Lofty expectations are abound this year for the Louisville football program. With the announcement that the Dirty Cards are picked to (will) finish dead last in the Big (L)East, there is some good news/bad news on the front.
The Bad News:
USC transfer/malcontent/convict Jordan Campbell has yet to show up on UofL's campus. The C-J's C.L. Brown is reporting that coach Charlie Strong has no clue when or if Campbell is going to show. Direct quote on whether or not he is going to show: "I don't know. Sorry. I don't." Practice starts Thursday coach, you better get on that.
The Good News:
A player that will be at practice is freshman quarterback Dominique Brown. He had to clear some hurdles to become academically eligible. He is considered to be an "athlete", that's good to hear since football is an athletic activity. He is a three star player and possesses a skill set that is hard to find. He could be a very good player for the Dirty Birds if he can make it in the classroom.
Questionable News:
DeMar Dorsey has still not officially made the team and Strong is still really deciding whether or not the kid makes it. His questionable off the field behavior is making Chuck think twice about letting the kid on the field. He may not be a Cardinal after all.
Summary:
Cardinal fans are expectedly excited about their football team and Strong is the reason. The reality is that the head coach isn't going to pass the ball, block, catch, or defend. They still have the same suck team that they have had for the past three years. The optimistic view is that since they are picked to finish dead last then there really shouldn't be much to be disappointed about at the end of the season and that if they finish next to last then there is reason to celebrate! I think the Cards finish ahead of Syracuse but that's it. It's going to be too little too late this season even if the additions of Campbell and Dorsey pan out. Brown is a true freshman and should not be expected to deliver much if anything this year. Sorry Dirty Bird fans. It looks as if you are going to have to wait another year before A). You beat Kentucky and B). You finish anywhere near the top of your conference.
If the Cards do suck, and they will, it will all be Kragthorpe's fault.
Boy Boogie, there's an underlying fear in this post. I think deep down you're really worried about this year's Governor's Cup match-up.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when the team picked last in the Big East beats a sub-par SEC school? What's YOUR excuse going to be then?
UK lost its best defensive players from last year, and no one outside of Cobb worries me on offense. Plus, how much different of an attack can you bring with Joker at the helm? The advantage that the Cards have is that everything will be brand new from a scouting standpoint. Plus, Coach Strong has coached against the Cats for the past few years, so he will have a good idea of the kind of sets they will be running.
Yeah, the talent may be lacking with this year's team, but the focus, energy, heart, and fight are back. First game in the expanded stadium, and I'm confident that Coach Strong will have his less-talented team ready to go.
But, keep on hating on the Cards, because I'll have my post ready to go on September 4th, after the Cards take down the sub-par Cats.
The Cards are going to have the same old players learning a brand new system. It takes a team a while to get used to new schemes, new plays and a new coaching philosophy.
ReplyDeleteAdvantage: Cats. They are familiar with Joker's style and play calling. The Cats also have more experienced players all around.
Papa John's "crowd" doesnt bother me in the least. They went down to Auburn,a place that holds over 70,000 people, and won last year.
And Strong is bringing heart and desire but it won't take long before talent overcomes these things. And it's not like UK's players aren't going to be playing with passion and desire as well. They want to win this game just as much as Louisville does. And you are saying that Joker will not have his players ready to go?
Charlie Strong may be able to bring talented guys in the future but he is playing with the same ole team. I'm sure it will be a close game but the Cats take it for the fourth year straight.