This team vs the 2007 team

[UKwannabe]

That 07 team offensively, while lacking depth, was probably the most talented team since I starting watching in 96. Elite QB, Stud group of wideouts/tight ends, and a vastly under rated group of running backs with Little, Smith (whose had the best career of the bunch but was 3rd string, go figure) and Tony Dixon.

Obviously we still have alot to see when the season starts, but does anyone else think this team has the talent and depth to exceed the 07 group offensively?

Trying to be objective here, but....

QB-Woodson obviously gets the nod here. But up to this point in their careers, a sophomore Towles looked better than a sophomore Woodson. But Jr and Sr Woodson is one of the all time UK greats. Think Randy Sanders is much under appreciated for transforming Woodson. If Towles makes the same leap this year, we should be staring down a 8-9 win season realistically and that's being modest.

RB-Little was awesome when healthy. Another all time UK great. Tony Dixon had spurts of good plays as well as Moncell Allen. Add to it that the best NFL back of the bunch rarely played in Alfonso Smith, and add to it that this is the year Derricke Locke came to be, it's hard to pick this year's group of Boom, Jojo, and Horton (as much as I love this year's group) ahead of that 07 group. Who knows? Boom certainly has potential to be a BIG TIME player and Jojo/Horton are about as good as 2nd/3rd string running backs get IMO.

WR/TE-Stevie Johnson has had arguably the best NFL career of any UK player since Dermonti Dawson (Randall Cobb will exceed Stevie though IMO) but Stevie also wasn't the better college wide out on that team. Burton was a guy who could make the tough catch, but unlike Stevie, Burton could make a big play after the catch. Throw in a tough Lyons and Tammy and you have the best Corp of receivers in UK history. I'm of the opinion that this group made Woodson look like an All American, but that's moot. BUT, this year's team has 6-7 guys all capable of making big time catches and/or big time plays after the catch. Bone might be the best "go up and get it" wide out we've ever had here, Juice showed us last year against a stout UF secondary that he could make big time plays, reports out of camp make me feel like Baker might be on the cusp of 1st team all SEC. Timmons with the ball in his hands might be the best YAC receiver we've had since Cobb...mix in Badet, sure handed Montgomery, and the unproven but Gronkowski-esque Conrad and it's easy to get hyped about this group.

Regardless, just 6 more days baby.

 

[Brock28]

The '07 team is one of my favorites, but I think this years squad is better.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

This year's team has more depth than that 07 team had so hopefully they don't fade in the back half of the schedule like the 07 or last year's team did. We probably have more talent overall but that team had a lot of experience. We do have a chance at being the first team since 84 to get 8 regular season wins.

 

[TBCat]

No and not even close to it. The '07 team would beat this team soundly at all positions. Boom is the only one that can come close to matching his '07 counterpart.

 

[Mike-D]

No and not even close to it. The '07 team would beat this team soundly at all positions. Boom is the only one that can come close to matching his '07 counterpart.

No they wouldn't.

 

[jauk11]

Nice OP, but UK's big edge should be at the most important position-----the OL. While the 07 OL did a great job (and I think 5.2 rated G Williams is still playing) the group averaged an incredibly low 5.2 or so as commits. Did a great job overall, but this OL has the potential to be much better with much better depth, although 5.4 Toth is probably the best the other starters are all three stars with THREE 5.7s on the second team per the depth chart above. And a four star had to transfer because he was falling behind.

And of course all of our skill positions (except QB, both four stars) are also higher rated than the starters back then, (which of course doesn't mean a lot often), almost everyone on that team performed much higher than their recruit ratings-----especially the 4.9 rated Lyons.

Just saying, this team should have a lot more raw talent, AND a lot more depth, I just hope they can perform as well as that group did on offense, sometimes the ratings are way off------and they surely were with the 07 team.

Yeah, I think this team could/should out perform that group on offense, which would be a great accomplishment, and not only that but Joker was the OC that year, and you all know he couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Nice OP, but UK's big edge should be at the most important position-----the OL. While the 07 OL did a great job (and I think 5.2 rated G Williams is still playing) the group averaged an incredibly low 5.2 or so as commits. Did a great job overall, but this OL has the potential to be much better with much better depth, although 5.4 Toth is probably the best the other starters are all three stars with THREE 5.7s on the second team per the depth chart above. And a four star had to transfer because he was falling behind.

And of course all of our skill positions (except QB, both four stars) are also higher rated than the starters back then, (which of course doesn't mean a lot often), almost everyone on that team performed much higher than their recruit ratings-----especially the 4.9 rated Lyons.

Just saying, this team should have a lot more raw talent, AND a lot more depth, I just hope they can perform as well as that group did on offense, sometimes the ratings are way off------and they surely were with the 07 team.

Yeah, I think this team could/should out perform that group on offense, which would be a great accomplishment, and not only that but Joker was the OC that year, and you all know he couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag.

You can't just say they are higher ranked and are more talented or will be better a week before they take the field. Ranking is suppose to be based on potential but doesn't take into account how physically, or mentally for that matter a kid is as a sr in HS. Many people grow after HS, athletes will be no different. Recruiting rankings are not the sole determination of how a team will do down the road, its one but its not the only one. I don't think anyone believes UF is one of the top 3 teams in the SEC, but their point total over the last 4 years says they should be third behind only Bama and LSU who are 1 and 2. Their total is quite a bit higher than anyone in the East and no one is picking the to win the East.

 

[ram1955]

Much too early to say. On paper, this team is very talented, but like they say "You don't play the game on paper". Right now, I'd have to say the '07 team. In fact, I'd also take the '98 team over this one and no doubt I'd take the '77 team over all others. That may change as this team matures. In fact, my prediction of 4-8 up to 6-6 is based solely on the maturity level of the team. When they do mature, if they stay healthy, two years from now they could be really special.

 

[kats23]

Ask me this at the end of the season

 

[pdm]

That 07 team offensively, while lacking depth, was probably the most talented team since I starting watching in 96. Elite QB, Stud group of wideouts/tight ends, and a vastly under rated group of running backs with Little, Smith (whose had the best career of the bunch but was 3rd string, go figure) and Tony Dixon.

Obviously we still have alot to see when the season starts, but does anyone else think this team has the talent and depth to exceed the 07 group offensively?

Trying to be objective here, but....

QB-Woodson obviously gets the nod here. But up to this point in their careers, a sophomore Towles looked better than a sophomore Woodson. But Jr and Sr Woodson is one of the all time UK greats. Think Randy Sanders is much under appreciated for transforming Woodson. If Towles makes the same leap this year, we should be staring down a 8-9 win season realistically and that's being modest.

RB-Little was awesome when healthy. Another all time UK great. Tony Dixon had spurts of good plays as well as Moncell Allen. Add to it that the best NFL back of the bunch rarely played in Alfonso Smith, and add to it that this is the year Derricke Locke came to be, it's hard to pick this year's group of Boom, Jojo, and Horton (as much as I love this year's group) ahead of that 07 group. Who knows? Boom certainly has potential to be a BIG TIME player and Jojo/Horton are about as good as 2nd/3rd string running backs get IMO.

WR/TE-Stevie Johnson has had arguably the best NFL career of any UK player since Dermonti Dawson (Randall Cobb will exceed Stevie though IMO) but Stevie also wasn't the better college wide out on that team. Burton was a guy who could make the tough catch, but unlike Stevie, Burton could make a big play after the catch. Throw in a tough Lyons and Tammy and you have the best Corp of receivers in UK history. I'm of the opinion that this group made Woodson look like an All American, but that's moot. BUT, this year's team has 6-7 guys all capable of making big time catches and/or big time plays after the catch. Bone might be the best "go up and get it" wide out we've ever had here, Juice showed us last year against a stout UF secondary that he could make big time plays, reports out of camp make me feel like Baker might be on the cusp of 1st team all SEC. Timmons with the ball in his hands might be the best YAC receiver we've had since Cobb...mix in Badet, sure handed Montgomery, and the unproven but Gronkowski-esque Conrad and it's easy to get hyped about this group.

Regardless, just 6 more days baby.

lots of players on that 2007 team that I really liked, admired, and enjoying watching, Burton, Tamme, Lyons, Woodyard, Woodson, and Peters to name just a few....but man I really liked Little and Braxton Kelly, just football players there, know how to really describe them, kind of low profile, but boy did they make plays, and you are right about little, when he was healthy, he was good as anybody, be running full speed and give little hitch and he was by you,

 

[NCukcat62]

07 had better playmakers on both sides of the ball but our depth was abysmal. This year our depth is a lot better but our playmakers have yet to be determined other than save towles and boom. If you look at everyone on that 07 team many guys have had good stints in the league. Stevie, tamme, conner, Alfonso, woodyard, pryor, Garry Williams, Mathsay. 07 wins if fully healthy by at least 14. One of the best offenses in the country that year. Could of gone to a bcs game had our depth been good.

 

[RMP82]

The biggest asset to the 07 offense was the least talked about. John Conner could get the tough yards, was excellent at catching out of the backfield, and was an absolute terror when it came to blocking.

Top to bottom, this year has more talent, but at the most important positions, that team was pretty loaded. If they had a defensive coach worth a damn, they could have been pretty special, despite the depth.

DE- Jeremy Jarmon, Dominic Lewis, Ventrell Jenkins
DT- Corey Peters, Myron Pryor, Ricky Lumpkin
OLB- Wesley Woodyard, Micah Johnson, Johnny Williams
MLB- Braxton Kelley
CB- Trevard Lindley,
S- Marcus McClinton

Those are just some of the talented players on the D who had a cup of coffee in the NFL or careers.

 

[footballfanatic77]

The 07 team was probably better, but this team certainly has a much higher ceiling. It would be hard to say that 07 was really better until we see them play though.

 

[Deeeefense]

Head to head both teams healthy and fresh, the 07 team wins IMO, but over the course of a season this year's team wins more games becasue it is much more versatile and deeper.

 

[SanAntonioCat]

The 2007 team was 7-5 as I remember. Going into the South Carolina game on a Thursday night, they fell apart and struggled the rest of the season. Taking nothing away from their accomplishments, the current team is deeper and more talented (depth). How that translates to the field is what remains to be seen.

 

[CGblue]

The 2007 team was 7-5 as I remember. Going into the South Carolina game on a Thursday night, they fell apart and struggled the rest of the season. Taking nothing away from their accomplishments, the current team is deeper and more talented (depth). How that translates to the field is what remains to be seen.

 

[CGblue]

The 2007 team was 7-5 as I remember. Going into the South Carolina game on a Thursday night, they fell apart and struggled the rest of the season. Taking nothing away from their accomplishments, the current team is deeper and more talented (depth). How that translates to the field is what remains to be seen.

 

[CGblue]

After the SC game they beat #1 LSU (2007 NC) and went on to beat FSU easily in the bowl game. The only letdown was the bad loss to Miss St. This team could be capable but it'll be tough to match the 07 team that made it into the top ten.

 

[Mud Till May]

The 07 team would mop the floor with this team.

 

[KingOfBBN]

The 2007 team was 7-5 as I remember. Going into the South Carolina game on a Thursday night, they fell apart and struggled the rest of the season. Taking nothing away from their accomplishments, the current team is deeper and more talented (depth). How that translates to the field is what remains to be seen.

That team honestly should have lost at most 2 games. They were better than Miss State, SC, and Tennessee. What a wasted opportunity. Loved that team though. Offensively they were badass.

 

[SaguaroCat]

The schedule that team played. Four Top 15 teams including 1 & 2. Arkansas won eight games and went to the cotton bowl. Mississippi state won eight games. South Carolina reached as high as #7 before skidding out the season with qb injuries. Florida Atlantic won the Sun Belt and the New Orleans bowl. Even Vandy was 5-7. Sagarin ended up ranking us #18 with the 17th toughest schedule that season.

Part of the reason everyone's so excited this year is our schedule has never been weaker, and we hope to win seven. Yeah, 2007 without a doubt.

 

[kyboy1998]

The 07 team was one of my favorites and that season was a fun ride. It is however greatly overrated on this board.

That team had a season that gets coaches fired anywhere else and its treated like royalty by our fans.

This team could easily be as medicore as the 07 group.

 

[KingOfBBN]

The 07 team was one of my favorites and that season was a fun ride. It is however greatly overrated on this board.

That team had a season that gets coaches fired anywhere else and its treated like royalty by our fans.

This team could easily be as medicore as the 07 group.

Well, it's more indicative of how bad things have been for the better part of 30-40 years. That's the most fun I ever had as a fan.

 

[Bigblueforever]

Ask me this at the end of the season

Agree

 

[jimmy cowboy]

Let's see how our current team looks in two years as that team had lots of upper class men....also Love that team but When Patty Ice is a senior he will be a lot better than Woodson...

 

[kyboy1998]

Well, it's more indicative of how bad things have been for the better part of 30-40 years. That's the most fun I ever had as a fan.

I agree. That season was a blast and gave me some unforgettable moments.

I was able to attend the LSU game and the ESPN game day. Most fun I've had as a fan.

I'm just saying it's not impossible to imagine this , or upcoming, teams being able to match the accomplishments.

 

[ukalumni00]

07 team first string better than this year's team (mostly because of experience) but I think this year's team is more equipped to handle a full season with the deeper roster.

 

[JasonRDunn]

Someone recently said that this team will probably look more like the 2006 team, with Towles expected progression. This might be a better comparison. 2007 is a team that were very experienced and came together (particularly on defense).

 

[jauk11]

Someone recently said that this team will probably look more like the 2006 team, with Towles expected progression. This might be a better comparison. 2007 is a team that were very experienced and came together (particularly on defense).

The 07 team had zero depth compared to this team, which is why they wore down and limped home. Little getting hurt really hurt, I remember a Florida assistant saying him missing the game cost us 25% of our passing attack, amazing when you consider we still had Burton, Tamme, Johnson, and Lyons, PLUS whoever was in the game for Little. The 06 team had the rare feat of breaking even in the SEC, the 07 team didn't.

Practically nothing realized yet, but the potential of this team is through the roof IMO, it may take next year to get it all together-----then of course we will still face SEC teams that have out recruited us for several years, we can only hope to come close to their recruiting (some of them cheat-----or is that all of them?) so a lot will depend on the coaching.