UK Defense has a chance to be vastly improved

[Administrator]

There ain't but one way to go and that is up. After allowing over 5000 yards, 5229 to be exact, there is but one direction the defense can go.

A linebacker corps that was razor thin took its first hit before the season even started when Chad Anderson failed to qualify.  It took hit number two in the first game when Ronnie Riley's knee zigged while the rest of him zagged.  

I could have sworn I saw a converted wide receiver playing inside linebacker at one point.  That is not to say that the defense was all bad.  Given the breaks it received, there were times when it faired rather well.  Only once, versus South Carolina, did the defense play plain bad.

Being small, a step slow, and under-manned, the defense did about as good as was expected.  The D played several of the better offenses in the country a good game for 3 quarters.  Only after they were worn out did they give up loads of points.  

Did I mention being bit by the injury bug early and often?  The bad news, the top 6 tacklers from a year ago are gone.  The good news, UK has players at inside linebacker that look like inside linebackers.  The staff red shirted as many players as they could last season.

The fruits of that effort were seen this spring.

[Roadwildcat]

:rockon:I agree Spam, only one way to go from the bottom. Call me:looney: but I think this D will be much improved. With the addition of Anderson, Hammer, sweet pea, Ahmed, and particularly this Spurlin kid, things are looking good. Go Guy Go!!!!!!!

[TexasBlue]

Yeap!!!
They are going to remind me of the Longhorns and Sooners pretty soon.
(It could happen, maybe next year)

[KY Kid]

Hopefully the D will impove.  Because the O is already good.

[Bigbluefan]

I see the Defense vastly improved this year :giddy:

[TexasBlue]

As you know, it takes the big horses and playmakers that are on that next level. In looking at the NFL draft, there are scores of Tennessee, Georgia and Florida players drafted.  Only Dennis Johnson from the Wildcats was drafted. Hopefully that will change in the next few years and some of the Kentucky players will be players on the elite level.   :thumbsup:

[ForeverBigBlue]

Nowhere to go but up for defense IMO.  And if there is indeed a "vast improvement", if our O remains at least at the same level and stays there consistently, then 6-6 or 7-5 is not all that unrealistic!