Or maybe he has been told to limit his carries...? He definitley had opportunities, and will need to keep the defense honest vs UGA and UT.
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Or maybe he has been told to limit his carries...? He definitley had opportunities, and will need to keep the defense honest vs UGA and UT.
Well, I think we will have an excellent idea of just how good our offense is after this weekend. If we can run the ball against Georgia then we can run the ball against anyone. However, the struggle is going to occur if we can not use the run to set up the pass and Johnson has to use the pass to establish the run. If he is leaned on, will he be able to drop back and make the reads and the throws that will force the defense to back out of 8 in the box and give UK the run advantage? We will see.
If Johnson could cure 3 flaws he has shown in every game he has played he would be unreal, imo.
1. Hit the TE over the middle (for the life of Johnson for some reason he continues to miss a wide open CJ every game).
2. Quit getting balls knocked down at the LOS (every game he's started he has a wide open receiver on a screen and gets the ball tipped)
3. Quit fumbling. (which he did a good job of holding onto the ball this past game vs. Mizzou).
All 3 of those issues are easy fixes. I'm telling ya, if he can fix those things, the guy can be and will be really really good!
1. Hit the TE over the middle (for the life of Johnson for some reason he continues to miss a wide open CJ every game).
2. Quit getting balls knocked down at the LOS (every game he's started he has a wide open receiver on a screen and gets the ball tipped)
3. Quit fumbling. (which he did a good job of holding onto the ball this past game vs. Mizzou).
All 3 of those issues are easy fixes. I'm telling ya, if he can fix those things, the guy can be and will be really really good!
Johnson is a "gamer", he plays with confidence. This is something we haven't had in a while.
I can see your point at QB but...........
If someone is clearly the best player, heads and shoulders above, you've got to play that guy.
Players respect that.
I know a guy well that played for Brooks ( and Joker as OC) When Joker became coach I asked him what he thought. He said that we were in trouble. Joker plays his favorites, does not play the best player and it will cost him, players will not respect Joker in that regard. Players won't work hard if they believe their hard work won't pay off and best man plays.
I saw that with Newton, and I'm betting there were others. TIFWIW
I think the analyst during the Missouri explained that Johnsons throw starts low which results in the ball being thrown high.
If we are debating who I want at QB this Saturday, either Johnson or Barker (prior injury) I'm going with Johnson every time. Georgia is a big game and one we could easily lose or win, and Johnson has a better chance at winning that game than any other QB on our roster.
If we are debating who I want at QB this Saturday, either Johnson or Barker (prior injury) I'm going with Johnson every time. Georgia is a big game and one we could easily lose or win, and Johnson has a better chance at winning that game than any other QB on our roster.
He's earned the QB job for the rest of this season, but as far as next season is concerned, I'm not sure. He's needs to gain some muscle and learn to stop fumbling the ball and he needs to work on his throwing power and accuracy. If he does this then he's got a chance to start next seaosn, but it's going to be tough when you've got Drew Barker and Gunnar Hoak out there as well.
Bowl prep will be good for both SJ and Hoak. It may also provide Barker a chance to again practice this year. Bowl prep is a good thing.
Just have another competition in the spring . The question is would the offense be better with Barker and I think it would . Based on his ability to throw deeper and more accurate , it would compliment the running game even more . Johnson has played well with the exceptions of turnovers and accuracy issues . I think teams are going to all out stack the box the rest of our games and try to force Johnson to beat them throwing , he needs to keep them honest .
I think without a doubt the Coaches saw DB as being the better passer and having the most knowledge of the offense coming into the season. With his injury, it forced the staff to make changes. They had to go run heavy and also simplify the playbook. To the staff's and team's credit, they didn't give up on the season and have molded the team to what they have. And fortunately because of the successes they were having, the team built up some confidence. I think each week you see a little more of the playbook as SJ gets more comfortable. But the interesting thing will be to see if the team stays conservative next year if Barker is healthy and can win back the job. I honestly think right now SJ has the confidence of the TEAM and I think that goes a LONG way. Barker is going to have to be extra good to win back the job IMO.
It's always an open competition. Nothing is, or should be, given.
But I consider Johnson the QB until someone definitively takes it from him. I personally would love to see what an offseason of putting on some strength (the primary cause of the fumbles imo), and working with Hinshaw, Gran, and the skill players could do. I actually could envision him being a beast next year.
But I consider Johnson the QB until someone definitively takes it from him. I personally would love to see what an offseason of putting on some strength (the primary cause of the fumbles imo), and working with Hinshaw, Gran, and the skill players could do. I actually could envision him being a beast next year.
Yeah as others have said, he should be the guy going forward until someone else steps up and takes it from him.
He has to cut down on those turnovers. I know the staff has been working with him on securing the ball more, but he has to know when to pull the ball and take off.
Just slide and avoid the hit. (Of course, he should have had that targeting call when he did slide and got hit late against Miss St.)
He has to cut down on those turnovers. I know the staff has been working with him on securing the ball more, but he has to know when to pull the ball and take off.
Just slide and avoid the hit. (Of course, he should have had that targeting call when he did slide and got hit late against Miss St.)
It's his unless someone else earns it. He makes his fair share of mistakes, but you take the good with the bad. Hopefully an offseason dedicated to addressing his downfalls will help correct that.
Bottom line is that he's 6-1 with his only loss coming at Alabama. Not bad.
Bottom line is that he's 6-1 with his only loss coming at Alabama. Not bad.
Johnson has made plays that has helped this team & some plays that has made some games closer than what they should have been. Kids only loss has been on the road at Alabama. Barker will get his shot I'm sure but 5 wins as a starter in 6 games is pretty good....
Johnson isn't even under center half the time. If we had a real passing threat we would be top 15 team
It goes without saying that, unless there are team rules violations, academic problems or injuries, there is no reason for any player to be playing if he doesn't deserve it. I agree with Rockford >>>> Of course >>>>> BEST PLAYER PLAYS !!
You are discounting Johnson's ability to run and his cool, calm leadership abilities.
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For the first time in a while UK has some stability on offense and specifically at the QB position. As a result an identity and confidence to produce within the framework of that identity has developed.
Folks can point out all the flaws and it's fair, but it is also important to realize that SJ hasn't been with this team for a full year yet and he is still learning how to play at this level of football.
Not naming him starter early on in the off season would be a tragedy. We don't need another QB competition where nobody gets a lions share of the reps and the team doesn't really know who to rally around.
A full off season of work with the first team and the confidence of having the full team and staff behind him will allow SJ to really improve as a player and put the staff n team in a position to use the momentum from this season to take the next step.
Uncertainty really halts progress. I can't be for sure but I feel like DB is a totally different QB that would require the offense to maybe change from what it is.
Sometimes you need to roll with the mojo in life.
Maybe last season with the way things went, it was appropriate to hit the reset button on the QB and change offenses after the season. Right now things are rolling, don't believe anything drastic is required.
Folks can point out all the flaws and it's fair, but it is also important to realize that SJ hasn't been with this team for a full year yet and he is still learning how to play at this level of football.
Not naming him starter early on in the off season would be a tragedy. We don't need another QB competition where nobody gets a lions share of the reps and the team doesn't really know who to rally around.
A full off season of work with the first team and the confidence of having the full team and staff behind him will allow SJ to really improve as a player and put the staff n team in a position to use the momentum from this season to take the next step.
Uncertainty really halts progress. I can't be for sure but I feel like DB is a totally different QB that would require the offense to maybe change from what it is.
Sometimes you need to roll with the mojo in life.
Maybe last season with the way things went, it was appropriate to hit the reset button on the QB and change offenses after the season. Right now things are rolling, don't believe anything drastic is required.
I stated this on another forum thread...
I'm going to be very interested in NEXT YEAR's Stephen Johnson. We seem to have always had much better luck with JUCO transfers in their Senior season vs their Junior years. He has a funny passing release that I think they could tinker with and improve. He has more allusive ability that helps with the run/read option, but the young man needs to eat a couple of pizzas!! I don't think a 200/205# Stepehen Johnson with more strength, loses the fumble as much, or goes down on a pocket tackle as easy.
I'm going to be very interested in NEXT YEAR's Stephen Johnson. We seem to have always had much better luck with JUCO transfers in their Senior season vs their Junior years. He has a funny passing release that I think they could tinker with and improve. He has more allusive ability that helps with the run/read option, but the young man needs to eat a couple of pizzas!! I don't think a 200/205# Stepehen Johnson with more strength, loses the fumble as much, or goes down on a pocket tackle as easy.
I don't think the coaching staff is interested in doing any favors "whatever that means" for any player. They will choose who plays and gets things done.
The coaching staff knows how to handle player competition and will do whats right.In fact they are doing a lot of things right. They will play the player whose talent best fits the situation, regardless of who he is.
This is a team game and all players should know that the coaches know best.
This qb situation has been handled well by the coaches. They started the right QB and also had the backup ready in case of injury. It couldn't have worked out any better.
Barker won't even be in the discussion for starter at UK next season. Hopefully the kid has a wonderful career wherever he chooses to transfer. He helped build a great recruiting class and I am grateful he wanted so badly to help make UK relevant again. He should have had more of a chance last year to show what he could bring to the table. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't the case.
Stephen Johnson has had the benefit of not being a KY native, which kept a lot of pressure off of him and has allowed him to move on quickly from mistakes and learn in a much calmer environment. The team is behind him now and they recognize that it was SP that has helped lead them back to relevance. The future of this team is in his hands now, unless he just completely does a 180 and regresses it will stay that way next year. Again, hate it for the KY kid (Barker) that helped us so much before ever playing a snap, but he'll be okay wherever he winds up if keeps maturing and working hard on his game.
Stephen Johnson has had the benefit of not being a KY native, which kept a lot of pressure off of him and has allowed him to move on quickly from mistakes and learn in a much calmer environment. The team is behind him now and they recognize that it was SP that has helped lead them back to relevance. The future of this team is in his hands now, unless he just completely does a 180 and regresses it will stay that way next year. Again, hate it for the KY kid (Barker) that helped us so much before ever playing a snap, but he'll be okay wherever he winds up if keeps maturing and working hard on his game.
Definitely agree! If Barker comes back healthy he will compete for the starting job, but just not at UK.
Just think going to a bowl game is going to be like having two spring practices.
Some odd posts in this thread. Let's maybe wait and see before we just transfer Barker out of the program.
The good news about Johnson is that he has shown himself to be a guy you don't have to coddle. Some QB's couldn't accept an open competition after the year he's having. Doesn't seem like he's wired that way. He's taken every bit of criticism on the chin and owned it completely. Huge leadership quality.
The good news about Johnson is that he has shown himself to be a guy you don't have to coddle. Some QB's couldn't accept an open competition after the year he's having. Doesn't seem like he's wired that way. He's taken every bit of criticism on the chin and owned it completely. Huge leadership quality.
I don't think it was Woody, I seem to remember it was Darell Royal at Texas. But whatever if you can't run the ball in the SEC your doomed.
Look at the Johnson/Smith threads over the past few weeks and tell me SJ got a break because he was not a Kentucky kid. Lol
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I never said the fans gave him a break. I said he's not a KY native and doesn't feel the same pressure that was on Drew and Patrick, both KY natives, to turn the program around. I think it's been a huge benefit to him and enables him to move on past mistakes a lot easier.
Mizzou had 8 in the box quite a bit Saturday and we were still able to run it down their throats. Not saying their D is that good, but 8 in the box, you should be able to stop the run everytime.
I hope UGA stacks the box. I think SJ's passing is good enough (not great, but good enough) to keep them honest.
I would not put it beyond Gran to consider a two QB system next year. Johnson/Barker or Johnson/Hoak.
Advantage is it makes it much more difficult for defenses to prepare for two different QBs, running different packages, and it gives you tremendous flexibility to run whatever style you want to run against various defenses in different situations.
AT any rate I hope they use the right guy(s) becasue next year with 90% of this team returning we have the opportunity for an exceptional season including a trip to CATLANTA.
Advantage is it makes it much more difficult for defenses to prepare for two different QBs, running different packages, and it gives you tremendous flexibility to run whatever style you want to run against various defenses in different situations.
AT any rate I hope they use the right guy(s) becasue next year with 90% of this team returning we have the opportunity for an exceptional season including a trip to CATLANTA.
Really hard to say. In Barker's first half, he was exceptional, made some NFL throws, hitting tight windows, all the things you want out of a QB.
But Johnson is winning, which is the most important thing in football. That means alot to coaches.
Will be an interesting spring that's for sure. I believe all 3 QBs will get plenty of chances to win the starting job. 2017 is too important for the coaches to make the wrong decision.
Alot depends on these next 4 games. To win the East next year, we have to beat teams like Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia and Tenn. Is Johnson a capable enough QB to win those games?
If he shows up in the spring over 200lbs and with improved accuracy, may be hard to beat out.
But Johnson is winning, which is the most important thing in football. That means alot to coaches.
Will be an interesting spring that's for sure. I believe all 3 QBs will get plenty of chances to win the starting job. 2017 is too important for the coaches to make the wrong decision.
Alot depends on these next 4 games. To win the East next year, we have to beat teams like Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia and Tenn. Is Johnson a capable enough QB to win those games?
If he shows up in the spring over 200lbs and with improved accuracy, may be hard to beat out.
Just sharing SEC statistics, as they are interesting to look at.