New opinion/commentary article by BigBlue75 on the front page now...

[WildcatDan]

http://www.wildcatnation.net

Cats vs Cards: Opportunities Lost[/b]
[/b]

I’m sitting here in front of my computer screen, mentally replaying the latest installment of the Governor’s Cup game last night at Cardinal Stadium. As someone who has bled Wildcat Blue from birth, I was certainly disappointed in the outcome. I’m trying to dissect why UK came out on the short end of the score yet again. They say that talking to yourself is supposed to be okay as long as you don’t start answering yourself. I don’t know if that same logic applies to thoughts, but here are the ones going through my mind right now with some answers I’ve come up with on the “morning after”:



Did UK lose because of Brian Brohm?[/b]

[/b]Answer: No. Brohm had a good solid game but nothing spectacular. He basically just had to push the right buttons on a potent offense.[/i]

[/i]

Did UK lose because of Michael Bush?[/b]

Answer: No. His three touchdowns and 100-plus yard game prior to the injury didn’t dig the hole. [/i](I will explain in a few sentences.)



Did UK lose because of the over 600 yards of Cardinal offense?[/b]

Answer: No. The total yardage, though impressive, is a by-product of the previously mentioned hole.[/i]

Click the link above for the full article

[gerntz]

i don't buy it.

[WildcatDan]

Did you read the whole article? What did you disagree with? (You know, discuss it!)

[lighthouse]

I agree with "The Hole" idea, but why do we dig that hole. Could it be because we are NOT prepared to play. I've always said the least talented player can hustle, and we had no hop in our step.UL was crisp in their execution, we looked like we were unsure and afraid to make a mistake. Why no enthusiam? Are the UL players just stronger, and in better shape? Either way, it should go back to an approach to the game by the coaches. We've played this game 4 times under the current staff, and everytime we've been outhustled.

[Littlemeyer]

Nice article, Rick.

This particular game, I'm not sure if "The Hole" is the only reason we lost. But it certainly didn't help our chances. If you want to upset somebody, DO NOT give them any help. They're probably good enough to not need it.

I've seen the opposite of "The Hole" at work against us too. Florida in 2003 comes to mind.

[poodoo]

Nice piece, Rick. Too, I agree that it was not really Brohm or Bush that beat us. I happen to believe it was mostly our being beaten on both lines. Regardless, I certainlyagree that our digging ourselves that hole was a HUGE part of our poor performance.

Most of all, Iagree that we must go on to the next game AND thattheplayersmustreally ready from the very startof the game, which has seemedoftennot to be the casewith recent UK football teams. Thankfully, though, even Sunday the players refused to quit. They tried hard to get themselves out of that hole they had dug, and I do commend them for that.Players and the fans must be READY for Saturday night's game.FWIW, I am ready. :)

[The Old School JPS]

UK under Brooks has blown it when it's the other team in The Hole. UK put up early leadsbut lost toFlorida in 03, UT in 04 and almost to Vanderbilt last year.

IMO UK lost because the team on the other side had, through recruiting, conditioning and coaching, a better roster to put on the field, and UL was very effectively coached while UK was very much not. Putting in Pulley for the draw on 3rd down was as transparent and as doomed to failure as anything Ron Hudson ever did.

But if UK did lose last weekend because they let UL walk all over them for a big lead early and put them in The Hole, where do you put the blame for that? If it's a player, talentand roster thing,is UL's roster alone really 31 points better than UK's at this point?They didn't beat a 1-10 Syracuse team that badly last year, orstruggling Cincinnati, UConn or Pitt teams either. If UL's players alone are 31 points better than UK's now, what should be expected when UK plays Georgia, Florida and Tennessee later this year? If the loss is due to getting into The Hole, how bad is it that even trying to dig out of it UK could not at all move the ball on the ground for any part of four quarters?

I like the article but I think there's a bigger, more direct and more consistentreason for the lack of success. I realize a lot of fellow fans don't see it that way and I respect their opinions but to me it's as obvious as in Curry's last couple of years.

[gerntz]

WildcatDan wrote: Did you read the whole article? What did you disagree with? (You know, discuss it!)
I did. The premise.

I believe it's more the staff's decisions on practicing methods & Preparation, play calling, & recruiting quality than the hole.

Is this sufficient?

[TrueblueCATfan]

nice article BB75:cool:

[CATHYnKY]

Enjoyed Rick. But I have to say this. For the first time in my Big Blue life, I think part of the blame (not saying how much ;)) I put on the coaching staff. I believe these players want to win with all their Big Blue hearts. The talent is there. I'll quit while I'm at least a little ahead :cool:

[BigBlue75]

gerntz, just to let you know, the point of my article was that the team seems to a dig a hole early on that they can't get out of. The reasons for it, including who actually has their hands on "the shovel", is up for debate and discussion.

[BigBlue75]

The Old School JPS wrote: UK under Brooks has blown it when it's the other team in The Hole. UK put up early leadsbut lost toFlorida in 03, UT in 04 and almost to Vanderbilt last year.

IMO UK lost because the team on the other side had, through recruiting, conditioning and coaching, a better roster to put on the field, and UL was very effectively coached while UK was very much not. Putting in Pulley for the draw on 3rd down was as transparent and as doomed to failure as anything Ron Hudson ever did.

But if UK did lose last weekend because they let UL walk all over them for a big lead early and put them in The Hole, where do you put the blame for that? If it's a player, talentand roster thing,is UL's roster alone really 31 points better than UK's at this point?They didn't beat a 1-10 Syracuse team that badly last year, orstruggling Cincinnati, UConn or Pitt teams either. If UL's players alone are 31 points better than UK's now, what should be expected when UK plays Georgia, Florida and Tennessee later this year? If the loss is due to getting into The Hole, how bad is it that even trying to dig out of it UK could not at all move the ball on the ground for any part of four quarters?

I like the article but I think there's a bigger, more direct and more consistentreason for the lack of success. I realize a lot of fellow fans don't see it that way and I respect their opinions but to me it's as obvious as in Curry's last couple of years.

Good points, JPS, and I can see where you're coming from. I wasn't trying to single any one coach or any player out, I was just giving my take on the game as I saw it. Your questions are quite valid. However, I'm afraid I don't have anyanswers.

[Buddah]

gerntz wrote: i don't buy it.
i have to agree, while i liked rick's first article... i don't really buy this one, i don't believe you can put lipstick on a pig.. whatever you want to call it, a hole, not being prepare to play, not really up for the game.. whatever mantra u apply to it, it all seems to be a disturbing trend, and one that i am tired of... never thought we would beat louisville, but i didn't think we would come out and look that ill prepared. ther comes a time when a man must call a spade a spade, that may or may not bee approaching.

[The Old School JPS]

BigBlue75 wrote: Good points, JPS, and I can see where you're coming from. I wasn't trying to single any one coach or any player out, I was just giving my take on the game as I saw it. Your questions are quite valid. However, I'm afraid I don't have anyanswers.
It was a tough and frustrating game to dissect, that's for sure.

I respect your perspective and I enjoyed your observations as well. And I like the content, too. Keep it up! :thumbup

[BigBlue75]

Hey, JPS, check your PM's.

[RedandBlackATTACK]

Nice read Rick, thanks for the time andeffort.

IMO, there is more than enough blame to go around, from the staff to the players, heck I will even throw in Doc Todd.It was truly a team effort.

Speaking of Dr. Todd, and I realize we need to move on to Texas State but does anyone believe his comments may have impacted how UL came out, guns blazing?

I believe in all probability his comments certainly did not appreciably impact UL's play but they certainly did not help matters either.

Rick

C-Bus