Serious ?

[rickdacatkilla]

All smack aside, I feel that this years game could go either way. I just think the combination of us losing key players on both lines,the new staff and the fact that the game is at UK could give uk an edge. Now, I want to know from you guys, how is uk's defense going to be better? What players are gone and who are some new guys that will surprise us? I know you guys will be solid on the other side of the ball so I was just wondering how the D will stack up?

Thanx

[The Old School JPS]

I'll start with a very partial answer. I really like the idea of Myron Pryor, Micah Johnson and Wesley Woodyard taking the field after a full year (last year plus the off season) to develop physically and otherwise, including building confidence that they can make plays and win games. They are three very solid players and hopefully they will improve the play of others by leading by example and pushing others to do better.

[teamchemistry09]

The D Line will be our biggest question mark. The LBs we have this year are going to be amazing with the senior leadership in the beast Woodyard is and the upcoming star with Johnson. Our safeties and corners are young. Many freshmen got PT last year and came up huge in some games for us. They have all had a year to mature and learn while adding muscle. I think if we get our d-line in order, and have consistent play from them and avoid injuries, our defense will hold up great for us.

[SBCatMan]

In general, any improvement on defense will not come from a bunch of new faces, just a bunch of familiar faces with a year's expereince and a dose of confidence.

UK returns most of its defensive starters from a year ago. But, remember that guys like Lindley and Paris were true freshmen. Micah Johnson contributed very little as a true freshman. Myron Pryor was just emerging as a force. Johnny WIlliams, who may not even start, was in his first year as a starter, as was Dominic Lewis. McClinton was coming back off a knee injury. All of these guys now have a year under their belts. That should help.

The other unknown factor is the new DC, Brown. What impact will he have?

UK played a LOT of 4-man line last year, with no support at all from the LBs, who were usually WAY off the LOS. I remember early on in the UGA game, before momentum had swung our way, whenever we had even 5 guys near the LOS, UGA could not block us. Being more aggressive should help.

So, nothing big, just a bunch of little things.

[sardiscat]

The good news is that there aren't very many guys who were there last year who aren't back this year. Of the guys who saw the field last year, UK lost only Lamar Mills, Ricky Abren, Karl Booker, Ventrell Jenkins, Ben McGrath, Joe Schuler, Jason Leger, and Durrell White. McGrath, and Schuler were gone and Leger switched to the OL before last season ended, Booker had fallen down the depth chart behind three freshmen, and Abren did not play a whole lot because of injuries and being beaten out by Corey Peters and Myron Pryor. Mills and White are the only defensive players UK lost who were first-stringers at the end of the season, and White probably would not have been had Paris not been injured. Everybody who played last year may be reasonably expected to be better this year, and Ricky Lumpkin is at least one newcomer who supposedly can really play. Last year's team reminded me of Curci's '76 Peach Bowl team. At one point that season, the team was 4-4 and had just been embarrassed by Maryland in a televised game. Then the light went on and they played great defense for the rest of the season, then returned most everybody and were a dominating defensive team in '77. Last year's team also closed out the season playing well defensively and returns virtually everybody, and they could be really good on both sides of the ball this season if they get the breaks regarding injuries. Off to a bad start in that regard with the loss of Jenkins, Thurman, and Cessna for the season during the spring.

[baldcat]

Archer's departure and Brown's elevation to D. coordinator will have the biggest impact, IMHO.

I'm hoping to see more aggresion this year instead of laying back and reacting to the opposing O.

I don't think you'll see the LB's ten yards off the line of scrimmage standing like stones under Brown.

[DenCat]

I think some of the posts above are spot on. With Brown as DC and from what we heard from players at the spring game, the D will be a lot less complicated for the players. Couple that with the experience some of the younger guys got last year, IMO will should be much better on defense.

[boomdaddy]

The defense got considerably better, the last few games of last season. As for how much of an impact the new DC will have, I can't be the only one who noticed Brooks and Archer's heated discussions on the sidelines, last fall. The way I see it, they have to get better, because they were ranked near the bottom. The only statistical catagory that they were really successfull in was turnovers. For UK to have any chance of stopping UL's O, they have to pressure Brohm. Getting Jamil Paris back on the team, gives them a better chance to do just that.

[dero]

I also must say that I expect big things from JD Craigman and Jeremy Jarmon as well as Paris. Those guys looked like beasts last year and I hope with a year to adjust the juco Craigman takes off. I really like the potential of the secondary this year, and Woodyard is the best LB in the SEC this year with a great crew surrounding him.
-the ever hopeful UK football fan.

[RV]

Because we return these guys that played extensively last year. The guys in blue are returning starters. You will note that only five are Seniors so we should be very strong in 08.

DE
RSSo - Jeremy Jarmon
RSSr - Dominic Lewis
RSJr - Nij Adiei Oninku
Sr - Jodane Craigman
So - Jamil Paris

DT
Jr - Myron Pryor
So -Corey Peters
RSSr - Travis Day

LB
Jr - Johnny Williams
So - Sam Maxwell
Jr - Braxton Kelley
So - Micah Johnson
Sr - Wesley Woodyard
RSSo - Michael Schwindel

CB
RSSo - Trevard Lindley
Jr -Shomari Moore
So - Paul Warford
So - E J Adams

S
Jr - Marcus McClinton
Sr - Roger Williams
So - Ashton Cobb
So - Calvin Harrison

And add these guys that redshirted last year and should have an impact

RSJr – CB - A J Grigsby
RSSo - LB - Mikhail Mabry
RSFr – DT - Ricky Lumpkin

[EricBigNally]

I'm not overly concerned about the defense for a couple of reasons. For starters, the offense should be able to compete with a lot of teams this season. Factor in the fact that most of the players on defense were VERY young and have been hitting the weights and the practice field. I said it last year and I'll say it this year, the number of YARDS given up does not bother me so long as we get those big stops when we need them and force a lot of turnovers. Red Zone turnovers are key if you give up a lot of yards and IIRC the D was pretty good at forcing some of those last year while being driven down the field. Obviously, I would prefer a 3 and out every series for the opponents, but that's just not going to happen in the SEC. The names I look to anchor the D this year are of course Woodyard and Kelley for the LBs and then I look for Pryor and Peters to both have big years along with Paris with his speed coming off the edge. I'm really hoping that Micah Johnson is moved to the D line and split a little time as a power back on Offense possibly. OUtside of them, Lindley should be an asset if he can come up big like he was towards the end of the season. I'm always optimistic when it comes to UK football (kind of had to be over the years) but I DEFINATELY look for the D to improve this season.

[rickdacatkilla]

mucho gracias guys...

[RV]

Because we return these guys that played extensively last year. The guys in blue are returning starters. You will note that only five are Seniors so we should be very strong in 08.

DE
RSSo - Jeremy Jarmon
RSSr - Dominic Lewis
RSJr - Nij Adiei Oninku
Sr - Jodane Craigman
So - Jamil Paris

DT
Jr - Myron Pryor
So -Corey Peters
RSSr - Travis Day

LB
Jr - Johnny Williams
So - Sam Maxwell
Jr - Braxton Kelley
So - Micah Johnson
Sr - Wesley Woodyard
RSSo - Michael Schwindel

CB
RSSo - Trevard Lindley
Jr -Shomari Moore
So - Paul Warford
So - E J Adams

S
Jr - Marcus McClinton
Sr - Roger Williams
So - Ashton Cobb
So - Calvin Harrison

And add these guys that redshirted last year and should have an impact

RSJr – CB - A J Grigsby
RSSo - LB - Mikhail Mabry
RSFr – DT - Ricky Lumpkin

One more thing. If you'll notice there are 8 true sophs and 3 redshirt sophs. That means that last year we had 8 true Freshmen and 3 redshirt Freshmen that played extensively. We can't help but be better.

[sardiscat]

Why aren't Peters, Williams, Woodyard, and Kelley in blue? And Warford, too (don't know if he ever started, but he was on the field way more than Booker at the end of last season).

[RV]

Why aren't Peters, Williams, Woodyard, and Kelley in blue? And Warford, too (don't know if he ever started, but he was on the field way more than Booker at the end of last season).

Sorry :icon_redface: - doesn't always transfer the font colors when I cut and paste. I'll fix it.