I've come to realize that UK fans have a scapegoat for every sport, every season whether it's Michael Porter, Patrick Sparks, Ramon Harris, Mike Hartline, Dusty Bonner, Draak Davis, or Shane Boyd. It's just the nature I guess.

 

Yes... it gets rather annoying... especially being a UK fan.

I'm not putting down the defense as much as I'm saying it's not entirely the quarterback's fault. The quarterback is an easy scapegoat, despite the offense scoring 13 more points on Alabama this year.

 

The parallel I draw to Kentucky is the Tennessee Titans. They are ready to roast Collins and fans are calling for Young. Collins didnt give up 37 points to the Jags yesterday.

 

But back to UK, If you've won three straight bowl games and Randall Cobb is the only playmaker you have on offense, there are some serious issues with the program. If Hartline is the best option at quarterback after three straight bowl wins, there are some bad issues to consider.

 

Myself (and everyone else) still doesn't know if Joker is being conservative because it's his nature or because he has no confidence in the QB to throw down the field.

 

Four components make up SEC powers. Good coaching, playmakers at quarterback, the ability to run the football, and a good defense.

 

Florida has it. Georgia and LSU have it. Tennessee doesnt have the quarterback and look at them. South Carolina cant run the football consistently which is why they are never a factor.

 

I still cant figure out how UK is in this predicament, even with the Pulley transfer.

 

I dont think Hartline had anything to do with Florida coming out and doing what they did in the first quarter. That was on defense and special teams.

 

However, if you get down two touchdowns to an SEC team, Hartline doesn't lead the team to a come from behind win. Not with the way the playcalling is.

 

I'm surprised more people aren't bothered by the 27 points allowed to Louisville, given what they scored the week before and have scored since. I guess people are too busy blaming Hartline.

 

There are multiple problems with this team. Not just the QB.

 

I really do understand a lot of the things you are saying. But when talking about the defense, you also say its not Harlines fault for the 1st quarter against Florida. However I mean even good defenses need an offense to help them out some. If Hartline got the offense to do anything, then the defense wouldn't have been on the field as much. You can't go three and out against Florida all the time, and that is what the offense did. Yeah the defense needs to man up and stop them sometimes too after that, however you are going against top SEC teams so thats hard to do all the time when your offense basically sucks.

 

Now I do think that he is a big problem, but I do know there are other problems with this team. If you have seen other post by me, I am still not a big fan of this coaching staff. I think Brooks had done a good job getting this program back up from being buried in the ground, however I think under him the best this team is ever going to be is a little above average team AT BEST. I have really displayed my displeasure with UK already giving the job to Joker Phillips after Brooks retires. I think this program is going to just stay right where it is, if they do stick with that.

 

So yeah I do realize that there is a lot of things with this program that need change. However can you answer me this. You have watched the same team I have so far this year. You really can't say that Hartline is doing much to help this team. So what sense does it make to keep playing him? Yeah I mean putting Cobb in there or one of the freshman probably is not going to make this team any better. However it will actually give one of them more experience at the job, which in the long run could be better for the team. It just makes no sense to keep staying with a guy who really has showed no signs that he can help this team win in the SEC. So whats the harm in giving someone else a chance, and giving them experience? I think that is the main thing we all want to see and are saying.

I think it's time for some to admit that UK's defense, especially Lindley and Johnson, are a tad overrated. They miss Jarmon a lot, and I think a lot of their predicted success is a result of what they could have been with Jarmon in there. They have up 27 points to a terrible Louisville team that hasn't score 27 since.

 

Whether it's lack of tackling, poor special teams play, receivers running the wrong routes, bad throws to the middle of the field, and ill-timed turnovers, this Kentucky team is good for about 5-7 minute stretch where they make zero plays and pretty much dig a hole. Other than Cobb, UK's receivers aren't good. They don't run good routes and have a hard time making the catches they should.

 

I think Kentucky's opening win over a bad, bad Miami of Ohio team was fool's gold for the fans.

 

But you can't give up 38 points in the SEC and expect to win.

 

I agree that the defense isn't good, but it's not Trevard Lindley's fault, he never gets thrown to, he's the second best corner in the country, I don't think he's overrated at all. Micah Johnson is overrated, I agree.

So yeah I do realize that there is a lot of things with this program that need change. However can you answer me this. You have watched the same team I have so far this year. You really can't say that Hartline is doing much to help this team. So what sense does it make to keep playing him? Yeah I mean putting Cobb in there or one of the freshman probably is not going to make this team any better. However it will actually give one of them more experience at the job, which in the long run could be better for the team. It just makes no sense to keep staying with a guy who really has showed no signs that he can help this team win in the SEC. So whats the harm in giving someone else a chance, and giving them experience? I think that is the main thing we all want to see and are saying.

The main thing is, I'm not at practice every day. I have no idea who gets the offense and who doesn't. I'm sure if Newton or Fidler were grasping the offense, they would be playing. They aren't. Everyone raved about Matthews but quietly, people talked about his inability to grasp the offense in practice. It became obvious against Florida and he was benched against Bama.

 

Moving Cobb to quarterback is laughable. You move him to quarterback and not only does he have no one to throw it to, you take away your best threat to return punts because they aren;t going to put their quarterback back there and risk injury.

 

If UK runs such a successful pro offense, why are receivers like McCaskill and Juco Matthews the best they can get? Why hasn't Lanxter grasped this offense yet? Is UK just bringing in dumb guys at the receiver position who cant figure it out? I think the receivers deserve just as much blame as Hartline. Drops, wrong routes, and poor downfield blocking are the norm. Just watch them and forget Hartline is the quarterback. They just aren't good with the exception of Cobb. If you run a pro-style offense, you had better have three Randall Cobbs lining up at receiver. The good teams do.

 

I understand about three and outs taxing the defense. And I agree that Hartline likely doesnt start for another SEC team.

 

How bad is Miami of Ohio. Jeesh.