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QB: Joker chooses team over himself

  • http://kentucky.247sports.com/Article/Embattled-Kentucky-coach-ignores-path-to-certain-job-security-86716

    Supporters love him, critics loath him. But there is only one acceptable response from both camps to Joker Phillips’ move to name Maxwell Smith as starting QB – respect him.

    Darrell Bird

  • Very good points. If he had named Towles as QB, Mobley as TB, Sweat and LeGree as WR it would had generated a lot of buzz about the future at the expense of this season.

    But in the end, could putting all these "more talented" young players in starting positions have actually been the best decisions for the future of UK Football?

    This post has been edited 3 times, most recently by Big Sarge on 8/24/2012 at 9:41 AM

    signature image

    Big Sarge

  • No it would have been like throwing a year's eligibility away for all these kids, besides if Joker is not retained after this year some of these kids may want to transfer. Joker did take the high road and did whats best for everybody involved. He did the same thing last year by not pulling the RS off Cobbins, when Smith went down. Regardless of what you think of Joker as a coach he is a class act, and always puts himself last when it comes to doing what is right.

    Suchy500

  • I guess starting Towles over Smith, Newton, and possibly Whitlow would likely have been a bad decision by all accounts. A) You probably are throwing guy into action who likely isn't ready; B) it's not clear that he's even the best Frosh QB in the program based on what's being said about Whitlow, let alone the best QB on the team; and C) Smith sounds like he has taken this team and offense by the reigns and has become the ultimate leader.......in addtion to his excellent passing skills.

    And the argument that Joker could hide behind the inexperience of a true freshman QB can really also be said for Smith. He's a true sophomore and started 3-4 games last year. Although he's not green, it's not a whole lot of experience to hang your hat on either.

    Really enjoy the articles being posted on this site to generate some good healthy discussion about our Fball team this year. Good work staff!

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by Chiuk on 8/24/2012 at 10:27 AM

    Chiuk

  • Thanks Chiuk.

    Darrell Bird

  • Darrell I think you will see Towles playing before all is said and done this year.

    Oldschoolcat

  • Not arguing anything, just curious. If Smith does a good job, not great but good, what happens to Towles next year, and the next.?

    poliglotcat

  • Next year Towles will be competing for the job again, just like this year. If he doesn't win the job outright, the following year he will compete for the job again.

    Suchy500

  • poliglotcat said...

    Not arguing anything, just curious. If Smith does a good job, not great but good, what happens to Towles next year, and the next.?

    Nothing wrong with Smith having to win (and earn) the starting job every year. Will be healthy competition IMO.

    signature image

    Chris Fisher ●

  • Darrell, I respectfully disagree with this statement in your article "The rookie is the most heralded and hyped quarterback from the Bluegrass State since Tim Couch. ". I would make an argument that Brian Brohm was the last 'most heralded QB recruit' from KY. I know that Couch played at UK and Brohm didnt, but Brohm put up almost exact numbers as Towles. That said, I think Towles has a higher ceiling that Brohm and might be able to match Couch's long term success.

    Cats Den ●

  • Towles seems like a great young man with loads of talent and potential but right now, in my opinion, he's still just a prospect. I just have serious questions about the level he played at in high school. I honestly don't think if he'd play this year he'd be any better than Max Smith was nor even remotely as prepared..and Smith looked lost.

    Couch and Brohm were nationally touted, highly coveted, record breaking prospects. Zeke Pike had a better offer sheet and was more highly regarded and he was all hype and a good lesson on how to market your athletic child if nothing else in this day and age of camps, recruiting services, etc.

    MoC

  • Brohm was great. I was speaking exclusively about UK guys.

    We'll see how it plays out but joker has talked before about ideal set up of having a starting QB for 2 years. He graduates and next guy steps in for his jr and sr years this mext guy for 2 and so on

    Darrell Bird

  • MoC said...

    Towles seems like a great young man with loads of talent and potential but right now, in my opinion, he's still just a prospect. I just have serious questions about the level he played at in high school. I honestly don't think if he'd play this year he'd be any better than Max Smith was nor even remotely as prepared..and Smith looked lost.

    Couch and Brohm were nationally touted, highly coveted, record breaking prospects. Zeke Pike had a better offer sheet and was more highly regarded and he was all hype and a good lesson on how to market your athletic child if nothing else in this day and age of camps, recruiting services, etc.

    MoC despite your post I'm confident that you're smarter than a coal bucket.

    Oldschoolcat

  • Oldschoolcat said...

    MoC despite your post I'm confident that you're smarter than a coal bucket.

    If this was supposed to be humorous, use the emoticons available on this site. They help avoid misinterpretations.

    If not jocular, then personal attacks on posters are frowned upon here. Please be more judicious.

    I am who I am, said he who is. 15,235

    7lives

  • I don't believe that anyone who follows football considered that anyone besides Smith could be the starting QB this year. Joker did what he had to and what he is supposed to do as a coach. I disagree that if this team is bad that there is any way Joker keeps his job. Starting Towles doesn't offer any job security for Joker. This year is really about the direction of the program which is a much bigger issue than any recruit.

    zcats

  • With respect, I really don't think who Joker starts or doesn't start is going to have much effect on his ultimate fate. Fans are not going to give any coach a break if they experience another 30 point drubbing by Vanderbilt of all teams and limp through another 5 win or less season, even if JC himself is under center. If anything the fans would attack Joker for starting a true freshmen out of "desperation". I think what's best for the team and players is also best for the coaches.

    "Ignorance is constricted awareness" - Deepak Chopra

    Deeeefense

  • Oldschoolcat said...

    Darrell I think you will see Towles playing before all is said and done this year.

    I hope you are wrong because if Towles plays, it means that our season went down the drain. This kid needs to redshirt, no matter what some of you think, for his future alone he should redshirt.

    UKlaw82

  • MoC said...

    Towles seems like a great young man with loads of talent and potential but right now, in my opinion, he's still just a prospect. I just have serious questions about the level he played at in high school. I honestly don't think if he'd play this year he'd be any better than Max Smith was nor even remotely as prepared..and Smith looked lost.

    Couch and Brohm were nationally touted, highly coveted, record breaking prospects. Zeke Pike had a better offer sheet and was more highly regarded and he was all hype and a good lesson on how to market your athletic child if nothing else in this day and age of camps, recruiting services, etc.

    This is why we discuss things because some are so wrong on here. I believe Towles will make you eat alot of crow before he leaves UK.

    UKlaw82

  • 7lives said...

    If this was supposed to be humorous, use the emoticons available on this site. They help avoid misinterpretations.

    If not jocular, then personal attacks on posters are frowned upon here. Please be more judicious.

    I take it if the truth hurts, you must lie on here. :)

    UKlaw82

  • UKlaw82 said...

    I take it if the truth hurts, you must lie on here. :)

    Wrong. The truth is Ok as long as there is no attack on the poster.

    EDIT: Saw your smiley face after I posted. Sorry. Bi-focals don't help.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by 7lives on 8/26/2012 at 4:47 AM

    I am who I am, said he who is. 15,235

    7lives

  • MoC said...

    Towles seems like a great young man with loads of talent and potential but right now, in my opinion, he's still just a prospect. I just have serious questions about the level he played at in high school. I honestly don't think if he'd play this year he'd be any better than Max Smith was nor even remotely as prepared..and Smith looked lost.

    Couch and Brohm were nationally touted, highly coveted, record breaking prospects. Zeke Pike had a better offer sheet and was more highly regarded and he was all hype and a good lesson on how to market your athletic child if nothing else in this day and age of camps, recruiting services, etc.

    "serious questions about the level he played at in HS" ??? Really?? PT was a three year starter at a school that has DOMINATED the state (T excluded) for decades. Played against national powers, won three straight 5/4 A state titles...not much else to accomplish. And to mention ZP in the same breath as PT as a QB is absurd. Anyone who has followed the careers of both players in HS knows hands down that there is no question who the plum recruit is. ZP was only "more highly regarded" by the one's who drank the kool-aid and bought the hype...which WAS text book marketing. You are entitled to your opinion and here's mine: Pat Towles is going to have a stellar career at UK. It may not begin this year, (I hope he redshirts), but he will do very well at UK...IF they put some pieces around him. NO QB can do it all by himself....except Tebow LOL!

    AlbinoRhino

  • Oldschoolcat said...

    Darrell I think you will see Towles playing before all is said and done this year.

    Redshirt all the way...he will only be on the field during warm-ups, timeouts, and post game celebrations.

    jimlowe7 ●

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