Just go to youtube and you will see Newton. He can run the ball well to. If not this year, it will be next. He will be the man here.

 

Granted I've only pretty much seen video on the kid but my take (which obviously isn't super expert) is that:

-He has a very good and live arm, it's not the best I've ever seen but he's not weak.

-I think his footwork is a little sloppy. It has gotten better (have seen tape of his 10-12 grade years), but you can tell he's played alot in the gun. You need great footwork for for Joker's quick game.

-Looks like, especially, earlier in his HS career he ran some veer. Decision making is suppose to be one of his strong suits, and I think that the veer is a great way to improve on that because you have to react so quickly.

-He is athletic, but he doesn't play at his listed speed. I'd have a hard time taking that 4.5 forty time as legit.

-Do any of you guys think that he has a slight hitch in his throwing motion. The tape I've seen is great quality, but something just didn't look right. He still throws a nice ball, but alot of mechanical errors can hurt you in the SEC.

 

Basically, I think he has some work to do, but I think that he would benefit from some reps. He may be a good enough athlete to survive in the SEC this season with the right play calling. I'm not saying that UK would be a great SEC team with him, but it's possible that they wouldn't be that much worse. Obviously, his ceiling is much higher than Hartline's.

Coach Brooks was asked on his radio show about using the back up QB, and he replied.. "He is nowhere near the #1 QB as getting the offense into their formation and you cannot ask a freshman to play against the SEC type teams at this point".

 

I wonder about the Buckeyes last year starting their freshman and taking their lumps and now look how well he is doing. I also wonder what would happen if the starter had to leave for a few plays and the Cats were forced to use someone, is it fair to stick Cobb in there? He can run the Wildcat but the passing has to suffer with the timing and so forth.

Coach Brooks was asked on his radio show about using the back up QB, and he replied.. "He is nowhere near the #1 QB as getting the offense into their formation and you cannot ask a freshman to play against the SEC type teams at this point".

 

I wonder about the Buckeyes last year starting their freshman and taking their lumps and now look how well he is doing. I also wonder what would happen if the starter had to leave for a few plays and the Cats were forced to use someone, is it fair to stick Cobb in there? He can run the Wildcat but the passing has to suffer with the timing and so forth.

 

Brooks is old-fashioned. In today's game, frosh QB's are much more well-prepared than in the older days. I'm not saying play on of the Frosh, but to say that they COULD NOT do it is a little far fetched for me.

 

For one example: I know that the Big 10 isn't close to the SEC, but Michigan plays two Frosh, and Forcier has shown that a Freshman can play, and can play well. It's not out of this world.

 

We don't know how Newton or "Moss" compare to other frosh who have stepped into major playing time, but it is possible that they could do it. Especially when you compare them to what Hartline can and is allowed to do.

A couple of points to consider...

 

1. As you already alluded to, the Big Ten isn't as difficult as the SEC. You're asking the freshmen at UK to go against the most difficult week in and week out schedule in the nation.

 

2. It's Kentucky, not Michigan or Ohio State. Pryor and Forcier are playing for the top teams in the Big Ten...they're surrounded by better talent and generally they're facing easier competition. The guys at UK would be facing better competition without having the benefit of blue chip talent all around them.

 

Big difference, IMO. I'm not against one of those guys, or any freshman, playing, but I don't want a change just for the sake of change. Brooks has done a great job at UK and I trust his judgment.

 

I will say this though. I fully expect to see Newton or Moss as the starting QB heading into the 2010 season regardless of what happens the rest of '09. No way they can go into the next season with Hartline starting again after what we've seen (or not seen) from him for two years now.

 

Also, I think UK should run some Wildcat stuff with Cobb. Simply put, it's another way to get your best player the football. Relying on Hartline to get him the ball in good positions is risky to say the least.

A couple of points to consider...

 

1. As you already alluded to, the Big Ten isn't as difficult as the SEC. You're asking the freshmen at UK to go against the most difficult week in and week out schedule in the nation.

 

2. It's Kentucky, not Michigan or Ohio State. Pryor and Forcier are playing for the top teams in the Big Ten...they're surrounded by better talent and generally they're facing easier competition. The guys at UK would be facing better competition without having the benefit of blue chip talent all around them.

 

Big difference, IMO. I'm not against one of those guys, or any freshman, playing, but I don't want a change just for the sake of change. Brooks has done a great job at UK and I trust his judgment.

 

I will say this though. I fully expect to see Newton or Moss as the starting QB heading into the 2010 season regardless of what happens the rest of '09. No way they can go into the next season with Hartline starting again after what we've seen (or not seen) from him for two years now.

 

Also, I think UK should run some Wildcat stuff with Cobb. Simply put, it's another way to get your best player the football. Relying on Hartline to get him the ball in good positions is risky to say the least.

 

:thumb:

 

Isn't Barkley the first freshman QB at USC to walk in and start?

 

Saying that the rest of the nation is doing it is way off.

A couple of points to consider...

 

1. As you already alluded to, the Big Ten isn't as difficult as the SEC. You're asking the freshmen at UK to go against the most difficult week in and week out schedule in the nation.

 

2. It's Kentucky, not Michigan or Ohio State. Pryor and Forcier are playing for the top teams in the Big Ten...they're surrounded by better talent and generally they're facing easier competition. The guys at UK would be facing better competition without having the benefit of blue chip talent all around them.

 

Big difference, IMO. I'm not against one of those guys, or any freshman, playing, but I don't want a change just for the sake of change. Brooks has done a great job at UK and I trust his judgment.

 

I will say this though. I fully expect to see Newton or Moss as the starting QB heading into the 2010 season regardless of what happens the rest of '09. No way they can go into the next season with Hartline starting again after what we've seen (or not seen) from him for two years now.

 

Also, I think UK should run some Wildcat stuff with Cobb. Simply put, it's another way to get your best player the football. Relying on Hartline to get him the ball in good positions is risky to say the least.

 

Forcier's job is much harder than any of the UK QB's they could put into the game. SEC's tougher but Michigan is so young and inexperienced. At least most of UK's team has some experience and veteran leadership. If he can do it and do it well, then another freshman could get it done in the SEC. The essentially treat Hartline like a Frosh. I just don't buy all of that. Especially since after UF, Bama, and Tennesse, most of the SEC defense look a little weak this year.

:thumb:

 

Isn't Barkley the first freshman QB at USC to walk in and start?

 

Saying that the rest of the nation is doing it is way off.

 

Who said that? I've just said that it can be done. There wouldn't be much difference given the play calls UK uses now.

Who said that? I've just said that it can be done. There wouldn't be much difference given the play calls UK uses now.

 

In your previous post you make it sound like Brooks won't do it because he is too old school and he needs to catch up with the rest of the country.

Forcier's job is much harder than any of the UK QB's they could put into the game. SEC's tougher but Michigan is so young and inexperienced. At least most of UK's team has some experience and veteran leadership. If he can do it and do it well, then another freshman could get it done in the SEC. The essentially treat Hartline like a Frosh. I just don't buy all of that. Especially since after UF, Bama, and Tennesse, most of the SEC defense look a little weak this year.

SEC defenses are never weak.

SEC defenses are never weak.

 

:thumb:

 

'Bama, Florida and Tennessee have all looked pretty good on the defensive side to me. I haven't seen enough of the rest to know, although Georgia and Arkansas have given up a lot of points by looking at scores.

 

Ultimately, I'm not against a freshman playing, but I'm against sticking a guy in who isn't ready just because you don't like Hartline. Brooks is old-school alright...he doesn't yield to public pressure. If he thinks Hartline is the best option or that the freshmen aren't ready, he won't make a change just to satisfy the fan base for a week. He took over as head coach during one of our lowest points and has given us some of our best. I trust his judgment and so should any UK fan that's been half-way paying attention for the past few years.

 

If Brooks came out and started Newton for the next few games and he bombed and never developed into the player we hope he will be, I can hear it now...the same fans calling for Hartline's head would be ripping Brooks to shreds for throwing a freshmen to the dogs during the toughest part of UK's schedule and ruining his career by shattering his confidence. Alabama. At South Carolina. At Georgia. (I can't help but think of Tim Couch's first start in the swamp under Bill Curry.)

Edited September 30, 200916 yr by 5wide

:thumb:

 

Isn't Barkley the first freshman QB at USC to walk in and start?

 

Saying that the rest of the nation is doing it is way off.

 

And, again, it's a lot easier for Matt Barkley to succeed at USC than it would be at UK. He's surrounded by former 5-star recruits and future NFL draft picks. So is Terrelle Pryor. Who are the 5-star guys on UK's roster? Where are the future draft picks?

:thumb:

 

'Bama, Florida and Tennessee have all looked pretty good on the defensive side to me. I haven't seen enough of the rest to know, although Georgia and Arkansas have given up a lot of points by looking at scores.

 

Ultimately, I'm not against a freshman playing, but I'm against sticking a guy in who isn't ready just because you don't like Hartline. Brooks is old-school alright...he doesn't yield to public pressure. If he thinks Hartline is the best option or that the freshmen aren't ready, he won't make a change just to satisfy the fan base for a week. He took over as head coach during one of our lowest points and has given us some of our best. I trust his judgment and so should any UK fan that's been half-way paying attention for the past few years.

 

If Brooks came out and started Newton for the next few games and he bombed and never developed into the player we hope he will be, I can hear it now...the same fans calling for Hartline's head would be ripping Brooks to shreds for throwing a freshmen to the dogs during the toughest part of UK's schedule and ruining his career by shattering his confidence. Alabama. At South Carolina. At Georgia. (I can't help but think of Tim Couch's first start in the swamp under Bill Curry.)

Great points!

In your previous post you make it sound like Brooks won't do it because he is too old school and he needs to catch up with the rest of the country.

 

Not everyone is doing it, but most coaches would be open to it. If USC trust a freshman to do it when they have two very highly touted recruits in front of him, then everyone could, IMO. Teams start freshman QB's every now and then and usually protect them. Look at some film from the last two years and tell me if what UK has done with Hartline doesn't remind you of how other teams let their freshman QB's play. Actually most frosh have more responsibilities than him.

 

SEC defenses are never weak.

 

Don't make me puke. That is a myth a rumor. 4 defenses in the SEC are elite, the rest are average at best. UF, Bama, Tennessee are probably the 3 best defenses in the country.

 

Arkansas is giving up 33 points a game, and that includes "limiting" Missouri State to 10 points. They've given up 52 and 35 in their last games, which I will excuse Bama, but not Georgia.

 

Auburn is giving up around 25, but have yet to play a ranked team, or a team that is top notch offensively.

 

LSU has been pretty bad this season and last season on defense. They have yet to play a legit team, unless you want to count Washington which the jury is still out on.

 

South Carolina seems to have a pretty good defense, but they did give up 41 to Georgia. Georgia is not good offensively and it will show once they play UF in a few weeks.

 

Kentucky and Vandy just aren't athletic enough to be elite defensively.

 

Ole Miss should have a good defense, but who can really tell right now. They've played a good South Carolina team, but two creampuffs.

 

Mississipi State...um, look no further than their pathetic defense against LSU. Sure LSU didn't score alot, and two TD's were non-offensive, but I didn't think they looked good defensively against a team that isn't anywhere near elite on the offensive end.

 

As the year goes on people will no doubt by the hype, but I don't. Like I said, I think UT, UF, and Bama are possibly the three best defenses in the country, but after that no one should be that scared of any of these defenses. Ole Miss and South Carolina can get there, but they haven't reached that status yet. If you give up 40 points in an SEC game and your not playing Florida you have a bad defense because it is not a great offensive conference scoring wise.

And, again, it's a lot easier for Matt Barkley to succeed at USC than it would be at UK. He's surrounded by former 5-star recruits and future NFL draft picks. So is Terrelle Pryor. Who are the 5-star guys on UK's roster? Where are the future draft picks?

 

That sounds great but those guys also have alot higher expectations. Barkley and Pryor are expected to win and win big, I don't think anyone would expect a freshman to come in and dominate for UK. With the talent level here it's just not possible. But, with the right game plan, you get them experience without ruining their confidence. A freshman that is good enough to play in the SEC could make the plays that are asked of Hartline.

How many other conferences have 4 elite defenses? Just curious. That's one third of the conference. Georgia is averaging almost 31 points per game. What is exactly is required to be "good" offensively? Where would 26 per game rate?