Anybody else wonder why Mike Archer is still here?

[bornblue]

We need a new D Coordinator in my opinion. How does he keep his job?

[gerntz]

He works for Brooks & it's his decision. You can solve your problem by getting rid of Brooks.

[justacatsfan]

Hate to bust your bubble but he hasnt exactly had stellar talent to work with.

[The Old School JPS]

gerntz wrote: He works for Brooks & it's his decision. You can solve your problem by getting rid of Brooks.
And Brooks wanted to retain Ron Hudson, so you know he's not about to suggest that Archer go.

justacatsfan is right though that Archer, moreso than Hudson or Phillips, has not had a great roster to use. Plus when Hudson was here the defense was on the field incessantly due to quick 3 and outs and the like.

Despite the bad stats, Archer is one of the better members of this staff IMO.

[Brian McCat]

Archer hasn't had the depth to field a true, SEC-Calibre defense in the 3 years since he came here. He also was forced to play true freshmen because of decimating injuries last season-- talented kids who just weren't ready to compete in this league.

This year, he has the most depth on any Kentucky defense in many years, so he should be judged a bit more critically based on the 2006 team's performance.

bornblue, I would suggest you read the thread from the early part of March that discusses Archer's interview on WLAP. It's an excellent interview that really gets me excited about the future.

Link to thread (http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/view_topic.php?id=16933&forum_id=4)

old school jps, I would agree that Archer is one of the best on the staff.

[Mark Blueblood]

I almost give Archer more credit for not finding greener pastures than firing him for the production of the defense. He has had VERY little to work with the past 3 years. Going up against 300+ pound SEC lineman with 240 pound defensive lineman and slow, undersized linebackers ain't easy. Especially when you're barely 2 deep at any position.

He finally got some talent and depth. Once they adjust to college ball, I think we'll be fine.

[BigCat33]

i think that we are starting to get some talent on the defensive side. let him coach some talent all the way across on the D side and then judge him. dont forget, we play in the SEC. im excited about this season.

[bornblue]

BigCat33 wrote: i think that we are starting to get some talent on the defensive side. let him coach some talent all the way across on the D side and then judge him. dont forget, we play in the SEC. im excited about this season.No one wants him to succeed more than me. I hope all of you are right. Will be watching closely this year to see what he does with better talent.

[RV]

Depth is the majorfactor that will make our defense better. We're not that far behind everyone else talent-wise, we've just had zero depth and wear down as the game goes on. We lost very few players from the defense and are adding quite a few so we should be a lot deeper but several of our reserves will be young and inexperienced. Therefore, I think the D and O will improve as the season progresses.

[I. Melvin]

Our offense has been wretched for most of Archer's tenure. That and a thin bench has left Archer in full retreat most of the time. Dramatic improvement should (MUST) be shown this year all around or we'll see what Barnhart is all about.

[CHRVDM]

Last year we did not have any players (50 percentof a roster). This year we are very,very young. It bothers me that our DC is under fire for last year, and it will bother me if he is blasted this year. We now have more players, and they are more athletic, however they are 73 percent Fr and Soph.

Looking forward to 2007 with about 50 percent of our Def players Jr and Sr, I believe then we can judge the direction of our staff. We are still climbing out of a deep hole.

Our numbers are not bad because of this staff. :blush:



DE: 1 senior, 2 juniors, 1 sophomore, 5 freshman (9 overall)
DT: 1 senior, 2 juniors, 2 sophomores, 2 freshman (7 overall)
LB: 0 seniors, 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, 3 freshman (9 overall)
SEC: 1 senior, 2 juniors, 5 sophomores, 8 freshman (16 overall)
Overall: 3 seniors, 8 juniors, 12 sophomores, 18 freshman/redshirt freshman (41 overall)

[gerntz]

Young or not, we have more bodies & better quality. Net, the whole staff should be under fire if we don't show significant improvement - like 5-6 wins. We've had excuses & we have excuses for not winning 8-10 games, but we don't have excuses for not winning more than 4 games.

[Matt Dillon]

gerntz wrote: Young or not, we have more bodies & better quality. Net, the whole staff should be under fire if we don't show significant improvement - like 5-6 wins. We've had excuses & we have excuses for not winning 8-10 games, but we don't have excuses for not winning more than 4 games.



I agree gerntz. I've been all for giving this staff ample time to get it together but, like you, I feel there must be tangible signs of progress this coming season.

[CHRVDM]

I don't think there is any doubt you will see tangible evidence ofimprovement, however it will be a work in progress with so many young players. I do agree that 4 wins is not enuff!!!!!

Our staff is excited about our athleticism, but I worry about busted assignments.

[Brian McCat]

Busted assignments is a reflection of inexperience, lack of discipline, and to a small extent, fatigue.

Let's hope that those three factors are greatly minimized in the year to come.

[The Old School JPS]

RV wrote: Depth is the majorfactor that will make our defense better. We're not that far behind everyone else talent-wise, we've just had zero depth and wear down as the game goes on. We lost very few players from the defense and are adding quite a few so we should be a lot deeper but several of our reserves will be young and inexperienced. Therefore, I think the D and O will improve as the season progresses.
I would add to RV's post that the defense under Archer has been stung by a slew of injuries to some of the most important players (Dustin Williams, Bo Smith, Mills, etc.). That has made the depth problem worse but even excellent teams suffer when some of their best players go down with injuries.

[poodoo]

The Old School JPS wrote: RV wrote: Depth is the majorfactor that will make our defense better. We're not that far behind everyone else talent-wise, we've just had zero depth and wear down as the game goes on. We lost very few players from the defense and are adding quite a few so we should be a lot deeper but several of our reserves will be young and inexperienced. Therefore, I think the D and O will improve as the season progresses.
I would add to RV's post that the defense under Archer has been stung by a slew of injuries to some of the most important players (Dustin Williams, Bo Smith, Mills, etc.). That has made the depth problem worse but even excellent teams suffer when some of their best players go down with injuries.





Well, I will just say that I agree with all three of you, RV, JPS, and Brian McCat. Coach Archer's defense has indeed been hit with some injuries to key players the past few years. His luck in that regard has been almost unbelievable, and those injuries have obviously hurt that much more with UK's lack of depth because of probation.

While I, like others, was often most frustrated with our defense, or lack thereof, I was slow to judge Coach Archer because of the extenuating circumstances the three of you have mentioned. IF we can stay remotely healthy this season, with our improved depth I honestly feel we are going to see a greatly improved defense. I think fans will then be evaluating Coach Archer much more positively.

[gerntz]

I think the slew of injuries were directly related to the lack of depth & too much time on the field for young players. Proof? No, I don't have any. That said, I would expect fewer injuries due to reduced time on the field w/o rest, but even with same injuy numbers, we have more & better replacements.

[Brian McCat]

gerntz wrote: I think the slew of injuries were directly related to the lack of depth & too much time on the field for young players. Proof? No, I don't have any. That said, I would expect fewer injuries due to reduced time on the field w/o rest, but even with same injuy numbers, we have more & better replacements.
Totally agree with you.

I think we're allagreeing tothe same thing in this thread, if we read closely.

[Coldstream]

Chalk me up as a supporter of Archer not because he is getting the job done but simply he hasn't had the real opportunity to prove his worthiness. Like many others on here; injuries, lack of experience, lack of SEC-caliber players decimated his unit.

[Mr. T]

I think regardless of record UK ends up with (good or bad), Archer's D has GOT to show serious signs of improvement this year. They haven't been able to stop ANYBODY on 3rd down the last couple years.