I think we are about to move back into the #1 football program in KY slot

[Dr. H Lecter]

With Petrino getting out of dodge I think we can infer from his decision that Bohm, Bush, Urutia are also NFL bound.

I've always said that they were one more Ron Cooper hire away from the GMAC bowl and I think that time is now.

I think the game next year with them can be moved back into the + column.

[wildcatcrazy]

I certianly would not go that far--U of L is a terrific program right now and like it or not, Jurick will find an attractive candidate. The (U of L) are not going away.

That said, you have to think it will be tough replacing Petrino and that his (Petrino's) leaving will affect the decision of Brohm and Bush. Depending upon the information they get from the draft, I'd have to think this would make them lean more toward's going pro rather than coming back and playing for a new coach.

I had heard no speculation about Urrita (sp??) going pro.

[Art Vandelay]

Honestly, I think the best scenario for UK would be for UL to continue to be a good program and we surpass them because we improve rather than they decline. Even if we were to beat UL at this point, it will ring a little hollow because we didn't beat Petrino. Don't get me wrong, I want to win the game regardless, but I want to beat a good UL team, not some middling team.

[wildcatcrazy]

Art,

Lofty goal at this point. Even without Petrino and possibly Brohm and Bush, we are not at their level--yet.

I'd take a 1 point win over U of L next year--regardless of who is coach--because I believe that would put the attention back on UK being the top program in the state. If we can field as good as or better team than U of L, I believe most of the HS coaches will lean towards UK and Brooks. (Perhaps wishful thinking)

[boomdaddy]

I still think UK is in big trouble if Brohm comes back. If you can't make him rush his passes and flush him out of the pocket, he will pick you apart.

[wildcatcrazy]

I agree--and they have much more than Uritta (sp?), Brohm and Bush.

That said, if they lose all three players to the pro's (which may be unlikely but I believe it is more likely now that Petrino is gone) and lose their coach, then I like our chances better than if all had stayed.

Duh!:)

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Even if Brohm and Bush don't return, Cantwell is a very solid QB and Allen might be the next Bush.

[EricBigNally]

I honestly don't think Brohm staying or going is going to have much of an effect on the game. Anyone that has seen this Cantwell guy knows he is the real deal at QB as well.He is about as good of a "backup" as you could ask for and if he moves into the starting slot next season (if Brohm departs) then I look for him to be looking awful good. Bush would have more effect in my eyes but I'm not up to par on what RBs are coming back next season for UL and I dont really care that much to be honest (at this point in time). The style of play or system is what we need to check out before we sit here and decide how bad we are going to beat them or how bad they are going to beat us. Make no mistake about it, UL under Petrino was one hell of an offensive unit. Many of those players and many players that where under that system will be back. The defense was solid as well. They aren't going to drop from a top 5 program to a bottom 5 program in the matter of 1 year. I hate to have to admit that they were a better team this season but they were. That being said, I would have liked to see how we compared to them in head to head competition at the end of the season because we were definately a much improved program come the end of the season and I can't wait to see what the product is next year for our guys.

[Art Vandelay]

This is not a bash of Coach Brooks by any means, but a couple of posters mentioned Cantwell and it reminded me how puzzled I was that UK wasn't interested in recruiting him. He was practically begging for a scholarship from UK and we passed. UL brought him in as a walk on.

He's clearly a good QB. Why didn't he garner more attention coming out of high school?

[SBCatMan]

Most of you folks on this thread are right on in your observations. Remember, we thought UofL would take a hit when Johnelle left. It didn't happen.

Now, losing Petrino, and even some of the guys mentioned as possible departures, will have a short-term negative impact on the their program, but Jurich has them on far too solid of a ground for them to have a serious drop-off.

We CAN surpass them, but we will have to get better. We cannot expect them to get worse.

[wildcatcrazy]

Very well said.

Our objective is to compete with Forida and Tennessee--and unfortunately these days that includes a very good Louisville program--but if all we worry about is U of L----we'll continue to get our heads beat in in our own conference.

I do think Petrinoleaving is a bigger deal that John L leaving. John L. did not have the national reputation that Petrino was getting--and certainly the NFL wanted no part of John L--so it is a bit different IMO.

Also, no way you lose people of his caliber and don't take a dip--perhaps not for long but it will happen at least in the "growing phase" of the new coach.

All that said, if they hire the guy from Tulsa I can't believe it is not a step down from Petrino---at least until he (the new guy) can establish himself.

Fair enough?

[EricBigNally]

Another thing that should concern UL folks is recruiting. With the change in coaches, do all the recruits that have already committed go to UL or do they look elsewhere. If I'm not mistaken, signing day is approaching (I'm thinking it is in Feb.) and they need to find a new coach quick so that they can get hot on the recruiting trail and make sure they get as many high quality players as they can. Recruiting is where a hit COULD happen. Many people knew of Petrino but I would think that Petrino had an easier time selling UL than this guy had on Tulsa (assuming he is the new coach). I'm just pointing out that this is right on with wildcatcrazy's post of saying the new coach needs to establish himself. I don't think UL is the hardest place to recruit for with their recent success but it isn't the easiest place in the world either. Stick the school in Miami or something and it would virtually recruit for itself. Regardless, a dropoff is possible though I don't know how long it would be for and when it would actually come into effect.

[Dr. H Lecter]

SBCatMan wrote: Most of you folks on this thread are right on in your observations. Remember, we thought UofL would take a hit when Johnelle left. It didn't happen.

Now, losing Petrino, and even some of the guys mentioned as possible departures, will have a short-term negative impact on the their program, but Jurich has them on far too solid of a ground for them to have a serious drop-off.

We CAN surpass them, but we will have to get better. We cannot expect them to get worse.



Do not overlook the fact that UofL under the majority of Johnelle and Petrinowere in the CUSA. They never actually played anybody of note. They built their reputation on Wednesday and Thursday nights ESPN "The Ocho" feasting on cream-puffs.

Johnelle left for MichSt as fast as he could get a ticket out. Note his comments about his former employer as he left.

Then came Petrino. Recipient of several fortunate events.

Bush and Brohm would never have attended LilBro had they and their families grown up in Louisville. That is a once in a lifetime mother-load of talent. Won't happen again.

They still have not beaten ANYBODY. Their high-water mark IMO was fortunate scheduling that gave them win over a superior WVA team on their home field....wherethey always seem to play.

[RV]

The terms 'program' and 'team' are not interchangeable. ul may have a top 5-10 'team' but their 'program' is not there yet.

As for Cantwell, in a nutshell, he is/was a slow of footpocket passer and at the time of his recruitment we had Ron Hudson as OC - square peg, round hole.

[Shim]

I still think thatCantwell is slow in the pocket and in his decision making. He looked fine in a fill in role, but when he isout there week in and week out, his flaws show. And as to why we didn't take him. Have you seen the group of QB's that we have. Woodson is a possible future All American, Pulley should be at Receiver or another playmaking spot, but still from an athletic point of view, a much better recruit by far, Fidler is a future star waiting to happen, Strong arm and mobile, and Hartline is rumored to have the strongest arm out of all of them, and is dangerously accurate. I don't see the need to even bring this up. Granted when he was coming out we didn't have the 2 young guys here, but with Andre coming back, Pulley coming in, and a line on 2 very good QB's the next year why would we have taken him.

[Shim]

Plus as RV pointed out, at the time our OC was looking for someone along the lines of a Shane Boyd type player who was a threat on his feet when the offense broke down.

[RV]

Shim wrote: I still think thatCantwell is slow in the pocket and in his decision making. He looked fine in a fill in role, but when he isout there week in and week out, his flaws show. And as to why we didn't take him. Have you seen the group of QB's that we have. Woodson is a possible future All American, Pulley should be at Receiver or another playmaking spot, but still from an athletic point of view, a much better recruit by far, Fidler is a future star waiting to happen, Strong arm and mobile, and Hartline is rumored to have the strongest arm out of all of them, and is dangerously accurate. I don't see the need to even bring this up. Granted when he was coming out we didn't have the 2 young guys here, but with Andre coming back, Pulley coming in, and a line on 2 very good QB's the next year why would we have taken him.
It may be the rich are getting richer. There is a rumor floating around that Chris Todd, the E-town QB that went to Texas Tech a couple of years ago, is going to come back here and walk-on at UK next fall. Will be interesting to see what happens (if anything).

[Shim]

RV wrote: Shim wrote: I still think thatCantwell is slow in the pocket and in his decision making. He looked fine in a fill in role, but when he isout there week in and week out, his flaws show. And as to why we didn't take him. Have you seen the group of QB's that we have. Woodson is a possible future All American, Pulley should be at Receiver or another playmaking spot, but still from an athletic point of view, a much better recruit by far, Fidler is a future star waiting to happen, Strong arm and mobile, and Hartline is rumored to have the strongest arm out of all of them, and is dangerously accurate. I don't see the need to even bring this up. Granted when he was coming out we didn't have the 2 young guys here, but with Andre coming back, Pulley coming in, and a line on 2 very good QB's the next year why would we have taken him.
It my be the rich are getting richer. There is a rumor floating around that Chris Todd, the E-town QB that went to Texas Tech a couple of years ago, is going to come back here and walk-on at UK next fall. Will be interesting to see what happens (if anything).I can't say that I remember him at all. I will need to go take a look at him.