Brooks hangs it up

As I'm sure you know by now, Rich Brooks called it quits after 7 seasons as the head football coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. I have mixed feelings about it. Usually you see a coach go out on top or on the bottom. Brooks certainly wasn't run out of town, but he isn't exactly riding off into the sunset either. At 68, he had some coaching left in him. He even admitted in his presser that his family wanted him to continue.
In the end, I think a couple of things were in play. First, Brooks is tired, and really did not want to coach any more. If UK had won its bowl game or ended the Tennessee streak, he would have had a very easy decision. Instead, he had to decide if he could make it one more year to try to end on a more positive note. This bleeds into what I believe is the second factor, i.e. that Brooks decided that he has taken UK Football about as far as he can take it. At his age and given what he has accomplished the last four years, he sees himself as a steward for the program as much as a coach. He didn't want to wait around another year because inside he knew it was unlikely the results would be much different.
The reasons for this are open to debate. While otherwise very upbeat and respectful, Brooks basically started his remarks with a laundry list of facility upgrades he felt could move the program forward. His message was clear, the administration can say it supports football, but it hasn't shown the will to make it all happen. A fair point perhaps, but it is only part of the story. The truth is, the same could be said about Brooks.
Before you get up in arms, I actually mean this in a good way. First, Brooks valued loyalty ahead of doing everything he had to in order to win. Just ask Steve Ortmeyer, who should have been replaced as special teams coach two years ago. More importantly, he had too much integrity to lead Kentucky to the promise land of New Years Day games and top 25 rankings (something that almost certainly cannot be done here without cutting a few corners). Answer this, with Mike Hartline waiting in the wings, does Urban Meyer throw Curtis Pulley off his team for a couple of misdemeanor arrests? No way in hell. I don't know that this makes Meyer a better or worse football coach, but it certainly makes Brooks more principled.
In the end, here is what you can say about Brooks. He came here and eventually won games and went to Bowls like Hal Mumme, while being the kind of man Bill Curry was. If you ask me, that is a damned good legacy.
The question now is where do we go from here. Joker and Barnhart will ostensibly hammer out a deal shortly, though I think it very odd Phillips wasn't there today. I've heard at least one rumor of a substantial staff shakeup which turns the focus from X's and O's to recruiting. Phillips will not be a Brooks clone. Like any longtime assistant who has been around, he'll have his own ideas about running things. When he wakes up a week from now, the big decisions will be his.
Before long, Brooks will be waking up in a beautiful home on Oregon's McKenzie River. I hope when he looks out the window he thinks of all the good things he did here and not what might have been.

2010 Preview

As we start 2010 and UK Football Fan winds down, it is time to talk about next season. Right now, the coaching situation still hangs in the air. I believe the longer this drags on the more likely Rich Brooks is returning. My guess is things are going on behind the scenes. Barnhart was recently quoted in the Herald Leader regarding his desire for Brooks to return AND defending the athletic department's support of the football program. This smacks of some back room dealing and Brooks using whatever leverage he can to improve the support of the program.

I personally hate to see PawPaw go out on a sour note, and I'd like to see him take the victory lap he deserves. Announcing that 2010 will be his last year would be the way to go. I also think right now, with players and fans alike questioning the play calling, is not the best timing for Joker taking over the program. We'll see.

Looking to 2010, the first thing that strikes me is how well the schedule sets up. Alabama falls off, and is replaced by Ole Miss. The Cats get a couple of their middling opponents, Auburn and South Carolina, at home. Two games we seem destined to lose anyway (Florida and Tennessee) will be on the road. Finally, Akron, Western Kentucky and Charleston Southern don't exactly strike fear in the hearts of men. Louisville will be improved under Charlie Strong (now I can say it, yes Kraigthorpe had to go), but the boys in red will have a talent gap to overcome still when playing the Cats for the next year or two.

It appears that Morgan Newton will have the inside track on the quarterback position, what with Mike Hartline not even getting off the bench in the Music City Bowl. If the Cats cannot open the playbook any more than they did under Newton this year, I implore them to go in a different direction. Despite the five wins we eecked out under Morgan, the offense looked positively Uzelacian. If we cannot do more than run quarterback draws and throw screens on passing downs, we are in trouble. I like Morgan Newton and Mike Hartline both very much. I just hope someone steps up to the plate, be it one of them or Ryan Mossakowski.

The offense line is losing a lot, but we'll be in better shape than most people think. Stuart Hines will be an All-SEC candidate next year. Brad Durham, though not technically a returning starter, played a lot of football for us this year. Matt Smith, Marcus Davis, Jake Lanefski and Sam Simpson will all challenge for time on the interior line, and Larry Warford and/or Billy Joe Murphy will probably step up big at tackle. It may take some time, but I think a new unit will gel nicely by the meat of the schedule.

As I've mentioned previously, the WRs will be the strength of the offense next year, assuming someone can get them the ball. I'd love to see Cobb have a legitimate #1 receiver season, catching 50-60 balls. He has it in him. I like Chris Matthews and Larod King as #2 and 3 receivers with another year under their belts. Tight end is a question mark, but then again, it has been since Jacob Tamme departed. I'd like to see Brooks and Co. move sure handed walk-on Nick Melillo to that spot and see what he can do.

Derrick Locke and the Turtle can hold it down in the backfield. Of course, the Cats will have to replace Fullback John Conner, who is graduating along with AJ Nance, his #1 backup.

On defense, it is the ultimate case of good news/bad news. On the front, the Cats lose defensive MVP-DT Corey Peters. The good news: this was probably the deepest position on the team. Starter Ricky Lumpkin and contributors Mark Crawford and Shane McCord all return. At end, Dequin Evans and Taylor Windham, two unexpected revelations in 2009 will form a pretty good tandem. Chandler Burden gives us experienced depth.

The big question mark is Linebacker, where the Cats must replace All-Sec performers Sam Maxwell and Micah Johnson. Danny Trevathan will return as a starter on the weak side. He is poised for a breakout year. Presumably Ronnie Snead will start in the middle. He performed well when called upon this year. The strongside spot would appear to be wide open. Jacob Dufrene filled in for Maxwell in the Music City Bowl and I honestly don't remember seeing him in on a play. Ridge Wilson will also get a look here. The staff is also high on Qua Huzzie, though it is hard to see both he and Trevathan starting unless Danny puts on some weight and is moved to the strong side. Obviously, whoever plays will be filling some big shoes.

The secondary should be another strength for the Cats. Randall Burdon and Paul Warford have played a ton football for us and should wear the role of full-time CB starters well. There is depth at the position with guys like Martavious Neloms and Cartier Rice having been forced to fill in this year with all the injuries. Winston Guy is a potential star at free safety. Big Blue Nation was poised for Guy to blow up last year with all the hype the coaches heaped on him. He has a solid, if unspectacular year. Maybe this is the year. Matt Lentz is ready to be a full time starter at SS, but I can see some other guys like Greg Wilson getting a look here as well.

So there we go. Says here the difference between 5 and 8 regular season wins is finding a quarterback competent enough in the downfield passing game that we can go back to running a regular offense. Filling the other holes is important, but I have enough confidence in our newfound depth and recruiting success that I think those things will take care of themselves.

Have a Happy New Year.

Quick Postgame Summary

This was no doubt a frustrating night for UK Football Fan. First off, it was crazy cold outside, which made standing up and going nuts in the stands almost impossible. We brought the kids, and I resorted to sitting my son on my lap to try to stay warm. So basically, I was planted to my chair.
I could not have been more wrong about how the game developed. In the beginning, Clemson looked like the team that didn't come to play. We had chances to really take control, and outside of the opening drive, didn't capitalize. Then Clemson started to assert its running game, and the UK offense became one dimensional and just kind of imploded. I don't understand why Mike Hartline did not play. I cannot imagine a situation that would have called for it more.
The saddest moment was Trevard Lindley falling down and looking up to watch a Clemson receiver haul in a touchdown pass. I've never seen a player's career fall apart like this, and I felt horrible for him.
I also understand Micah went down with a minute or so left. I must have missed it. A shame for him, and I hope it isn't serious.
In any event, I had a great weekend and am already looking forward to next season. We'll talk more in the coming days, as Brooks is reportedly "80% sure" he isn't coming back and will apparently decide in the next week.

Chinless MCB Preview

I'm in Nashville

The UK Football Fan household is now basking in the afterglow of Christmas. I am waiting for my son to get off the Wii so I can get back to playing DJ Hero. Since he isn't going to do so voluntarily for some time, now is a good time for a blog post. Or not. I actually started this post on Christmas afternoon, aborted mission, and am now finishing up from the Opryland Hotel. I cannot tell if this is where the team is staying. I've seen Mitch Barnhart and Sam Maxwell, but neither are suiting up tomorrow, so who knows.

In any event, we are here. Hopefully we'll meet up with some Cats fans and have a nice day checking the place out with the kids. Tomorrow we'll get up leisurely, check out, and head for downtown. There we'll meet up with several friends and try to find a spot to warm up before the game. They are all big Bengals fans, so we'll be getting in front of a TV for that. The 7:30 start will make for an interesting dynamic. We will freeze out butts off, the game is going to end late, and I have to guard against the often fatal "too early start" on the day's festivities.

Bringing the kids means, among other things, that we'll be heading back to the hotel right after the game. Win, lose or draw, they'll be no repeat of 2008's Memphis shenanigans. Getting old stinks.

Anyway, we are off to a good start on our big weekend. If you are down here hit me up.

2010 Signs

With the MCB coming so soon after Christmas, I am starting to see this UK Football Fan year getting away from me. Before I do a game preview, lets focus a little bit on next season. Last year I believe I did a lot in terms of a season preview prior to the bowl. I don't want to do that this year because I think the bowl might tell us a lot about next season. Instead, lets focus on what some of those things might be.



I start with the premise that 2010 might be a rough year, especially with Derrick Locke out of the mix. The most proven part of our offense could be our wide receiver corps. Think about that for a minute. Okay. UK will go with four new starters on the offensive line, a heretofore unused tight end of some variety, and a quarterback who will emerge from what will likely be a war of attrition.


The Defense will have some talented players back, but a number of holes to fill.



In fact, lets start there. Sam Maxwell's injury means that Junior Jacob Dufrene will get the nod at Strongside Linebacker in the Music City Bowl. Dufrene has been seen almost exclusively on special teams in his career, but is the front runner to play in that spot in 2010. This is a big opportunity for him.



It appears Paul Warford and Randall Burden will have the inside track to start at corner in 2010. Burden in particular had some big plays this year, but in my opinion, really struggled at times. Warford was hurt some this season and had a rather quiet year. Randall's coming out party was in last season's Liberty Bowl. It would be nice to see some similar magic from one of these guys to help us gain some confidence.



Over to offense, obviously the big story should be whether Mike Hartline will play, if so how much and how effectively. Based on everything I've observed, the race for the starting quarterback in 2010 is wide open. Hartline was having a great game when he got hurt but had certainly not set the world on fire leading up to it. Already struggling with confidence, Mike basically imploded against Alabama and left Brooks and Co. saying, "he aint much but he's all we got. Newton of course did what he was asked and managed to win some games, though it is questionable how much of a role he really played. I admit I was a tad disappointed in his running ability, and obviously his touch on downfiled passes will need to improve. I personally would be very relieved to see Mike Hartline come into this game, play well, and reestablish himself as the starting quarterback. No matter what happens, I'd expect a battle in the spring. And given what has transpired this year, I expect it will be a three horse race.



Assuming Locke is gone, UK will be looking for a tailback in 2010. Moncell Allen is at the top of the depth chart, and has certainly paid his dues. More importantly, the Turtle has run well when given the opportunity. Despite this, I don't see him getting more than 100 carries next year as the staff doesn't see him as a every down back. He is an unusual size and shape, and lacks the top end speed of an SEC tailback. If I were Brooks, I'd be looking to get Donald Russell or Coshik Williams a couple of meaningful carries on Sunday.

We'll talk a little more as it gets closer. Merry Christmas.

Lazy Saturday Post

Obviously, a better blogger would figure out things to write about the UK Football team in December. Usually, when the posts get sparse, I blame work or something external. Right now, the truth is, there is little to say. As the MCB is eight days away, I'll go ahead and set up some angles for the game.

1. It may be Derrick Locke's last as a Cat. From looking at interviews and following conventional wisdom, it appears Locke is likely to turn pro after the season. This is an unusual move for someone who may very well be drafted. But is it the right move? The reasons why Locke might throw caution to the wind and go out are varied. He is a responsible father who wants to provide for his child. His body has taken a beating in the SEC, and he is one more awkward tackle away from being unmarketable. UK is graduating nearly all of its offensive line, so a breakout ALL-SEC senior year is less that assured. Finally, he admits that watching Micah and Trevard slide down draft boards after deciding to come back has weighed on him.

Of course, there are as many reasons to come back. Setting aside the "be true to your school" mantra, Locke is not seen as a sure fire NFL player. He may be drafted in a late round, he may end up as a free agent pickup. It would seem that a good senior season could improve his stock. Another year as a feature back might convince the NFL he could be an every down player. Given that he isn't seen as a certain pick, coming back couldn't possibly hurt. Locke's situation is nothing like Lindley's or even Johnson's. He is projected as a final round pick at best. Why give up your senior year in college for something that isn't a sure thing.

Here is an important question I don't know the answer to. Is Locke of course to get a degree in May 2011? See, this isn't basketball. There aren't the same opportunities to play overseas and in minor leagues. Those playing pro football outside the NFL would probably better off financially getting a white collar job somewhere. So it would make sense to play football for free for one more year in exchange for a diploma unless he was 100% sure he'd be on a roster next year. Unless, of course, he hasn't already made sufficient progress and it isn't an option. I don't know. I wish Derrick the best, and truly hope he makes the best decision for him. If he leaves, the Cats are dealt a crushing blow.

2. Randall Cobb plays to a national audience. Next Sunday is an NFL day, but the Music City Bowl is the only college game of the day. The primetime slot on the East Coast ensures that many casual fans will be tuned in. This is Randall Cobb's chance to showcase his talent to the nation. For some reason, I think he is going to rise to the occasion. While he might not outshine C.J. Spiller, a dual between these two uber talent players will be fun to watch.

3. Trevard. The 2006 Music City Bowl was a coming out party of sorts for Treard Lindley. His spectacular end zone interception was the first of many big plays he made for Kentucky over the first three years of his career. After a pick six against Miami (OH) in the season's opening game of 2009, the big plays quit coming. Lindley came back from injury too soon, and he was less than himself for the rest of the year, basically just another player on the field. He may have cost himself hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. I would love to see a healed up Lindley have a big game, show scouts he is the same guy he was in 2008, and make one last memory for himself and his fans.

4. Me tempting the bowl karma monster by taking the kids. This probably deserves its own post.

5. Quarterbacks. The topic of who will be the starter in 2009 is for a different time, but I'd like to see both Newton and Hartline play in this game. I am not sure that Hartline is practicing at this point. He tried to go on Monday and had swelling in the knee. UK practiced last night and will again today at 11. I cannot get word on whether he participated. Sign of the times: I tried to figure this out just now and looked on Twitter before checking any other site.

6. Which Clemson team shows up? The ACC North champ that nearly beat Georgia Tech to go to a BCS Bowl, or the guys who spit the bit against a reeling South Carolina team two games ago.

Saturday Reset

After another episode of the John Wall show I am sitting here watching Army-Navy. I am cheering for the Midshipmen since an Army win would knock UCLA out of the Eaglebank Bowl in DC. In any event, there have been some developments over the past week, particularly on the recruiting front.



A note first about the new wrinkle that Twitter adds site. I resisted Twitter for a long time. My assessment was that unless you were someone a great mass of people wanted to hear from, Twitter added nothing to Facebook use. Twitter does allow you to follow whoever you want, and the relationship doesn't need to be reciprocal. That is important. Randall Cobb doesn't want to read what I have to say. Anyway, I use twitter almost exclusively for following sports. Here are the people I follow: sportswriters, UK athletes, a friend who happens to be running for the US Senate and the hilarious "Shitmydadsays". That's it. I have recently started posting on Twitter (I refuse to call it what they do) only because of a gadget that allows the posts to appear on this site. This way, I might impart some news and thoughts that don't merit a full post. I do have exactly one Twitter follower, an Auburn Football blog. Why, I don't know. Anyway, if you are on Twitter you can become a follower (not that I expect anyone to), or just feel free to check the posts out over there on the right.



On a related note, at least 2 UK players hit the town last night before this morning's practice. One professed to have a pretty good time.



Anyway to UK football.



1. Derrick Locke seems intent on testing the NFL waters. It started with a Facebook post after the disappointing loss to Tennessee "Should I stay or should I go". Frankly, I thought he was just letting off steam. The idea that he might leave school early never occurred to me. Locke has apparently submitted paperwork to the NFL to help assess his draft position. We know from last year that this doesn't mean much. I cannot foresee a scenario under which Locke doesn't return. He is a good back who would probably put up an eye popping 4o time in the combine. That said, at 5'9", 190 he is far from ideal size for an NFL tailback. Locke's future in the league is probably as a kick returner, speedy coverage guy and sometimes third down back. His only chance of being seen as something more is to come back and carry the ball 225 times while maintaining his health. Other than the possibility of career threatening injury, he risks little by returning. As it is, he is a late round pick at best. I'm all for Derrick doing what is best for him, I just think it would be a mistake.



2. If Locke does leave, would the staff consider moving Randall Cobb to tailback? The knocks are that he doesn't have enough size to take the punishment, and that he lacks the top end speed. I think it would work. Ole Miss made the move this with 5-8, 165lb Dexter McCluster in the middle of his career. They decided that getting the ball in their best player's hands as much as possible trumped other concerns. He had an All-SEC season.



3. This week brought a lot of great news on the recruiting front. I generally don't talk about recruiting because I don't keep up with preps any more and wouldn't have a clue what I was talking about. But right now there ain't much else to say, so here goes. Earlier this week we signed the first 4-star guy in the 2010, CB Anterio Sloan, a sub 4.5 guy from Arkansas. Yesterday came news of UK's first commit for the 2011, Jon Davis from my mom's alma mater, Louisville Eastern. Davis goes 6'3", 233 and is listed as an athlete. He played tight end this year, which has me wondering if he can catch a ball and if he'd like to come play football in Nashville on December 27th.



4. It looks like Clemson is not going to use its allotment of tickets, which as I pointed out earlier in the week isn't surprising. This is good news for me, as for all of my planning, I went braindead when I got on Ticketmaster and bought seats on the Clemson sideline. On the other hand, it end up making me mad because several people who waited longer than I did to get tickets are going to get better seats. I got screwed raw on this at the Liberty Bowl last year. Oh well.



5. For anyone interested, a quick rundown of my bowl game plans. This trip is going to be different from years past since we are bringing the kids. We'll head down the day after Christmas for a night at the Opryland. I've never stayed there, and it might make the trip more palatable for my daughter, who could give a crap about football. Sunday we'll move down to the Hermitage downtown and get checked in around 3. I have a parking pass, but the decision whether to tailgate or hit the bar/restaurant scene prior to the game will likely be made by the weather. If you are out having fun after midnight that night, you'll have to tell us all about it.

MCB 2009

A surprise win over the Georgia Bulldogs helps provide Kentucky with a better than expected 7-5 record and a trip to the Music City Bowl to take on the favorite Clemson Tigers. In 2006, our fanbase and team were ecstatic. Clearly more satisfied to be in Nashville than their counterparts, the Cats came to play. The fans showed up in droves and celebrated the team's first bowl trip in 8 years. The result, a not as close as it sounds 28-20 victory.

In 2009, the Cats are in the exact same position, but not really. With the exception of the fifth-year Seniors, no Wildcat has played on a Kentucky team that didn't go to a bowl. It is old hat. We are headed to our third Music City Bowl in four years. The bloom is off the rose a little bit. Like in 2007, many Cats fans are fresh off a trip to Nashville to see us play Vandy. On his criminally under appreciated Demolition album, Ryan Adams sang "Tennessee sucks in the summer". Cats fans who cancelled reservations in Tampa today might not be blamed for thinking it will suck on December 27th as well.

Lets face it, there is some pretty big letdown potential here. After losing the chance to play in Tampa in an overtime game against a hated rival, one wonders what this UK team will have in the tank. The game is far from a sellout, and I don't think UK will bring the contingent it did in 2006 and 2007. Many friends who made the trip before are staying home. Here are some reasons, though, why people should keep the faith, and why the team would be wise to focus.

1. We are underdogs, yes. But if any team could be less happy about being in the Music City Bowl, its Clemson. Five points from playing in the Orange , the Tigers instead took a Bobby Bowden induced dry dive down the ACC pecking order and wound up in this game. They got jobbed, plain and simple. Clemson is ripe for plucking.

2. CJ Spiller. The Cats let the likes of Monterio Hardesty and Anthony Dixon run ragged on them. In the MCB they will play against an even better back. I'm not sure I'd trade Spiller straight up for Mark Ingram. Holding him down would be a tremendous accomplishment for our front seven. Micah Johnson was snubbed by the AP today in All-SEC voting. It would be nice to see him end with a dominant performance.

3. Mike Hartline. Regardless of how Brooks handles the situation, it would be nice to see Mike get to be part of a victory. Next year's quarterback "battle" is going to be an interesting sub-plot in the off season. More on that another time.

4. Winning four bowl games in a row is a very difficult feat. The list of SEC teams that has been to and won bowls the last three years: Georgia, LSU, Kentucky. That is crazy good company. In addition, this is the only positive streak UK can claim to be a part of. Lets keep it going.

5. Nashville is a very nice safety valve for UK come bowl time. How many bowls would pick Kentucky over Georgia? If we throw in a clunker attendancewise, that might disappear.

Of course, one thing would certainly re-energize the Cats and their fans and get everyone pumped for the game: Rich Brooks announcing that it will be his last. Something tells me, however, that this isn't Brooks' way. Even if he decides to hang it up, he may want to take the focus off himself and not do so until after the game. That would be a mistake, in my opinion. We'll see how it goes.

Plus One Bowls

Just to finish the thought about my plan for a plus one college football playoff, here is what the bowl pairings would look like given the final BCS standing. The important part, of course, is that the winners of the Sugar and Fiesta would play the following week for the National Championship. The whole thing would be awesome.

Sugar
Alabama v. TCU

Fiesta
Texas v. Cincinnati

Orange
Georgia Tech v. Florida

Rose
Oregon v. Ohio State

Gator
Iowa v. Boise St.