Play to Our Strength - Passing Game

[UKWinsAgainYep]

If you really look at our strength as a team, it's the receivers. There is no doubt in my mind we have the best group of receivers in my lifetime and I've been watching 25+ years. Can Towles and the O-Line take advantage of our elite receiving corps? That is the question.

Some people rave about our RBs, but we are not elite SEC at that position. We just are not. Boom is excellent, but he's gotten banged up before so we need to see if he can stay healthy. Our other RBs are unproven in the SEC as being elite. When you stack our RBs against other SEC teams, we are average.

I think we have one of the best receiver corps in the SEC and it's only going to get better.

- I saw big time plays from Bone last season. He is a future star that never choked under pressure even as a youngster. That's what I really noticed about him. He looks like the kind of tall, athletic receiver that Spurrier always has at SC.

- We all know Timmons can play in the NFL if he can just stay healthy. He has Randall Cobb-like football speed when he gets the ball in his hands. I think injuries caused him to drop some balls last season. He was really toughing it out and playing hurt a lot. I give him props.

- Dorian Baker is a physical specimen and has a nasty streak that we NEED. He is aggressive and physical. He will be a load this season. I don't care what anyone says, that penalty against him in LSU game was NOT justified. That was simply a nasty hit that was legit. Frankly, I'd love to see more of it from UK players. It's players like Baker that have me excited about UK football.

- Snodgrass is an elite talent who might need another for a lot of playing time as he waits behind some of our older receivers.

- Badet is an absolute stud playmaker who is crafty and knows how to get open. He will be a star this season.

- Montgomery is another stud possession type receiver with some size. Coach Stoops said from day one that he is always impressed with Montgomery and we just hope he can stay healthy.

- Garrett Johnson is constantly praised by coaches and it's been noted he may be the "best" receiver on the team. That is saying a lot.

- T.V. Williams has elite speed and is known to be one of our most exciting playmakers.

- Joey Herrick consistently gets praised as a clutch player who has great hands and doesn't drop balls.

That's 9 quality receivers in addition to a few unproven others....

 

[Kybluedude]

Good call and I think you may be undervaluing our rbs. Size speed experience. Just need the o line to step up. The Wrs should help them spread the d. Hope we find a couple productive at te

 

[vhcat70]

Thank you for putting any problems with the passing game squarely on the OL & Towles while giving the receivers a "complete pass". Wouldn't want to criticize them, now would we?

 

[fabcat]

We have a really good set of receivers. If they turn out as good as Burton, Johnson, Tamme and Lyons Jr. Then they will be regarded as one of the best in the last 25+ years. 3 of those played in the NFL and 2 are still playing. People sometimes overlook how good that group was.

 

[TBCat]

I think you are missing the boat a bit on our backs. RB is by far the strongest position on the field. Right now it's the only position that I would say we are at an elite level at. I do think we need to feature the pass more because it is the best way for us to open up the field. Our line will not drive people off the ball the way Arkansas' line did so we need to throw the ball to create those lanes. Also our backs are more built for that style of offense. Our backs operate better in open field than anywhere else. We need to feature our backs but I'd like to see us use them the way Mumme did in the original Air Raid. We need to throw to our backs more often.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Id say we definitely have the deepest receiving core I can remember, but not the best. Burton, Johnson, and Co were definitely better.

I do think youre overvaluing some of the WR's, especially Timmons. Timmons looked great his freshman year, because we hadnt seen any actual talent on the team in a few years. It LOOKS like Timmons has gotten slower. Instead, everyone else got faster. In fact most every WR recruited since Stoops has been here, has shown more explosive playmaking ability. Timmons value now is basically that of a volume possession receiver.

Can he catch the occasional screen and get some yardage? Sure. But those plays are much better suited going to other players on the roster. The screens Timmons can break for 15-20, would be a TD in the hands of most our other playmakers.

 

[C1180]

I like optimism but you must have been watching a different bunch of receivers than I watched last year They had difficulty beating press coverage to get off the LOS into their routes, They ran the wrong route a lot, and there was way too many dropped balls. Then we add that the two leading receivers graduated an are no longer with the team. I believe I would temper the anointing of this group as some of the best in the SEC until they actually do something on the field to deserve such praise

 

[Poetax]

If you really look at our strength as a team, it's the receivers. There is no doubt in my mind we have the best group of receivers in my lifetime and I've been watching 25+ years. Can Towles and the O-Line take advantage of our elite receiving corps? That is the question.

Some people rave about our RBs, but we are not elite SEC at that position. We just are not. Boom is excellent, but he's gotten banged up before so we need to see if he can stay healthy. Our other RBs are unproven in the SEC as being elite. When you stack our RBs against other SEC teams, we are average.

I think we have one of the best receiver corps in the SEC and it's only going to get better.

- I saw big time plays from Bone last season. He is a future star that never choked under pressure even as a youngster. That's what I really noticed about him. He looks like the kind of tall, athletic receiver that Spurrier always has at SC.

- We all know Timmons can play in the NFL if he can just stay healthy. He has Randall Cobb-like football speed when he gets the ball in his hands. I think injuries caused him to drop some balls last season. He was really toughing it out and playing hurt a lot. I give him props.

- Dorian Baker is a physical specimen and has a nasty streak that we NEED. He is aggressive and physical. He will be a load this season. I don't care what anyone says, that penalty against him in LSU game was NOT justified. That was simply a nasty hit that was legit. Frankly, I'd love to see more of it from UK players. It's players like Baker that have me excited about UK football.

- Snodgrass is an elite talent who might need another for a lot of playing time as he waits behind some of our older receivers.

- Badet is an absolute stud playmaker who is crafty and knows how to get open. He will be a star this season.

- Montgomery is another stud possession type receiver with some size. Coach Stoops said from day one that he is always impressed with Montgomery and we just hope he can stay healthy.

- Garrett Johnson is constantly praised by coaches and it's been noted he may be the "best" receiver on the team. That is saying a lot.

- T.V. Williams has elite speed and is known to be one of our most exciting playmakers.

- Joey Herrick consistently gets praised as a clutch player who has great hands and doesn't drop balls.

That's 9 quality receivers in addition to a few unproven others....

Very true and hopefully injuries doesn't rock that position this year but one other point that will make that group even more productive is if the TE position becomes more productive over the middle of the field. In the past, most of our more successful offenses did well because we had productive TEs.

 

[Deeeefense]

I think Garrett Johnson is emerging as a high quality SEC caliber receiver. Timmons has had his moments but has struggled with drops and injuries (may be related). Other than that, what we have left are a group of young but very talented receivers that have potential, but have not reached it yet. I'm excited about our group of receivers and I think within this group we will have at least one or two with breakout seasons this year.

So from the standpoint of depth I think we are in great shape with the receivers, not so much with running backs. When you play a hurry up offense you need a lot of good receivers to keep substituting and we should have them this year.

 

[Brock28]

Id say we definitely have the deepest receiving core I can remember, but not the best. Burton, Johnson, and Co were definitely better.

I do think youre overvaluing some of the WR's, especially Timmons. Timmons looked great his freshman year, because we hadnt seen any actual talent on the team in a few years. It LOOKS like Timmons has gotten slower. Instead, everyone else got faster. In fact most every WR recruited since Stoops has been here, has shown more explosive playmaking ability. Timmons value now is basically that of a volume possession receiver.

Can he catch the occasional screen and get some yardage? Sure. But those plays are much better suited going to other players on the roster. The screens Timmons can break for 15-20, would be a TD in the hands of most our other playmakers.

Have to disagree about Timmons. When healthy, he's the best player we have in the open field. The key with him, is getting him the ball in space. If we can find a way to do that this year, look for some electric plays from him.

 

[mrschwump]

I like optimism but you must have been watching a different bunch of receivers than I watched last year They had difficulty beating press coverage to get off the LOS into their routes, They ran the wrong route a lot, and there was way too many dropped balls. Then we add that the two leading receivers graduated an are no longer with the team. I believe I would temper the anointing of this group as some of the best in the SEC until they actually do something on the field to deserve such praise

I'm in this corner. This unit has a lot to prove and while there's potential there, none have shown at this juncture they're SEC level. Hopefully it falls into place soon.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Id say we definitely have the deepest receiving core I can remember, but not the best. Burton, Johnson, and Co were definitely better.

I do think youre overvaluing some of the WR's, especially Timmons. Timmons looked great his freshman year, because we hadnt seen any actual talent on the team in a few years. It LOOKS like Timmons has gotten slower. Instead, everyone else got faster. In fact most every WR recruited since Stoops has been here, has shown more explosive playmaking ability. Timmons value now is basically that of a volume possession receiver.

Can he catch the occasional screen and get some yardage? Sure. But those plays are much better suited going to other players on the roster. The screens Timmons can break for 15-20, would be a TD in the hands of most our other playmakers.

Timmons played with a bad ankle and wrist...he was still breaking people with juke moves and outrunning plenty...his ankle injury was bad enough to require surgery a couple days after the UL game.

Timmons and Boom Williams are our most explosive playmakers when the ball is in their hands...

 

[fromthe25ydline]

A high potential group of receivers with some standout moments and a few terrific games.

 

[Poetax]

Timmons played with a bad ankle and wrist...he was still breaking people with juke moves and outrunning plenty...his ankle injury was bad enough to require surgery a couple days after the UL game.

Timmons and Boom Williams are our most explosive playmakers when the ball is in their hands...

Brown made the comment that he was hurting so bad with his ankle that he couldn't plant and change direction on the field hardly at all. Its hard to understand how he even played through it.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I like optimism but you must have been watching a different bunch of receivers than I watched last year They had difficulty beating press coverage to get off the LOS into their routes, They ran the wrong route a lot, and there was way too many dropped balls. Then we add that the two leading receivers graduated an are no longer with the team. I believe I would temper the anointing of this group as some of the best in the SEC until they actually do something on the field to deserve such praise

Yep. Good post C.

There's a reason why we have tried to force the run the last several yrs. We really don't have any WR's, TE's, or QB's who have proven themselves on the field. There's a ton of "potential" there, but nothing is proven....like C1180 said, the play has been rather poor. So, until they prove themselves they are not a "strength." Next yr, the passing game should be much improved than what we've seen in the past but I wouldn't go overboard with the praise just yet.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

If you really look at our strength as a team, it's the receivers. There is no doubt in my mind we have the best group of receivers in my lifetime and I've been watching 25+ years. Can Towles and the O-Line take advantage of our elite receiving corps? That is the question.

Some people rave about our RBs, but we are not elite SEC at that position. We just are not. Boom is excellent, but he's gotten banged up before so we need to see if he can stay healthy. Our other RBs are unproven in the SEC as being elite. When you stack our RBs against other SEC teams, we are average.

I think we have one of the best receiver corps in the SEC and it's only going to get better.

- I saw big time plays from Bone last season. He is a future star that never choked under pressure even as a youngster. That's what I really noticed about him. He looks like the kind of tall, athletic receiver that Spurrier always has at SC.

- We all know Timmons can play in the NFL if he can just stay healthy. He has Randall Cobb-like football speed when he gets the ball in his hands. I think injuries caused him to drop some balls last season. He was really toughing it out and playing hurt a lot. I give him props.

- Dorian Baker is a physical specimen and has a nasty streak that we NEED. He is aggressive and physical. He will be a load this season. I don't care what anyone says, that penalty against him in LSU game was NOT justified. That was simply a nasty hit that was legit. Frankly, I'd love to see more of it from UK players. It's players like Baker that have me excited about UK football.

- Snodgrass is an elite talent who might need another for a lot of playing time as he waits behind some of our older receivers.

- Badet is an absolute stud playmaker who is crafty and knows how to get open. He will be a star this season.

- Montgomery is another stud possession type receiver with some size. Coach Stoops said from day one that he is always impressed with Montgomery and we just hope he can stay healthy.

- Garrett Johnson is constantly praised by coaches and it's been noted he may be the "best" receiver on the team. That is saying a lot.

- T.V. Williams has elite speed and is known to be one of our most exciting playmakers.

- Joey Herrick consistently gets praised as a clutch player who has great hands and doesn't drop balls.

That's 9 quality receivers in addition to a few unproven others....

Lot of names who haven't played yet. The biggest thing with that is they haven't had to get open against a P5 level secondary. All of them will look great against DBs who's playing career ended after HS. You just don't know how they are going to do until they go against a kid with as much athletic ability or more, can they get off the line, can they get seperation out of their cuts, can they catch the ball when being harassed? New guys have never really faced that until the first game, so until they do its really quesswork to say how they are going to react. UGA is very likely to have to play 3-4 true frosh at WR this year because we just don't have anyone else, 2nd leading returning receiver is a walkon.

 

[Comebakatz3]

There is a whole lot of talent with the wide receivers, but what really needs to change and be better is their consistency. None of them really consistently stepped up every game. No one stepped up as a star or a go to guy. Instead, we would have random receivers have good games (that is when our passing game was working). They have the physical tools to be very very good, but they need to step up and use those tools to become as good as they can be.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Lot of names who haven't played yet. The biggest thing with that is they haven't had to get open against a P5 level secondary. All of them will look great against DBs who's playing career ended after HS. You just don't know how they are going to do until they go against a kid with as much athletic ability or more, can they get off the line, can they get seperation out of their cuts, can they catch the ball when being harassed? New guys have never really faced that until the first game, so until they do its really quesswork to say how they are going to react. UGA is very likely to have to play 3-4 true frosh at WR this year because we just don't have anyone else, 2nd leading returning receiver is a walkon.

Every WR he listed has played at UK.

 

[Rhavicc]

Gonna chime in on a couple of things. First and foremost, our RB's are very good. Collectively, they averaged around 5.6 yards per carry (if my memory is correct, seen that not long ago), but our RB's didn't get a very high volume of carries. I mean, Boom only had 74 carried on the season, so we need to get them more involved. All things considered, they're admittedly good by SEC standards.
Now, as far as receivers and pass catchers go for our team, I think Garrett Johnson will be the star for this team next season, but I think we'll be very deep with very good talent there.
One very, very big weapon for us will likely be CJ Conrad. Some writers that cover other SEC teams already view him as one of the more dangerous incoming freshmen in the SEC, and everybody (most importantly, our staff) has raved about him throughout the entire spring.
Having a big guy that can create mismatches out on the perimeter, or be a short pass threat in case the o-line loses on a play is tremendous for us. He could open up space for our RB's to operate in, and it doesn't hurt that he can block as well. Excited to get him on the field.

 

[Brock28]

Every WR he listed has played at UK.

Wrong. Snodgrass hasn't played.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Wrong. Snodgrass hasn't played.

Missed him - even read it twice. But one does not equal a lot of names that haven't played before.

And even Snodgrass has been at UK for 2 spring practices and will be getting to his 2nd fall practice.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Timmons played with a bad ankle and wrist...he was still breaking people with juke moves and outrunning plenty...his ankle injury was bad enough to require surgery a couple days after the UL game.

Timmons and Boom Williams are our most explosive playmakers when the ball is in their hands...

Everyone plays injured towards the end of the season. Where was he breaking people with juke moves and out running people? If it happened against good competition, I missed it.

Brown made the comment that he was hurting so bad with his ankle that he couldn't plant and change direction on the field hardly at all. Its hard to understand how he even played through it.

Was it coach speak to cover for a player with a disappointing season? No way to know. But it's not unusual for players to have surgery soon as the season ends to address injuries they've played through.

Hope I'm wrong and Timmons has a great year.

 

[hmt5000]

Badet was the best receiver his freshman year and Montgomery was 3rd and both rs'd last year. Those 2 will take pressure off Timmons and bone should be more physical. Johnson and baker should be at least a little better. All that added together will be a big improvement overall.

 

[hmt5000]

Everyone plays injured towards the end of the season. Where was he breaking people with juke moves and out running people? If it happened against good competition, I missed it.



Was it coach speak to cover for a player with a disappointing season? No way to know. But it's not unusual for players to have surgery soon as the season ends to address injuries they've played through.

Hope I'm wrong and Timmons has a great year.

Everyone plays hurt. Not everyone plays injured.

 

[Brock28]

Everyone plays hurt. Not everyone plays injured.

Exactly

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Every WR he listed has played at UK.

UK has 9 receivers who have played plus the RSs? That's a pretty big number of WR to have, but I guess needed when you are running a spread O.

 

[mrschwump]

The loss of Blue hurts. He was very good despite playing most of his UK career injured.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Everyone plays injured towards the end of the season. Where was he breaking people with juke moves and out running people? If it happened against good competition, I missed it.



Was it coach speak to cover for a player with a disappointing season? No way to know. But it's not unusual for players to have surgery soon as the season ends to address injuries they've played through.

Hope I'm wrong and Timmons has a great year.

Timmons lead the team in receptions and yards...a juke in particular was vs UGA, his only reception that game...speed was shown vs UL when he beat the safety deep but was overthrown in the EZ...he also had 5 receptions for 122 vs MSU, long going for 55 yards (he was underthrown or it would've been more).

 

[CatsFanGG24]

UK has 9 receivers who have played plus the RSs? That's a pretty big number of WR to have, but I guess needed when you are running a spread O.

Without looking at the roster, Snodgrass might've been the only true freshman to RS last year. Badet and Montgomery played their freshman seasons before RS last year due to injury.

 

[gsayers]

Elite is pretty strong. I personally think they've got to learn to smack people back. They were pushed around quite a bit last year. I certainly agree that they are very talented.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

Timmons lead the team in receptions and yards...a juke in particular was vs UGA, his only reception that game...speed was shown vs UL when he beat the safety deep but was overthrown in the EZ...he also had 5 receptions for 122 vs MSU, long going for 55 yards (he was underthrown or it would've been more).

Yes....I'm surprised some don't understand Timmons is a big time player. First, he's been injured a lot, he has shown flashes of incredible speed with the ball in his hands. Next, our O-Line and Towles haven't been great so that hurts his touches too.

I expect great things from him this season if he's healthy.

BTW, does anyone know if Timmons is fully healthy?

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

The perfect storm is there if everything comes together on offense. There are playmakers at every position, INCLUDING at RB. I believe Dawson takes this offense to another level.

 

[Blue Decade]

If you really look at our strength as a team, it's the receivers. There is no doubt in my mind we have the best group of receivers in my lifetime and I've been watching 25+ years. Can Towles and the O-Line take advantage of our elite receiving corps? That is the question.

Some people rave about our RBs, but we are not elite SEC at that position. We just are not. Boom is excellent, but he's gotten banged up before so we need to see if he can stay healthy. Our other RBs are unproven in the SEC as being elite. When you stack our RBs against other SEC teams, we are average.

I think we have one of the best receiver corps in the SEC and it's only going to get better.

- I saw big time plays from Bone last season. He is a future star that never choked under pressure even as a youngster. That's what I really noticed about him. He looks like the kind of tall, athletic receiver that Spurrier always has at SC.

- We all know Timmons can play in the NFL if he can just stay healthy. He has Randall Cobb-like football speed when he gets the ball in his hands. I think injuries caused him to drop some balls last season. He was really toughing it out and playing hurt a lot. I give him props.

- Dorian Baker is a physical specimen and has a nasty streak that we NEED. He is aggressive and physical. He will be a load this season. I don't care what anyone says, that penalty against him in LSU game was NOT justified. That was simply a nasty hit that was legit. Frankly, I'd love to see more of it from UK players. It's players like Baker that have me excited about UK football.

- Snodgrass is an elite talent who might need another for a lot of playing time as he waits behind some of our older receivers.

- Badet is an absolute stud playmaker who is crafty and knows how to get open. He will be a star this season.

- Montgomery is another stud possession type receiver with some size. Coach Stoops said from day one that he is always impressed with Montgomery and we just hope he can stay healthy.

- Garrett Johnson is constantly praised by coaches and it's been noted he may be the "best" receiver on the team. That is saying a lot.

- T.V. Williams has elite speed and is known to be one of our most exciting playmakers.

- Joey Herrick consistently gets praised as a clutch player who has great hands and doesn't drop balls.

That's 9 quality receivers in addition to a few unproven others....

I don't know yet if this is Kentucky's best group of receivers, but they have a chance to become that. They are certainly the deepest and most interesting group of receivers we have had. Are they better than Johnson, Burton, Lyons, and Tamme? That is a high standard to meet, but we will see. I will say this. If Montgomery and Baker are finally healthy, and if a couple of the freshmen have decent seasons, receiver will be the most improved position on our football team. That's why I expect a big improvement out of our offense. Honestly, I was disappointed in our receivers last year, because they missed a lot of opportunities to make plays. If our receivers play well in the fall, that is bound have a big impact on Towles' performance. When you play 9-10 wide receivers, 4-5 will stand out. I feel that will be Baker, Bone, Snodgrass, Johnson, Badet. Should see a big step forward this year from Baker, Bone, Johnson as true sophomores. Playing against SEC defensive backs requires physical strength and developed skills that should become more apparent as this group continues to gain playing experience. Shannon Dawson has a track record for developing receivers, so that aspect will be fun to watch.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I hope Gosier makes it to campus. If he does, I still only expect one true frosh to play this year. I think the other two will RS, unless injuries forces them to play.

Stoops has been disciplined in RSing the linemen, but out of necessity, he has been forced to play RBs and WRs. Snodgrass RSed last year. Montgomery and Badet were forced into RSs because of injury.

So, I doubt we truly know his philosophy about RSing at this point. I think it likely 2/3 of the WR class RSs. Time will tell. The best will play, so it they are really better than what is now on the squad, they will play. I just doubt that is the case.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I don't know yet if this is Kentucky's best group of receivers, but they have a chance to become that. They are certainly the deepest and most interesting group of receivers we have had. Are they better than Johnson, Burton, Lyons, and Tamme? That is a high standard to meet, but we will see. I will say this. If Montgomery and Baker are finally healthy, and if a couple of the freshmen have decent seasons, receiver will be the most improved position on our football team. That's why I expect a big improvement out of our offense. Honestly, I was disappointed in our receivers last year, because they missed a lot of opportunities to make plays. If our receivers play well in the fall, that is bound have a big impact on Towles' performance. When you play 9-10 wide receivers, 4-5 will stand out. I feel that will be Baker, Bone, Snodgrass, Johnson, Badet. Should see a big step forward this year from Baker, Bone, Johnson as true sophomores. Playing against SEC defensive backs requires physical strength and developed skills that should become more apparent as this group continues to gain playing experience. Shannon Dawson has a track record for developing receivers, so that aspect will be fun to watch.

Yes....I really like our quality depth at receiver. Should be VERY fun to watch this season....

 

[jauk11]

I don't know yet if this is Kentucky's best group of receivers, but they have a chance to become that. They are certainly the deepest and most interesting group of receivers we have had. Are they better than Johnson, Burton, Lyons, and Tamme? That is a high standard to meet, but we will see. I will say this. If Montgomery and Baker are finally healthy, and if a couple of the freshmen have decent seasons, receiver will be the most improved position on our football team. That's why I expect a big improvement out of our offense. Honestly, I was disappointed in our receivers last year, because they missed a lot of opportunities to make plays. If our receivers play well in the fall, that is bound have a big impact on Towles' performance. When you play 9-10 wide receivers, 4-5 will stand out. I feel that will be Baker, Bone, Snodgrass, Johnson, Badet. Should see a big step forward this year from Baker, Bone, Johnson as true sophomores. Playing against SEC defensive backs requires physical strength and developed skills that should become more apparent as this group continues to gain playing experience. Shannon Dawson has a track record for developing receivers, so that aspect will be fun to watch.

I will be very surprised and possibly delighted if we have five receivers better than Timmons this year, unless he has injury problems. I still think his moves in the open field are among the best I have seen in a while and I wouldn't be surprised to see him catch the ball a lot better in his third year.

But I also think all five of your choices could have outstanding years, hope we can use them all.

 

[SaguaroCat]

Against LSU, Georgia, Miss State, Tennessee, Missouri, and Louisville Boom averaged 5.6 yards/carry and Horton averaged 5.2. Yes, our running backs are proven and they are top level in the conference. Those numbers aren't inflated with bought-win teams. That's the six best teams on the schedule. That's who we need to ride.

And I think that's the Stoops/Dawson plan. They've talked about going vertical more with the talent we have. Looking for big plays. We can't march down the field with dink and dunk. That's what we've been missing. Our offense never set anything up. Short passes led to more short passes. But when running backs succeed, that opens up seams for our tight ends or Timmons cutting across. That keeps safeties honest. Safeties aren't paying centerfield, Towles can throw up jump balls to our big guys.

 

[jnewc2]

I think you are missing the boat a bit on our backs. RB is by far the strongest position on the field.

Actually, if you want to get down to it, every single preseason publication I've looked at, whether it be Athlon, ESPN, Phil Steele, CBS, ALL have Patrick Towles and the QB position as the strongest position on our offense--and it's not even close.

All of those publications I mentioned have Towles ranked as no worse than the 6th or 7th-best QB in the league, while OL, WR and RB are ranked no better than 12th in the league.

Sometimes we have to take a step back and view our team like a neutral person would. Right now, QB is BY FAR, the strongest position on our offense (according to the national experts) as well as our entire team (outside of All-SEC punter and kicker Landon Foster and Austin MacGinnis).

Now, that being said, that's not a knock on Boom, b/c I think he's going to end up being the best RB UK's had since Moe Williams and Artose Pinner, but the reason he's not getting the respect he probably deserves right now is because the coaching staff didn't make him the feature back until late in the season, and because of that his yardage severely suffered because of his egregious lack of carries.

After this season, I think it will be neck and neck between Boom and Towles for who is the strongest position on our offense. But right now, Towles was one of the SEC's leading passers last year, while because the coaching staff didn't give Boom the number of carries he needed, Boom isn't rated as highly at the RB position that he should be.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I think the national publications rely quite a bit on last year's stats and often have a rough time projecting which players or teams are about to blowup.

 

[Blue Decade]

I will be very surprised and possibly delighted if we have five receivers better than Timmons this year, unless he has injury problems. I still think his moves in the open field are among the best I have seen in a while and I wouldn't be surprised to see him catch the ball a lot better in his third year.

But I also think all five of your choices could have outstanding years, hope we can use them all.

Timmons has big play ability because of his quicks, and I rank him just behind the 5 players I mentioned. Timmons hasn't made as many plays as he should have, seems to lack focus at times. He drops too many passes, needs to be more physical. Among the smaller receivers, I like Badet and Johnson better. With 2 years of eligibility left, Timmons might still become an impact receiver. But the 5 that I mentioned are the most important this year. If Montgomery is fully healthy, I might lump him in that group. Having this kind of quality depth is something new in the program, a predictable result of the level of recruiting Stoops has been doing. Although Stoops hasn't yet brought in 5 star players to headline classes, he is using every scholarship well and it is beginning to show in the depth.