for PT having a great NFL career just in case you think that is not what I'm saying...
 
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