The House of Blue

Thanks. That sounds positive. Joker's comments are interesting and may be the sign of a maturing coach. I can understand closing things to get some work done but then open it part of the time to show off your team's skill and progress.

The funny thing is, Joker's always felt that way about more eyes at practice holding players accountable to a higher level of performance. He told us he was planning to do that the year before he took over. I'm not sure what or who changed his mind, but I'm very surprised that they've closed things up harder under his watch.

I'm not there, I'm in south Florida. Maybe some of you guys that actually get to see these things happening are encouraged, but all I have to go on is what I've seen the last two years, in addition to all the smoke CJP blew up our noses last year about how promising last year's team was.
Maybe I missed something along the way, but during the season, you know, when the games counted, it wasn't happening, especially with the WR's and Morgan Newton. It just wasn't there.
We have to start seeing some POSITIVE results from these guys. They are not performing, and in a lot of circumstances I find it hard to believe that they are this bad. Seriously.
And I'm not doubting what you're saying mj, because I know you call it like you see it, but the Kentucky WR's were among the worst in the SEC & the NCAA last year. That is not a mark of distinction that I would want to be known for, but that's what we have. And while Maxwell Smith may be improving and may truly be loved in the locker room & on the field, if his WR's don't/won't/can't/refuse to catch the damned football he will end up just like Morgan Newton did.......... INJURED and with no confidence in anyone in the WR corps.
And then......... CJP closes spring practices so that no one except the chosen few get to see what's actually going on.
So please understand that after what I've witnessed the last two years from these players, I am just not embracing what I've been hearing so far.
Here is where I am at with these guys.......... we have another 5-7 or a 4-8 season, and anything good that Coach Rich Brooks did will have been undone and we will continue to be one of the worst teams in the SEC year in and year out. CJP will probably be showed the door, and then we'll have to go through this crap all over again with another football coach.
I am so weary of watching these guys underachieve and fail every year.

Without this turning into ANOTHER session of complaints about our last two QB's would you say the last time UK had a QB the players WANTED to play for was Andre? I mean I always assumed things, but what would you say? Thanks

Thanks for the write up Matt!! For us football junkies its always welcome reading, even when the basketball and baseball teams are the talking points! I love the Caffey move..gives us a physical...athletic cover man that can hopefully jar some balls loose as well as geta few big momentum swinging picks thru the year. I really think Josh Forrest will be a special player...and I always felt he would be a better defender as opposed to a TE. The kids close to 6'5 now..and should hit the 240 range soon. Pair that with 4.5 speed, and a unteachable nose for making the pick (Kid had 3 ints in state title game, and already has a pick for a td in scrimmage). If the offense can mangae to move the ball..get first downs regularly..and score..say 24 a game..I think the defense will prove to be good enough to win some tight games for us!!

We all felt your pain with the WR's last year, but consider:

1. The line was horrible and rarely gave pass plays the time to develop;

2. Newton does not have good touch on his passes. Smith does.

3. Outside of King, we had no one making plays at WR last year, save a couple of decent games from Roark.

4. Collins, Cunningham, Robinson, Sweat, Legree. All guys who should, or ay least could, step in this year and do good things.

5. Tee was a great recruiter, but he is nowhere near the WR coach as Washington. Look for crisp, sharp routes now and guys who finally know how to use something other than athleticism to get open.

There is a lot to be excited about concerning our young WR's.

I'm not totally convinced of this just yet.

Granted, Morgan struggled last year at a scary 47% But that was against people like Florida, LSU and SC. Smith was a modest 54% against much more manageable competition, AND he had the benefit of better line play when those guys started to get healthy and gelled.

Both need to pick it up in 2012.

I *think* he does, but there's been no evidence just yet. All we saw him complete in his starts last year were sideways variety. Gotta see him go downfield vs. SEC competition before we can say for sure.

For anything good Coach Brooks did for UK, it didn't include capitalizing on the 2006 & 2007 seasons' successes with improved recruiting in 2008-09.

It was sooo obvious to sooooo many UK football fans.. The folks at rivals.com said no program capitalized less with their on-field success into better recruiting than UK. Yet, most of the sunshine pumpers at the time were all saying "Rich Brooks and his staff are better talent evaluators than some computer geeks who are ranking this class so low." Now, the ardent Joker defenders (whom at the time were defending those recruiting classes) are going back and pointing to those classes as the reason Joker is struggling.

Max Smith has a quiet confidence about him without arrogance that instills confidence in the players surrounding him. That's a precious and rare commodity for a freshman to have. When Qbs enter a game and are intimidated it is immediately detected by the opposing team and they feed on it incessantly. Max just needs more experience to really blossom. I get the sense that Towles has this same quality. Russell may have it as well but who knows for sure.

i meant collins. i think cunningham is gonna be the possesion guy when king is gone.