So I haven't looked at any preseason magazines yet and was wondering what most people are rating UK's Secondary, Linebackers and DLine both in the SEC and nationally?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I glanced at Athlon while at Walmart. They gave us very little respect on either side of the ball.So I haven't looked at any preseason magazines yet and was wondering what most people are rating UK's Secondary, Linebackers and DLine both in the SEC and nationally?
Sounds like a question for Phil Steele!So I haven't looked at any preseason magazines yet and was wondering what most people are rating UK's Secondary, Linebackers and DLine both in the SEC and nationally?
Thats about what I expected. I just really hope the Dline is at least in the middle of the pack in the SEC.Sounds like a question for Phil Steele!
Every year he ranks his projected "top units". I have no idea what his selection process is but I guess it is safe to assume it is vested heavily in the same performance driven criteria that he uses for just about everything. Anyway...
Defensive Line: 54 ranked units; UK unranked (11 SEC teams in top 54)
Linebackers: 50 ranked units; UK #22 (4 SEC teams ranked higher)
Defensive Backs: 51 ranked units; UK #27 (6 SEC teams ranked higher)
Peace
Sounds like a question for Phil Steele!
Every year he ranks his projected "top units". I have no idea what his selection process is but I guess it is safe to assume it is vested heavily in the same performance driven criteria that he uses for just about everything. Anyway...
Defensive Line: 54 ranked units; UK unranked (11 SEC teams in top 54)
Linebackers: 50 ranked units; UK #22 (4 SEC teams ranked higher)
Defensive Backs: 51 ranked units; UK #27 (6 SEC teams ranked higher)
Peace
True on # of tackles. But yards per play & game are real to me.I think defensive stats can be a little misleading. For example when you see guys have a ton of tackles that tells me that they could not get off the field and are forced to rack up the tackles.
I think defensive stats can be a little misleading. For example when you see guys have a ton of tackles that tells me that they could not get off the field and are forced to rack up the tackles.
Phil Steele has our DL dead last in the SEC.Thats about what I expected. I just really hope the Dline is at least in the middle of the pack in the SEC.
Phil Steele has our DL dead last in the SEC.
Actually I've said on here lasts years class was a step in the right direction, you may have missed that. But yes I think there is a long way to go and apparently Steele agrees with me. I would note that I think Steele is way off on what he thinks of our OL though. So like all predictions, nothing to get bent out of shape about. Never tried to be the Picasso of whimsy---- just call it like I see it.I suspect that's one position higher than you have us.
Actually I've said on here lasts years class was a step in the right direction, you may have missed that. But yes I think there is a long way to go and apparently Steele agrees with me. I would note that I think Steele is way off on what he thinks of our OL though. So like all predictions, nothing to get bent out of shape about. Never tried to be the Picasso of whimsy---- just call it like I see it.
Thats about what I expected. I just really hope the Dline is at least in the middle of the pack in the SEC.
Keep in mind sports writers of today were very likely home and garden, restaurant reviewers or never heard of journalism school. Therefore, it is easier to make a safe conservative, inoffensive choice in rankings as a "sports writer." When the season is over and U.K. succeeds, they are the first ones to state they knew we would win and were for us all the way.I am still aggravated that the SEC media basically locked UK out. I understand the need to beat the big three(Ga,Tenn,UF) but 17 returning starters. But the biggest complaint is the total lack of respect for the O line.
Only P5 school with 2 I say two 1000 yard rushers and the entire 2 deep back except 1. And, and the leading Defensive returning SEC stopper did not even get a mention. Really! I know I am ranting in vain but it is hopeful after what I think is going to be a very fine season the deserving UK players will get the recognition they deserve! JC
I don't believe I have ever seen anything that links "performance" to SOS.Is there a defensive ranking from last year that gives weight to a team's strength of schedule?
Perhaps we would all be better served to allow the defensive line (painfully young and inexperienced last year) who are now veterans (plus a hopefully leaner, meaner Matt Elam) to do their work. Our linebackers, corners and. safeties are among the best in the SEC. I think it's time to exhale...... We'll be fine on defense.I don't believe I have ever seen anything that links "performance" to SOS.Is there a defensive ranking from last year that gives weight to a team's strength of schedule?
UK was #19 in YPR and played (according to Steele) the #62 SOS. But, in looking at that stat, how good were the defenses UK faced (i.e., YPR allowed) and how did that affect their YPR? To that end, I tried to develop some simple algorithms that "corrected" a specific performance stat vs. your opponents "counter" stat.
I won't bore you with details but it took wayyy to much individual data entry to the spreadsheet, especially since you really had to see the "corrected data" for ALL teams to understand what the corrected stat for your team actually meant. Hell, I'm already making my head hurt!
Peace
Hope he is way off, it would be a shame to have such good DB's and linebackers and get nothing from the Dline!Phil Steele has our DL dead last in the SEC.
So to give props when props are due---Phil Steele predicted our OL last year to be the 6th best in the SEC --- who saw that coming? Like I said above nobody has any guarantees about the future but if our DL finishes midway in the SEC I would be ecstatic and think we would be very much in contention to win the east. In any case I'm certainly not going to change my opinion to please another fan and I come here to talk about Kentucky football.Keep in mind sports writers of today were very likely home and garden, restaurant reviewers or never heard of journalism school. Therefore, it is easier to make a safe conservative, inoffensive choice in rankings as a "sports writer." When the season is over and U.K. succeeds, they are the first ones to state they knew we would win and were for us all the way.
Phil Steele is a respected journalist.So to give props when props are due---Phil Steele predicted our OL last year to be the 6th best in the SEC --- who saw that coming? Like I said above nobody has any guarantees about the future but if our DL finishes midway in the SEC I would be ecstatic and think we would be very much in contention to win the east. In any case I'm certainly not going to change my opinion to please another fan and I come here to talk about Kentucky football.
So other than other than Pringle and Elam (wildcard), is there a Freshman or Juco that can make an impact? Hopefully there is a diamond in the rough that we have that is underrated like Jones and Allen were.
RSFr DT Kordell Looney showed some flashes in the spring. Last Friday VM was talking up big RSSo Calvin Taylor but I have my reservations about him. Ja'quize Cross is another RSFr DT that has some size and ability. Any of the four true Frosh Bohannan, Paschal, Abule-Abadi and Whittaker could work their way into the rotation as well.
Our numbers are much better than the have been recently.
...RV, how many DTs do we have, counting the youngsters?
Not according to this depth chart:77 Naquez Pringle
69 Matt Elam
98 Tymere Dubose
36 Jacob Hyde
95 Quinton Bohanna
99 Adrian Middleton
59 Kordell Looney
92 Phil Hoskins
93 Ja'Quize Cross
90 T.J. Carter
60 Calvin Taylor
96 Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald
94 Chris Whittaker
20 Kengera Daniel
14 counting the incoming kids
Not according to this depth chart:
https://kentucky.rivals.com/news/ro...uk-s-defensive-depth-and-talent-with-sec-foes
While not to the topic of the thread that is a damn good post. It makes 2 very good points about DL play that are often overlooked or misunderstood by many fans. I wanted to give you a shout out for succinctly making a point I have often made but not nearly as well.Well, the depth chart is always an outline but not the Bible.
All the Nose guys are DT's and play a 0 or 1 technique.
The DT and DE spot both play a 3 or 4 tech (sometimes 5) and many times they have replaced each other when depth got low.
In our 4-down look in the nickel we take our DE guys like Kengera now and like Miggins, Huegenin and others previously and place them in the 3-4 tech DT spot for pass rush and the actual DT moves in to nose so yes all the guys listed either will or can be called on to play DT.