TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: ESPN Grades Cats

This is topic ESPN Grades Cats in forum UK / NCAA Football at TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.thecatsdomain.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=005353

Posted by prophet (Member # 2089) on 07-09-2008, 01:46 PM:

As part of their recap and evaluation of SEC East ESPN appraised UK:

Grading the Wildcats

Offense C
Special teams B
Defense B-
Intangibles C

They went on to say that 7 wins will be difficult but not impossible and gave much credit to coaching staff.

Posted by Max Beasley (Member # 1320) on 07-09-2008, 02:57 PM:

It would be interesting to break those down a little more and see how the defensive line, linebackers and secondary each score and likewise with the other categories (i.e-offense-line, recievers, backs)....I don't see the ESPN grade as being too far off, but I'm cautiously optimistic that we grade out better when its all said and done.

Posted by prophet (Member # 2089) on 07-09-2008, 03:47 PM:

I'm a tiny bit more optimistic on the letter grades myself, Max Beasley. As in all grading systems it would be interesting to note what the standards are: other SEC teams, NCAA D1A or, perhaps, UK last year. I can't comment on special teams although both kickers return, or on something so nebulous as "Intangibles" but:

As for offense, I expect the running game to be equal or better since the running backs and line have more depth and experience; the big drop off is in the passing game of course. So I would say, as compared to last year's B+, this year would be C+.

I opine that ESPN misses the continued improvement of Cats defense and that the only critical loss was Wesley Woodyard, thus a B+.

I do agree 7 wins will be very difficult.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 07-10-2008, 07:10 AM:

From all I am reading, Hartline seems to be a much more competent leader than I first thought him to be.

This is important, because his arm strength, 'touch', field acumen, and ability to scramble are of secondary importance to leadership ability. I think our offense will be far better than some may suppose. Yes, we will run more. Yes, until we develop our thin receiving corps, we will likely not have as much of an ability for deep strikes. But with a decent-to-good offensive line, a strong, capable leader at QB, and a stable of fast, experienced running backs, we have the ability to be an effective, if not explosive, offensive team. I expect UK to grade out a solid B on offense next year.

Defensively, I hope to see us pick up where we left off last year and continue our ascension. Our secondary should be good-to-excellent, and our linebackers also. The D-line is (as usual) our question mark. If those guys up front can step it up a notch, get into the backfield on a regular basis, and stuff the run, the D should grade out a B+ this year.

Special teams? Speed usually is the deciding factor in good special teams play, and we are building quite a nucleus of young speedsters that need to get on the field. With the return of both of our kickers, I see good things happening here. B+ as well?

As far as intangibles go, we lost a very motivated, talented group of players to the NFL this year. But, most accounts indicate that that group didn't just lead by example, the passed on the torch of leadership and desire to their heirs. Plus, a somewhat heated race for the QB position, a stable of good RBs vying for PT, and a whole bevy of untried receivers jockeying for position usually makes for a good atmosphere. If these things are managed well, then intangibles ought to be fine.

In short, I am quite optimistic about next year. We know we have capable coaches, and the talent level is improving incrementally each year. As long as the hunger for success remains strong, then 7 wins is quite possible.

Posted by Brandon (Member # 108) on 07-10-2008, 11:11 AM:

In my opinion, When you look at Hartline you should see a Jared Lorenzen type of QB, just not as heavy and not quite the same arm strength (he's not going to kneel on the 50 yard line and be able to throw it through the goalposts) but he does have good arm strength and nice touch. He's about as mobile as Woodson was and he's a smart decision maker. He needs some work on looking off the defenders and, like Woodson, he can get a tendency to lock on to a receiver but that's something that can be overcome with coaching. It might take a few games for Hartline to get his legs firmly under him but I think he will be OK by the first of October.

I don't know what intangibles is supposed to encompass in the ESPN grading scale but I think UK's defense will be very good this season. Lindley is the best there is in the secondary and I really look for Micah Johnson to finally come into his own.

Special teams. While setting up a nice return is always exciting, the punt and kickoff coverage teams are what I get really intense and serious about. I think the 25 yard line on a kickoff is the maximum the return guy should get to and 5 yards on a punt return (10 yards if the punt is really long 50+yards). I would really like to see the kicker be able to hit consistently from 50 yards on a FG try, and I would like to see a few more fakes ran by the Special teams.

So, I think UK is a B overall. They have room for improvement but they have established a solid base. I think they have 7 wins in the bag. Maybe they could get fortunate and upset a Georgia or Tennessee or Florida and get to 8 or 9 wins, but I feel safe in saying 7 definite wins.

Posted by jsence2 (Member # 2477) on 07-23-2008, 07:57 PM:

ESPN didn't give us this rating.

Blue Ribbon did, ESPN has a deal with them.

They did give a full breakdown, but you have to have ESPN Insider to view it. I would post it here but odds are the mods would take it down.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 07-23-2008, 08:17 PM:

In a way it would be nice for hartline to get the qb job and pulley be moved to wide receiver!