UK Football Practice

[footballfanatic77]

I'm not sure if I'm overlooking it, but I haven't seen many people talking about how practice is going. From everything I've read, everyone has been impressed that Kentucky is starting to look like an SEC-type team as far as size goes.

http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...2-uk-football-practice-observations/31348309/

 

[jnewc2]

The coaches aren't one to sugar-coat things and I've never really heard them talk like they have this offseason..you can sense the confidence in their voice when they talk about this team..you can tell the expectations have really risen..they aren't where they want to be in terms of talent & depth, but they're light-years ahead of where they were a couple years ago and you can just tell they think they have the guys to go out there and play with anyone..they seem dead-set on taking that next step this year..I've heard Stoops praise Westry quite a bit already too..when he was asked who were the fastest guys on the team he mentioned 3 names: Boom, Badet and Westry..that makes me feel good about the secondary..one thing we've really lacked is that Trevard Lindley type cover corner that can lock down the other teams' #1 receiver..I think we'll have that with Westry..Stoops is just really praising him and giving him a lot of individual attention..it also made me feel pretty good when he was asked about replacing Hatcher, he said they had "a lot" of guys they could use to replace him: Ware, Jabari Johnson, Alvonte Bell, Kengera, are just a few, but he sounded pretty confident those guys would do just fine in replacing him..he said "we'll be fine" when talking about replacing Hatcher, so that makes me feel good..losing Hatcher isn't good, but at the same time it's not like losing Josh Forrest or AJ Stamps or someone like that..we've recruited a lot of elite young talent at that DE/OLB spot

 

[footballfanatic77]

The coaches aren't one to sugar-coat things and I've never really heard them talk like they have this offseason..you can sense the confidence in their voice when they talk about this team..you can tell the expectations have really risen..they aren't where they want to be in terms of talent & depth, but they're light-years ahead of where they were a couple years ago and you can just tell they think they have the guys to go out there and play with anyone..they seem dead-set on taking that next step this year..I've heard Stoops praise Westry quite a bit already too..when he was asked who were the fastest guys on the team he mentioned 3 names: Boom, Badet and Westry..that makes me feel good about the secondary..one thing we've really lacked is that Trevard Lindley type cover corner that can lock down the other teams' #1 receiver..I think we'll have that with Westry..Stoops is just really praising him and giving him a lot of individual attention..it also made me feel pretty good when he was asked about replacing Hatcher, he said they had "a lot" of guys they could use to replace him: Ware, Jabari Johnson, Alvonte Bell, Kengera, are just a few, but he sounded pretty confident those guys would do just fine in replacing him..he said "we'll be fine" when talking about replacing Hatcher, so that makes me feel good..losing Hatcher isn't good, but at the same time it's not like losing Josh Forrest or AJ Stamps or someone like that..we've recruited a lot of elite young talent at that DE/OLB spot

I agree that the coaches seem more optimistic than I have seen them. I've been trying to keep up with how other teams practices are going and though I really hate to say this because I've been burned in the past with UK football, AND it's still incredibly early, but I'm starting to think UK could finish the season in the Top 4 in the SEC East. None of SC's qb options are looking very impressive and even if their defense takes a step forward it's likely their offense will take a slight step back. Florida appears to be an even bigger mess than what I initially thought. Vanderbilt seems to have returned to the Vanderbilt of old. Mizzou looks unsettled at defensive line (unusual for them) and sloppy at WR. At this point only UGA and UT look better than UK; of course that may change. I'm not sure I'm ready to say that I think UK could finish ahead of both Mizzou and South Carolina, but I'm starting to become optimistic that may be possible.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I agree that the coaches seem more optimistic than I have seen them. I've been trying to keep up with how other teams practices are going and though I really hate to say this because I've been burned in the past with UK football, AND it's still incredibly early, but I'm starting to think UK could finish the season in the Top 4 in the SEC East. None of SC's qb options are looking very impressive and even if their defense takes a step forward it's likely their offense will take a slight step back. Florida appears to be an even bigger mess than what I initially thought. Vanderbilt seems to have returned to the Vanderbilt of old. Mizzou looks unsettled at defensive line (unusual for them) and sloppy at WR. At this point only UGA and UT look better than UK; of course that may change. I'm not sure I'm ready to say that I think UK could finish ahead of both Mizzou and South Carolina, but I'm starting to become optimistic that may be possible.

At UGA we are still looking for a qb, no hints if anyone is starting to separate from the other 2. OL first unit is set, people are moving back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd units to determine the depth. WR has Mitchell leading the group, he is back to 100% finally and so is Wesley-Scott. Isiah McKensie, or return guy, will get a good many reps as WR as will Reggie Davis. 2 and possibly more of the frosh will play too. Rome has healed up at TE but he is running number 2 behind Blazovich, the frosh is very likely to play too. RB has Chubb, Michel, Marshall, Douglas and Turman in that order.

On the other side 2 frosh will likely play on the DL, will have to really, LB is the strength of the defense outside LB is good, Jordan Jenkins who will put his hand down some, Lo Carter who has added 25lbs this year and Leonard Floyd, Floyd will also like up at the star position, crazy fast for a LB. ILB both have to be replaced, may not get the productions, but all 6 are better athletes, but if they can't tackle that doesn't mean much. Secondary returns 4 guys who started games last year, but 2 at same positon, so we are replacing a starter. Several are in a battle for that spot including a frosh and a JUCO who was hurt last year and the part time starter from last year. Richt is the same as always, very guarded in what he says, but one of the assistants isn't. Coach Ekeler says they tell him to under sell and over achieve, he says BS to that my guys are doing great and we are better at MLB right now than we were last year. But you have to know his diet consist of about 6 Redbulls a day, kids love him though.

 

[jnewc2]

I agree that the coaches seem more optimistic than I have seen them. I've been trying to keep up with how other teams practices are going and though I really hate to say this because I've been burned in the past with UK football, AND it's still incredibly early, but I'm starting to think UK could finish the season in the Top 4 in the SEC East. None of SC's qb options are looking very impressive and even if their defense takes a step forward it's likely their offense will take a slight step back. Florida appears to be an even bigger mess than what I initially thought. Vanderbilt seems to have returned to the Vanderbilt of old. Mizzou looks unsettled at defensive line (unusual for them) and sloppy at WR. At this point only UGA and UT look better than UK; of course that may change. I'm not sure I'm ready to say that I think UK could finish ahead of both Mizzou and South Carolina, but I'm starting to become optimistic that may be possible.

Yeah. I think that's a pretty accurate description of how a lot of us feel..it's just human nature to try and temper your expectations when you've been burned so many times in the past, and it's even harder to convince ppl that this is finally the year because we literally hear that just about every single year..but the reason I feel optimistic is because unlike in the past we actually have tangible evidence (recruiting) that we have a different caliber of player on this team..that, along with the fact that I look at the direction this program has been trending since Stoops took over..the improvement between year one and two was one of the biggest jumps that I've ever seen any team make..I was just blown away at the beginning of last season at just how this looked like a totally different team..if we see something even remotely similar to that this offseason (which I think we will) it makes me feel good about this season..there are so many unknowns in the East this year, it might be the most wide-open that it will ever be..I have a feeling there are going to be a whole lot of toss-ups, and I think us having one of the more experienced QB's in the SEC (who should be improved over last year) will be a big advantage at crunchtime

 

[SaguaroCat]

Got that same good feeling and I'm not one to overshoot expectations. I'm not predicting it now either, but no one predicted Missouri the past two years either. Teams like UK making a splash (and I'm even talking 8, 9 win season splash) is rarely seen ahead of time, but they happen. We have a favorable schedule, an influx of talent, maturing talent, and some coaching expertise on both sides of the ball.

 

[footballfanatic77]

At UGA we are still looking for a qb, no hints if anyone is starting to separate from the other 2. OL first unit is set, people are moving back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd units to determine the depth. WR has Mitchell leading the group, he is back to 100% finally and so is Wesley-Scott. Isiah McKensie, or return guy, will get a good many reps as WR as will Reggie Davis. 2 and possibly more of the frosh will play too. Rome has healed up at TE but he is running number 2 behind Blazovich, the frosh is very likely to play too. RB has Chubb, Michel, Marshall, Douglas and Turman in that order.

On the other side 2 frosh will likely play on the DL, will have to really, LB is the strength of the defense outside LB is good, Jordan Jenkins who will put his hand down some, Lo Carter who has added 25lbs this year and Leonard Floyd, Floyd will also like up at the star position, crazy fast for a LB. ILB both have to be replaced, may not get the productions, but all 6 are better athletes, but if they can't tackle that doesn't mean much. Secondary returns 4 guys who started games last year, but 2 at same positon, so we are replacing a starter. Several are in a battle for that spot including a frosh and a JUCO who was hurt last year and the part time starter from last year. Richt is the same as always, very guarded in what he says, but one of the assistants isn't. Coach Ekeler says they tell him to under sell and over achieve, he says BS to that my guys are doing great and we are better at MLB right now than we were last year. But you have to know his diet consist of about 6 Redbulls a day, kids love him though.

Pretty sure with the talent UGA has at all positions, they just need a game manager who won't turn the ball over too much. Obviously a star QB would be nice and there is some young potential there, but not necessary for Georgia to have a very good season.

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

I agree OP, and folks like myself always get the "negative nancy'" label, for being realistic. However, I'm not tempering my expectations this year the same as usual. Stoops knows how to build a football team, and something really does feel different this time around. At worst, I expect a 6 win season, and will be disappointed with anything less. I'm not ready to jump off the bridge and predict 9-10 wins like some of you, but I believe 6-8 is realistically possible....which will be a major step forward. This will be the year we get back on the map...and then next year will be the year we take the next big step!

 

[footballfanatic77]

I agree OP, and folks like myself always get the "negative nancy'" label, for being realistic. However, I'm not tempering my expectations this year the same as usual. Stoops knows how to build a football team, and something really does feel different this time around. At worst, I expect a 6 win season, and will be disappointed with anything less. I'm not ready to jump off the bridge and predict 9-10 wins like some of you, but I believe 6-8 is realistically possible....which will be a major step forward. This will be the year we get back on the map...and then next year will be the year we take the next big step!

My view is that injuries and bad luck could lead to a 4-8 or 5-7 season. The most probable outcome would be 6-6 or 7-5. At this point, I think a 10 win season isn't even possible if Kentucky has that perfect season, there are still too many holes on the depth chart and too much youth; but if everything goes perfectly, I do think Kentucky could win 8-9 games. It just almost never happens that a team has a perfect season without a single mistake or mental error and I don't expect the Cats to have that this season, given all the youth on the team. If UK played in the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12 I would probably be arguing that they were looking at a 8-9 win season, but the equivalent team winning 8-9 games in those conferences would be winning 6-7 in the SEC.

 

[Bigblueforever]

Usually the "coach speak" gives an indication and these coaches seem very confident, optimistic, excited and ready for the season

Just can't wait for season to start.

 

[Blue Decade]

I agree that the coaches seem more optimistic than I have seen them. I've been trying to keep up with how other teams practices are going and though I really hate to say this because I've been burned in the past with UK football, AND it's still incredibly early, but I'm starting to think UK could finish the season in the Top 4 in the SEC East. None of SC's qb options are looking very impressive and even if their defense takes a step forward it's likely their offense will take a slight step back. Florida appears to be an even bigger mess than what I initially thought. Vanderbilt seems to have returned to the Vanderbilt of old. Mizzou looks unsettled at defensive line (unusual for them) and sloppy at WR. At this point only UGA and UT look better than UK; of course that may change. I'm not sure I'm ready to say that I think UK could finish ahead of both Mizzou and South Carolina, but I'm starting to become optimistic that may be possible.

All football fans at every school have been burned in the past. Not just Kentucky fans. There is no doubt that we are a bigger, deeper team this year. We are better at every position on the field except defensive end and possibly offensive tackle. As always, the problem is our SEC schedule. It's too early to know which SEC teams are better and which are not. But if our team is better, then we will win more games than last year. I have predicted all along that we will win 6-7 games this year, and I am sticking to it.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

The coaches aren't one to sugar-coat things and I've never really heard them talk like they have this offseason..you can sense the confidence in their voice when they talk about this team..you can tell the expectations have really risen..they aren't where they want to be in terms of talent & depth, but they're light-years ahead of where they were a couple years ago and you can just tell they think they have the guys to go out there and play with anyone..they seem dead-set on taking that next step this year..I've heard Stoops praise Westry quite a bit already too..when he was asked who were the fastest guys on the team he mentioned 3 names: Boom, Badet and Westry..that makes me feel good about the secondary..one thing we've really lacked is that Trevard Lindley type cover corner that can lock down the other teams' #1 receiver..I think we'll have that with Westry..Stoops is just really praising him and giving him a lot of individual attention..it also made me feel pretty good when he was asked about replacing Hatcher, he said they had "a lot" of guys they could use to replace him: Ware, Jabari Johnson, Alvonte Bell, Kengera, are just a few, but he sounded pretty confident those guys would do just fine in replacing him..he said "we'll be fine" when talking about replacing Hatcher, so that makes me feel good..losing Hatcher isn't good, but at the same time it's not like losing Josh Forrest or AJ Stamps or someone like that..we've recruited a lot of elite young talent at that DE/OLB spot

Jabari Johnson laid the wood last season....He will be a beast.

 

[jauk11]

My view is that injuries and bad luck could lead to a 4-8 or 5-7 season. The most probable outcome would be 6-6 or 7-5. At this point, I think a 10 win season isn't even possible if Kentucky has that perfect season, there are still too many holes on the depth chart and too much youth; but if everything goes perfectly, I do think Kentucky could win 8-9 games. It just almost never happens that a team has a perfect season without a single mistake or mental error and I don't expect the Cats to have that this season, given all the youth on the team. If UK played in the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12 I would probably be arguing that they were looking at a 8-9 win season, but the equivalent team winning 8-9 games in those conferences would be winning 6-7 in the SEC.

Just curious, what is your predicted record for your #1 team?

 

[footballfanatic77]

Just curious, what is your predicted record for your #1 team?

I will presume you mean UT. I expect Tennessee to win 8 or 9 games. I think 10 are possible with a perfect season, 6 or 7 are possible with a lot of injuries and bad luck. But, 8 or 9 seems most likely to me this season given their relative youth and inexperience. I've said plenty of times in the past and I'll say again, I think UT is about 1 year ahead of UK in the rebuilding process. IMO that's because Jones had a somewhat easier situation than Stoops, though the gap was definitely not as wide as it has been for most of my lifetime. If the Vols were in the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12, I would probably be arguing that they were looking at a 10-11 win season, but the equivalent team winning 10-11 games in those conferences would be winning 8-9 in the SEC.

 

[jnewc2]

Jabari Johnson laid the wood last season....He will be a beast.

I've been really impressed with him..I really like his size, and the thing I liked the most was that he seemed to play his best when the lights were the brightest (Miss St, Louisville)..if it comes to pure run support, I'd rather have him out there than Hatcher, he just has so much size and only seems to be scratching the surface of his potential..in the past few years losing any starter there would be a HUGE drop off, but Stoops has recruited his butt off to build depth, and now when we lose a #1 we can find a way to manage and get by (like other SEC teams)

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

I will presume you mean UT. I expect Tennessee to win 8 or 9 games. I think 10 are possible with a perfect season, 6 or 7 are possible with a lot of injuries and bad luck. But, 8 or 9 seems most likely to me this season given their relative youth and inexperience. I've said plenty of times in the past and I'll say again, I think UT is about 1 year ahead of UK in the rebuilding process. IMO that's because Jones had a somewhat easier situation than Stoops, though the gap was definitely not as wide as it has been for most of my lifetime. If the Vols were in the ACC, Big Ten, or Big 12, I would probably be arguing that they were looking at a 10-11 win season, but the equivalent team winning 10-11 games in those conferences would be winning 8-9 in the SEC.

very reasonable from a UT fan...not sure what to make of that?

 

[irishcat1965]

5-7 to 7-5. Anything more that and Stoops is looking at SEC coach of the year honors.

 

[ukalum1988]

A round of Blue Kool-Aid for me, please.

Ready to get this thing started!!!!

 

[jauk11]

A round of Blue Kool-Aid for me, please.

Ready to get this thing started!!!!

I have to lay off for a day or two, been drinking gallons of it for months.