The House of Blue

I'm not sure I'd agree with you on the attitude thing, but I don't wanna get into all that because this thread will most def turn into a clusterf___.

The fanbase was so split over Newton that any time his name comes up people are going to get worked up. I never bought in on Morgan. I'm not sayin he doesn't have the talent or wasn't (or still isn't) capable...I just don't think he will ever have enough support on or off the field to ever be the starter again.

The good news however is that unlike in the past, we have some options at the position now and some serious potential.

Newton has what I call no football speed. Just has terrible quickness. Once he gets a full head of steam he's fast but thats about it and it doesn't translate to the field very well.

He also has no touch on the football. Max Smith is better already. Thats not really saying much but he is.

I don't know if I can see him on defense...but TE is a possibility. Pretty solidly built kid so I can see him maybe having success there. Is there anyway we could have a play where he lines up in the slot and he throws it downfield?

I have to agree. It is not about straight ahead speed. Quickness and ability to make quick decisions made Ramsey outstanding. He was devastating in Curci's option offense. I think Newton is too far along to change positions. I think he either goes through his senior year as a back up or transfers to a school where he can get on the field as a guaranteed starter.

Morgan was by far their best QB in spring and fall camp last year. A lot of what happened with the offense early in 2011 had to do with having an O-Line that was beat to death, WRs that couldn't catch and no running game. Then he goes and plays Florida, LSU and South Carolina and has his confidence completely crushed. He never recovered, mentally or physically.

He deserves at the very least an opportunity to compete, if he's healthy. And if Maxwell is the best guy, he'll be the one on the field against Louisville. Staff will do the right thing.

To me the key part is "was by far their best QB in spring and fall camp last year". To me, Newton appeared to be one of those guys that looks great in a controlled environment like practice, but when it came to live action, he was lost. I also thought at times his body language was terrible on the field. Even in the early part of the season, when things did not go well he hung his head and did not look confident or like a leader. I wish him the best and if he can get healthy and turn it around, great. I just think that there are better options.

This is true. Once he gets a head of steam (see WKU run), his top end speed is scootin. But if he has to go east-west or change direction at all, he looks like an 18-wheeler.

That said, he'll have to play from behind with no spring ball but I think he's the type of kid that by the time fall rolls around, will fight for his position.

If he's the back-up, I can see some snaps in the Wildcat. How many I'm not sure.

Great post Jeff,

And I agree with everything you said. There have been flashes of decent play out of Newton, unfortunately he has not had a good supporting cast around him whether it's from injuries, poor play, or lack of talent. It seems during the Brooks/Phillips era our QB's take a tremendous leap in play in their Jr and Sr yrs. We have no idea how good Newton could've been during this past yr due to the horrid play of the o-line and WR's. Granted he didn't play well, but then again who on offense did....aside from a couple RB's.

Now he has had surgery which means that he is missing some valuable reps between now and the fall. Smith looked ok at times this past yr. Couple the surgery and decent play out of Smith and it spells potential problems for Newton. He still has the ability to be a back up next yr, take a RS, or potentially compete for the starting role.

I would not be in favor of switching him to a different position. He only has a yr to learn wherever position he would be assigned to. TE seems to be the only one that he is built for and we already have a huge crop of guys there who know the position way more than he does. Why move him to a position knowing the entire time that he would be buried on the depth chart for his Sr yr? Doesn't make sense. Instead coming off surgery he makes a very capable back-up QB and enables the ability to RS other QB prospects. Now that makes sense.

Yes

God, I hope not. He needs to redshirt and use the year to figure out and work on another position. Would give him a chance to play an extra year with his brother. If he has a mean streak, might make a good D-end. TE is full.....

Worst in 40 years? Kinda harsh don't you think?

I'll take the optimistic view:

At worst: maybe he is a Chris Relph type QB that we can run the spread and have a limited passing game with. He can be used to change-up the pace or give Smith a blow for a drive or two.

At Best: through his rehab he learns to actually put a little touch on the ball, refines his technique and becomes a more natural thrower as opposed to guy out throwing BB's at guys 5 yds away.

I'm not done with the young man and think he can be effective in small doses this year to help us move the ball or change field position by picking up a couple of first downs. Regardless, he seems to be a decent kid, hard worker, good athlete, just hasn't panned out to be the savior at QB for Kentucky.

I do like Smith's potential as a thrower and love that we signed Towles, this kid looks for real.