UK Perceived Quarterback Issue Not Really an Issued?

By: LONNY DEMAREE

The offensive brain trust of the UK coaching staff has had a week to mull over the direction of the offense under the quarterbacking direction.

I am not one in the media or the BBN that believes there is an issue with the quarterbacking. There perhaps there needs to be a restructuring of the offensive philosophy, not the offense. Do not confuse yourself with what Marks Stoops hangs his hat on. And that is the power- running.

The running of Chris Rodriquez proves the Blue Wall still works for the Cats. The shortcoming of the Blue Wall so far this season has been pass-protection. As Stoops has said many times the execution of the quarterback depends on how well the players surrounding him are a big key. Even in the absence of an effective passing game, Rodriquez is showing himself to be a stud running back. Much like Lynn Bowden when the defense knew what was coming and could not stop it. Rodriquez is the top-rated running back in the SEC averaging 7.5-yard a carry.

As for the passing game, in the words of Sinatra “Not a Good Year.” The questions are, will the coaching staff take a different turn during the off-week? That does not entail restructuring the offense. It is taking what you have and applying a few tweaks in the mental game-planning philosophy.
The running of football is a safe approach to the UK’s ability to winning the SEC? To approaches what the thinking is, safe passes thereby the tunnel vision to Josh Ali when there are other receivers open. The quarterbacks appear to be programmed that way. All the deep passes most of which have been overthrows indicate the conservative nature of the offense.

Stoops said they intend to bring along Mike Drennen, Izayah Cummings, and a healthy Bryce Oliver during the open week.
Coach Eddie has been in the game for a long time and has proven a lot as evidence of the elevating of Bowden last season. Based on what we saw in Cincinnati before coming to the UK we believe if allowed he can bring along some of those passing concepts.
What we saw in Joey Gatewood’s first start against the stalwart defense of Georgia was a microcosm of his poise in the pocket and with a tweak of the approach in what he is allowed to do can be successful.

We have seen the effectiveness of Terry Wilson in the past. With the offensive approach of just running the football will not win in the SEC – or may be focusing primarily on the running game in practice.

My grade for to this point

Quarterback - D minus

Receivers – F

Running Backs – A-minus

Offensive line – C+

Tight Ends – C

Defensive line - B

Linebackers – A

Secondary – A

Special Teams – B+

The off week will reveal the changes that supposedly the coaching staff has
made.

The major question in my mind is why the carousel with receiving coaches?