My apologies if this has been addressed in another thread I haven't seen. I've followed my pattern of avoiding the board for at least 24 hours after a disappointing loss. Well, the VU game pretty much defines that term.
There is zero doubt in my mind we were the better team. Quite a bit better in fact. Yet, we managed to lose it.
But, the topic I'm most focused on is the play of Dorian Baker.
Dorian is a great talent. Really has next level athleticism and strength for a WR. We absolutely need him to be a productive player for the program. This post is going to sound a lot like I'm dogging an individual player for a team's malfunction, but that is not meant to be the case. To me, he is the very definition of this UK team. Young. Talented (for UK standards, esp). Glimpses of some really good play. Maddeningly inconsistent. And, at times, disinterested in playing.
Forget about the drops, which get all the attention.
What really had me upset from the VU game was his poor effort in blocking and his lack of fighting for the ball in the end zone on that interception.
I know Stoops said their was confusion between a run and pass play on one of the failed block (semi) attempts. But the body language was awful. There were multiple times that it just did not seem like he was giving remotely his best effort. More than mental mistakes or physically getting beat, lack of effort is the worse offense for any player.
If UK is ever to be anything in football, we have to have our talent playing hard and making effort. Hell, we can't coast and beat Charlotte.
Probably not fair to focus just on Dorian - I just know how good he can be when he is fully engaged. We need that from him going forward.
Am I being too harsh? Did anyone else see the same things I did?
There is zero doubt in my mind we were the better team. Quite a bit better in fact. Yet, we managed to lose it.
But, the topic I'm most focused on is the play of Dorian Baker.
Dorian is a great talent. Really has next level athleticism and strength for a WR. We absolutely need him to be a productive player for the program. This post is going to sound a lot like I'm dogging an individual player for a team's malfunction, but that is not meant to be the case. To me, he is the very definition of this UK team. Young. Talented (for UK standards, esp). Glimpses of some really good play. Maddeningly inconsistent. And, at times, disinterested in playing.
Forget about the drops, which get all the attention.
What really had me upset from the VU game was his poor effort in blocking and his lack of fighting for the ball in the end zone on that interception.
I know Stoops said their was confusion between a run and pass play on one of the failed block (semi) attempts. But the body language was awful. There were multiple times that it just did not seem like he was giving remotely his best effort. More than mental mistakes or physically getting beat, lack of effort is the worse offense for any player.
If UK is ever to be anything in football, we have to have our talent playing hard and making effort. Hell, we can't coast and beat Charlotte.
Probably not fair to focus just on Dorian - I just know how good he can be when he is fully engaged. We need that from him going forward.
Am I being too harsh? Did anyone else see the same things I did?
