Kentucky Wildcats Football: Joker Phillips Says Times Are A'Changin'

by Glenn Logan on Aug 21, 2011 12:34 PM EDT in Kentucky Wildcats Football

John Clay has an article today that discusses in a matter-of-fact way that this year's crop of freshmen is not like those of recent years, and that they appear to be an a good position to replace some of the older players on the traveling squad:

"There will be a lot of faces on this football team that traveled with us last year, that are battling to travel this year," head coach Joker Phillips said on Friday. "That's a good thing."

That is a bit exceptional, considering that the freshman classes since Randall Cobb's back in 2008 have failed to make much of a contribution in their first year. Cobb was an amazing find, but reading between the lines of the coaches this year, it seems like the level of recruiting has improved to the point that many more of the new players are passing the "look test." Freshman running back Josh Clemons is generating the most excitement, but the freshman wide receiving corps is also getting a lot of praise.

Understandably, Phillips is trying to avoid naming too many names:

"I don't want to back myself against the wall," Phillips said after Saturday morning's scrimmage when asked about players making noticeable moves.

I think that's smart at this point, not only for Phillips' reputation, but to prevent the heads of the young guys from swelling, something we have also seen before.

Another thing that is noticeable about this year is that controversy has been very minimal. Last year, the quarterback contest among Mike Hartline, Morgan Newton, and Ryan Mossakowski drew all the attention, and the greater overall focus this year seems to back up my complaints last year that Phillips waited too long to name a starting quarterback. It seems the coaching staff is much more focused on the overall team and less on the quarterback, and that feels like a good thing to me.

Speaking of Newton, he seems to be performing well:

"Morgan’s handling himself really well," coach Joker Phillips said. "He has really good command of the football. He threw the ball down the field with some authority, put it right over the receiver’s head. … I’m really pleased with how he has grown up and how he understands how to prepare to be a quarterback in this league."

Newton is a big, talented kid, the kind of quarterback who can really give even SEC teams problems with his athleticism and mobility. It doesn't hurt that he has a good arm, and if he can get that arm sharp and accurate, he is going to be a real problem for defensive teams. Unlike Mike Hartline, Newton can run the ball powerfully and with good speed, and can take a hit on the move. His near-linebacker size is invaluable when it comes to durability.

On the defensive side of the ball, Phillips is impressed with the speed of Rick Minter's defense:

Phillips said the defense, which had multiple stops in red-zone situations Saturday, has improved its tackling and routinely swarms to the football in Minter’s new scheme. Speed, apparently, will be that unit’s calling card this fall.

"We’re as fast a defense as we’ve had around here," Phillips said.

I hesitate to get too excited about that, because I've heard it before. My main concern this year is the same as it was last year -- can this group tackle and put offensive players on the ground? Speed is valuable, but if your players can't tackle, a la last year, it doesn't help much.

To sum up, the good news so far seems to be that Newton is playing well, the defense is fast, and the freshmen are better than expected. The bad news is that most of the offensive line is dinged up and did not play, we've lost a couple of talented players in Jerell Priester and Qua Huzzie, the skill positions are young, and the fact that freshmen are pushing so many returners can be both good and bad.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Rock Oliver can answer your tackle question

He says you now have (+) an entire year of strength training under him. They seem, to me, to be solid “rocks”. Will that make them tackle better? I certainly think it can’t hurt. ;-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Aug 21, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

No, it can't.

I really want to see good tackling this year. The last two years, it has really not been very good, and is one reason we have had so much trouble on defense.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Aug 21, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

and speaking of the last two years -- LET'S try to make it to the second half without needing a rally

That script got tiresome. Here’s hoping the D is better and Minter knows how to make adjustments before “halftime” is Latin for “too late”.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Aug 21, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Still uncertain on Newton.

Yes, he was a four star recruit, he’s big, he has experience, he can run and he reportedly is taking command of the team but I just don’t hear the platitudes I want coming out of the coaches.

I think he’ll do a great job running the offense and will add that running dimension to the offense but a couple of long passes later in the scrimmage doesn’t make me feel we’re “there” yet in the passing game. I’m nervous hearing “he’s progressing” with less than two weeks to the first game. Of course it’s near impossible making a real decision based upon coach speak. At least we haven’t heard the “..manage the game” refrain.

I’m really encouraged by the comments they consistently make about the freshman class. When was the last time you heard this much positive vibe about a UK freshman class? Ever?

Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

by hoboat33 on Aug 21, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Speaking of big...

…Have you seen Jack G? (I can’t spell his name, sorry).

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Aug 21, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Jack Gruenschlaeger

6’11" @ 360 from Ft Thomas.

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Aug 21, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard Joker says he is the DFGB. :-)

Rock Oliver calls him “Sunset” and his twitter handle is “grue2tall”. I say let him QB on the 4th and inches play.

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Aug 21, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

and he's a walk-on.

Here’s a video from high school games. When he gets to second level you can see the defensive backs retreat (in know I would).

Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

by hoboat33 on Aug 21, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Reminds One Of Michael Oher

In the scenes from “Blind Side”.

"Statistics are no substitute for judgment" — Henry Clay (my namesake)

by Wild Weasel on Aug 21, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh how I wish he’d turn out that good. Not likely, but a nice thought.

Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

by hoboat33 on Aug 21, 2011 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

give him a shot of Jorts

he’ll come around REAL QUICK!

I have kleptomania,
but when it gets bad,
I take something for it.

by bluecrip on Aug 22, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Wonder if Cal would let him walk on. He could use him when he needs a player to “clog up the middle”. Uh, he does still count as one player, doesn’t he? ;-)

Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

by hoboat33 on Aug 22, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

good lord !!!!

he is hugee lol

by Bluehound on Aug 21, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Off subject but

I was able to watch the 1997 UK/Bama game which re-aired last night (which was played before my mad football fandom began). It was a great game. UK hadn’t beaten the The Tide since 1922. Never say never folks. :-)
Was kicking a field goal not a possibility in OT with the OT play-off type of thing? Trivial, I know, but I was just wondering.

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Aug 21, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

btw, is there any way we can go 1 and 0 without beating Western Kentucky?

I like Bowling Green. Lived there for two, good years. We need to play Louisville first.

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Aug 21, 2011 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Wait Until Next Year

"Statistics are no substitute for judgment" — Henry Clay (my namesake)

by Wild Weasel on Aug 21, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I went to school at WKU.

It’s a game I kind of hate to see happen.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Glenn Logan on Aug 21, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

I really don’t see much upside for either team except it keeps the money somewhat in-state. Of course, we’d keep much more money in-state if we played in state. Looks like attendance will be poor and after expenses for the trip it may be looked back on as a mistake.

When I first heard about it I thought “Great!”; but now, I think they may need to revisit this idea. It’s the first game of the season and some years this is the apex of fan optimism. Why forego the extra income and incur the extra expense of an away game to start your season when you can play at home? Its not like Nashville is the hub of some great recruiting area.

In addition, we could offer WKU more money to play at Commonwealth than we could at an away field. Maybe (likely) I’m wrong, but is someone associated with this game paying UK and WKU money above what could be generated if held in our own facilities?

Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.

by hoboat33 on Aug 21, 2011 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions