Kentucky passing attack gets a little love on SEC network

[jnewc2]

Just watching the media days coverage a few minutes ago and the panel (Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, Booger McFarland, Paul Finebaum) seemed to be in general agreement that behind Texas A&M, Kentucky had the second-best passing attack in the league, and one that should really take off this year under what they called maybe the best QB in the league in Towles

McElroy made the point that "once Towles wins the QB competition the offense will really take off" and that "when Towles gets rolling he could be the best QB in the conference".

I have to say this has to be the first time I can ever remember an offense being projected to be so good and a QB being projected to be maybe the best in the conference, yet he's still in a "QB competition" lol..it's definitley one of the oddest things I've seen when it comes to any sort of "competition" ..just a really, really weird situation with Stoops not having Towles named the starter

I could tell the ESPN guys weren't sure how to handle it after they had just finished praising Towles and Kentucky's passing attack and were talking about how he could be the best QB in the conference leading the best passing attack in the conference, but then at the very end had to top it all off by saying Towles was "in a little competition that he had to win before the offense could take off" ..one of the oddest QB situations I can ever remember having the best QB in the SEC at Kentucky with almost universal agreement around the league that he's one of the best in the nation, and the media talking about how he's going to be the best QB in the conference "IF" he wins the QB competition lol..just a really weird situation at this point

"So and so is going to be the best QB in the conference once he wins the QB competition" isn't exactly something you hear everyday haha

 

[Rhavicc]

Solid stuff, if they agree that it's just behind Texas A&M. We arguably could have one of the more explosive running games in the SEC as well. I'll pitch in this little factoid.



That's pretty insane. Also consider though:

Boom Williams carries: 74
Nick Chubb carries: 219

Nick Chubb had 3 carries for 50+ yards in nearly 3 times as many carries. Boom had just as many as Chubb, in nearly 3 times less carries. Boom finally being viewed as a 3 down back for us, by the staff, is huge news for us. That alone could potentially elevate our offense to one of the most explosive offenses in the nation.

 

[footballfanatic77]

I agree that I don't understand why the coaching staff would want to be in a QB competition when they could be building confidence and establishing Towles as the leader of the team. It seems like perhaps this is a rookie mistake by Stoops (which is fine, he is a young coach he is naturally going to make some mistakes); but I hope he figures out what a mistake this is sooner rather than later. I am not sure I'm convinced Towles is quite as good as the guys on the SEC network seem to, but I do think he is one of the top 5 QBs in the league and the right person to lead UK right now.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Good to hear our offense getting such praise and the country learning that we may have two of the best QBs in the league!!!

 

[TuckyFan]

They are simply using the competition to push Towles through the summer, IMHO. Should name a starter pretty quickly in fall camp. Plus, you don't want your Elite11 underclassman to get antsy, think he doesn't have a chance. I trust the coaches to manage egos, carrots and sticks. I think it's not foregone that Towles starts only for these reasons--keeping Barker tuned in, pushing Towles to work on a couple of things and stay hungry through the summer. I will be shocked if it's not Towles, as will the world.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

They are simply using the competition to push Towles through the summer, IMHO. Should name a starter pretty quickly in fall camp. Plus, you don't want your Elite11 underclassman to get antsy, think he doesn't have a chance. I trust the coaches to manage egos, carrots and sticks. I think it's not foregone that Towles starts only for these reasons--keeping Barker tuned in, pushing Towles to work on a couple of things and stay hungry through the summer. I will be shocked if it's not Towles, as will the world.

I agree, I don't really think there is any competition and I think the coaches still talking about it being a competition are trying to keep one of the qb not named Towles motivated.
Towles had some success, before he looked like he lost confidence in his blocking he was having a good year, in my eyes he lead UK to a win over UF, unfortunately it was ripped out from under him. The controversy would start as soon as Barker made his first mistake, but he will be a very popular player for the UK fans, we even had fans wanting Mason to start over Murray.

 

[Johnfarrel]

If Towles is actually in a QB competition, and the SEC folks are correct that he could be the best QB in the conference, just think how good Barker will be if he beats him out.

I believe that Towles is going to be the starting QB and that the competition is to keep pushing both of them to keep growing. Towles was the team leader last year, so I don't think the delay in officially naming him QB will hurt his status as team leader.

 

[vhcat70]

If Towles is actually in a QB competition, and the SEC folks are correct that he could be the best QB in the conference, just think how good Barker will be if he beats him out.

Yep. We must have the top QB combo in the SEC by them.

 

[Rhavicc]

Will it really be a confidence killer if Towles has to compete for his job like some believe? I don't think so. It's somewhat expected of him, and he expects it of himself. It's competition, for him to stay sharp and drive himself to continuously improve.
No need to say "hey, he's the guy" and let him get complacent when you have a very, very talented QB that has the drive to get in there and challenge Towles for the starting spot. I want our players to earn their position, not let it be given to them.

 

[TuckyFan]

I have said it so many times....iron sharpens iron. Both men make each other better. Just because we haven't had the kind of depth necessary for real position competition, we're not used to it.

 

[footballfanatic77]

You do realize they would still be pushing each other just because one was the starter. This is the SEC, you, as a player, should know that you can never become complacent. If the competition really is that close then by all means keep it going, but even if they are very close in skill, there are still maturity and leadership issues that are critical to the qb position (skills that Barker seems to lack currently) that would seemingly give Towles the upper hand. There is a lack of depth at the QB position so I suppose That plays into the coaches wanting to appease Barker to keep him engaged and wanting to appease fans who want Barker to start.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

So much made out of nothing.

 

[ukalumni00]

IMO, if Towles is the best QB in the conference, KY wins at least 7 games. Being the best QB in the conference will be a strong indicator of the Oline greatly improving, a legit middle threat attack, solid running game, and possibly the emergence of Johnson, Timmons, Badet, etc. being legit high level SEC type of playmakers. An offense with those elements will keep KY in about every game this season. Defense, big question mark. Special teams, who knows.

 

[shutzhund]

Is it a bad thing that the, supposedly best QB in the SEC, has competition for his job? Seems to mean we have two fine players at that position.

Isn't that what recruiting is all about? Should we have players who are so inferior to the starter that there is no way they can challenge for a position? That's weak.

When we talk about depth the QB position is no different than DT. Wouldn't it be nice if we could run DTs in and out of the games with no drop off in talent?

Despite the mystic QB is only a position and if you are so dammed lucky to have two equally good ones then go out and celebrate. It's winning the football lottery.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

IMO, if Towles is the best QB in the conference, KY wins at least 7 games. Being the best QB in the conference will be a strong indicator of the Oline greatly improving, a legit middle threat attack, solid running game, and possibly the emergence of Johnson, Timmons, Badet, etc. being legit high level SEC type of playmakers. An offense with those elements will keep KY in about every game this season. Defense, big question mark. Special teams, who knows.

I concur with this. The offense should keep us in a lot of games. If the defense can improve across the board and keep winning the TO margin, Cats could surprise the nation this year. I just hope we stay from injuries. Nothing more deflating than seeing key guys getting banged up. We've been pretty fortunate so far in the Stoops era, knocking on wood that continues!

 

[Deeeefense]

Overall I think you have to put Prescott at the top of the pack, Dodd and Mauk are not too shabby either. Jeremy Johnson could be a surprise candidate. Towles could be right there at the end - he does have great potential and a full house of tools to work with this year. I look for a breakout year for PT.

 

[hmt5000]

i think to's may be a big thing too. getting a few more stops/game will be paramount but we have to force to's to give our O extra chances. but if we dont stop the run better this year then teams will just wear us down like last year.

but Pat will be good to go this year. i expect more td's and fewer ints and a lot more yards passing and less running.

 

[dreadpirate]

So much made out of nothing.

Bears repeating. Stoops is motivating one or both of them.

 

[dcspurlock]

Didn't Stoops say he had talked to both players individually and that he explained to both where they stood? If that's the case I'd say both know who is first and second string but Coach Stoops is the kind of coach that keeps every position open for competition until fall camp. That's the reason for so many "or" in the depth chart. Every single player with an "or" beside their name knows where they really stand on the depth chart but coach doesn't give spots easily and gives ample opportunity for a player to move up or down the depth chart. IMO anyway.

 

[Rifleman521]

I agree that I don't understand why the coaching staff would want to be in a QB competition when they could be building confidence and establishing Towles as the leader of the team. It seems like perhaps this is a rookie mistake by Stoops (which is fine, he is a young coach he is naturally going to make some mistakes); but I hope he figures out what a mistake this is sooner rather than later. I am not sure I'm convinced Towles is quite as good as the guys on the SEC network seem to, but I do think he is one of the top 5 QBs in the league and the right person to lead UK right now.

Having known Patrick for quite sometime, one not need worry about him needing to have his confidence built. If Patrick was the 5th string QB and the first 4 QBs got hurt, Patrick would go into the game completely confident in his abilities to lead the team. If anything, and I hate saying it, but Patrick is much closer to the cocky side than the un-sure and needs confidence side. As for establishing Patrick as a leader of the team, that's not done by naming him the starter; that's done by Patrick working hard, going the extra mile in workouts and film study, and pushing others to do the same. Besides, the players see who is the better QB. If its Patrick, they aren't the least bit adversely affected by him not having been named the starter yet.

I don't know Stoops motivation for not just going ahead and naming him the starter. I'm sure he has his reasons. Since he's most closer to the situation than I am, I'll trust Stoops judgment and reasons.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Overall I think you have to put Prescott at the top of the pack, Dodd and Mauk are not too shabby either. Jeremy Johnson could be a surprise candidate. Towles could be right there at the end - he does have great potential and a full house of tools to work with this year. I look for a breakout year for PT.

I think it likely that Dobbs will be the darling of the league this year.

 

[gg4uk]

I agree that Towles is likely the #1.

However, what nobody has considered is that quite possibly Barker is pretty good. Everyone knows Barker's ranking and talent. But, I'm certain the SEC network folks don't know how Barker has progressed and how he and Towles compare at this point of the "Off-Season".

 

[footballfanatic77]

Having known Patrick for quite sometime, one not need worry about him needing to have his confidence built. If Patrick was the 5th string QB and the first 4 QBs got hurt, Patrick would go into the game completely confident in his abilities to lead the team. If anything, and I hate saying it, but Patrick is much closer to the cocky side than the un-sure and needs confidence side. As for establishing Patrick as a leader of the team, that's not done by naming him the starter; that's done by Patrick working hard, going the extra mile in workouts and film study, and pushing others to do the same. Besides, the players see who is the better QB. If its Patrick, they aren't the least bit adversely affected by him not having been named the starter yet.

I don't know Stoops motivation for not just going ahead and naming him the starter. I'm sure he has his reasons. Since he's most closer to the situation than I am, I'll trust Stoops judgment and reasons.

I realize that you all believe this, but hear me out here: don't you think there is a reason the national media and most other coaches are somewhat surprised that UK is doing this? That's for a reason. Most people, myself included don't think it's a good idea. I realize that with Kentucky's long history of football success, no one should be questioning the wisdom of the coaching staff (or the fan base that supports the staff), but it is a strange and unique situation. It would almost lead me to believe that perhaps Towles isn't as good as many think.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I agree that Towles is likely the #1.

However, what nobody has considered is that quite possibly Barker is pretty good. Everyone knows Barker's ranking and talent. But, I'm certain the SEC network folks don't know how Barker has progressed and how he and Towles compare at this point of the "Off-Season".

Dawson and Stoops have both said Barker had a very good spring. Stoops knows Barker is special. He also knows Towles is ready and can be one of the best QBs in the SEC. I suspect QB is a position that has him excited.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I realize that you all believe this, but hear me out here: don't you think there is a reason the national media and most other coaches are somewhat surprised that UK is doing this? That's for a reason. Most people, myself included don't think it's a good idea. I realize that with Kentucky's long history of football success, no one should be questioning the wisdom of the coaching staff (or the fan base that supports the staff), but it is a strange and unique situation. It would almost lead me to believe that perhaps Towles isn't as good as many think.

What coaches are surprised???

Do you think Steve Spurrier is surprised? Doubtful. Dawson got two QBs ready for play last year and he needed them both.

And, seriously, who gives a rat's ass about the media? Wow. Let them talk. It's about the only thing most of them know about UK football.

 

[footballfanatic77]

You have your opinion, I have mine. A QB competition with a heralded returning starter is pretty unheard of, but to each his own. Barker has not shown much leadership or maturity to date so that's a bit of a concern should he leapfrog Towles for the starting spot. Overall, I'm sure an open competition won't be too detrimental.

 

[footballfanatic77]

I agree that Towles is likely the #1.

However, what nobody has considered is that quite possibly Barker is pretty good. Everyone knows Barker's ranking and talent. But, I'm certain the SEC network folks don't know how Barker has progressed and how he and Towles compare at this point of the "Off-Season".

Unfortunately UK just isn't very deep at the position.

 

[gsayers]

Maybe if you can keep a guy here till the 1st week of August it makes it extremely difficult to transfer if not impossible for 2015.

 

[gg4uk]

they don't have to be deep to have a competition. Just need two.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

You have your opinion, I have mine. A QB competition with a heralded returning starter is pretty unheard of, but to each his own. Barker has not shown much leadership or maturity to date so that's a bit of a concern should he leapfrog Towles for the starting spot. Overall, I'm sure an open competition won't be too detrimental.

I think I am starting to understand. Throwing Barker under the bus shows your hand, IMO.

 

[jauk11]

Just the other day II heard Saban say something to the effect that he liked to keep the QB competition open as long as possible, he thought it was good to have the competition.

But what the hell does he know about coaching, besides, I'm pretty sure jurich will be paying his coach more than Bama does theirs pretty soon.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Just watching the media days coverage a few minutes ago and the panel (Joe Tessitore, Greg McElroy, Booger McFarland, Paul Finebaum) seemed to be in general agreement that behind Texas A&M, Kentucky had the second-best passing attack in the league, and one that should really take off this year under what they called maybe the best QB in the league in Towles

McElroy made the point that "once Towles wins the QB competition the offense will really take off" and that "when Towles gets rolling he could be the best QB in the conference".

I have to say this has to be the first time I can ever remember an offense being projected to be so good and a QB being projected to be maybe the best in the conference, yet he's still in a "QB competition" lol..it's definitley one of the oddest things I've seen when it comes to any sort of "competition" ..just a really, really weird situation with Stoops not having Towles named the starter

I could tell the ESPN guys weren't sure how to handle it after they had just finished praising Towles and Kentucky's passing attack and were talking about how he could be the best QB in the conference leading the best passing attack in the conference, but then at the very end had to top it all off by saying Towles was "in a little competition that he had to win before the offense could take off" ..one of the oddest QB situations I can ever remember having the best QB in the SEC at Kentucky with almost universal agreement around the league that he's one of the best in the nation, and the media talking about how he's going to be the best QB in the conference "IF" he wins the QB competition lol..just a really weird situation at this point

"So and so is going to be the best QB in the conference once he wins the QB competition" isn't exactly something you hear everyday haha

I really believe we have elite receiver talent on this team. I'm not totally sold on Towles yet. He didn't impress me that much with lack of vision last season and inaccurate on intermediate routes. If Towles can learn to throw a short pass that is accurate, we have receivers and RBs that make plays in the open field.

Often last season, Towles would throw behind the RB or receiver on a short pass so they couldn't keep their stride and make a play. That's got to improve. In addition, he couldn't see wide open receivers in front of him at times.

 

[footballfanatic77]

I think I am starting to understand. Throwing Barker under the bus shows your hand, IMO.

I'm not throwing him under the bus, I think he will make a fine QB. Eventually.

 

[footballfanatic77]

Just the other day II heard Saban say something to the effect that he liked to keep the QB competition open as long as possible, he thought it was good to have the competition.

But what the hell does he know about coaching, besides, I'm pretty sure jurich will be paying his coach more than Bama does theirs pretty soon.

True especially since he never did that when he had an established QB. Guess he doesn't follow his own advice, go figure.

 

[billue]

new offensive coordinator is probable the reason you don't want to hire a guy and then tell him this is the way it is. if there dead even you go with experience at QB so barker would have to be better in order to win the position.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I'm not throwing him under the bus, I think he will make a fine QB. Eventually.

Do you have a geographic, family, friend or some other connection to Towles? Because, it sure seems like it.

 

[Bill Derington]

Towles has all the physical tools no doubt, and the line did play a part of his regression last year. But if he's as good as everyone says at some point he has to make plays when the line collapses. I didn't see him do that last year. I saw a guy that locked onto one receiver and if that wasn't there he either forced it or ran. For UK to beat the better teams Towles is going to have get over that.

 

[mrschwump]

Towles has all the physical tools no doubt, and the line did play a part of his regression last year. But if he's as good as everyone says at some point he has to make plays when the line collapses. I didn't see him do that last year. I saw a guy that locked onto one receiver and if that wasn't there he either forced it or ran. For UK to beat the better teams Towles is going to have get over that.

For UK to beat better teams they're going to have to have a D with a backbone. I'm much more concerned about the D than I am about Towles and the O. UK's D has been so poor it puts tremendous pressure on the O to produce, have to score every time they touch the ball to just stay even.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I think Stoops expects us to have an upper tier SEC offense this year. The defense will be improved, I hope, but not sure how much.

 

[Bill Derington]

For UK to beat better teams they're going to have to have a D with a backbone. I'm much more concerned about the D than I am about Towles and the O. UK's D has been so poor it puts tremendous pressure on the O to produce, have to score every time they touch the ball to just stay even.

You're right, but part of the problem with the defense is the offense not maintaining long time killing drives. Or putting the defense in short field positions.