View Full Version : Reasonable Expectations for Newton . . . .
The Hack
10-14-2009, 12:54 PM
If he starts, or plays significant minutes, what are our expectations.
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I've talked to several folks who have a passion for UK football since Saturday, and read the boards. It looks like a close majority of fans want Newton to start.
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If he does, it ain't like it's totally unprecedented. I would expect him to look like a talented freshman, making some big plays, and having some breakdowns. Couch started several games as a true frosh, and while he showed potential, he was rough at times. Fortunately, our program is ahead of where it was in 1996.
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I may get slammed, but I'm going to predict the "cynics' opinions" we will hear/read under differing circumstances:
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(1) Newton leads us to victory, or an "oh so close finish." Cynical opinion; where was he earlier in the season.
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(2) Newton looks more like a true freshman than the talent he is and we lose by a lot. CO; why did we burn that redshirt, we're just packing it in getting ready for next year.
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(3) Newton does not start, or play, and we lose. CO; why didn't we burn the redshirt.
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I honestly think Newton will play, and he'll probably start. But I'll keep my cynical side away from discussion threads, however this turns out. With an injured starting QB, and a very winnable stretch of 4 (or more) games coming up, I HOPE that our fans as a whole, or darn near as a whole, can become a bit more tolerant and supportive of a very difficult situation for our coaches and players.
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A bad day on the Plains might actually lead to greener pastures this season. And a very good day, by Newton, is no reason to look back a month or two in time and project that a truly green true frosh could have done as well.
If he starts, or plays significant minutes, what are our expectations.
-
I've talked to several folks who have a passion for UK football since Saturday, and read the boards. It looks like a close majority of fans want Newton to start.
-
If he does, it ain't like it's totally unprecedented. I would expect him to look like a talented freshman, making some big plays, and having some breakdowns. Couch started several games as a true frosh, and while he showed potential, he was rough at times. Fortunately, our program is ahead of where it was in 1996.
-
I may get slammed, but I'm going to predict the "cynics' opinions" we will hear/read under differing circumstances:
-
(1) Newton leads us to victory, or an "oh so close finish." Cynical opinion; where was he earlier in the season.
-
(2) Newton looks more like a true freshman than the talent he is and we lose by a lot. CO; why did we burn that redshirt, we're just packing it in getting ready for next year.
-
(3) Newton does not start, or play, and we lose. CO; why didn't we burn the redshirt.
-
I honestly think Newton will play, and he'll probably start. But I'll keep my cynical side away from discussion threads, however this turns out. With an injured starting QB, and a very winnable stretch of 4 (or more) games coming up, I HOPE that our fans as a whole, or darn near as a whole, can become a bit more tolerant and supportive of a very difficult situation for our coaches and players.
-
A bad day on the Plains might actually lead to greener pastures this season. And a very good day, by Newton, is no reason to look back a month or two in time and project that a truly green true frosh could have done as well.
Sounds like a no win situation, and sadly with some fans it is a no win situation.
kevinlw1974
10-14-2009, 01:00 PM
I honestly think most will understand if he struggles some, even the most ardent critics. However, I don't think the same understanding will be afforded to Fidler. If he starts and struggles, many will complain that Newton should have gotten the nod. The thing is, no matter who starts, both will see significant minutes I believe. Unless the starter just comes out like gang busters.
Realist
10-14-2009, 01:19 PM
It might not be a bad idea to go ahead and play him. If you look at the rest of the schedule there are some winnable games. You don't want to throw a freshman to the wolves but we've already faced the three biggest challenges on the schedule. Miss State and Vandy are struggling and we've got TN at home this year. If we play a lot of Wildcat and let Cobb touch the ball a lot and make good use of Locke we should be OK. We'd need to put some more passes into the Wildcat set to keep the defenses honest.
It might not be a bad idea to go ahead and play him. If you look at the rest of the schedule there are some winnable games. You don't want to throw a freshman to the wolves but we've already faced the three biggest challenges on the schedule. Miss State and Vandy are struggling and we've got TN at home this year. If we play a lot of Wildcat and let Cobb touch the ball a lot and make good use of Locke we should be OK. We'd need to put some more passes into the Wildcat set to keep the defenses honest.
I agree, plus the fact that Auburn's Defense is not as good as Bama, Fla, and USC. Auburn has given up 30pts to West Virginia (w/o pat white) Ball State and 44pts to Arkansas who only put up 7 against Bama. Put in Newton, let him get his feet wet and not ask too much of him, run alot of the wildcat to take the pressure off, and then give him more freedom over the next 4 games.
ukbob
10-14-2009, 01:56 PM
Coaches have to put him in winnable situations early to build confidence, IMO. I don't expect any more than an average Hartline type game from him actually. Any more would be gravy.
I just don't want us to get our heads bashed in by Auburn and Newton get embarrassed out there. That would be bad for UK and terrible for him.
I think the kid will be OK simply because I think we will run the Wildcat a lot(hopefully) and the calls will be more run oriented early.
billoliver40
10-14-2009, 02:09 PM
No good answer. If you put in Will and he flops, then Newton wins against Eastern and LaMonroe (no given) then you have why didn't Newton get the start. If Newton doesn't play at all (which I kind of expect) then we let Will fight his way, take his lumps and wait and see if Hartline returns against Vandy....or Tennessee...Fidler takes his lumps, Newton's RS is saved...you get the picture.
There's always that 'puncher's hope' that Morgan or Will will bring a style or substance to the Auburn game that will take the defense by surprise and lead to a victory...and carry on.
Sooooo.....here goes nothin....
anyone getting any feel from the practice sessions???????
kevinlw1974
10-14-2009, 02:12 PM
In all honesty, I am more worried about our defense than Newton or Fidler against Auburn. That offense they run is very tricky. Maybe Arkansas figured something out that we can use. But, they confused a very good defense in UT.
Doug Hardin
10-14-2009, 02:39 PM
I do think that regardless of who starts--though I expect it to be Newton--the defense is going to have to play extraordinarily well to give the team a shot to win. I'd be shocked if our playcalling isn't more conservative than Barry Goldwater.
Matt Dillon
10-14-2009, 02:58 PM
In all honesty, I am more worried about our defense than Newton or Fidler against Auburn. That offense they run is very tricky. Maybe Arkansas figured something out that we can use. But, they confused a very good defense in UT.
This what I've been saying ever since I saw them play ewe tee.
In all honesty, I am more worried about our defense than Newton or Fidler against Auburn. That offense they run is very tricky. Maybe Arkansas figured something out that we can use. But, they confused a very good defense in UT.
This what I've been saying ever since I saw them play ewe tee.
Were going to have to tackle better thats for sure. Their offense loves to put people on an Island.
SBCatMan
10-14-2009, 03:07 PM
In most years, Auburn would be a throw-away game. That was the case when Woodson started his first game there. We had virtually zero chance to win that game -- maybe even less than that -- so it didn't really matter. Let Andre get his feet wet, learn from the experience, and grow from there.
We would like to think that is NOT the case this year. I'm not sure what that means, other than that I think we MUST go with what we feel is our best chance to win on THIS Saturday. We still need 4 more wins and we cannot afford to let any more winnable games get away -- like So Carolina.
I am convinced that if Newton plays poorly some of our fans will blame it on Mike Hartline.
JWORLD
10-14-2009, 04:25 PM
I do think that regardless of who starts--though I expect it to be Newton--the defense is going to have to play extraordinarily well to give the team a shot to win. I'd be shocked if our playcalling isn't more conservative than Barry Goldwater.
I agree, defense will have to come up big.To bad the Ncaa took Jarmon's career away for more than anything, we lost a player who could not only back up his play on the field, but perhaps made others around him better as well.
We are really going to feel the loss of Lindley in this game. SC doesn't have half the offense that AU does. Granted they run the ball a lot, but they throw it around also. I look for them to come out passing and make our young corners prove they can stop it. I think that as much as the QB will be the key to the game. We can't win a 35+ point shoot out.
kevinlw1974
10-15-2009, 12:23 PM
We are really going to feel the loss of Lindley in this game. SC doesn't have half the offense that AU does. Granted they run the ball a lot, but they throw it around also. I look for them to come out passing and make our young corners prove they can stop it. I think that as much as the QB will be the key to the game. We can't win a 35+ point shoot out.
I think our young corners will do better this week with covering. I am willing to be the coaches were working on them reading the eyes to look back for the ball. They were able to keep pretty good position on the wideouts for the most part from what I have read. I am more worried about all the crazy misdirection and fast pace they go. Our LB's are really going to have to be on their game.
VirginiaBlue
10-15-2009, 01:17 PM
I think our young corners will do better this week with covering. I am willing to be the coaches were working on them reading the eyes to look back for the ball. They were able to keep pretty good position on the wideouts for the most part from what I have read. I am more worried about all the crazy misdirection and fast pace they go. Our LB's are really going to have to be on their game.
A few of the balls SC threw last week were pretty good passes & catches. There are some balls that the best DB's in the world can't break up.
On the topic, I mentioned elsewhere recently that it might turn out to be a good thing if Newton's redshirt is burned - to get him and Moss in different years. What typically happens when 2 good QB's in the same year of eligibility compete, the second best one ends up transferring...
wildcatdon
10-15-2009, 01:39 PM
Don't know if Auburn is a "wolf" this year...They might just be a coyote..Not your typical Auburn team though they are still good..I think we can beat them if we quit making the same stupid mistakes..throwing him to the wolves would have been an apt term for Fla or Ala..Hopefully he will do well and we start a nice winning streak..We are due..
wizard
10-15-2009, 02:12 PM
come on now, if he doen't walk on water, carry us to 14 wins this year, (goes back in time to win the ones aready play), then what good is he? he must throw touchdown passes every time he touches the ball. If he can't do that, then put his butt on the bench and let our 2nd string QB (who is way better then the starter, but the coaches don't have a clue) play.
gerntz
10-15-2009, 06:08 PM
He's apparently going to play. Don't care who starts. I suspect when he's in we'll run a few select plays he's most comfotable with. Fid will play some, Cobb will wildcat some, so we'll have a 3-headed monster I hope.
BTW, how you like wildcat as a verb?
UKFBFAN
10-15-2009, 11:30 PM
Coaches have to put him in winnable situations early to build confidence, IMO. I don't expect any more than an average Hartline type game from him actually. Any more would be gravy.
I just don't want us to get our heads bashed in by Auburn and Newton get embarrassed out there. That would be bad for UK and terrible for him.
I think the kid will be OK simply because I think we will run the Wildcat a lot(hopefully) and the calls will be more run oriented early.
I think ukbob is on the right track on giving the young quarterback confidence. I don't think he'll start because of his age. Will Fidler is an intelligent quarterback and has a few years on him. He's the starter and he'll be out there to get us comfortable. If Newton plays, and I expect him to, it will be a little later... maybe in the third or fourth series so he can watch a while but not get too nervous waiting.
If, by chance, Fidler is having a banner day, I don't think Newton plays at all. They might be still be thinking about his red shirt year. If Fidler gets dinged and must come out for a play or two, there's Seargent.
DCWildcat
10-15-2009, 11:57 PM
Auburn's defense this year is not great, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust as a result of Hartline not playing.
I underlined that last part because there's a big distinction between this and what I've read on other boards, which is, viz., that Auburn doesn't know whether to gameplan for Fidler or Newton, and that gives UK a material advantage.
I just think that's silly. Nobody knows what either of quarterback look like, but they know the QBs weren't good enough to beat Hartline out for the job. The nuances of backup quarterbacks from a school that struggled with its first string shouldn't and won't concern AU.
Watchtower
10-16-2009, 03:59 AM
Looks to me like everyone is poised for some finger pointing after the Awbarn game. I don't expect much from either Newton or Fidler, whoever plays.
Apparently Fidler is one of the most well-liked players on the team, but we all think we know how much talent Newton has. Both excelled in high school.
What I will be looking for is which one the O-line will block for. Which one will show the leadership qualities that the team, not the coaches, will follow. Everyone knew that Couch was good, but Curry set him up for failure his freshman year.
Here's what I hope happens for Newton since he has had trouble learning the offense. Play him on the playbook. There are some plays where he does well and others he doesn't. Play Fidler the same way. Fidler should have a better grasp of the system, but I would use those plays where I know he has shown weakness. As a coach, I would also ask the team to support both players. BTW, the fans need to throw out their emotion and support both too.
These guys are going to struggle on Saturday, so if you are expecting some fantastic performance for either, you've set yourself for disappointment. I look at Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke as the keys to how the rest of the team reacts.
I hope both will get their shot and I hope both can keep from making boneheaded play because of first game jitters. :thumbup:
I think our run defense is the key to the game. Auburn is use to gashing defenses and if we can put a stop to that I think that will work in our favor across the board.
Matt Dillon
10-16-2009, 08:30 AM
The thing, in my opinion, that people need to keep in mind is that Newton was a man among boys in high school. It's a whole different situation in the SEC, as many of these high school stars quickly find out once they take the field. I'm sure Morgan is a fine prospect with great potential, just don't expect him to be out there running over people like he did in high school.
poodoo
10-16-2009, 10:17 PM
He's apparently going to play. Don't care who starts. I suspect when he's in we'll run a few select plays he's most comfotable with. Fid will play some, Cobb will wildcat some, so we'll have a 3-headed monster I hope.
BTW, how you like wildcat as a verb?
Why not, gerntz! ;) In fact, I think Cobb "will wildcat more" this game. ;)
Also, as others are saying, our chances in this game will likely depend most on Cobb, Locke, AND our defense's first stopping -- or limiting the run, as Levi pointed out.
poodoo
10-16-2009, 10:21 PM
Auburn's defense this year is not great, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust as a result of Hartline not playing.
Nobody knows what either of quarterback look like, but they know the QBs weren't good enough to beat Hartline out for the job.
I'm not sure on that last part, DC. Oh, yes, folks SHOULD "know the QB's weren't good enough to beat Hartline out for the job," but some don't trust our coaches' judgement. :shrug1: By the way, how I would LOVE our going to Auburn with Hartline, Lindley, and let's just throw Jarmon in, too. ;) GO CATS! BEAT THE TIGERS!
poodoo
10-16-2009, 10:25 PM
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I honestly think Newton will play, and he'll probably start. But I'll keep my cynical side away from discussion threads, however this turns out. With an injured starting QB, and a very winnable stretch of 4 (or more) games coming up, I HOPE that our fans as a whole, or darn near as a whole, can become a bit more tolerant and supportive of a very difficult situation for our coaches and players.
-
A bad day on the Plains might actually lead to greener pastures this season. And a very good day, by Newton, is no reason to look back a month or two in time and project that a truly green true frosh could have done as well.
I hear you, Hack. Too, I just hope at least MOST folks here follow your fine example and keep their "cynical" sides away from our threads after the game, regardless of how it turns out. Let's just HOPE it turns out a victory, though. I think I could better "take" those posts about what "could have been" in the earlier losses. ;) GO CATS! BEAT THE TIGERS!
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