Stoops was completely sold on Barker as his qb
- Thread starter Glenn Fohr
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I thought I heard Stoops say something about it would be nice to have Towles stay and back up Barker. Did I hear that correctly?
No, if that's all you heard then you took it completely out of context. Stoops said he completely understood why Towles is leaving, supported him 100%. Said he had one more year of eligibility that he couldn't see Towles using by staying here as a backup. Said he was proud of how PT handled the situation and wishes him the best, and yes he then threw in there that yeah of course we would have liked to have the luxury of having Towles here next year as a backup but that's not realistic to expect of him. Still thinks Towles can play on Sunday's.
You heard correctly. Made me sit up and listen. About as clear as clear can be....UK will sink or swim with Barker.
Well, if he is completely sold on him then there should be no qb battle in the spring. Give Barker all the reps with the ones all through spring and fall. This splitting reps could have hurt Towles development as well.
“It would be very hard for him, after he’s given everything, his heart and soul, to sit here and back up Drew. He has an extra year left. He can go somewhere and I still believe he can play on Sundays. I’ve said that all along; that I thought he had a big time arm."
ahhhhhh coachspeak. "He's good enough to play in the NFL next year, but not good enough to start for UK." :flush: I realize you have to say that, but sheeeeeeeesh....
Different QB's are better suited for different play books. Tim Couch was mediocre until we implemented a pass-happy offense.
The assumption by a good portion of the fanbase has always been that Towles was Stoops' guy.......and that Stoops wanted Towles to play......and forced Dawson to play him. There's little evidence to this.
The only thing that we do know is that:
a) Stoops is not going to throw someone under the bus. He's not going to come out in public and say, "I told Dawson to play Towles the entire time" nor is he going to say "Dawson made the call to play Towles the entire time."
b) Stoops did say multiple times throughout the yr that he "wanted to give Barker some PT." That "Barker was going to play quite a bit against EKU." Etc.
So, it is entirely possible that Stoops made Dawson play Towles the entire yr.......just as it is possible that Dawson had the decision all along to play Towles. We just don't know.....nor will we ever know.
As long as you are giving him reps w/ a quality OC and system in place. Just naming him the starter and duplicating the Dawson fubar is pointless.
I'd remind all that Stoops recruited Barker but not Towles. If he felt loyalty to anyone it'd be Barker. However, it's entirely possible Barker was just not ready at the first of the season. As he received more reps he began to be more comfortable and Stoops more comfortable with him. All that doesn't matter now, Towles is gone and Barker's it.
Since I am no UK fan maybe this isn't my place to interject but I find it odd that Stoops would say that. If Barker is clearly the guy, why did he wait so long to make a change? From listening to many of my UK friends, it was clear Patrick Towles wasn't very good earlier in the season. All I saw was Baker when he played against us and no offense, but that guy didn't look much if any better than Towles. Now I know many of you on here had him as a first round pick and certain NFL'er but I told you back then that Towles wasn't that good. If Barker is clearly the guy, seriously, why so long to make the switch? Just seems odd from an outsiders perspective.
If Stoops is smart, he goes and gets a quality dual threat this recruiting class. Everyone saw what happened with the Newton, Moss, Hartline fiascos. The only thing that saved UK during that time was Randall Cobb.
If Drew struggles, they better have someone on the bench who has a live arm but can also make plays with their legs to bring a real spark to the offense unless Hoak is much better than expected. If Phillips has not gotten time yet I doubt he ever will.
If Drew struggles, they better have someone on the bench who has a live arm but can also make plays with their legs to bring a real spark to the offense unless Hoak is much better than expected. If Phillips has not gotten time yet I doubt he ever will.
Based solely on what I saw against UofL, Towles was clearly the "better" QB. Nonetheless, given the season long "unevenness" of QB play, it was an ideal situation to have made sure Barker had a series or two (in the first half) in every game. (Don't tell me the games were too close; games are generally not won or lost in the fist half. Simply takes a coaching mindset to give the other guy a chance.) And such planned substitution is not the same a "2 QB system". It would have allowed Barker to get some much needed game experience, got him ready should Towles gone down with injury and actually given the staff to see how Barker played in games.
If Barker was indeed a better "gamer" he may have eventually taken over the starting job. In such case Towles would still be transferring and you would have the same situation you have today. However, if Barker could not win the job based on such season long cameo performances, in all probability, Towles finishes up his career at UK.
IMO, the staff has bungled the QB position since day 1. However, I don't think they can bungle it any more as they really only have 1 option.
Peace
If Barker was indeed a better "gamer" he may have eventually taken over the starting job. In such case Towles would still be transferring and you would have the same situation you have today. However, if Barker could not win the job based on such season long cameo performances, in all probability, Towles finishes up his career at UK.
IMO, the staff has bungled the QB position since day 1. However, I don't think they can bungle it any more as they really only have 1 option.
Peace
If he is "sold" on Barker, then we are screwed. I see zero sign that Barker will be a star. Slow, weak arm, I just don't see it. Will gladly admit it if I'm wrong.
Barker had no less than four perfectly thrown skinny posts that were dropped against us and a couple that were completed; the 31 yarder on the first drive on 3rd and long was a missile. Like many young QBs he tended to be feast or famine and doesn't appear to make the finesse throw very well and hasn't learned the value of a checkdown over a forced downfield incompletion. When Shaun Watson was at Louisville he said that Barker threw as good a ball as he saw from any HS QB recruited by Louisville in his stint there.
I took Barker getting onto the field seemingly so late in the game less about putting their faith in Towles as simply not trusting Barker with the keys to the program; in the end Towles mechanics and footwork were more reminiscent of Elaine Benes dancing at the company party than those of a quality college quarterback and Barker was practically forced onto the field. Now you're out of options...if Barker embraces that it might not be a bad thing.
I took Barker getting onto the field seemingly so late in the game less about putting their faith in Towles as simply not trusting Barker with the keys to the program; in the end Towles mechanics and footwork were more reminiscent of Elaine Benes dancing at the company party than those of a quality college quarterback and Barker was practically forced onto the field. Now you're out of options...if Barker embraces that it might not be a bad thing.
Nothing about Barker said "slow, weak arm" to me...but oh well.
He started two games, one in a snowy mess and the other in 2nd half rain. Tough to know whether he will be a bigtime player, but I think its clear that he doesn't have weak arm or slow release.
He started two games, one in a snowy mess and the other in 2nd half rain. Tough to know whether he will be a bigtime player, but I think its clear that he doesn't have weak arm or slow release.
I think he meant: "slow (afoot) and a weak arm". If so, I'll go along with "slow afoot" but not the "weak" arm. [winking]
Peace
That is exactly what he said. Didn't was the rest of you're post because I see no paragraphs.
Did Stoops really say that Towles could play on Sunday's? [smoke]
I want what he's smoking.
Can still play on sundays, but yet can't beat out a freshman qb on the worse in the conference...surely no one is buying that... that plus he is entering his fourth year as the head coach and admitted today that no they do not have an offensive philosophy or identity... Please don't anyone tell me this guys going to make it
I'll say again, none of us average football fans have seen enough of Barker to know what UK has. For me he's made enough good throws to be encouraged and enough bad throws to be concerned. He has a spring, an off season and a fall before his next game to get the reps that would/could enable him to be good. Suggest we let that unfold.
WHAT?!?
Look at some film. Couch was a freak talent. A natural. Eliot Uslesssack would have ruined Montana and Marino. He had Couch running the Pookie I Bone.
What i heard was Stoops being hopeful that Drew will grow into it behindan improved oline...whadddda d ya think he was gonna say his starting qb wasnt good enough?? Some of you guys listwn to coaches words lime they'r cashmeir. The situation is fluid.he gave no guarNtees for a good reason, other than, itll come together eventually.
That should be good news to UK fans, he will get the vast majority of snaps with the 1's in spring practice and the fall without having to go through a competition. Barker looked smoother and has a much quicker release than Towles which should lead to less sacks. I think UK's OL will improve next year, the JUCO kid will be an upgrade, being able to play George AA at his natural position will make him better, Young could come in and start from day 1, he may take a few lumps early but he has a very high ceiling. So Barker could be getting his shot at the right time, he could have a good OL in front of him which will increase his confidence quite a bit.
With all the qb talk I understand where you are coming from. However, I respectfully disagree. His biggest problem will be the offensive and defensive line. Without them it doesn't matter who the qb might be..
I agree 100% with this. The weakest unit on this team is the DL, they may be the weakest unit in the conference. Also the OL will dictate everything that happens with Barker this season, I wasnt a huge PT supporter but who knows how good he would have been with a decent OL.
Oh I agree. What I meant that UK would sink or swim with Barker is that there will be no QB competition, Barker will be the clear starter. But you're right, both lines are a concern.