The House of Blue

I was encouraged by the play of a lot of our young players but would like to see the number ones against each other before becoming too excited about the Cats prospects this year.

IMO the DTs are solid and the DEs are much improved from last year. The lack of depth at DT is however troubling.

The LBs although young showed signs of being able to overcome the loss of Trevathan and Guy at least physically but the leadership of those two is sure going to be missed.

I liked the look of Caffey at one corner but Rice got hurt early so it was difficult to make much of an evaluation of him. Back up is going to be problematic unless some of the incoming Freshmen can contribute early

I thought that the skill positions on offense seemed to be much better than last year. WR Robinson looked like a play maker and he caught most of the passes that were catchable. Collins showed promise but still seemed tenative. I wonder if he is still worried about his knee. The suprise of the night IMO was the contribution of the TEs to the offense.

The first team OL stood up well against the second team DL but truthfully back up DL would seem to be a big problem. Back up OL also seemed problematic.

Did UK accually play the fullback. If so I didnt notice it. It was also difficult to gage the RBs because they were not used a lot. I thought George on the second team ran hard when given a chance. IMO Clemons or one of the incoming Freshmen will need to step up this fall at this position.

I really didnt know what to think of the shotgun pass first attack because it is a big departure from the balanced attack that Joker and Saunders seem to prefer. The quick no huddle with little of the check with me was also a departure from what has been the normal offense in the past. I liked it.

Could this be preperation to get Towles feet wet early this fall. That offense looked simular to what they run at Highlands.

It was difficult to make much of an evaluation of back up QB Russell because he got little help from his OL and WR. I thought however he showed a strong arm, had good QB presence, and is athletic. I would like to see what he could do if put with the first team. He manufactored 2 TDs without a lot of help from his OL and WRs. IMO both Russell and Smith are upgrades over Newton.

RB is always the last position I ever worry about. A great one can make you special, but you're never going to be "bad" at that spot. O-Lines can make your RBs.

Generally I agree, but I don't agree that you're never going to be "bad" at the RB spot. While a good or bad OL will make or break your RB production (as will being a true threat to pass the ball and spread the field), you absolutely can have "bad" RB's who don't get much production when given the chance by the OL and passing game. Some RB's simply don't see the hole quickly enough or don't see things developing in front of them so they know where to anticipate running space. Your line can do all the work in the world, but if your RB is one of these guys who just runs straight to his assigned spot every time and hopes for a huge lane, you don't stand a chance unless you have an NFL caliber OL blocking a truly inferior opponent. You can't just squeeze the ball, lower your head and run straight to the hole and hope everything works out.

^Yeah, don't get me wrong about my last post. I am not the LEAST bit worried about our RB's. Clemons is a stud, and I expect Mobley and Taylor to be studs as well; although Taylor may need to rehab for another year. I like Williams as a #2 guy, or #3 if oneof the freshmen steps up big like Clemons did last year. I have never hidden my lack of confidence in Sanders as a premiere, go-to back in the SEC, but like you note, he has rarely been healthy enough to prove one way or the other. I would love to see us be able to rotate Clemons/Williams/Sanders/and a freshman throughout games and then bring George in during the 2nd half, primarily in short yardage situations, as a rested bull to wear down the opponent.

I agree with that, although the truly dynamic, game-changing RB's are not that easy to find or get. By that, I am talking about the guys who are clearly on another level or who opponents will gameplan around. You know, the guys who block well, have great vision, have good moves and quickness to make cuts, can catch well, and who hit the hole fully-cocked and springloaded in the pissed off position. Those are the truly special ones that you may only find on your team once in a blue moon.

Huh? You are looking at the wrong guy I think.

You are probably going by uniform numbers. There are two 41's. Paschal, who has been measured at 6'4" many times and Chad Merida a walk on RB who is listed at 5'10". Both are 41.

He's not 5'11. I got a good look at Paschal & Huguenin and both are legit 6'3 - 6'4.