 2008 Kentucky Wildcats Preview Football.com NCAA analyst Brock Murphy takes an in depth look at the Kentucky Wildcats and weighs in on what fans can expect from them in 2008. The Wildcats may have their work cut out for them this season in conference play, but there is room for optimism despite the loss of quarterback Andre Woodson. KENTUCKY WILDCATS
HEAD COACH-Rich Brooks
2007 Record-8-5 (3-5 SEC) 2007 REVIEW
Kentucky started the season with five consecutive wins, including consecutive victories over Arkansas and Louisville. A 15---point loss in week-six loss to South Carolina (23-38) was a blue-ser, to be sure, but, the very next week, Kentucky bounced back to knock off the then top-ranked LSU Tigers in triple-overtime (43-37). Not surprisingly, Kentucky was unable to pull off two enormous upsets in-a-row and they dropped the next game to Florida (37-45). A lackluster performance at home against Mississippi State produced a shocking 17-point loss but the team rebounded on the road against Vanderbilt. A loss to Georgia and a quadruple-overtime loss to Tennessee (50-52) closed out Kentucky's regular season. They beat a suspension-decimated Florida State team in their bowl game but it was surprisingly-close (35-28). En route to their 8-5 final record, quarterback Andre Woodson finished as the SEC's top-passer (3,709 yards; 64% completion-rate; 40 TD's; 11 INT's). The Wildcat offense finished third in the SEC in total yardage and scoring. The defense finished 10th in the SEC and 67th, nationally, in total yardage surrendered. TEAM MVP
Joker Phillips, Offensive Coordinator. Against the rules to pick a coordinator, right? Well, there are enough question marks on an offense which lost most of last year's playmakers that the onerous of a successful season will fall squarely on Phillips' very-capable shoulders. Everyone wonders how Kentucky's scheme can adjust to the magnitude of lost starters. It won't Phillips will adjust the scheme to the material which returns. Expect the Wildcats to make hay on the ground in 2008 - and to do it quite successfully. OFFENSE Quarterback
Woodson threw for more yards than any other SEC quarterback in 2007 and took the vast majority of the team's snaps along the way. In his wake is left Curtis Pulley (6-4, 200; Jr.) and Mike Hartline (6-6, 201; So.). Of the two, Pulley has thrown the most career passes - 14 - and those were in 2006. Pulley and Hartline battled throughout the spring and neither was a clear leader as spring camp came to a close. Pulley is often summarized as the better athlete and runner while Hartline in often described as the better game-manager. However, both are competent in the areas of the other's perceived strength and Phillips was adamant this off-season that Pulley has matured. Pulley confirmed the game finally slowed down for him as he became more familiar with the scheme. Both Pulley and Hartline are tall players and both are considered better "athletes" than was Woodson. Pulley was frank that more running plays have been added to the menu for the 2008 offense but he was also quick to state the team intends to put the ball in the air as often as defenses permit. Still, it cannot be ignored that he led all rushers for the White team in Kentucky's spring game (15-82, 1 TD). Neither Pulley nor Hartline had a realistic chance to see the field in 2007 with Woodson ahead of them on the depth chart. This year, however, they both realize they could be "the man" and have spiked their off-the-field efforts consistent with that realization. Hartline admitted to feeling like an underdog but Coach Brooks may have put it best when he stated that the team could do worse than to have two good quarterbacks to use next year and that he felt confident with either player under center. Running Back
In 2007, Rafeal Little led the team in rushing with 1,013 yards. However, he scored only four times and was injured mid-season which allowed Derrick Locke, Tony Dixon, Alfonso Smith and Moncel Allen to ripen their skills. A true freshman in 2007, Locke (5-10, 180) finished with 521 yards and five scores, including a 64-yard, one-touchdown effort against LSU. He came to Kentucky on a track (long-jump) scholarship which explains the unusual amount of explosiveness he can produce from his relatively small frame. Lest the reader be misled, Locke certainly ran the ball in high school, running for over 3000-yards and producing no fewer than 51 touchdowns his final season. Dixon (5-9, 203; Sr.) supplemented Locke's efforts last season with 411 yards of his own (and four scores). Dixon has nearly 1,000 career rushing yards (958) and 13 career starts and has historically brought a lot of speed to the field. However, his career has been injury-plagued and, in fact, he missed much of the spring recovering from a knee-injury. Smith (6-1, 200; Jr.) opened the season with two-consecutive 50-yard games (53-yards against Eastern Kentucky; 54 yards against Kent State) and he scored a touchdown in each contest. For the season, he averaged a shade over 7 yards per carry (21-149). Considerably larger than Locke, Smith is considered his equal in speed. His spring-game performance will be hard to ignore when fall rolls around as he blew up the field with 170 rushing yards (20 carries). Allen (5-7, 225; So.) is a bowling-ball who cannot be arm-tackled. Most of his carries last year came in the Mississippi State loss when he averaged five-yards off of six carries (30 yards, total). Brooks commented this spring that he never had a tailback as good as Little but he also explained that he has never had the kind of depth at that position that he will get to carry into 2008. Fullbacks are usually unrecognized contributors and Kentucky has two who fit that bill. You may not yet have heard of juniors John Connor (5.11, 228) or Maurice Grinter (6-3, 250), but NFL scouts sure have. Combined, they had 72 yards and three scores off of 15 carries in 2007. Their numbers should increase in 2008 but their most important contributions will be creating an advantage at the point of attack while blocking for the running game - and there are no numbers to show how good both players are at that task. It bears noting that Connor turned two of his seven catches into scores last year. Curiously, though, it is Grinter (who missed contact this spring because of a shoulder injury) who may see some action at tight-end this fall. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Kentucky lost three of their top-four receivers from 2007. Steve Johnson, Keenan Burton and tight-end, Jacob Tamme, went off for the NFL and took 182 catches, 2401 yards and 28 touchdowns with them. Dicky Lyons returns after posting 56 catches for 655 yards (and seven touchdowns) last season. For his career, Lyons has caught 108 passes for 1,488 yards and 16 scores. However, the staff was critical this spring of a perceived lack of leadership from Lyons and many wondered aloud whether his numbers were the product of being lost in the shuffle of Johnson, Burton and Tamme. Lyons responded well and became a clear leader of his unit. Just as important, he led all receivers in the spring game with 10 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Kyrus Lanxter (6-3, 187) clearly shed his puppy skin this spring. The leading receiver for the Blue Team in the spring game (3-59; 1 TD), he drew praise from Phillips and the departed Keenan Burton. Addressing the loss of experienced depth at receiver, the staff moved E.J. Adams (6-0, 190; Jr.) from cornerback to receiver - the position he played in high school. Adams surprised the staff with his adept play and will bring good speed to the field in 2008. Tamme will be replaced by T.C. Drake (6-6, 235; Jr.). Drake caught only one pass last season but saw the field often and Phillips has endorsed that he is a good receiver despite his numbers. It is also suggested that Drake has better range than Tamme so he may be a more relevant factor on the edge in the running game. Still, adaptations notwithstanding, it is difficult to believe that this position will be as strong as it was in 2007. As stated above, fullback Maurice Grinter will see some snaps at tight-end in fall camp and could at least provide productive depth to the position. Offensive Line
Four players return to the line with starting experience, led by Garry Williams (6-3, 300; Sr.) at left tackle. Brooks spoke confidently this spring not only of his stellar left tackle but also of his bookend, Justin Jeffries (6-6, 310; Jr.) who started every game last year and saw the field every game his freshman season. Zipp Duncan (6-5, 285; Jr.) and Christian Johnson (6-4, 325; Sr.) each grabbed starts at guard this year. However, Johnson was suspended this spring to require that he focus on academics. Assuming he returns this fall (and indications appear positive), Johnson could end up starting in place of Jess Beets (6-2, 285; Sr.) and Stuart Hines (6-4 285; RFr.), who shared this spring's snaps with the starters at right guard. Jorge Gonzalez, Jr. (6-3, 300; Jr.) is the projected starter at center. He has never started a game but ran with the starters virtually the entire spring. He will be backed up by Jake Lanefski (6-4, 280; RFr.) who drew a lot of praise this spring for his early progress. Brooks took advantage of the spring to try different combinations of linemen - sometimes even swapping the first and second-team lines. He commented in April that this year's line is the deepest he has had the pleasure of coaching at Kentucky.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
No fewer than six linemen on the current depth chart have started at least one game for Kentucky. Tackles Corey Peters (6-3, 290; Jr.) and Myron Pryor (6-1, 310; Sr.) started nearly every game last season. Ricky Lumpkin (6-4, 289; So.) claimed a start of his own at tackle as a mere redshirt-freshman last year. However, he missed half the season with a hip injury and missed this spring due to thigh surgery. His current availability and current physical capacity is uncertain. Jeremy Jarmon (6-3, 285; Jr.) is a hefty end who gathered nine sacks on his way to 2nd-team All-SEC honors in 2007. Nii Adjei Oninku (6-1, 248; Sr.) should press for starting time at the other end-position after missing 2007 with a knee injury. Oninku started several games in 2006 but will likely sit behind Ventrell Jenkins (6-2, 285; Sr.) on the depth chart in 2008. Jenkins claimed three starts at defensive tackle in 2007. He moves very well for his size and will likely be the final plug in what promises to be a jumbo line next year. Linebackers
The Wildcat defense will certainly miss Wesley Woodyard, who tallied 138 tackles (eight for loss), five defended passes and three forced fumbles. Fellow LaGrange, Georgia native, Braxton Kelley (6-0, 226; Sr.), returns, however, to form one-third of a surprisingly experienced and talented corps. Kelley shared snaps at middle linebacker last year with Micah Johnson (6-2, 242; Jr.). Kelley claimed most of the starts but Johnson played enough to gather 58 tackles (only four fewer than Kelley) and two interceptions (he returned one 21-yards for a score against Florida Atlantic). This year, they split with Johnson staying in the middle and Kelley taking over Woodyard's weakside spot. Johnny Williams (6-3, 240; Sr.) started several games on the strongside in 2007 and should start most of the games this year. However, he took many snaps this spring at end to take advantage of his extraordinary speed (4.6-40). Whether in relief of Williams or because Williams is at end for the play, fans can expect to see plenty of Sam Maxwell (6-3, 225; Jr.) on the strongside. Maxwell claimed several starts of his own there last year and assures the team of solid depth. Secondary
Senior Marcus McClinton (6-1, 210) will lead the defensive backs this season. He has struggled with injuries, receiving a medical redshirt for a 2005 injury and missing several games last year due to a sprained ankle. He was also disciplined early in 2007 for an off-the-field arrest. However, he is back and much wiser this season. In limited action in 2006, he claimed four interceptions and, testament to his ferocious style of play, forced a nation-high five fumbles. Another atomic hitter is Ashton Cobb (6-0, 205; Jr.), who is expected to start at strong-safety opposite of McClinton. Cobb started only a couple of games last year but picked up a pair of interceptions and 42 tackles. Calvin Harrison (6-1, 200; Jr.) started several games last year and assures the team of depth at safety. Harrison is capable of playing both safety spots and will likely be the first player to take the field in relief of McClinton or Cobb on any given play. Trevard Lindley (6-0, 175; Jr.) was a first-team freshman All-American in 2006. Lindley has started every game (26) the last two years and has 23 broken-up passes, five interceptions and a fumble-return for a score to show for it. Lindley will be joined at corner by Paul Warford (5-11, 200; Jr.), who was suspended from the team following the end of the 2007 season, but who was reinstated in March. Warford broke up eight passes last season and picked off two others. Special Teams
Tim Mathsay (6-2, 200; Jr.) not only punts for Kentucky but handles their kickoffs and is their holder, too. He has been UK's punter the past three years but does not have an outstanding average (73rd, nationally, in '07). Curiously, his kickoffs have great carry and turned a league-leading 23 of them into touchbacks. Kicker Lones Seiber missed three extra-points last season and nine field goals (16 of 25) and was only 11 of 20 beyond 30 yards. His long in 2007 was 48 yards. 2008 Outlook
An extraordinary number of elite offensive playmakers graduated and, yet, there is reason for promise in Lexington. Joker Phillips was named the heir-apparent to this team last season and his ability to adapt his attack this year should provide a boost of confidence to the Kentucky faithful. Look for the deep stable of running backs to chomp up yardage on the ground, often off the lead-block of fullback, John Connor. Curtis Pulley is the logical quarterback to facilitate the running-game emphasis and should take most snaps under center. Dicky Lyons should provide a legitimate vertical threat along with Kyrus Lanxter and E.J. Adams while new tight-end T.C. Drake keeps things honest on his edge. The defense returns most of its starters and should improve on its 2007 numbers, which were average. Peters, Pryor and Jarmon are capable of controlling the line of scrimmage often in 2008, which will make things easier for a unit of very talented and experienced linebackers to do their job. The front-seven will often benefit by Lindley's ability to minimize the threat from opponent's top receivers. A tough opener at Louisville starts the schedule but UK will cruise for nearly a month against a soft non-conference tilt before their SEC opener, on the road, against Nick Saban's Crimson Tide. Road games at Florida and Tennessee will be no picnic, either. Kentucky will not threaten the East - Florida and Georgia are simply too good. However, it is not outrageous to suggest that the 'Cats could best last year's 8-5 record and return to their third-consecutive bowl game.
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
