I don't have a problem with Joker's play calling. I think the players he had to work with the last couple of years limited his options. If you look back to his play calling when he had some real weapons offensively with Woodson and company, it was pretty good, IMO. He does a nice job of staying committed to the run game while staying aggressive by picking his spots to attack downfield. I just don't think he had the players, particularly the QB, to do that the last two years with Hartline and then the freshmen, Newton.

 

Nobody really knows how he'll do as the head honcho, but I've always been satisfied with his work as the OC and his play-calling.

 

Perhaps Joker and the UK staff in general could be criticized for not replacing Woodson with a better QB, but I wouldn't even go there. They had some unexpected problems with recruits at that position (see Curtis Pulley) who were expected to take over. And, since UK isn't exactly in a position to pick and choose recruits and QB's aren't that easy to find, there's no guarantee that the Wildcats can always get what they want at that position. Heck, every team struggles at QB from time to time...look at LSU.

 

That's not to say Joker is a flawless coordinator or play caller. But, who is?

 

I believe he'll be judged by and his success will largely depend on what happens at the QB position...can he (and Sanders) develop Newton or Mossakowski into the player UK needs at that position?

East (as always): Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

West: Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State

Non-Conference: Louisville, Western Kentucky, Akron, Charleston Southern

 

I'm not sure what order the games are, but similar to this year.

 

I see 8 wins there

I see 8 wins there

 

You see 3 more than me..........

I'd like to see Randy Sanders as the OC. Maybe he won't get injured in the booth.

You see 3 more than me..........

While I think they do better then 5 wins I don't see 8. Let's say they win all 4 non conference games, they will go 1-2 against the west, and 2-3 against the east. I am guessing another 7-5 regular season with the possibility of 8-4.

I'd like to see Randy Sanders as the OC. Maybe he won't get injured in the booth.

 

I agree. Anyone who Peyton Manning backs is good enough for me. I am a big Sanders fan and am hoping he gets to keep his OC job.

I think Sanders will get promoted from QB Coach to Offensive Coordinator. I don't know much about Sanders' style of play, but I think it's important to keep him on the staff.

 

I'm excited about Joker as the HC. He's done very well recruiting.

 

I also got the impression that Rich Brooks will stay involved with the program, albeit in a reduced role.

I think Sanders will get promoted from QB Coach to Offensive Coordinator. I don't know much about Sanders' style of play, but I think it's important to keep him on the staff.

 

I'm excited about Joker as the HC. He's done very well recruiting.

 

I also got the impression that Rich Brooks will stay involved with the program, albeit in a reduced role.

 

 

Sanders is already the offensive coordinator. They (Brooks and Barnhart) did that last year when they made a new coaching position up "Head Coach" of the offense.

You win all 4 non conference games, and two or three conference games and you're in a bowl. This is exactly what Brooks did. The same should be expected from Phillips. Really the thrill of being one of 68 teams to reach a bowl is a little overstated. It's not that great an achievement.

 

I kinda agree. But it's alot better than being one of the teams that doesnt reach a bowl.

Not a Joker fan, I think he got promoted because of high power offense he had under Woodson and Company. At that time UK's offense was ranked high in the country, since then it has faltered and Joker has got very conservative in play calling.

 

I have said it before and I will say it agian. With UK's recent success they have the opportunity to get a big name coach, however we must sit through the Joker era. Hopefully i'm wrong but I dont see much success under Joker.

Not a Joker fan, I think he got promoted because of high power offense he had under Woodson and Company. At that time UK's offense was ranked high in the country, since then it has faltered and Joker has got very conservative in play calling.

 

I have said it before and I will say it agian. With UK's recent success they have the opportunity to get a big name coach, however we must sit through the Joker era. Hopefully i'm wrong but I dont see much success under Joker.

 

He was recruited because he has:

 

1. Years of experience

2. A loyalty to UK

3. A tremendous and tireless recruiter

4. Could make for a smooth transition already being on the staff when many were using Brooks' age against UK in recruiting battles.

5. Brooks and Barnhart felt he was ready to be the next UK coach

 

Joker is also a realist. He turned down the O coordinator job under Bill Curry because he told Curry "I am not ready yet. I have a lot still to learn before I am ready for that." I think he will be just fine. A HUGE part of UK's success began when Joker came on board and took over the recruiting. They got bigger, stronger and faster players which they desperately needed, ... and they did it without violating NCAA regulations.

 

I am actually starting to buy in that Joker will do just fine. As far as the offense, they have been plagued by youth and injuries the past few years. I think the offense will be better in 2010, and will need to be with all UK lost on defense.

 

REMEMBER, ... very few in Oregon were sold on Bellotti when he took over for Brooks. Joker will be fine.

Joker deserves a chance. He has paid his dues and there is not another coach in the country that wants this job more than Joker.

 

With that being said, I hope he can keep his coaching staff in tact. He & Sanders really need to develop Newton & Mossakowski this spring and summer. IMO there success will have alot to do with how that works out. There is still some very good talent on the defensive side of the ball.

 

With there opponents for next year, a bowl game is very doable. A run at 8 or 9 victories is also possible. It all goes back to developing a QB.

He was recruited because he has:

 

1. Years of experience

2. A loyalty to UK

3. A tremendous and tireless recruiter

4. Could make for a smooth transition already being on the staff when many were using Brooks' age against UK in recruiting battles.

5. Brooks and Barnhart felt he was ready to be the next UK coach

 

Joker is also a realist. He turned down the O coordinator job under Bill Curry because he told Curry "I am not ready yet. I have a lot still to learn before I am ready for that." I think he will be just fine. A HUGE part of UK's success began when Joker came on board and took over the recruiting. They got bigger, stronger and faster players which they desperately needed, ... and they did it without violating NCAA regulations.

 

I am actually starting to buy in that Joker will do just fine. As far as the offense, they have been plagued by youth and injuries the past few years. I think the offense will be better in 2010, and will need to be with all UK lost on defense.

 

REMEMBER, ... very few in Oregon were sold on Bellotti when he took over for Brooks. Joker will be fine.

 

:thumb::ylsuper:

Not a Joker fan, I think he got promoted because of high power offense he had under Woodson and Company. At that time UK's offense was ranked high in the country, since then it has faltered and Joker has got very conservative in play calling.

 

I have said it before and I will say it agian. With UK's recent success they have the opportunity to get a big name coach, however we must sit through the Joker era. Hopefully i'm wrong but I dont see much success under Joker.

The play calling got conservative first with Hartline as a first year starter and then with first year starter Newton after Hartline was injured. Look for a more balanced offense no matter who starts at QB next year.

You see 3 more than me..........

 

Wow, that is a very pessimistic view, who do you think they lose to and why?