Brooks Evaluates Scrimmage

[WildcatRick]

Coach Rich Brooks’ opinion of the team’s first scrimmage on Saturday didn’t change after watching the film, as Kentucky’s defense obviously carried the day.

“It was pretty much what I saw yesterday,” said Brooks after the team’s workout Sunday afternoon. “We were very fast on defense, looked like we were confident and knew what we were doing. On offense we did not move the same way. The one guy I mentioned yesterday that we really had a hard time blocking was (defensive tackle) Corey Peters. He’s improved a great deal.

“The quarterbacks weren’t very sharp, but they didn’t have a lot of help. We have to clean up some things around them and then get them freshened up a little bit and start preparation (for the season opener vs. Louisville) starting around Wednesday.”

Brooks indicated that the hoped-for improvement in the offensive line has been slowed by some injuries, along with the performance of the UK defensive line.

“We’re missing a few of the pieces (in the offensive line) but we’re not competing as well as I’d like to compete,” Brooks said. “The other side of that is we’re doing really well on the defensive front. Those guys are bringing it, and bringing it on a daily basis.

Link (http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=8855224&nav=EQlr)

[Dwight Schrute]

I had feared our offense would be fairly anemic, especially early on. With as much talent as we lost, it was inevitable. That's why I don't understand those who say we'll be better than last year. I just don't see it. Our offense will likely improve over the course of the year, but right now, I just don't see us being anywhere near where we were last year.

[Matt Dillon]

Let's just hope U of L gets off to a slow start as well.

[boomdaddy]

UL has a new DC, maybe they will make some assignment mistakes. But the O has to be ready to capitalize.

[Doctor Zhivago]

I'm not feeling nearly as upbeat or as excited about this year as I was only a week ago.......


:shrug1:

I sure hope the offense can improve over the next 13 days!

[Dwight Schrute]

I've been excited by this year because I think we can be good, but a bowl game would be a huge accomplishment.

Those saying 8-4 are kidding themselves, I fear. I don't see us winning more than 6 games right now, and 4-8 wouldn't surprise me at all. Our defense will keep us in some games, but we have to be able to score points. With a one dimensional offense, that's going to be difficult.

[PersianCat387]

Come on Zhivago!!! You gotta believe! The way I am seeing it, we should be ALOT more concerned if the defense was giving up touchdowns right now. We had a banged up offense with a tired QB that is replacing tons of key pieces, trying to get in sync, and has plenty of freshman and young guys and we are expecting them to score anything more than a couple of FGs against a defense who we expect to be among the better ones in the SEC? This is likely the first live game style action any of the freshman have seen and we are missing guys like Demareo Ford, Kyrus Lanxter, Derrick Locke, and Moncell Allen. I hope the defense showed these guys exactly what an SEC defense is capable of doing. If the offense going to have any chance to make some big plays this year they are going to have to learn to do it first against this talented defense everyday in practice. I really expect things to start coming together by the time the UofL game rolls around, and if we get past that we have a whole month to perfect things for conference play, so look out!

DONT PANIC! (http://4thandblue.com/?p=421)

[SBCatMan]

First of all, I have faith in the staff and I think we will be OK. I am more than a litle nervous about UofL, but if we can get by them -- a big IF? -- we should be fine. But, i think those of you expressing concerns have valid reasons for those concerns, and here is why:

We all say the defense will be MUCH improved, and I think they should be and will be. But, let's ask ourselves, "What does much improved mean?" Does it mean 5 points per game? Dopes it mean 7 points per game? Does it mean 10 points per game? Let's be really optimistic and say we will be 10 points better per game. That would be HUGE!! That would be 120 points over the course of the season and that would be a defensive improvement of epic proportions.

But ... would that be enough?

The old adage is that "defense wins championships." I am not sure that is true. Bad defense can lose championships, but in this day and age of college football, a good defense is necessary but not sufficient to win games.

Now then, we all feel our offense will be OK. No one is expecting the pyrotecnics of last year, but we think we will be OK. What does OK mean? Does it mean 7 points less per game? Or 10? or 13?

Remember this, last year's offense was spectacular. Even a very good offense this year will most likely be a drop off from last year. We talk about all of the streaks and numbers last year's offense put up, but here is one we almost never mention: Do you realize that the first QUARTER -- not game, but QUARTER -- in which we did NOT score last year was the third quarter of the MSU game! We scored in 34 consecutive quarters. That is just unreal.

So, even if we have a great defense this year -- giving up 10 points per game less than last year -- I am still not sure that will be enough to offset the inevitable drop in offensive production.

Now, let me go back to my first point: I believe the staff will get it done and I am planning to go bowling this season. But, it will be very unrealisitc to expect the defense to get us there, no matter how good they are. We have to score and it has to be more than 13 points a game or so. The offense MUST get it together if we are to be successful.

[ukbob]

The first 4 games are key to the season, IMO. If we can somehow get by UL at the Slice, then the other 3 games should give our offense time to improve before a break and the grueling SEC schedule.

I am more than concerned about the offense. It is likely fixable, but they won't carry this team like past offenses have. They have to improve. And with only 2 weeks left before a big game, that is not much time at all.

Let's face it...the defense has to live up to the hype the fans are laying on them. At least for a while. And the offense has to start doing something that resembles consistencey...especially the vaunted O-Line that was supposed to be so good this year.

Should be an interesting season for sure. Brooks and Joker have their work cut out for them. And if it can be done...those guys can do it.

[RaleighCat]

I had feared our offense would be fairly anemic, especially early on. With as much talent as we lost, it was inevitable. That's why I don't understand those who say we'll be better than last year. I just don't see it. Our offense will likely improve over the course of the year, but right now, I just don't see us being anywhere near where we were last year.

You are right on the money, IMHO. I'm not nearly an expert on Kentucky Football but the obvious observation is that we lost way too much offensive firepower from last season. UK can't lose QB, TE, RB and top two WR's and expect to replace them easily. Our running game has promise- but only if we can throw the ball with some consistency as well. Aside from Lyons and our backs there just isn't much offensive skill experience.

The SEC is going to be a beast- again. We have an easier rotation with West teams, but two of them are on the road (@Bama, @MSU). Last time I checked both of those programs were improving. I like our chances right now with SC, AR and Vandy, but the remaining SEC tilt is difficult at best. It's not a typo that three of the ranked SEC teams are in the East (GA, FL, UT).

This UK team can win 6-7 games and make a third straight bowl appearance. And that would be fantastic from where I sit. Three straight bowls is rare air for UK and demonstrates the kind of improvement in football that few thought possible under Brooks (me included). Can't wait to tee it up and find out.

[lighthouse]

I'm not as worried as some because IMO, during practice, the offense is going against the best defense they will face in the first 4 games.

[billoliver40]

The unfortunate thing is the scheduling slot of the Louisville game. Nobody's fault, just one of those things that just is. Although Louisville is
down, they have one of the best QBs Kentucky will face the entire year early in the season.

This game could come down to a field goal on either side. I think from what I've been reading that both team's defenses will control this game, unless we see a huge improvement on the o-line and the running game carries the cats.

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm not as worried as some because IMO, during practice, the offense is going against the best defense they will face in the first 4 games.

That's true, and part of it may be our defense. Still, right now, I just don't see how we're going to score points. Even as good as our running game can be, I don't know how our receivers will fare. If our qb and receivers are as shaky as it seems right now, we're in trouble.

I don't think we'll get blown out of games because our defense should keep us in most games, but it's not going to be pretty to watch in the beginning.

[poodoo]

We talk about all of the streaks and numbers last year's offense put up, but here is one we almost never mention: Do you realize that the first QUARTER -- not game, but QUARTER -- in which we did NOT score last year was the third quarter of the MSU game! We scored in 34 consecutive quarters. That is just unreal. QUOTE by SBCatMan

***********

That is indeed absolutely UNREAL. Too, you make valid points in your post, SBCatMan. Both an optimist and a worry-wart, I admit that I really worry about our inexperienced offense in this first game (and I hear some worry in Coach Brooks' voice, by the way). I'm keeping my fingers crossed :5x that we somehow beat the Cards and go 4-0 before SEC play begins, letting some talented offensive players get valuable experience along the way.

I will also say that we could surely use some points from special teams and forced turnovers by the defense this season. Here's hoping that happens while the offense tries to become a more effective unit after having suffered all those losses (Woodson, Little, Tamme, Burton, and Johnson) from last season's group of skilled players. GO CATS! BEAT THE CARDS!

[Gunsmoke]

I would venture to say that the offense, especially the line, have progressed by leaps and bounds since that scrimmage. Repetition, coaching, technique, skills..they will be more than good enough at the 'ville.

[UedK]

The unfortunate thing is the scheduling slot of the Louisville game. Nobody's fault, just one of those things that just is. Although Louisville is
down, they have one of the best QBs Kentucky will face the entire year early in the season.

This game could come down to a field goal on either side. I think from what I've been reading that both team's defenses will control this game, unless we see a huge improvement on the o-line and the running game carries the cats.

Until Cantwell proves it on the field I'm not buying into his greatness. In his carrier he has thrown 7 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In his Gator Bowl start he was chased and pummeled by VT until he looked dazed and confused. Cantwell threw a total of seven passes last year.

There is a reason that he had zero scholarship offers out of high school, he is big and slow, he does not see the field that well. What success he had when Brohm was hurt was against weak teams while he was surrounded by so much more talent than he now has, not to mention the coaching.

This game is so full of unknowns, it's just a huge mystery, the QB and receiver positions being maybe the biggest ones, for both teams. As far as Cantwell being one of the best QB's we will face this year, I don't know about that.

I heard Brooks speak on Monday and just like him I am ready to let this team got on the field and prove what they can do.

[RV]

We'll be fine.