Rantsports: Stoops needs to go ahead & name Towles starter

[jnewc2]

Rantsports.com:

"After a 5-7 mark last season, Stoops and his staff (and the Big Blue Nation) hope that this is the season where Kentucky gets over the hump and becomes bowl eligible.

What coaches don’t like to have, especially in a situation like this, is a distraction. Whether it’s player suspensions, injuries or something else, a distraction can derail a season very quickly.

And that’s exactly the reason that Stoops and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson should put any doubts to rest by naming Patrick Towles as Kentucky’s starting quarterback. Stoops and Dawson opened up the quarterback competition in the spring due to two factors. First the way Towles finished last season, which was not great. And second, because Dawson is a new offensive coordinator and his scheme and terminology will be new to everyone.

By opening the competition, redshirt freshman Drew Barker had the chance to compete for the job in the spring. And, since Stoops and Dawson have not named a starter at this point, Barker is still competing for the job.

The problem with this scenario is that if there is not a clear-cut starter as training camp progresses, rumors will start. And those rumors could serve as a self-inflicted distraction that this Kentucky team simply cannot afford.

Anyone who saw Kentucky in the spring knows that Towles is the quarterback who gives the Wildcats the best chance to win. Stoops and Dawson should go ahead and make that call to avoid a potential distraction."

Rantsports also wrote a separate article discussing why Towles should be the starting QB:

"Another primary reason that the job was open was to give Barker a chance to win the job. Barker is a Kentucky kid and was a four-star recruit in high school (as was Towles). The coaching staff, especially Dawson, felt like they should give Barker an opportunity to win the job.

They did that this spring, dividing reps between the two players. And during Kentucky’s limited open sessions this spring, it’s been fairly easy to see that Towles is the better quarterback.

Towles will be the starter this fall for Kentucky. Barker may stick around as the backup or he may explore other options. That portion of the story remains to be seen."

 

[ulismyman]

Agree

 

[jnewc2]

Agree

Think so too..echoes a lot of stuff that many of us have been thinking...we've already discussed the subject ad nauseam, but brings up a lot of good points..I've said it a few times..I agree with most everything Stoops has done up to this point, but this is one of those very few areas where I disagree w/ Stoops' decision making (and it's not really that big of a deal, but still)..Towles needs to be named the guy..I've pointed this out several times..the longer this whole competition/mind-game continues to progress, the more and more questions & rumors will start floating around in the media, in the fanbase, and in the locker room..(and you know the leader of our team has to be thinking about it..let's just hope it rubs him the right way and not the wrong way..lucky for us he seems to be a strong-willed guy that won't have his confidence shaken by these mind-games) heck, maybe even his teammates will start wondering, why isn't he being named the guy? The jig has been up for a while..I've always wondered how much more hype & praise Towles would've gotten this offseason if Stoops would've named him starter after he earned it in spring practice..from articles I've read about Towles and Kentucky in general this offseason, that was the main thing holding the writer back when they were talking about Towles and the offense, they'd always finish the article with something like: "well Towles is this and that, but he's still in a competition on his own team so how good is he?"

Maybe Stoops is/was trying to keep Barker from transferring, so I can't really blame him at the end of they day, but still..he hasn't named Boom the clear-cut starter at RB even though we all know he's going to be the guy..I think maybe this is one of those areas that Stoops will learn to handle better in the future..it's one of those growing pains as a head coach..he has to learn to be able to tell a 4-star guy that he recruited that someone else is going to start over them...he's clearly trying to create an environment of high-level competition at every position, and I appreciate that to a degree, but Towles and Boom are just the victims of that..at RB that might not be a huge deal, but I fully believe a team needs time to rally around a QB and gain confidence & trust in him (not to mention the first team reps and wide receivers getting together with the first string QB for extra work after practice, etc working on timing in their routes..the QB position has so much thinking & leadership involved that it's just a different animal when it comes to naming a starter)

 

[BlueTick2]

Stoops already knows who the starter is.
He's not in the business of making sports writers happy.
Or anybody else for that matter.

It's his job to win games, not make the masses happy.

Is there anyone on this message board think it's not going to be Pat?

 

[ram1955]

Stoops already knows who the starter is.
He's not in the business of making sports writers happy.
Or anybody else for that matter.

It's his job to win games, not make the masses happy.

Is there anyone on this message board think it's not going to be Pat?

Agree. Don't know for sure, but I'd bet if you polled the players, they'd overwhelmingly say PT was the guy. Not because they believe he's superior to Barker, but because he's the "encumbent". However, Stoops also knows the value of competition. I'm wondering if DB won't be given some plays in most games. Barker knows his day is coming.

 

[jimmy cowboy]

Drew is not going anywhere....He will wait his turn....Patty Ice is the man this year...

 

[C1180]

It would be a very foolish act on Barkers part if he transferred at this stage of the game. He has already redshirted so sitting out a year he would lose a year of eligibility. Even if he doesn't beat out Towles he will have two years of being starting QB at UK. Heck maybe even three. If Towles blows up this year he might go Pro early.

Stoops is getting two QBs ready to play this year and I believe that both will play. If Towles is as inconsistent this year as last year Barker may play a lot. Then you have the injury factor. The back up is just one bad injury away from being the starter this year. Both of these QBs are also runners and that increases the threat of injury.


The down side to having two QBs like Towles and Barker that are near equal is the danger of clique groups forming among their team mates that support their respective player. This could cause some desention on the team.

 

[WhyNotBBN]

If Towles has a big year and UK wins say 8. He may go to the draft. Barker will see the field this year there is no doubt. Saying he may explore other options is kinda a joke.

 

[thornie1]

It would be a very foolish act on Barkers part if he transferred at this stage of the game. He has already redshirted so sitting out a year he would lose a year of eligibility. Even if he doesn't beat out Towles he will have two years of being starting QB at UK. Heck maybe even three. If Towles blows up this year he might go Pro early.

Stoops is getting two QBs ready to play this year and I believe that both will play. If Towles is as inconsistent this year as last year Barker may play a lot. Then you have the injury factor. The back up is just one bad injury away from being the starter this year. Both of these QBs are also runners and that increases the threat of injury.


The down side to having two QBs like Towles and Barker that are near equal is the danger of clique groups forming among their team mates that support their respective player. This could cause some desention on the team.

Not meaning to de-rail this thread but if, IF, Barker had signed with SC I think his chances of being the starting QB this year would be better in Columbia. I know it didn't happen but wonder how Barker looks at it now?

 

[dyersburgcatfan]

3 of our first 4 games are in conference this year. SC, FL, and MO. Unless he just proves incapable or is injured, Towles is going to get all or most of the reps in those games. We NEED at least one of those games to be a W and have a chance in all 3, so Stoops is going to stick with Towles unless something really bad happens. Now if we could get up early and by a good margin in the opener, I see Barker engineering some drives late in the game. Also in the game against Eastern. It is important for him to see some playing time and get game experience. He has to be ready in the event of injury at all times. Nothing like game experience to get him ready, but IMO, that experience is unlikely to come during the SEC games...at least early in the season. He needs to grow into the position, not be thrust into it, if we can help it. He will be a very good QB in the future.

 

[gsayers]

Stoops already knows who the starter is.
He's not in the business of making sports writers happy.
Or anybody else for that matter.

It's his job to win games, not make the masses happy.

Is there anyone on this message board think it's not going to be Pat?

If there is anything with this football team set in stone it is this.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

Stoops is on KSR and he said it has more to do with the work that Drew has done rather than Towles. He said he's very happy with where Towles is but evidently Drew is barking at his heels.

 

[Poetax]

I am glad that Stoops allows competition, it keeps interest alive and allows everyone to show off their strengths as well as their weaknesses. You never know when the light comes on for some players.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

We seem to forget just how talented Drew Barker is. He came in as a much higher rated recruit than Towles, not that that means anything, but he is a super talented QB. I wish we could RS him again so we'd get 3 years of the Barker at QB. He's gonna be incredible. Reminder:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/609252/highlights/77089390/v2

 

[Blouman]

We seem to forget just how talented Drew Barker is. He came in as a much higher rated recruit than Towles, not that that means anything, but he is a super talented QB. I wish we could RS him again so we'd get 3 years of the Barker at QB. He's gonna be incredible. Reminder:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/609252/highlights/77089390/v2

They were both 4* so I don't see how DB was " a much" higher rated recruit than Towles. Also PT is a rs jr. vs. DB being just a rs fr. Big difference there.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

Barker was a 5.9 4* ranked #132 best prospect in the nation. 5th best pro style QB. Towles was a 5.8 4* star, 9th best pro style QB but not nationally ranked. I love Towles but just saying.

 

[jayhovah]

I'm so glad someone finally published this on the internet! Now maybe coach will see it! I'm sure he's been wondering when someone would finally let him know if it was a good idea to name a starter!!

 

[Bigblueforever]

Rantsports.com:

"After a 5-7 mark last season, Stoops and his staff (and the Big Blue Nation) hope that this is the season where Kentucky gets over the hump and becomes bowl eligible.

What coaches don’t like to have, especially in a situation like this, is a distraction. Whether it’s player suspensions, injuries or something else, a distraction can derail a season very quickly.

And that’s exactly the reason that Stoops and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson should put any doubts to rest by naming Patrick Towles as Kentucky’s starting quarterback. Stoops and Dawson opened up the quarterback competition in the spring due to two factors. First the way Towles finished last season, which was not great. And second, because Dawson is a new offensive coordinator and his scheme and terminology will be new to everyone.

By opening the competition, redshirt freshman Drew Barker had the chance to compete for the job in the spring. And, since Stoops and Dawson have not named a starter at this point, Barker is still competing for the job.

The problem with this scenario is that if there is not a clear-cut starter as training camp progresses, rumors will start. And those rumors could serve as a self-inflicted distraction that this Kentucky team simply cannot afford.

Anyone who saw Kentucky in the spring knows that Towles is the quarterback who gives the Wildcats the best chance to win. Stoops and Dawson should go ahead and make that call to avoid a potential distraction."

Rantsports also wrote a separate article discussing why Towles should be the starting QB:

"Another primary reason that the job was open was to give Barker a chance to win the job. Barker is a Kentucky kid and was a four-star recruit in high school (as was Towles). The coaching staff, especially Dawson, felt like they should give Barker an opportunity to win the job.

They did that this spring, dividing reps between the two players. And during Kentucky’s limited open sessions this spring, it’s been fairly easy to see that Towles is the better quarterback.

Towles will be the starter this fall for Kentucky. Barker may stick around as the backup or he may explore other options. That portion of the story remains to be seen."

Also agree

 

[cac123]

Just let the coach do the coaching. Naming the Qb is
Stoops job (with inputs from staff, particularly Dawson). It will happen soon enough, you probably know the answer, but not all the reasons for the timing of the decision. Patience, the coaches probably have 'slightly' more insight than most posters.

 

[BobbyK49]

Barker was a 5.9 4* ranked #132 best prospect in the nation. 5th best pro style QB. Towles was a 5.8 4* star, 9th best pro style QB but not nationally ranked. I love Towles but just saying.

With respect Daddy, I seriously doubt that the numbers you quoted mean much in predicting who will be a better college QB. Star systems just aren't that much of an exact science.

 

[WildCard]

If it makes any difference, Towles will be "named" starter in the next 2 weeks. It is the worst kept secret in Kentucky that, barring injury, he is almost certainly UK's starting QB for 2015. As a returning 12 game starter who, given all circumstances, performed "adequately" as a first year starter he is the "de facto" starting QB for 2015. Are there areas where he needs to improve and in some areas improve significantly? Of course there are. That's what coaching is about and what practice is for.

The more I think about, this a great "opening opportunity" for Towles and the Cats. Three SEC teams (none of which figure to be monsters) in the first 4 games and 2 of those games at home. Furthermore, IMO, the Cats have more than a punchers chance in those games. These are games where a big game or a big play or two by the QB can make the winning difference. OTOH, if QB play contributes to an 0-3 SEC start, look for a change the next week. JMO.

Peace

 

[BoulderCat]

I'm putting an awful lot of hope and trust in Stoop's. If he thinks it best not to do so yet sobeit. We all know it will be PT. I also believe Barker will not transfer. He's got 4 years of eligibility left. Even if PT is the starter this year and next that still leaves him 2 years to be the starter. Assuming some new QB doesn't come in and beat him out of course. Still, he's got to have the confidence that won't happen. I also think he'll get some meaningful reps at times this year, and of course there's always the possibility of an injury. I'd like to think that we have one of the better RS freshmen QB's out there ready to come in and perform should that happen.

 

[billue]

I think not naming a starter at any position has more to do with recruiting than anything else.

 

[ctroberts1024]

Pat Towles is the starter. Barker will play quite a bit this year due to game scores. No way he transfers. Worst case scenario he gets a ton of experience this year and next and takes the reins as a junior. That said, Pat Towles can't afford to have games like he did against Mizzou and Lolville last year were he looked completely dazed and confused. The coaches were a little gun shy to pull him with Phillips as our backup. With Barker as our backup, however, I don't think they'll second guess it. Hopefully Pat Towles doesn't go through that sort of lull again.

 

[Parabolicsecan]

I think not naming a starter at any position has more to do with recruiting than anything

I think not naming a starter at any position has more to do with recruiting than anything else.

Recruiting and putting the best players on the field. Why name a starter? If it clicks for Drew and he demonstrates that during camp then he should be given the opportunity to start, the same with every other position. That's part of the reason you have camp, there is no depth chart or roster it's best man up.

 

[MrHotDice]

Barker was a 5.9 4* ranked #132 best prospect in the nation. 5th best pro style QB. Towles was a 5.8 4* star, 9th best pro style QB but not nationally ranked. I love Towles but just saying.

Who the QB is won't matter unless the defense plays much better than last year. Just remember that Tim Couch couldn't win more SEC games than he lost because of poor UK defense. The SEC is all about defense if your team wants to be more than 6 wins.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

I heard a rumor that there were no rumors. I also heard that Stoops could give a rat's sphincter about QB rumors. But, those are just rumors. #feartherumor