The thing is, Towles is a ferocious competitor. He wants to take on the wolves.....and slay them. He's not afraid of wolves at all.

 

Personally, I believe the adversity Towles is going through can be a very valuable life lesson. Things always don't go as well as one likes. You fight through it and you become a better person for it.

 

 

Now for my pent up feelings on Joker's handling of the QB position and it's effect on UK this year and in the future:

 

It's tough on every college freshmen playing at the D-1 level, because the year before, they each most likely were "the man" on their high school team. Certainly was the case with Towles. Making it more difficult is to be told by your college football coach during the recruiting phase that you would not be red shirted and then when you report, you are not given much of a chance to actually compete for the starting position in camp (because the competion was pretty much limited to Smith vs Newton from what I'm told by pretty reliable folks) and then to make matters worse, you are red shirted when you were told you would not be. Not a smart way for Joker to handle things. It's hard enough to recruit the better Kentucky high school players as it is; then when you finally land one, you tell him one thing and do another. Furthermore, you just know that the opposing coaches recruiting against UK tell the recruits: "why would you want to go to UK? Heck, the best football players from Kentucky don't even go to UK. Dawson went to USC; Collinsworth to Notre Dame; Quick went to (it wont be UK and the same with Hatcher). Heck, the Towles kid did stick with UK out of loyalty and look how it's turned out for him. Told he wouldn't be redshirted when being recruited and just a few months later, Joker reneged on his word. Why on God's green earth would you want to play there?"

 

The handling of the qb position by Joker the last couple of years is rather disappointing to me. Joker seems to love a running QB. Perhaps because he was one, correct? He stuck with Newton way too long because Joker felt Newton could win games with his legs. The problem was, Joker didn't see that Newton would lose games with his arm. Joker to me, seemed too infatuated with having a running QB to see that. He desperately wanted Newton to be something he wasn't: a SEC QB. The announcers mentioned the shoulder surgery as some type of rationale for his terrible passing against Florida. News flash: Newton wasn't an accurate passer before the surgery from what I recall seeing. Newton should have been moved to another offensive position (slot receiver; small receiving TE) at the latest, after the end of last season when it was apparent to almost all, that Smith could get the job done at the QB position. The QB competition this year shouldn't have involved Newton Newton is athletically gifted. It's not like UK has a plethora of athletic talent, and more importantly, senior leadership on offense. Newton standing on the sidelines is a waste of athletic ability and senior leadership. Perhaps if Joker had seen what was at the end of his nose after last season, Newton could be on the field this season at another position helping this team win. Instead of Newton taking snaps during camp as he and Smith competed for the starting position, he should have been getting snaps at a position he could help the team and Smith, Whitlow and Towles should have been getting all the QB snaps. UK does not have the luxury of absorbing bone headed decisions and wasted opportunities by its coaches.

 

Goodness, just think of how our recruitment of Florida players would have skyrocketed had we beat Florida last week. I blame that loss totally and I mean totally on Joker's handling of the QB position in camp this summer.

 

As to Whitlock and Towles, I hope I wrong, but I'm afraid that Joker, if he continues as the head coach, will make the same mistake he made with Newton and Smith. Because Joker seemingly loves a running QB, he might go with Whitlock as the QB and Towles, if he stays, will be regulated to being the back up until his last year. Wouldn't it make more sense to have Towles at the QB spot and Whitlow use his athleticism at another position? If I'm right about Joker, it will have been not only a waste of incredible talent but a black mark on the recruitment of Kentucky players.

 

In order for UK to ever be a real competitor in the SEC, it must, absolutely must, get 80% of the D-1 talent from Kentucky each year. That's a difficult challenge given UK's past football record, which challenge is made even more difficult given what Strong is doing at UL. Add to those problems the telling of a highly recruited Kentucky kid he won't be redshirted, then redshirting him and having another true frosh out there playing QB instead, will make it almost impossible for UK to sign 10% of the D-1 level Kentucky high school football players, much less anything approaching 80%.

 

I don't care what it takes and how much it costs, but UK has to convince Jon Gruden to coach at UK. Dang it, if South Carolina can convince Spurrier to take the job there, we should be able to convince Gruden to take the job at UK. He has the name and pedigree to convince top level high school players to go to UK. He can use the same recruiting approach Cal does: "I've coached at the pro level. I know what it takes and I know how to prepare you to play at that level. Best case for all: you and other studs commit to UK and we win the SEC. Worst case scenario for you: we don't win the SEC but I've still taught you what you need to play in the NFL, you get drafted, make big bucks and you and your family are set for life."

 

And for the record, I was the stauchest supporter of Joker up until the Florida game. I actually felt terrible for the Newton kid. Joker had to throw him out there because Joker mis-handled the QB position so poorly during the summer. I don't care whether it was Whitlow or Towles who came out of summer camp as the back up, but those 2 should have been competing for the back up spot the entire summer camp, and the one that won that competition should have been ready to come into the Florida game when Smith couldn't play. There should have been no QB competition between Smith and Newton. It should have been Smith's job to lose to one of the two frosh and Newton should have used the time to learn another position that he is capable of contributing at.

 

I feel better.....for now.

 

If Gruden came to UK they'd be top 10 within 2 years. Unfortunately I think that's a dream and not even close to being a possibility.

Think it's a bad move for Towles at this point of the season....he will waste a year IMO

 

While I would've like it to be red shirt period or start from the get go I'm not sure it matters. Like LN said the kid is a competitor I think they need to unleash the beast.

Unfortunately, you are correct.

Ditto for 1979.

If Gruden came to UK they'd be top 10 within 2 years. .

 

Uhh, no.

I'm on record as saying I wanted him to redshirt.

 

With that said, I'm extremely excited to see him play.

 

My thoughts as well. I wanted to see him redshirted and given time to adjust but if that's not the way it's going to go then let's get behind this young man and see what he can do.

Uhh, no.

 

It's easy to say that sense it won't happen. If it does then get back at me, I will gladly accept your appology.

While I would've like it to be red shirt period or start from the get go I'm not sure it matters. Like LN said the kid is a competitor I think they need to unleash the beast.

 

"Unleash the beast", I like it !

 

I would like to see Patrick play, this year. I would also like to know the EXACT words that Joker told Pat before he signed on the dotted line.

 

Nobody is breaking in the UK door to play football, so they finally get a good one that actually wants to play there,and Joker doesn't know how to handle it.

I'm on record as saying I wanted him to redshirt.

 

With that said, I'm extremely excited to see him play.

 

Word up, Clizzy!!!!!

If Gruden came to UK they'd be top 10 within 2 years. Unfortunately I think that's a dream and not even close to being a possibility.

 

Have to agree with Clyde; it would take longer than two years. But I believe it would happen. Perhaps it is a dream. Then again, I'm sure some thought SC folks were dreaming as they went after Spurrier. I just hope Barnhart tries in earnest to get him. Younger brother will be right up the road with the Bengals. Lexington is a great place to live. Huge ego boost if he is successful. Why not give it a shot? Turn Cal loose on him.

This brings us to next year. It looks like they will have Smith, whitlow, and Towles all with three years of left. My best guess is that the new coach picks one of the three in the spring. The other two will be gone. More wasted schollys.

 

You are likely right, although I could see Whitlow making the move to wide receiver and playing a Randall Cobb-type role for UK. But I would expect either Towles or Smith to be gone after the spring.

Hate to see Patrick caught up in the drama but I have no doubt he'll get through it, making himself and UK better in the process. Still looking forward to seeing him on tv each Saturday.

You are likely right, although I could see Whitlow making the move to wide receiver and playing a Randall Cobb-type role for UK. But I would expect either Towles or Smith to be gone after the spring.

 

It will be interesting to see if Max Smith's injury leads him to getting Pipped.

Gruden has been turning down NFL and big-time college offers. Why come to UK, when he's never been a college coach? When he is reportedly very happy and well compensated on Monday night football?

 

Can anyone tell me why it would happen, and not just why it would be awesome?

Gruden has been turning down NFL and big-time college offers. Why come to UK, when he's never been a college coach? When he is reportedly very happy and well compensated on Monday night football?

 

Can anyone tell me why it would happen, and not just why it would be awesome?

 

Because sometimes these coaches need a challenge in life. Sometimes they get bored. Wasn't Gruden in talks with Notre Dame before they hired Brian Kelly? Sure he's a pro guy but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be approached. If UK flirted with Parcells I'd like to see them flirt with Gruden.

So the new thing to do if you get red shirted is throw a fit till they finally decide to play you?