Does Barker have a legit shot at the starting QB job?
- Thread starter Robcatt24
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I would worry only because of Towles's experience if Barker would win it now. Now 3 games down the road we could see a clearer picture.
Sounds to me like Barker is really impressing them. I really hope the kid gets to get in some games this year. You know he's itching to play!
I would say that the only way that Barker has a shot at overcoming Towles year of experience is if he is blowing the coaching staff away with his accuracy, reading of the defense, field presence and leadership.
IMO Barker will need to be much better than Towles to take away the starting QB position. Just a little better than a near tie is not going to cut it because they will go with the experience.
The only exception would be if Towles has a hole in his skill set that is not progressing and Barker does not.
IMO Barker will need to be much better than Towles to take away the starting QB position. Just a little better than a near tie is not going to cut it because they will go with the experience.
The only exception would be if Towles has a hole in his skill set that is not progressing and Barker does not.
my guess is, Towles is the man, but they give Barker enough mop up duty to appease him, letting him know that he's the man as soon as Towles leaves. If Patti Ice has a killer year, he may go pro early, and turn it over to Barker next season. Even if Towles stays for 1 more, Barker still wouldn't be eligible to play anywhere else anyway, so he'll still wait it out.
Now, if something were to happen and Towles get injured (I sure hope not) it could be possible that Drew takes over and never looks back. Hard to say.
Now, if something were to happen and Towles get injured (I sure hope not) it could be possible that Drew takes over and never looks back. Hard to say.
The 2 times I've watched practice, Barker outplayed Towles. The first of those 2, it wasn't even close.
With that said, I firmly believe Towles will start, but if he gets hurt and has to miss a couple games....Don't be suprised if Drew takes over and never looks back.
Side caveat, Barker and Dawson seemed like they had a great on-field Coach/player relationship. Not that Dawson/ Towles had a bad one, just that Dawson/Barker seemed to really be working together good and enjoying the process more.
My .02
With that said, I firmly believe Towles will start, but if he gets hurt and has to miss a couple games....Don't be suprised if Drew takes over and never looks back.
Side caveat, Barker and Dawson seemed like they had a great on-field Coach/player relationship. Not that Dawson/ Towles had a bad one, just that Dawson/Barker seemed to really be working together good and enjoying the process more.
My .02
That is interesting. I haven't seen it with my own eyes, so I can't make a good judgement. I do remember Dawson making a comment that he has never played a 2 qb system, but wouldn't count out the possibility. I have a difficult time imagining Towles getting benched without doing something wrong. I mean, he led us when we had a lot of holes to fill, so he's kinda earned the opportunity to play with a complete offense behind him. Still, I also expect the coaches to go with the best guy. Are other people who have been witnessing practice of the same mindset that Barker looks better?
Pat starts and stays four years. Drew plays and has two more years to lead one of the most prolific offenses in the SEC. Gunnar Hoak follows and Mac Jones is next. When have any of you seen this type recruiting at UK?
From what little I saw of vids, Barke'rs throwing motion is long, looping, and he really uses his back in his follow though... Just my .02. Not sure Drew is the athlete Pat is either.
But who knows? If one QB commands more respect of the locker room, there's your starter.
But who knows? If one QB commands more respect of the locker room, there's your starter.
I say Towles has it pretty much wrapped up at this point but the pressure will definitely be on him to perform if the QB battle is getting closer
Agree. It begins to sound as if Towles will be playing to keep Barker off the field all season.
I don't have a problem with that. That's the same situation everyone else faces. QB's don't deserve special treatment when it comes to being benched so you can take a look at someone else.
I like both of those QB's honestly, and it's a little bit of a shame that they're so close together, but that's just how it works sometimes..but I have to be honest that I'm not a fan of the two-QB system (whoever the starter is) because I just don't think a QB is going to play with the same confidence if he feels like he has a bad series or a bad throw (which every QB in the world is going to have) that he's going to get yanked out of the game..a big part of being QB is having confidence and having a short memory when you have a bad play and I feel like a QB needs to know that the job is his and he won't be yanked out after one bad series..now there are exceptions if a QB had some bad games and is just playing terrible and is clearly out of it and the other guy is clearly the better option then yeah, but QB is a delicate position that IMO you have to handle a little differently than others..QB's go through ups and downs in games just like everyone else, and a QB could have a terrible first half and then come out in the second half and light it up and win the game for you.. if you yank guys in and out every time they do something bad then neither of your QB's is going to go out there and play with the confidence they should..that's not even considering the fact that by yanking a QB out you're not allowing him to get in a rhythm
Whether the QB is Towles or Barker they just need to stick with one guy..honestly I just feel like we have two QB's that could start and play well for most teams in the country..it's a really good problem to have..I think both guys bring a little something different to the table as far as strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day if Towles is yet again named the starter there has to be a reason for it..these coaches aren't dumb, and if TWO different offensive coordinators in Neal Brown and Shannon Dawson (two guys that have coached some dang good QB's) name him the starter after seeing what both have to offer, then I just don't know how much more you can second-guess it
I think Barker is an elite talent and I wish he was about a year or two younger, but I just feel like he was dealt a little bit of a bad hand in having to come in and compete with a physical specimen 4-star elite-11 QB that's 6'5, 250-pounds, athletic, competitive, and has what Shannon Dawson called "the strongest arm he's ever been around". On most other teams Barker would start IMO, but he just happened to come in and have to compete with a guy with NFL ability that scouts drool over. I think that's probably why it's so tough for the coaches to name a starter. Both are really good, but from what the coaches continue to say Towles just has the edge (and that year of experience in the SEC is the wild card..there's no way of even saying how valuable that is).
Whether the QB is Towles or Barker they just need to stick with one guy..honestly I just feel like we have two QB's that could start and play well for most teams in the country..it's a really good problem to have..I think both guys bring a little something different to the table as far as strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day if Towles is yet again named the starter there has to be a reason for it..these coaches aren't dumb, and if TWO different offensive coordinators in Neal Brown and Shannon Dawson (two guys that have coached some dang good QB's) name him the starter after seeing what both have to offer, then I just don't know how much more you can second-guess it
I think Barker is an elite talent and I wish he was about a year or two younger, but I just feel like he was dealt a little bit of a bad hand in having to come in and compete with a physical specimen 4-star elite-11 QB that's 6'5, 250-pounds, athletic, competitive, and has what Shannon Dawson called "the strongest arm he's ever been around". On most other teams Barker would start IMO, but he just happened to come in and have to compete with a guy with NFL ability that scouts drool over. I think that's probably why it's so tough for the coaches to name a starter. Both are really good, but from what the coaches continue to say Towles just has the edge (and that year of experience in the SEC is the wild card..there's no way of even saying how valuable that is).
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If Towels isn't the starter then th offense has something wrong from day one. Started every game last year and no off season issues.
I hope Barker gets lots of reps in the end of a lot of games because we are up a few TDs, though.
I know everyone has an opinion but I've not heard anything from anyone who has said that Drew was outplaying Towles and it wasn't even close. I guess we will see though soon.
I honestly have no idea why this is suddenly a topic for debate. It's pretty obvious who is going to start the season.
THIS^^^^^I would say it's Towles job to lose with a talented backup waiting in the wings.
It's good to know that they both are ready to play. Barker will get more playing time then we expect. We have four potential blow out games. I hope he lights EKU up.
I'd say you're right that Towles is the better athlete and has more arm strength.
Saying that, I've heard Coach Stoops say more than once that he thinks Barker is a "gamer" and is someone who plays well when "the lights come on in the stadium". Barker seems to have the "it factor" for a QB.
I think he does. I think this staff is gonna start who gives them the best shot to win.
And at first, I thought they kept saying it was a close race only to keep pushing both QB's. But the more I hear, I think Barker may be further ahead than originally planned.
At this point, I think the staff feels confident in starting either guy honestly. I think Barker's ceiling is higher. But I think they like Towles experience factor.
Also, I think Barker starting would probably hurt more further down the line. If anyone remembers, just a few years ago; rumors were swirling that Towles was transferring because he wasn't the starter. So, if Barker took over at any point this year, you know Towles would not be here next year.
And at first, I thought they kept saying it was a close race only to keep pushing both QB's. But the more I hear, I think Barker may be further ahead than originally planned.
At this point, I think the staff feels confident in starting either guy honestly. I think Barker's ceiling is higher. But I think they like Towles experience factor.
Also, I think Barker starting would probably hurt more further down the line. If anyone remembers, just a few years ago; rumors were swirling that Towles was transferring because he wasn't the starter. So, if Barker took over at any point this year, you know Towles would not be here next year.
The consensus for awhile now seems to be Towles will be the starter. If Barker is looking good in practice and challenging him then that's a great thing. Here's hoping the Cat's see that kind of competition at lots of positions in the years to come. My own just personal hunch is Barker will get some PT this year. Most likely in mop up time if we actually have any of that. Other than that I doubt we'll see him much barring an injury to Towles. I can't speak for Dawson but I myself have never cared for 2 QB systems. I think a team needs one guy to look to as the leader, and the guy they have confidence in.
Mark Story @markcstory 2h2 hours ago
Is there a way UK could play both Towles & Barker? Howard Schnellenberger showed the way http://www.kentucky.com/2015/08/15/3990314/mark-story-could-uk-play-both.html…
Is there a way UK could play both Towles & Barker? Howard Schnellenberger showed the way http://www.kentucky.com/2015/08/15/3990314/mark-story-could-uk-play-both.html…
If Towles is named the starter as most assume he will be, you have to feel for Barker. The reality is, if he had chosen to attend USC, he most likely would be the starting QB for The Old Ball Coach this year. But, instead, he chose to stay home and help recruit one of the best classes in UK history, many of whom will be strong contributors this season. Drew is also CMS first QB commitment. In some ways, this is Drew's team, maybe even in the locker room. I am sure this is not lost on the staff and if all other skills are close, Drew's leadership and loyalty to CMS and his teammates, could be the deciding factor on who wins out.
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Towles is MUCH better than Barker. Always has been, always will be. That's why Pat will be a first round NFL draft pick. If you haven't noticed, Stoops does this with the QB's every year. He does this to keep both of the guys practicing, and competing hard. This was never a true "competition". Pat will start every game here until he graduates in two years, or leaves early for the NFL after this season (hopefully not). Barker and Hoak will be in a "competition" at that point.
Not sure where some think Towles is THAT much better than Barker. Both QB's are nearly equal in ability, leadership and having the confidence of the team and coaches. Towles has the edge in experience. Barker will have two years to be the starter and will likely see action this year.
Actually this is almost how you want your QBs staggered. Starter types getting a chance to win the job but ultimately the upperclassmen wins out, and then the new guy takes over as a RS junior with a ton of knowledge under their belt as well as some playing time.
Doesn't matter to me who it is. Towles definitely has more experience but you have to remember that the biggest win last year came basically playing the 3rd string RB as a Wildcat QB and during the final game of the year, he couldn't make a winning play. Whoever wins the job has to be able to elevate his game in order for this team to have success.
Personally, I like this idea. Give him the third series or the first series of the second quarter every game.
That said, who knows what they really look like other than the coaches and players. If it's as close as it seems and Towles is named the starter, I'm all for the above plan.
I think to-date, Barker hasn't shown very much in terms of leadership. His off field issues would probably make me lean toward Towles for another season to give Barker the opportunity to prove that he has grown up. I think most people believe he has more natural talent than Towles, but those other aspects of being a QB may be what separates them.
Maybe, maybe not. What about the other team's mop up time? When we've thrown in the towel? Or out?
Agreed.
Count me as another who does not favor a two QB system, and I just don't feel the staff will go in that direction. I do hope Barker gets some reps in the 4th quarter of a few games.
I think this is the reason that Towles has the nod more than any.
But, just a hunch, I believe Barker may be more liked on the team. From the practices I seen, Barker was high fivin guys after plays, clapping after big plays, and just seemed genuinely thrilled to be playing football and making plays and you could see his team mates buying into that enthusiasm. With Towles, in the same practice, appeared more business like and his unit took that approach too.
I too thought Towles had the job for sure going into that practice(and I'm sure he still does), but after leaving those practices and coming back to these forums I'm suprised no one ever commented on how much better Barker looked not only in his play, but his ability to run the team also.
Again I'm sure Towles will have the nod, but the future with Barker under the helm looks very, very bright.
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