Reasons for optimism

[RV]

... I think we'll be a productive offensive team, somewhere between 2006 and 2007 would be my guess.

I think we'll be fine at quarterback.

We'll be explosive in the running game because we have very, very, very good backs.

It's the best (O) line we've had (since 2002)

I think our production in the passing game from the tight end position will be good.

We have probably as good a talent in our incoming freshman class at that position (WR) than at any time since (2002), both in numbers, speed and size.

I think our safety position will be better than last year, and I think our cornerback position and our nickel and dime packages will be better than at any time since (2002).

Even though we lose a really good player in Wesley Woodyard, I think our linebacker group is better than any (since 2002).

The defensive front, when healthy is going to be very good. With (DE's Jeremy Jarmon, Ventrell Jenkins and DT's) Myron Pryor and Corey Peters, that front four is mighty impressive.

It's a long, hard road to get to where we have been the last two years, where we came from, and we want to be better than that. If we fall short of it, even what we did last year, then it will be very disappointing.

There is enough talent on this team that we should be as good as we've been. Now we may be as good as we've been in a different way. It may not look quite the same, it may not be as explosive offensively but defensively we should be sounder.

Well, if you've read this far I just want to let you know that the above comments aren't based on my eternal optimism or me looking through blue colored glasses. All the comments above are found in the new football yearbook attributed to none other than that tell-it-like-it-is old warhorse - Rich Brooks.

[Matt Dillon]

It certainly appears the talent is there for another good season. For it to work, we just have to be hitting on all cylinders.

[lighthouse]

LACE EM UP!!! This just whet's my appetite!!

[justacatsfan]

Another great point is depth. A couple of seasons ago if we lost a starter we really didn't have someone ready to step up into the position. We were forced to play true freshman or guys that probably were not SEC caliber.

Now, almost across the board, if we have an injury we have a capable player behind him that can step in and be productive.

Its HUGE not to have that dropoff anymore

[I. Melvin]

Well, depth is better than usual.

But every year I look at the depth chart and convince myself we're ok and every year we lose somebody that is irreplaceable. Except for last year. Last year we really did seem to have guys that could approximate the production of the starter they replaced.

RV may be right - maybe we do have enough depth to withstand the rigors of a normal year.

We were just very lucky Andre never went down.

[RxRusty]

While the national magazines have us ranked low, Brooks has put together a pretty good team. I think this will make for a fun year to watch us surprise the competition and the media. I'm ready for some FOOTBALL!!!:thumbup:

[sardiscat]

"There is enough talent on this team that we should be as good as we've been. Now we may be as good as we've been in a different way. It may not look quite the same, it may not be as explosive offensively but defensively we should be sounder."

I agree with this 100%, but there are elements of realism that have to be thrown into the mix. RBs will be explosive until they are dinged up. That can easily happen to a team's two top backs within the first couple of games. QBs and WRs are both inexperienced and in particular are inexperienced working with each other. Inexperienced WRs tend to have a hard time getting free at the line of scrimmage and run the wrong routes, and inexperienced QBs tend to panic when they hear defenders coming at them and don't see their receivers where the receivers are supposed to be. They have to get to know each other quick to shoulder more of the burden if the RBs get dinged up and lose their explosiveness. LBs appear to be great against the run, but can Braxton Kelly cover a tight end or RB running a pass route? That was something even Woodyard wasn't great at, and he was faster than Kelly. Neither Maxwell nor Johnny Williams are great at pass coverage either. The DL has talent at all four positions but is also thin at every position. DL get dinged up a lot, and there is a big, big dropoff after you get past our first 6 or 7 DL. The good news is that is about as much as I can think of to fret about. Not that that's not plenty when it comes to fretting, but the depth and quality of talent at OL, RB, and throughout the entire defense is better than it has been since Curci went 10-1.

[srhill2]

good points, we will def. look different. I expect to have much better field position that last year and pound it in.

[UedK]

Well, depth is better than usual.

................................

We were just very lucky Andre never went down.

I sure did not want Andre to go down, but I sure wish there would have been a reason to give the back-up QB (Hartline) a lot of snaps last year. We don't get into too many games where we have the luxury of giving the number two guy some experience.

And a few more reasons for optimism;

Mitch Barnhart's seventh year as the athletic direcdtor.

Coach Brooks sixth year as the head coach.

Joker's sixth year with the Cats and third full year as the offensive coordinator.

Steve Brown's sixth year with the Cats and second full year as the defensive coordinator.

Jimmy Heggin's fourth year as the offensive line coach.

Steve Ortmayer's sixth year as the special teams and tight ends coach.

Rick Petri's fourth year as the defensive line coach.

Randy Sander's third year as the quarterbacks coach.

Chuck Smith's fourth year as the linebackers coach.

Mark Hill's ninth year with the Cats and his third full year as head of the strength and conditioning program.

You can not beat the experience and the continuity.

[811_Storm_of_Blue]

RULE #1: Never underestimate your opponent... (I'm sure Les is preaching that to LSU this year...)
RULE #2: If your opponent seems to be deeper this year than they were last year and they beat us last year, "DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT"! (Louisville, pay attention!)
RULE #3: If we are favored to win at home to a team that is "unproven", "DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THEM!"... (PAY CLOSE ATTENTION RAZORBACKS)
RULE #4: If we had some lucky breaks, calls that went our way and fumbles that bounced our way last year at home, we may not be so lucky this year on the road so..... we better not "UNDERESTIMATE OUR OPPONENT"... (CHEERS SPURRIER!!!!)
RULE #5: If we thought we had an "EASY GAME" coming up this weekend and it almost turned out to be a disaster for us, we best not "UNDERESTIMATE OUR OPPONENT" this year! (GOT THAT TENNESSEE AND FLORIDA?)
RULE # 6: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE KENTUCKY!!!!
RULE # 7: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE KENTUCKY!!!!
RULE # 8: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE KENTUCKY!!!!
RULE # 9: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE KENTUCKY!!!!
RULE #10: DON'T UNDERESTIMATE KENTUCKY!!!!

[poodoo]

Naturally, I love your optimistic analysis, RV. :icon_biggrin: I also love the coaching staff's experience and continuity, which UedK so excellently points out to us. :big_grin:

In regard to the offense, it may take just a bit of time for it to start clicking. The potential is certainly there, though. In regard to the defense, I will be most disappointed if it's not strong from day one. Too, in regard to the defensive line, I'm also looking forward to seeing a healthy Nii Adjei Oninku on that line.

I can hardly wait for the season to begin!!! :big_grin:

[RV]

I must repeat. None of the original comments were mine. All came from the mouth of Coach Rich Brooks.

[UKFBFAN]

Hi RV, We met at a scrimmage at the stadium last spring. I just registered.

I like your optimism. I agree we have lots to look forward to...one is defense. I was very impressed with our stopping power. Watch for my posts.

[jpay]

Hi RV, We met at a scrimmage at the stadium last spring. I just registered.

I like your optimism. I agree we have lots to look forward to...one is defense. I was very impressed with our stopping power. Watch for my posts.

Welcome UKFBFAN.

[RV]

http://www.brickfilms.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/feestmuts.gif WELCOME! http://www.brickfilms.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/feestmuts.gif UKFBFAN

[gerntz]

Well, depth is better than usual.

But every year I look at the depth chart and convince myself we're ok and every year we lose somebody that is irreplaceable. Except for last year. Last year we really did seem to have guys that could approximate the production of the starter they replaced.

RV may be right - maybe we do have enough depth to withstand the rigors of a normal year.

We were just very lucky Andre never went down.

Trying to think of who on this team is irreplaceable, i.e., where we'd have a marked drop if they went down, and I come up with two players: Lindley & Jarmon. Hard to replace all-SEC guys with equal talent. The other two that come next to me are Williams & Pryor.

[poodoo]

I must repeat. None of the original comments were mine. All came from the mouth of Coach Rich Brooks.

Yes, you did need to repeat that for someone who had read UedK's list and had already forgotten that your list had actually been Coach Brooks' comments. ;) You always sound so optimistic (which I love), and I was thinking that you yourself had made the statements, for they sounded just like you!

Oh, goodness! I just gave you a HUGE compliment, saying you sounded like Coach Brooks. Now, just don't let that go to your head where it fits that BIG hat you wore at the 2006 Music City Bowl. :icon_mrgreen: Too, by the way, while I have not yet gotten the Cats' Pause Yearbook, I have heard Coach Brooks make several of those statements on the radio. Also, yes, Coach does tells it like it is, so he truly feels really good about the upcoming season. I LOVE it! :big_grin:GO CATS! GO COACH BROOKS!