ADVERTISEMENT

Defensive Depth

bballcat4

Junior
Jan 12, 2008
3,288
4,227
113
For most of my life UK has had a few good defensive players, but some obvious weaknesses in the lineup. Additionally, we’ve historically had zero depth. Injury or fatigue allowed many close games early to get out of reach in the 4th quarter.

Depth and versatility were obvious last Saturday. UK can now give Rypka more snaps against run heavy teams and situations while giving Oxendine more snaps against a team like Ole Miss. Both of these players are now rotational players instead of being relied on to take 70-75% of defensive snaps. It provides depth and versatility for specific need/game situations. (The same depth exists for several positions along the defensive line and secondary.)

Stoops and White have developed the kind of defensive depth the last few years that top SEC defenses have where they can rotate players without much drop off in talent and production.

We need the same development on our OL, but it’s going to take a few recruiting classes (and hopefully continuity) to develop a similar depth on the OL.
 
think the fact one of our rotation guys (OX) got named lineman of the week makes your point crystal clear. It’s a testament to recruiting and development.

We’re throwing DBs out there and rotating guys with little experience and they are all playing lights out. Matching up on man’s routes and flying up and drilling guys on tackles. Impressive
 
Our DL was lauded with their play. Liked the stat of the DL getting Dart to move out of the pocket 42% of the time. He had 9 hurries and I believe 4 sacks? That 42% is said to be outstanding. Going two deep with quality is a big part of that. Walker was involved with those stats 100% of the time as he was in the game every time during all those pressures.
 
Our DL was lauded with their play. Liked the stat of the DL getting Dart to move out of the pocket 42% of the time. He had 9 hurries and I believe 4 sacks? That 42% is said to be outstanding. Going two deep with quality is a big part of that. Walker was involved with those stats 100% of the time as he was in the game every time during all those pressures.
Love to see SEC defensive Player of the Week being a rotational guy. Walker is a beast!
 
Walker was involved with those stats 100% of the time as he was in the game every time during all those pressures.

A lot of casual fans don’t see it, but the NFL sees it.

If you had multiple replay views, and graded it, you can bet that 90 percent of offensive plays are run away from Walker, and that they double-team him and/or chip a back or TE toward him.

If I were an offensive coordinator playing Kentucky, I would begin the week by giving a photo of Walker to every offensive player, and working on how to avoid or stop him with every snap. In reality, that is pretty much what offensive coordinators are doing, every week.
 
Our DL was lauded with their play. Liked the stat of the DL getting Dart to move out of the pocket 42% of the time. He had 9 hurries and I believe 4 sacks? That 42% is said to be outstanding. Going two deep with quality is a big part of that. Walker was involved with those stats 100% of the time as he was in the game every time during all those pressures.

1 of 9 on third down conversions!! Include their 2 of 2 on 4th down, and three of nine is still decent against a prolific passing offense.
 
A lot of casual fans don’t see it, but the NFL sees it.

If you had multiple replay views, and graded it, you can bet that 90 percent of offensive plays are run away from Walker, and that they double-team him and/or chip a back or TE toward him.

If I were an offensive coordinator playing Kentucky, I would begin the week by giving a photo of Walker to every offensive player, and working on how to avoid or stop him with every snap. In reality, that is pretty much what offensive coordinators are doing, every week.
Kiffin raving about Kentucky's defense. Mentioned Johnson as kind of the icing on the cake to a great defense. Said his maturity, leadership and play shows up big on the field. He said our defense should give a lot of people trouble after how we played against GA, Ole Miss and what GA did to AL on offense.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT