What's So Magic About Next Season?

[Wildcat Larry]

I've seen numerous posts that next season should be a good one for the Cats, and that's one of the reasons that Brooks should be given another year. Sure, the injured players will be back and I guess there will be more players in this post probation time, but could somebody explain in detail why next season should be a turnaround season for the Cats.

With games at UL, Florida, LSU and Tennessee; I don't see the schedule getting that much better. Heck, LSU replaces Mississippi, so that's a tougher game by all indications.

I hate to have to qualify this post, but it is a legitquestion and is not mean to be a bash on anyone.

[ukcatfan]

WL, how dare you to question the kool-aid drinking,blue-tinted glass wearers.

After all we have Mitch & Rich, the two losers that changed the UL game to whenever during the 2007season so that we will be prepared for them.

[wildcatdon]

Editor's note: Content deleted for violation of posting policies. Attack the post, not the poster. Thanks for understanding.

[Doug Hardin]

There arefew reasons I think next year could be a good season.

The schedule is more favorable. (Just a quick correction, Larry. Ole Miss is still on the schedule, so LSU is replacing Auburn). Granted there are road games at4 probable top 25 teams--Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and LSU--but the home schedule has a lot of winnable games--Texas State, La-Monroe, Central Michigan, Vandy, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. There's also a winnable road game at Mississsippi State and a not-so-winnable home game against UGA. But still, it's not crazy to think they might win 6 or 7 games.

They're not losing a lot to graduation. Abdullah will be hard to replace, and they'llhave to reloadthe WRs (Holt, Cook, and Mitchell)but this senior class isn't very strong overall. This is assuming we don't have a lot of players quit, transfer, or suffer serious injuries like last offseason.

There's a lot of talent in the freshman and sophomore classes that will be better, guys like Woodson, Little, Burton, Tamme, Abren, Kelley, and Woodyard. Plus getting players back from injury (Dixon, Mills, Lyons, McClinton) or miscellaneous (Aaron Miller) will help.

There would still be problems, notably the same major problems that have plagued them this year: poor play from both lines. Hopefully you can add Micah Johnson to the defensive line to go with a healthy Abren, Mills,and Durrell White, and maybe then they could have a decent pass rush, and if the O-line returns intact (plus Miller and a healthy Micah Jones) with another year to gell and mature, they might be okay. They did a pretty good job in the South Carolina game, based on what I heard on the radio at least.

I don't necessarily think that's a reason in itself to keep Brooks another year, but if he is brought back and has another bad season, it would definitely be time to go in another direction. If a change is made after this season, this is a list of things that will make the job attractive to the people who might be on Barnhart's list.

[UKCatsRock]

Larry, I think there are a few major factors in this. As you said, we get a lot of our players back, including big Aaron Miller, McClinton, Dixon, Mills, etc. We have to also remember that guys like Woodyard, Little, etc. have currently only played a season and a half, so there will be more valuable experience gained thoughout this year and next spring practice. We'll be deeper with more experience, but IMO, still not deep enough.

Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.


SHOULD WINS:

1. Texas State (home)
2. Central Michigan (home)
3. LA - Monroe (where my cousin played basketball) (home)

GOOD CHANCE AT WINS:

1. Ole Miss (Home)
2. Vanderbilt (Home)
3. Miss State (Away)

POTENTIAL WINS (if we can play solid)

1. Louisville (Away)
2. South Carolina (Home)

Then of course, you have Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee ALL on the road, except for Georgia.

I just think our schedule is favorable (being that several of our could/should wins are at Commonwelath.

Therefore, it'll be 6 wins minimum for me providing we don't have the rash of injuries we've had this year.

Hopefully, several of our RS linemen will be ready to step in as well and provide some good help and give Andre time to throw.

(THE ABOVE POST IS STRICTLY THE OPINION OF UK CATS ROCK AND DOESN'T NECESSARLIY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS ON THIS BOARD - IT'S AN OPINION) :ggrin:

[MSU Cat]

I like the question. I have concerns for next season as well. I think that there are possible wins on the schedule. However, we know that possible and probable mean nothing sometimes. We were supposed to be better this season and by all indications it looks like we're worse.

[UKCatsRock]

I promise Doug and I didn't talk or read each others post when we posted. LOL

Doug brought up a good point about Brooks though. If he has a bad season in 2006 and there aren't "crazy" circumstances like this year, then it would be time to go. However, if he is let go this year, then our schedule would help in "attracting" someone we want.

But, I don't want to hijack the thread, so please, let's stick to the topic of WHY we think 2006 could be a lot better year for us. :) I've listed mine, just wanted to respond to what Doug said.

[T75]

In addition to the points already made, another is that our luck is about due to change. Brooks and staff haven't caught a good break in three years it seem to me. Things tend to level out as llife goes along, so I think it's time we had some good luck.

One of the major downers for me, looking toward next season, is the unimaginative defense we've seen from Archer this season. I don't think he has used or compensated for his limited talent well this year at all. The steady run or 4 rushers just won't work even if they are good rushers. And if our backs aren't good enough for a little one on one this year, they may never be. We'll not be winners without major improvement in defense and I don't have lots of hope there.

[Athens2005]

As has been noted, the schedule is favorable.

The key, if Brooks is back, is to make certain that we win all the games that we should, and then a few that we could.

So far, no matter what the talent level, he has not shown that he is capable of doing this.

Maybe next year will be different.

[MSU Cat]

That is if he's around next year...

[AlaCat]

We'll have a new coach and that alone willmake ita much better season. Just my opinion, so don't get excited. :cool:

[Wildcat Larry]

I know that this is virtually impossible to do, but let's leave the coach/possible new coach out of this particular discussion. I'm just curious to see if folks think the team will that much better, the schedule will be that much friendlier, the full moons will hit on just the right nights, or just what would make the season perceived to be more favorable, regardless of the coach.

Thanks.

[RP_McMurphy]

Simple

Rich Brooks will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[surveyor]

Larry,

I agree that the team will be better next season. Hell, in the Louisville game they were improved over last season.

[UKCatsRock]

RP_McMurphy wrote: Simple

Rich Brooks will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THERE is a well thought out post with a lot of insight that added great quality to this thread. :rolleyes:

Why don't you spend more time READING the posts (such as the one just above yours that asks you NOT to do what you just did) and responding instead of flaming? This grows so dang old.

No insight to the thread, no mature conversation as adults, but a simple, "HE'LL BE GONE" response. C'mon guys, get a grip and respond to the topic and quit turning every thread created into an "anti-Brooks" thread. I think we probably have more than we care about already.

As I said, Larry asked you to not do what you did but you did it anyway. That means one of two things:

1. You either didn't read the thread and just decided to flame away

2. You did read thethread and completely disrespected Larry's & his request.

(Sorry Larry. I couldn't help it. Just tired of stupid posts with no insight.)

[UKCatsRock]

surveyor wrote: Larry,

I agree that the team will be better next season. Hell, in the Louisville game they were improved over last season.

Another good point. We DID improve as you saw that in the UL game. Had we not had the ungodly amount of injuries, no telling how this season would've been. That brings up next year. Add experience and added depth (RS freshmen and returning injured players) to the team you saw against UL and I think we'll be much improved.

[ridgecat78]

UKCatsRock wrote: Larry, I think there are a few major factors in this. As you said, we get a lot of our players back, including big Aaron Miller, McClinton, Dixon, Mills, etc. We have to also remember that guys like Woodyard, Little, etc. have currently only played a season and a half, so there will be more valuable experience gained thoughout this year and next spring practice. We'll be deeper with more experience, but IMO, still not deep enough.

Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.


SHOULD WINS:

1. Texas State (home)
2. Central Michigan (home)
3. LA - Monroe (where my cousin played basketball) (home)

GOOD CHANCE AT WINS:

1. Ole Miss (Home)
2. Vanderbilt (Home)
3. Miss State (Away)

POTENTIAL WINS (if we can play solid)

1. Louisville (Away)
2. South Carolina (Home)

Then of course, you have Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee ALL on the road, except for Georgia.

I just think our schedule is favorable (being that several of our could/should wins are at Commonwelath.

Therefore, it'll be 6 wins minimum for me providing we don't have the rash of injuries we've had this year.

Hopefully, several of our RS linemen will be ready to step in as well and provide some good help and give Andre time to throw.

(THE ABOVE POST IS STRICTLY THE OPINION OF UK CATS ROCK AND DOESN'T NECESSARLIY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS ON THIS BOARD - IT'S AN OPINION) :ggrin:

My Opinion Too UKCatsRocks....

See what happens the rest of this year, recruit and probably retain the staff for next year.

6 Wins or bust next year. And if that point of no return is met in the season where 6 wins can't be attained, announce the termination of the entire staff and start the search immediately.

[gerntz]

I think we'll win 4-6 games next year. That's successful vs. 03-05 seasons.

[ukcatfan]

Editor's Note: Content deleted for violation of posting policies. Attack the post, not the poster. Thanks for understanding.

[RV]

UKCatsRock wrote: RP_McMurphy wrote: Simple

Rich Brooks will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THERE is a well thought out post with a lot of insight that added great quality to this thread. :rolleyes:

Why don't you spend more time READING the posts (such as the one just above yours that asks you NOT to do what you just did) and responding instead of flaming? This grows so dang old.

No insight to the thread, no mature conversation as adults, but a simple, "HE'LL BE GONE" response. C'mon guys, get a grip and respond to the topic and quit turning every thread created into an "anti-Brooks" thread. I think we probably have more than we care about already.

As I said, Larry asked you to not do what you did but you did it anyway. That means one of two things:

1. You either didn't read the thread and just decided to flame away

2. You did read thethread and completely disrespected Larry's & his request.

(Sorry Larry. I couldn't help it. Just tired of stupid posts with no insight.)

In RP's defense you should check out the posting times. !:59 & 2:00. I doubt RP saw the previous post.

[RV]

ukcatfan wrote: Oh, wildcatdon you are the real leader of the kool-aid drinking, blue-tinted glass wearers.

All you can do is act like a little child and run around calling someone names if they have a different opinion than yours.

I want Mitch & Rich to prove to me that they are not losers. First, they can start by winning some ballgames and second, move the UL game to the first one of the season.

People that post on WCF are losers, what a statement. You do have problems.
:rolleyes:

[UKCatsRock]

RV wrote: UKCatsRock wrote: RP_McMurphy wrote: Simple

Rich Brooks will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THERE is a well thought out post with a lot of insight that added great quality to this thread. :rolleyes:

Why don't you spend more time READING the posts (such as the one just above yours that asks you NOT to do what you just did) and responding instead of flaming? This grows so dang old.

No insight to the thread, no mature conversation as adults, but a simple, "HE'LL BE GONE" response. C'mon guys, get a grip and respond to the topic and quit turning every thread created into an "anti-Brooks" thread. I think we probably have more than we care about already.

As I said, Larry asked you to not do what you did but you did it anyway. That means one of two things:

1. You either didn't read the thread and just decided to flame away

2. You did read thethread and completely disrespected Larry's & his request.

(Sorry Larry. I couldn't help it. Just tired of stupid posts with no insight.)

In RP's defense you should check out the posting times. !:59 & 2:00. I doubt RP saw the previous post.

You're right RV, and my apologies to RP. I actually DID look at the posting times and I guess my eyes decieved me (I've had numerous eye surgeries due to diabetes) and thought there was a 25-minute difference. My bad on that as far as him not reading the request, but it's still not a very good post to add to our discussion. I feel like posts should contribute to the discussion and not "intercept" the thread, sort of like I'm doing now. LOL Poor Larry simply asked a question and "here we go again." LOL

[TrueblueCATfan]

We are talking about injured players that will be back...........that is what we said last year and the same players keep getting hurt.....Cook....Burton....I do not understand this....is it just a freak accident or are these kids not conditioned very well

[poodoo]

Excellent post, surveyor. Exactly. We were much improved against Louisville, which is precisely why fans gained hope about the season and Coach Brooks. I lurked on WCF and saw that almost all of theextremely negativeguys were "converted" to giving Brooks a chance. :)

What happened? As senior captain Mohammed Abdullah (whosaid the players had reallyfelt this was going to be their year) shared, players started going downwith INJURIES (not an excuse, a reality).

Who went down? Lamar Mills, by far thetop defensive lineman that game;Marcus McClinton, the free safety who had had the best fall camp of all the players; reliable senior captain Tommy Cook;arguably the best playmaker and best player on the team, our downfield threat who had caughtfour of six passes Woodson had thrown deep. Many others went down, as there were FIFTEEN (now sixteen, I believe I read) surgeries sincetraining camp began.Arguably the team's best playmaker Ricky Abren was not even on the field that day andhas just returned, not nearly as effective because of a cast he wears, along with two other defensive linemen.

In answer to Wildcat Larry's question,as othershave noted, it's HUGE that we play more winnable games at home. (I love playing Florida, UT, and LSU on the road, instead ofplaying such tough opponents in Commonwealth).Too, as T75 just posted andI had just posted on another thread,surely there is no way that this team can have the TERRIBLE luck, injury-wise,it has hadstill another season.As he said, things usually even out, at least to a degree.

Most of all, though, I think next season will be much more successful because of the added experience to some ofour more talented young players. Specifically, as I shared earlier this week, I thinkour offensive line will be GREATLY improved, with the development of the large freshmen and the return of Aaron Miller. I will be most surprised if we donot have avery effective offense next season. I watched that South Carolina game and was most impressed with the improvement in our offensive line, something Coach Brooks alsocommented on after the game.

Add Micah Johnson to all of the above, and Iam smiling :)as a Wildcat fan. Then again, it's probably just the Kool Aid I have sometimes drunk and enjoyed in the pastand my blue-tinted glasses (yes, my sunglasses are tinted blue, although I'm not wearing them indoors as I sit at my computer) thatresults in my having such an answer. :)

surveyor wrote:
Larry,

I agree that the team will be better next season. Hell, in the Louisville game they were improved over last season.

[CatsSaintsFan]

Wildcat Larry wrote: I've seen numerous posts that next season should be a good one for the Cats, and that's one of the reasons that Brooks should be given another year. Sure, the injured players will be back and I guess there will be more players in this post probation time, but could somebody explain in detail why next season should be a turnaround season for the Cats.

With games at UL, Florida, LSU and Tennessee; I don't see the schedule getting that much better. Heck, LSU replaces Mississippi, so that's a tougher game by all indications.

I hate to have to qualify this post, but it is a legitquestion and is not mean to be a bash on anyone.

Larry, I agree. I've never understood how people thought that 06 was going to be THE YEAR.

[ukbob]

CatsSaintsFan wrote: Wildcat Larry wrote: I've seen numerous posts that next season should be a good one for the Cats, and that's one of the reasons that Brooks should be given another year. Sure, the injured players will be back and I guess there will be more players in this post probation time, but could somebody explain in detail why next season should be a turnaround season for the Cats.

With games at UL, Florida, LSU and Tennessee; I don't see the schedule getting that much better. Heck, LSU replaces Mississippi, so that's a tougher game by all indications.

I hate to have to qualify this post, but it is a legitquestion and is not mean to be a bash on anyone.

Larry, I agree. I've never understood how people thought that 06 was going to be THE YEAR.

I don't know if I thought it would be THE YEAR, but I feel it has to be Brooks' year to show a turnaround. We would be more experienced, but some will still say we are young, and the players there should be entrenched into the Brooks system. I guess we should also assume that the rash of injuries won't happen again, but that may not be a wise assumption at all. However, the scholly numbers should be closer to the norm than we have had, so depth should become less an issue than is now.

Should RB return, we would have to be contending for a Bowl bid of some sort to convince me he can get it done. 4 years is enough for most coaches to show this kind of improvements, IMO. We have to beat the ones we should, wins some we have a good shot at and compete in most, if not all the rest.

Sounds like high expectations? Yep. Time to show us something more in 06 than what we have seen so far.

[RCS]

Even if Brooks is back I am not sure how Archer could be retained. His D has looked terrible. Yes there were injuries but he has fielded one of the worst defenses in the country 2 years in a row. That is not going to get it done.

[ares]

What have we seen from this year to make us think we could win 6 or 7 next? Has there been anything that really makes you think that is the case. I have seen one and only one bright spot this year. Little.

[RP_McMurphy]

Don't worry bout me.......I have asbetos skivvies so I can take the heat. I felt no need to pontificate my points. I have been putting them out their since 7 days after Rich Brooks was hired. I took one week to research the guy and let things simmer. That's when I decided this wasn't the guy and will never be the guy. Nothing in the last 3 football seasons has happened to proove me wrong yet and nothing will.

[poodoo]

Time to show us something more in 06 than what we have seen so far. QUOTE by ukbob

_____

I absolutely agree. Too, I cannot imagine any fan's disagreeing with that.

By the way, though, please don't say another "rash of injuries" like this year's is a possibility. :(Seriously, every coach on the team says he has never seen anything like it. Neither have I. I have watched a lot of years of UK footballwith a lot of injuries, but nothing that remotely approaches this one, especially so early in the season and, actually, even before the season ever began. Too, yes, it is specifically those injuries that makes me unable to judge this staff's performance at this particular time.

[poodoo]

RP_McMurphy wrote: I have been putting them out their since 7 days after Rich Brooks was hired. I took one week to research the guy and let things simmer. That's when I decided this wasn't the guy and will never be the guy. Nothing in the last 3 football seasons has happened to proove me wrong yet and nothing will.


RP, I respect you. Yet, I have just read your statement that NOTHING will prove you wrong about Coach Brooks.If Coach Brooks were to lead us to a conferencechampionship and were named National Coach of the Year (which your research surely told you was the case while he was at Oregon), your mind still would not be changed? :(

Now I happen to remember from the old sitehow you changed your mind about a certain basketball coach. Don't get me wrong. I don't think there is any way Coach Brooks will come close to that basketball coach's accomplishments. Also, I don't think there is any way Coach Brooks can win a conference championship competing in the SEC East, as every UK football coach struggles towin SEC games, period.YET, if Coach Brooks is retained and takes UK to a bowl game next season, I hope you will change your mind about our football coach. It wouldn't mean that you had been "proven wrong." It would only mean that you had seen some positive results you had not expected to see, just as it was with that basketball coach. Too, positive happenings within any of our UK athletic programs are a cause for joy and celebration! :)

My situation is quite different from yours. I have witnessed two and a half years under Coach Brooks, and I still have not made up my mind about him. Sure, I have not witnessed many good performances, but the existence of so many extenuating circumstances has made it difficult for me. I do think Coach Brooks has a lot of football knowledge, and I think there are some very strong assistants on the staff. They have all been dealt an unbelievable bad hand. Winning, even in a card game, can become quite difficult when one is dealt one bad hand after another. We'll see.

As I continue to say, I think my mind can be made up with one more season, a season in which I honestly believewe have a very goodchance of going bowling, something UK teams have done only a few times in decades of football. Yes, you are right thatnothing remotely convincing has happened yet,but, again, we'll see. :)

[catsrule]

With no unusal injuries next year, if we don't win 5-6 games, I'll be the first to call for Brooks head, not this year we've not had our best players play in the first game yet.

our defensive tackles are playing with one hand tied behind thier backs, you can't take own an offenseive line who can use both hands . Mean Joe Green wouldn't be to effective with one hand.

[graham51]

I have been waiting 50 years for "next year" maybe it will happen in '06 but from my experience I certainly wouldn't bet the family jewels on it.

[RedandBlackATTACK]

After a big win during John Ray’s first year, I recall Coach Ray stating, “ We’re on our way, Kentucky football has arrived”, after beating Ole Miss. Sadly, the next week the Cats got mauled by Auburn.

Undoubtedly, injuries have played a pivotal role in this season won loss tally. However, even given the injuries, when I look at the “projected” 06 team, questions abound. The current 06 verbal commitments albeit “solid” players appears to be a marginal recruiting class, in terms of turning around a program. Obviously, this could change but I believe AD Barnhart needs desperately to publicly state Coach Brook’s contract will be honored through next year.

If in fact, Mitch intends to honor the contract through the fourth season (which I believe is the fair and right course) why not issue the “vote of confidence”. I don’t understand his failure to address the issue, especially considering how that situation impacts recruiting.

On the flip side, if he intends to whack Coach Brook’s, issue a statement indicating his contract will not be honored, start looking for a coach/staff NOW and avoid the previous coaching search fiasco, i.e., interviewing Doug Williams in the Northern Kentucky Airport for 45 minutes and having breakfast with Bill Parcells in NYC.

The fact that Mitch even interviewed Williams, who by my account was totally unqualified for the position to begin with and rolled the dice on Parcells, who I still today believe was a “pipe dream” cast doubt on his ability to conduct a reasonable/thorough search.

The Williams interview was very questionable if not more so than the Parcells high risk gamble. I have said this before, and have been labeled a “racist”, however any college coach should have a competent command of the English language, including the ability to put together a compound sentence without a half dozen grammatical errors, Williams is unable to accomplish this. Does that fact demean his (Williams) character. Not in my opinion. I have read many articles and papers defending what I believe is referred to Afro-Centric speech, Hogwash in my opinion. The millions of African Americans who are successful CEO’s , dozens alone in Fortune 500 companies repudiate that argument.

Finally, for those who may respond, “Well, I don’t see UL inking all High School All Americans”, my response would be that Coach P and staff (JL Smith included) have done a pretty good job of finding kids “under the radar”, the vast majority labeled “athletes”, that the coaching staff molded into position players. With few exceptions I have not seen that with the recent UK staffs.

Sorry to mention UL and the length of this post.

Rick

Out from C-Bus (Where speaking of coaching changes???)

[RCS]

I think it would be stupid to say anything about Brooks' status right now because no one knows. If he goes 1-10 he gets fired. If he 4-2 the rest of the way he keeps his job easy. Something in between and we will see. How can you say for sure either way? If this were year 4 or 5 and this is where we were maybe you fire him mid season but you just don't know right now. There is plenty of football left for Brooks to save his job. If he loses to Miss and Miss St, especially if he loses bad, then you make a statement one way or the other.

[poodoo]

Exactly, catsrule. I so wish more fans would understand the HORRIFIC effect injuries have had on this team's performance. As I repeatedly post, offensively we have only ONE healthy scholarship wide receiver, which greatly limits the offense,AND, as you say, we have threedefensive linemenplaying with only one hand and thus unable to shed blockers. Those are not excuses. They are REASONS. It is the REALITY with which the coaches are dealing and certainly makes it impossible for me to be able to judge their performance.

Yes, I especially become frustrated with our defense's ability to stop people, butthen remember that it all starts in the trenches. We are without our best defensive linemen and have three others with only one hand to use. I only wish more fans could realize how difficult it is to show improvement under those conditions. :(

catsrule wrote:
With no unusal injuries next year, if we don't win 5-6 games, I'll be the first to call for Brooks head, not this year we've not had our best players play in the first game yet.

our defensive tackles are playing with one hand tied behind thier backs, you can't take own an offenseive line who can use both hands . Mean Joe Green wouldn't be to effective with one hand.

[BrassowFan]

UKCatsRock wrote: Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.

Ok, so what if he wins 5 games with a healthy roster... do we fire him then?

I'm not attacking your post, I'm just trying to understand where you think the line in the sand should be. IMO, by stating that 6 is the minimum, it sounds as if that's it however looking at UK's history, I think you're really setting the bar high.

[WarrenSCPA]

RCS wrote: I think it would be stupid to say anything about Brooks' status right now because no one knows. If he goes 1-10 he gets fired. If he 4-2 the rest of the way he keeps his job easy. Something in between and we will see. How can you say for sure either way? If this were year 4 or 5 and this is where we were maybe you fire him mid season but you just don't know right now. There is plenty of football left for Brooks to save his job. If he loses to Miss and Miss St, especially if he loses bad, then you make a statement one way or the other.
This has been an enjoyable thread to read. An example for all threads in that there is minimal harsh rhetoric.

I think both sides can make a good argument for whether he stays or goes, but RCS here is probably the closest to the truth. I do not think Mitch should make a public statement at this time. Hopefully, he is still evaluating with an open mind. If we go 1-10, I don't think anyone can be too critical of Mitch for pulling the plug.

I can live with another year for the staff for all of the reasons the pro-Brooks people have stated (I won't use the term apologist;)). If that is what Mitch decides. However, 06 will have to be a success for me to support the coach back in 2007. The 06 schedule is set up for a nice number of wins in that most of the winnable games are home and the unwinnable games are on the road. I don't think it would be wise todemand a minimum number of wins however. No more excuses/reasons for failure should be accepted in 06. The real problem is defining success. I'll stick with the old, "I'll know it when I see it" standard.

[ukbob]

BrassowFan wrote: UKCatsRock wrote: Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.

Ok, so what if he wins 5 games with a healthy roster... do we fire him then?

I'm not attacking your post, I'm just trying to understand where you think the line in the sand should be. IMO, by stating that 6 is the minimum, it sounds as if that's it however looking at UK's history, I think you're really setting the bar high.

I think the answer is clearly that we will settle for improvements as long as we can. 5 wins will be an improvement and there will likely be a reasonable "excuse" as to why we did not win 6 games, such as injuries, youth, inexperience, karma, etc. If Brooks wins 5 games next year, then he will likely stay until he just quits on his own. The fact is that if we win 5 games the talk will once again revolve around "wait until next year".

[RV]

Perhaps Mitch is waiting for a win to give Brooks a vote of confidence.

[BrassowFan]

ukbob wrote: BrassowFan wrote: UKCatsRock wrote: Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.

Ok, so what if he wins 5 games with a healthy roster... do we fire him then?

I'm not attacking your post, I'm just trying to understand where you think the line in the sand should be. IMO, by stating that 6 is the minimum, it sounds as if that's it however looking at UK's history, I think you're really setting the bar high.

I think the answer is clearly that we will settle for improvements as long as we can. 5 wins will be an improvement and there will likely be a reasonable "excuse" as to why we did not win 6 games, such as injuries, youth, inexperience, karma, etc. If Brooks wins 5 games next year, then he will likely stay until he just quits on his own. The fact is that if we win 5 games the talk will once again revolve around "wait until next year".



I agree, I think improvement is the standard that should always be set. That's all that I was trying to point out, I think that putting out an expectation of 6 wins is too much considering the shape that we find ourselves in at this point.

[UKCatsRock]

BrassowFan wrote: UKCatsRock wrote: Then, you mentioned the schedule. Yes, there are some tough games, but my MINIMUM expectations would be 6 wins.

Ok, so what if he wins 5 games with a healthy roster... do we fire him then?

I'm not attacking your post, I'm just trying to understand where you think the line in the sand should be. IMO, by stating that 6 is the minimum, it sounds as if that's it however looking at UK's history, I think you're really setting the bar high.

Brassow - I don't know the answer to that. I'm just aaying that MY expectations are 6 wins. If we only win 5 and those 5 are the "lesser" teams on our schedule, and we get blown out by everybody else, yeah, he should probably go. But if we beat the "lesser" teams and hang tough and play every game well, then he should probably stay.

There's just so much to look at other than how many wins. But, I still expect 6. :)

[Caveman Catfan]

People are expecting Mills and McClinton to return. Have we heard a prognosis for either? I know that in today's orthopod world, we expect players to return from knee tears, but McClinton plays the safety position, probably not an easy position to return to from a knee injury. Mills may be different, but will he have the leverage and strength he showed in the UL game?

I expect Dixon to return from the broken leg and, of course, Burton to return.

I also think there are some redshirt freshmen (Jarmon, for one) that may impress out of the gates.

We also have a number of sophs that are learning their positions in real action this year (Abren, Schuler, Woodyard, Little, Tamme, Leger) and freshment (Oninku, Kelley, Jones, Williams) that are getting some valuable minutes. I do not think it is too much to expect that they will be improved andstronger next season.

Will Pulley stay at backup QB? Will he play at QB?

[lribookend]

6 wins is expecting too much too, soon from this program. 4-5 wins next year, and playing competitively in some of the losses will secure him a job. You have to consider that 4 or 5 wins playing in the SEC-East is probably equal to7 or8wins playing in a conference likethe Big (L)east. Does anyone really believe that Petrino (and this year's UofL team)could win more than 5 or 6 games this year in the SEC east, when they barely beat Kentucky and lost to South Florida and West Virginia? Petrino is supposedly good enough to be considered a head coach at Auburn and LSU. Would I fire Brooks to get Petrino today? No, I wouldn't. Dang, I hate speaking up for Brooks. But fair is fair. The injuries this year make it impossible to make a decision on his status. If we had Aaron Miller, and Lonnell DeWalt, and all the injured players actually PLAYING this year, and we were still sitting with only one win, the decision would be easy. But the reality is that we have been decimated by academic, personal and physical attrition. Let's quiet down and give the man one more year. If we win less than 5 games next year, the decision will be easy. But why deny him the opportunity? My respect for him has actually grown the past several weeks. He isn't a quitter. He could sit back and practically BEG to be fired, and draw a nice paycheck for the next 2 years for sitting on his posterior. But instead, he is doing all he knows how to coach this team. Give him a chance.

(No, I am NOT a Brooks lover, in fact I have been soundly criticized by many for being a detractor and expecting more from him and the team. But FAIR IS FAIR. Firing him because of injuries or fumbles is NOT FAIR)

[RV]

lribookend wrote: 6 wins is expecting too much too, soon from this program. 4-5 wins next year, and playing competitively in some of the losses will secure him a job. You have to consider that 4 or 5 wins playing in the SEC-East is probably equal to7 or8wins playing in a conference likethe Big (L)east. Does anyone really believe that Petrino (and this year's UofL team)could win more than 5 or 6 games this year in the SEC east, when they barely beat Kentucky and lost to South Florida and West Virginia? Petrino is supposedly good enough to be considered a head coach at Auburn and LSU. Would I fire Brooks to get Petrino today? No, I wouldn't. Dang, I hate speaking up for Brooks. But fair is fair. The injuries this year make it impossible to make a decision on his status. If we had Aaron Miller, and Lonnell DeWalt, and all the injured players actually PLAYING this year, and we were still sitting with only one win, the decision would be easy. But the reality is that we have been decimated by academic, personal and physical attrition. Let's quiet down and give the man one more year. If we win less than 5 games next year, the decision will be easy. But why deny him the opportunity? My respect for him has actually grown the past several weeks. He isn't a quitter. He could sit back and practically BEG to be fired, and draw a nice paycheck for the next 2 years for sitting on his posterior. But instead, he is doing all he knows how to coach this team. Give him a chance.

(No, I am NOT a Brooks lover, in fact I have been soundly criticized by many for being a detractor and expecting more from him and the team. But FAIR IS FAIR. Firing him because of injuries or fumbles is NOT FAIR)

Very reasonable post. Thanks.

[bandit]

Face the truth....If we don't sign the big recruits in FB like we do in BB, We don't compete in the SEC. Right now, as in the past, We are not a school that gets the top tiered players. And Rich Brooks ain't gonna change that. Only a Spurrier, Fulmer, Beamer, etc.... would be able to change our level of recruiting. Bottom Line, when we are serious about a winning FB program at UK, we will spend the money to hire the right type of coach.

[poodoo]

RV wrote: lribookend wrote: 6 wins is expecting too much too, soon from this program. 4-5 wins next year, and playing competitively in some of the losses will secure him a job. You have to consider that 4 or 5 wins playing in the SEC-East is probably equal to7 or8wins playing in a conference likethe Big (L)east. Does anyone really believe that Petrino (and this year's UofL team)could win more than 5 or 6 games this year in the SEC east, when they barely beat Kentucky and lost to South Florida and West Virginia? Petrino is supposedly good enough to be considered a head coach at Auburn and LSU. Would I fire Brooks to get Petrino today? No, I wouldn't. Dang, I hate speaking up for Brooks. But fair is fair. The injuries this year make it impossible to make a decision on his status. If we had Aaron Miller, and Lonnell DeWalt, and all the injured players actually PLAYING this year, and we were still sitting with only one win, the decision would be easy. But the reality is that we have been decimated by academic, personal and physical attrition. Let's quiet down and give the man one more year. If we win less than 5 games next year, the decision will be easy. But why deny him the opportunity? My respect for him has actually grown the past several weeks. He isn't a quitter. He could sit back and practically BEG to be fired, and draw a nice paycheck for the next 2 years for sitting on his posterior. But instead, he is doing all he knows how to coach this team. Give him a chance.

(No, I am NOT a Brooks lover, in fact I have been soundly criticized by many for being a detractor and expecting more from him and the team. But FAIR IS FAIR. Firing him because of injuries or fumbles is NOT FAIR)

Very reasonable post. Thanks.
I agree, RV. Iribookend's post is most reasonable. Too, I especially enjoyed RCS's and WarrenSPCA's posts.

Many have posted on this thread. Some lean to thinking it is time for Brooks to go, whle others of us lean to thinking that it would be better if the team were toshow enough improvement for Brooks to be retained, ashe and his staff cannot be fairly judged under the most unusual circumstances(the loss ofso many players, towhich Iribookend just referred).Yet, most are voices of reason, and that makes this thread and site a good one, as I see it. :)

[RV]

bandit wrote: Face the truth....If we don't sign the big recruits in FB like we do in BB, We don't compete in the SEC. Right now, as in the past, We are not a school that gets the top tiered players. And Rich Brooks ain't gonna change that. Only a Spurrier, Fulmer, Beamer, etc.... would be able to change our level of recruiting. Bottom Line, when we are serious about a winning FB program at UK, we will spend the money to hire the right type of coach.
The sexy hire doesn't bring in the 4 and 5 star recruits - it's the wins and tradition and we've had very little of either. There are only 50 five star recruits in the nation and 200-250 4 stars. You're talking about 12 team's worth of signees. Are we in the top 12? I think not. This staff is doing an exceptional job recruiting especially under the circumstances and most of the kids committed to us are 3 star. We have the opportunity to get a couple of 4 stars to top off this class and if that happens this could be our best class in years. That's how you build a program, you sign as many 3 star type players as possible, get a 4 star when you can and repeat for four years. Then you have a full squad of quality depth and the wins will come. As the wins come, the level of recruits rises. Simple really.

[JMiller22]

Wildcat Larry wrote: I've seen numerous posts that next season should be a good one for the Cats, and that's one of the reasons that Brooks should be given another year. Sure, the injured players will be back and I guess there will be more players in this post probation time, but could somebody explain in detail why next season should be a turnaround season for the Cats.

With games at UL, Florida, LSU and Tennessee; I don't see the schedule getting that much better. Heck, LSU replaces Mississippi, so that's a tougher game by all indications.

I hate to have to qualify this post, but it is a legitquestion and is not mean to be a bash on anyone.

'06 IMO is not THE YEAR, '06 is the year that things improve dramatically. The main reason is, as I see it, the depth that we will have next year. IMO the biggest additions to next year's team is not the incoming freshmen, but rather Aaron Miller, Tedd Bullock, Lamar Mills, Tony Dixon, Marcus McClinton, Maurice Ginter (Jan. enrollee), and possibly Lonnell DeWalt and Gabe Wallace. Those guys are starters who can contribute immediately and become leaders on the field. For me '07 is THE YEAR, mainly because almost all of this year's recruits will be coming of red shirts hopefully. If we have the rash of injuries next year like we have had this year, then many of freshmen, though talented they are still freshmen, will be playing and starting. And that can make for another tough year. Also '07 is THE YEAR because of the even more favorable schedule:





Sat., Sept. 1
EASTERN KENTUCKY
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Sept. 8
Temple
Philadelphia, Pa.

Sat., Sept. 15
LOUISVILLE
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Sept. 22
FLORIDA ATLANTIC
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Sept. 29
Arkansas
Fayetteville, Ark.

Sat., Oct. 6
South Carolina
Columbia, S.C.

Sat., Oct. 13
LSU
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Oct. 20
FLORIDA
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Oct. 27
MISSISSIPPI STATE
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Sat., Nov. 3
Open


Sat., Nov. 10
Vanderbilt
Nashville, Tenn.

Sat., Nov. 17
Georgia
Athens, Ga.

Sat., Nov. 24
TENNESSEE
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

With an experienced squad, we could possibly be 6-0, 5-1, or 4-2 coming into our 3 game home stand against LSU, UF, and MSU where we could win 2 out of those 3. We then could win at Vandy, possibly lose at UGA and finish with a solid win against UT. At worst our record could be 6-6, if injuries don't decimate us like this year,but it could be at best 10-2. But more than likely I see an 8-4 record.

[Caveman Catfan]

I have not heard anyone say they expected Bullock or Wallace to return to the team. Should we expect a return from those players?

[Old Blue]

I agree that '06 is THE put up or shut up year. If we get all the players we expect to come back back and healthy and if we avoid the kind of insane rash of injuries and bac luck that has essentially precluded UK from having any chance to compete against anybody this year, I see no reason why we shouldn't win at least 6 games next season. U of L loses most of its senior O-line next year, including Travis L. Bush may go pro as well. They are due for a bounce year, and we should have our best shot at them since Guy left town. Now, if they don't have a winning season next year, I also agree that it is time for Brooks to hit the road or hammock or rocking chair or whatever he plans to do in his retirement years.

[JMiller22]

Caveman Catfan wrote: I have not heard anyone say they expected Bullock or Wallace to return to the team. Should we expect a return from those players?
According to Rob over at KSR, he expects Bullock to return. I don't know if he has spoken to Tedd, but he is saying that Tedd is coming back. As for Wallace, that's a wait and see. He is about a 30% chance of coming back next year. OTHO DeWalt is 50-50. He might have to wait until Aug. to come back. We will have to wait and see.

[Caveman Catfan]

JMiller22 wrote: According to Rob over at KSR, he expects Bullock to return. I don't know if he has spoken to Tedd, but he is saying that Tedd is coming back. As for Wallace, that's a wait and see. He is about a 30% chance of coming back next year. OTHO DeWalt is 50-50. He might have to wait until Aug. to come back. We will have to wait and see.




Thanks. I think that is good news. We never got a chance to see Tedd's talent. I hope he returns and I hope that is a good thing.

[RV]

Thought this would be interesting to revisit.

Be sure and check out the original dates.

[gerntz]

gerntz wrote: I think we'll win 4-6 games next year. That's successful vs. 03-05 seasons.

You would have to revive this thread. :cry:

That might the stupidist post I've seen.

[surveyor]

ROFL

I was wondering why in the hell Wildcat Larry would start this thread on the cusp of playing in the MCB.
I forgot the whole thread up to my post...............then I wondered when the hell did I post that? Only to THEN notice the date of the post .................October, 2005.

I'm not gonna say I toldyaso to anybody, though.:lol:

[Doug Hardin]

Doug Hardin wrote: There arefew reasons I think next year could be a good season.

The schedule is more favorable. (Just a quick correction, Larry. Ole Miss is still on the schedule, so LSU is replacing Auburn). Granted there are road games at4 probable top 25 teams--Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and LSU--but the home schedule has a lot of winnable games--Texas State, La-Monroe, Central Michigan, Vandy, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. There's also a winnable road game at Mississsippi State and a not-so-winnable home game against UGA. But still, it's not crazy to think they might win 6 or 7 games.

They're not losing a lot to graduation. Abdullah will be hard to replace, and they'llhave to reloadthe WRs (Holt, Cook, and Mitchell)but this senior class isn't very strong overall. This is assuming we don't have a lot of players quit, transfer, or suffer serious injuries like last offseason.

There's a lot of talent in the freshman and sophomore classes that will be better, guys like Woodson, Little, Burton, Tamme, Abren, Kelley, and Woodyard. Plus getting players back from injury (Dixon, Mills, Lyons, McClinton) or miscellaneous (Aaron Miller) will help.

There would still be problems, notably the same major problems that have plagued them this year: poor play from both lines. Hopefully you can add Micah Johnson to the defensive line to go with a healthy Abren, Mills,and Durrell White, and maybe then they could have a decent pass rush, and if the O-line returns intact (plus Miller and a healthy Micah Jones) with another year to gell and mature, they might be okay. They did a pretty good job in the South Carolina game, based on what I heard on the radio at least.

I don't necessarily think that's a reason in itself to keep Brooks another year, but if he is brought back and has another bad season, it would definitely be time to go in another direction. If a change is made after this season, this is a list of things that will make the job attractive to the people who might be on Barnhart's list.I predict the Cats will upset Georgia, 24-20, en route to a 7-5 season that ends with a berth in the Music City Bowl where they'll play Clemson. Andre' Woodson, Wesley Woodyard, and Keenan Burton will emerge as all-conference players, Dicky Lyons will become a reliable #2 target, and Little will be dynamite as long as he's healthy.

Okay, so I wrote that last paragraph just now to make myself look smarter, the rest of it was reallywritten in October '05. I think this might be the one time that I wasmostlyright despite most people thinking I was being overly (or blindly) optimistic.

[Brian McCat]

Hey cool, I didn't predict, so I look pretty good. ;)

[Russ24ky]

I predicted and I came within a delay of game penalty of being dead on

Ill take 7-5

but Next year

8 games is doable

[TrueblueCATfan]

GEEZ..I thought I was posting on something new..............talk about getting a thread out of the woodwork

[bleedbluelady]

Doug Hardin wrote: There arefew reasons I think next year could be a good season.

The schedule is more favorable. (Just a quick correction, Larry. Ole Miss is still on the schedule, so LSU is replacing Auburn). Granted there are road games at4 probable top 25 teams--Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and LSU--but the home schedule has a lot of winnable games--Texas State, La-Monroe, Central Michigan, Vandy, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. There's also a winnable road game at Mississsippi State and a not-so-winnable home game against UGA. But still, it's not crazy to think they might win 6 or 7 games.

They're not losing a lot to graduation. Abdullah will be hard to replace, and they'llhave to reloadthe WRs (Holt, Cook, and Mitchell)but this senior class isn't very strong overall. This is assuming we don't have a lot of players quit, transfer, or suffer serious injuries like last offseason.

There's a lot of talent in the freshman and sophomore classes that will be better, guys like Woodson, Little, Burton, Tamme, Abren, Kelley, and Woodyard. Plus getting players back from injury (Dixon, Mills, Lyons, McClinton) or miscellaneous (Aaron Miller) will help.

There would still be problems, notably the same major problems that have plagued them this year: poor play from both lines. Hopefully you can add Micah Johnson to the defensive line to go with a healthy Abren, Mills,and Durrell White, and maybe then they could have a decent pass rush, and if the O-line returns intact (plus Miller and a healthy Micah Jones) with another year to gell and mature, they might be okay. They did a pretty good job in the South Carolina game, based on what I heard on the radio at least.

I don't necessarily think that's a reason in itself to keep Brooks another year, but if he is brought back and has another bad season, it would definitely be time to go in another direction. If a change is made after this season, this is a list of things that will make the job attractive to the people who might be on Barnhart's list.

Kudos to one of the most reasonable and one of my favorite posters.:thumbup:cool:

[poodoo]

bleedbluelady wrote: Doug Hardin wrote: There arefew reasons I think next year could be a good season.

The schedule is more favorable. (Just a quick correction, Larry. Ole Miss is still on the schedule, so LSU is replacing Auburn). Granted there are road games at4 probable top 25 teams--Louisville, Florida, Tennessee, and LSU--but the home schedule has a lot of winnable games--Texas State, La-Monroe, Central Michigan, Vandy, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. There's also a winnable road game at Mississsippi State and a not-so-winnable home game against UGA. But still, it's not crazy to think they might win 6 or 7 games.

They're not losing a lot to graduation. Abdullah will be hard to replace, and they'llhave to reloadthe WRs (Holt, Cook, and Mitchell)but this senior class isn't very strong overall. This is assuming we don't have a lot of players quit, transfer, or suffer serious injuries like last offseason.

There's a lot of talent in the freshman and sophomore classes that will be better, guys like Woodson, Little, Burton, Tamme, Abren, Kelley, and Woodyard. Plus getting players back from injury (Dixon, Mills, Lyons, McClinton) or miscellaneous (Aaron Miller) will help.

There would still be problems, notably the same major problems that have plagued them this year: poor play from both lines. Hopefully you can add Micah Johnson to the defensive line to go with a healthy Abren, Mills,and Durrell White, and maybe then they could have a decent pass rush, and if the O-line returns intact (plus Miller and a healthy Micah Jones) with another year to gell and mature, they might be okay. They did a pretty good job in the South Carolina game, based on what I heard on the radio at least.

I don't necessarily think that's a reason in itself to keep Brooks another year, but if he is brought back and has another bad season, it would definitely be time to go in another direction. If a change is made after this season, this is a list of things that will make the job attractive to the people who might be on Barnhart's list.

Kudos to one of the most reasonable and one of my favorite posters.:thumbup:cool:


DITTO to what bleedbluelady says. :)Too, as I have often said, Doug Hardin is mature (and wise) far beyond his years. :)GO CATS!