Via the Big Blue View, the SB Nation New York Giants site, at least one NFL analyst thinks the Giants got a steal with Woodson, and that he will turn out to be the best QB in the 2008 draft:

Strong words, and this has to make André feel better after slipping to the 6th round.  Speaking of that, how did André feel about where he went in the draft?  Not too good:

Congrats to the Giants and to Woodson.  I think he will do well there.

Now that the Blue-White spring game is history, it's time to take a look at the current state of Kentucky football.  First of all, we will start with our departing seniors:

• Wesley Woodyard is the subject of a Rivals article today.  Despite Woodyard's outstanding college career, his size is a major concern for the NFL.  Most observers think that he will go in the middle rounds of the draft.  Other names who achieved greatly in college but aren't expected to go high in the draft include Colt Brennan of Hawai'i, Harry Douglas of Louisville and Craig Steltz of LSU.  Rivals currently has Woodyard rated as the #7 outside linebacker.
  
  
• André Woodson is currently ranked by Rivals as the #5 quarterback.  NFL Draft Scout has him currently going in the second or third round, and also has him as the #5 quarterback.  The biggest concerns about Woodson appear to be his quirky release and his lack of mobility, despite his obvious athleticism.
  
  
• Rafael Little is currently ranked as the #18 running back.  Oft injured and injured during the Senior Bowl, Little is considered by most to be a good third-down back prospect, but there are concerns about his durability.  He is expected to go in the later rounds.
  
  
• Keenan Burton is the #10 ranked wide receiver prospect on Rivals.  Most observers expect him to be on the cusp of the 2nd and 3rd rounds.  Injury, strength, and route running concerns are most often mentioned as negatives.
  
  
• Jacob Tamme is currently showing up at the # 13 tight end on Rivals.  He is considered a marginal top-200 prospect, and the major negatives in his case are strength, power, and overall size.  Look for him to be taken sometime on the second day of the draft.  Minnesota is said to be especially interested.
  
  
• Steve Johnson is not listed on Rivals as an NFL draft prospect, but NFL Draft Scout has him going on the cusp of the 6th and 7th rounds.
  

Concerning the Blue-White game, this was the first time since Rich Brooks has been head coach that the team was deep enough for a "draft" to be held, with OC Joker Phillips running the Blue squad, and DC Steve Brown the White.  This process apparently produced a very competitive and interesting game, with the Blue squad winning in the end, 23-22.

The quarterback battle was fought to an apparent draw, with Mike Hartline and Curtis Pulley both bringing a pretty good game.  From the reports I have read, however, there were numerous dropped passes by both sides, which highlights the weakness in our receivers that we both expected and dreaded.  Dickie Lyons apparently had a good game, but none of the other receivers were impressive.  Fortunately, we have some help coming there in the summer from our recruiting class, including 4* freshman Aaron Boyd.  E.J. Fields, Randall Cobb or Matt Roark could also help next year at that position, but we do need help there.  Keep in mind that DeMoreo Ford has an injury that could keep him out all of next year, and besides Lyons, he is the most experienced receiver on the team.

Apparently, third-string QB Will Fidler made the longest pass of the day, a 57-yard strike to Dickie Lyons, Jr.  Considering that both Hartline and Pulley missed open receivers on verticals in this game, and Fidler is just now regaining practice form after a shoulder injury, Brooks thinks that there could be a third entrant into the quarterback derby this summer.  Brooks also pointed out that UK's secondary is perhaps the deepest and best in many years at Kentucky, which contributed significantly to the lack of efficiency in the passing game.  Among the running backs, Alfonso Smith stood head and shoulders above everyone else, rushing for 170 yards on 20 carries.  Derrick Locke managed 39 yards on 11 carries and Moncell Allen had 17 yards on 5 attempts.

What do we take away from all this?  Well, looking at the bright side, I'd say we have at least two and possibly three serviceable quarterbacks.  Kentucky is deeper now at almost every position than they have been since before probation.  The defensive secondary seems to be poised to be among the best in recent memory at Kentucky, and the O- and D-lines are both significantly deeper and better than last year.

On the negative side, we have issues at wide receiver, and the running game was not tremendously impressive.  Bottom line, we are not likely to have the kind of offensive firepower we had this year.  Hopefully, the summer will see some improvement in our skill positions, and if so, Kentucky could be poised for another fine season on the gridiron.

With the myriad of events taking place the last few weeks, spring football practice has been given only passing interest by many, including myself.  With the new look Blue-White game Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, I thought it time to provide a preview of the game, and an overview of the prospects for a successful '09 season.

Papa Brooks decided to hold a "draft" this year to determine the rosters for this years Blue-White tilt.  Offensive Coordinator Joker Phillips will coach the Blue team, with Defensive Coordinator Steve Brown coaching the White.  This game configuration is very different than the previous Brooks spring games which were basically offense verus defense.  I like the idea.  With many starting nods yet to be decided this set-up allows for a "real game" feel to the contest.  

I like the White team in this game (please place no wager based on my "feeling").  The quarterback position will be manned by Curtis Pulley and Will Fidler.  The running backs of note for the Whites are Derrick Locke and Moncell "Rolling Bowling Ball" Allen.  Receivers Dicky Lyons and E.J. Adams, along with tight end T. C. Drake round out the offensive skill position players with experience or projected experience, who will be suiting up for the White team.  This group should score some points, which at times have been hard to come by this spring.  

The Whites also get the edge in the defensive secondary department.  Paul Warford and Trevard "Pick Six" Lindley will be giving Blue's quarterback Mike Hartline headaches all day long. Lindley and Warford have an opportunity to do something special in '09.  Both possess killer skills, and if they remain healthy, along with Marcus McClinton, they will wreak havoc on SEC QBs and receivers this upcoming season.

The Blue team will line up the aforementioned Mike Hartline at QB, with Kyrus Lanxter being the lone receiver of note.  Actually, writing Lanxter is a receiver of "note" is a bit of a misnomer.  He participated in only a handful of plays last year, but the coaches are excited about his potential to stretch the field.  With Lyons being the only returning receiver with more catches than me, Lanxter's talent will assure him a spot on the field.

Alfonso Smith will be the only Blue team running back with experience.  This can't bode well for the Blue's chances of success at running the ball.  Smith possesses both breakaway speed and an ability to elude, but he will be relying on inexperienced backs to lend a helping hand.  Of course that's one of the reasons they play these games; to gauge the youngsters in a real-game scenario.

The defensive secondary for the Blue team is also loaded with experience and talent.  Marcus McClinton, Randall Burden, David "I'm Faster Than You" Jones, Ashton Cobb and A. J. Grigsby will represent the Blue with blazing speed and a radar-like nose for the ball.  These young men are the reason the coaching staff is so excited about the defensive secondary (along with stars Lindley and Warford) for the upcoming season.

UK OVERVIEW

The strength of the '09 UK football team may lie with its offensive and defensive lines.  On the offensive side of the line Garry Williams, Justin Jefferies, Zipp Duncan, Josh Winchell, Jess Beets, Brad Durham and Jake Lanefski are all battling for starting positions.  Williams, Duncan, Jefferies, and Durham are most likely going to be four of the starters along the O-line.  With a veritable stable of talented running backs this crew is vitally important to UK's success next year.  If they achieve as projected, I look for MAYBE two 1,000 yard rushers.  The graduated Jason Leger will be missed, but I see a bright and bountiful future for the O-lineman.

The defensive line returns not the quantity their offensive counterparts enjoy, but they are rich in experience and talent.  Corey Peters, Josh Minton, Ventrell Jenkins, Myron Pryor and Jeremy Jarmon are all established, known commodities.  Pryor, when healthy, is a monster at the defensive tackle position.

Stopping the run is the key to winning in the SEC.  UK had moderate success last year, but they must continue to improve in that area.  This group has also proven to be strong pass rushers, and I have no reason to believe they won't perform equally as affective in '09 as they did in '08.

QB Battle: I don't have anything insightful to write about this on-going battle, but Brooks must have faith.  Faith that either Pulley, or Hartline are capable of running a pro style offense.  Brooks recently announced that UK would not be running the "spread" offense, or any variation thereof.  To me this means that Brooks and Phillips are confident that one of the two players can handle the responsiblity of stretching the defense, in order to open up the run.  Papa Brooks is the "Midas Man" in my book, so I look forward to seeing his faith rewarded with solid quarterback play.

Of course we all know that the running game will be the skill position strength of this years team. Tony Dixon, Derrick Locke, Alfonso Smith, and John Connor are quite the fearsome foursome (is that nickname already taken?).  Health; that is the key.  If these guys can remain healthy, which hasn't happened for a couple of years now, then UK should pile up the yards.

Catching the ball out of the backfield should be a tradition that is continued.  With the loss of Rafael Little one would almost expect a dropoff of production in that area, but I feel Derrick Locke and Alfonso Smith can make up for Little's lost catches.  If so, that would certainly relieve some of the pressure placed on UK's next starting quartberback.

Receivers: Who knows?  Not me.  I know Dicky Lyons and DeMareo Ford, but Ford is in danger of not playing in '09 due to injury.  According to my limited mathematical knowledge that leaves exactly one receiver with meaningful experience.  I do think that a couple of guys will emerge, though.  As noted above, Kyrus Lanxter should provide an opportunity to stretch the field, but he'll be green.  Incoming freshmen E.J. Fields and Aaron Boyd could both challenge for playing time at the receiver spot. They're both great athletes, who were recruited as difference-makers.

Linebackers: Losing Wesley Woodyard would be a blow to any major college football program, but UK has a wealth of players ready to step up and take over the role of enforcer.  Micah Johnson, Braxton Kelley, Sam Maxwell, Johnny Williams, Antonio Thomas, and Michael Schwindel will all see time at the position this year.  The depth these players provide is exceptional, and something past UK teams were not blessed with.  I am a big Kelley fan, and I look for him to step up as the leader of this group.  Micah Johnson made strides last year in his ability to play affectively in passing downs, if he can continue to improve at his previous rate, he will become the player Brooks knew he was getting out of high school.

Kicking Game: Seiber's to lose.

Punting Game: Masthay's to lose.

Injuries: Tony Dixon will not play, he has a strained medial collateral ligament.  TE Maurice Grinter will not play, he is nursing a shoulder.

The game is at 1:00.  Parking and game admission are free, so head on over if you can.

Thanks for reading, and Go Blue, Go White!

I saw this today and just laughed out loud, then cried.  It seems that some in Congress have decided that it would be a good idea to legislate a playoff system for college football.  I kid you not.  Some representatives from Hawaii, Georgia and Idaho were all unhappy with how the whole BCS thing turned out last year, particularly for their favorite team.  So, being the good public servants that they are, they have together decided to introduce a bipartisan resolution that says the BCS violates federal antitrust law, and require a Justice Department investigation of the BCS.  I know, I know ... it sounds insane, but I swear, it's true.  Here is the summary from the article above:

This is a classic example of why I forbid political discussion on this blog -- politics and sports are like oil and water -- they don't mix.  Look, I am as opposed to the current system as the next guy.  I would love to see a limited playoff instituted at maybe 8 teams.  But the idea of spending federal resources to investigate a college sports setup is so incredibly absurd, in my opinion, I have no choice but to laugh in complete amazement at these supposedly responsible people, then cry at the bad judgment we had to put such idiots in our national legislature.  I think you could put monkeys or hippopotami in place of these guys and the place might actually function better.

Dear Right Honorable Mr. and/or Mrs./Ms. Congressperson -- leave college sports the heck alone!  Go investigate some professional baseball boob or agent who lied about shooting up 'roids, or laundered money, or some NBA official for gambling.  College football's post season may be a mess, but we don't need Congress turning it into a farce.  Fan pressure will eventually get it fixed.  Just keep your musty mitts off our pastime!  It's bad enough that we have reactionary fans carping all over the Internet -- we don't need the feds crawling all over our schools trying to make sure every action in college sports is a pean to perfect egalitarianism.  

Where will this all end?  Next thing you know, we are going to have a Congressionally-mandated trophy for every team who participates in the NCAA tournament, just so the losers don't feel bad.  Please.  Stop.  Now!

Update [2008-4-20 23:17:50 by Truzenzuzex]:  Our friend T. Kyle King over at Dawg Sports has a similar, but considerably more detailed and interesting view, particularly considering that one of the legislators in question is from Georgia.  Recommended.

Here in Wildcat country, we love our football.  We just don't love it quite as much as basketball.

The news coming out of early spring training is good, and there are lots of interesting things to talk about.  First, we have this article in the Herald-Leader today, which briefly discusses the expected competition at quarterback, and some changes Brooks is thinking about making.  Here are the main ones of interest:

• E.J. Adams to wide receiver -- Adams was mostly an offensive player in high school, having played every offensive skill position except tight end.  Brooks seems to think that due to the lack of experience at WR and the apparent depth we have at the corners with Ahmad Grigsby back from health problems, David Jones looking so so strong in the early practice and Randall Burden rapidly improving.
  
  
• A.J. Nance from MLB to fullback -- Currently third on the MLB depth chart, Nance played some fullback in high school, and at 5'11"/250#, he certainly has the body for it.  I wonder if this is the first step in moving John Conner to tight end.  Conner is a bit short for the TE position, but he is a good blocker, and has great hands.  He was a valuable spot-duty receiver last  year and made a spectacular catch against Florida.  There has also been speculation that perhaps #2 fullback Maurice Grinter may be moved to TE rather than Conner.  But this move does look like an attempt to shore up depth at the fullback position with an eye toward moving either Conner or Grinter to TE.
  
  
• Matt Lentz, recruited as a quarterback, is going to give the safety spot a try.  Apparently, he broke his thumb last year and has not been able to throw the ball as well since.  There is currently a logjam at QB with Curtis Pulley, Will Fidler and Mike Hartline all fighting for the spot.  Plus, Brooks has promised freshmen Randall Cobb and Matt Roark a look at the spot, which potentially makes it a very competitive position for the foreseeable future.
  

Then, there is this article in the Kentucky Kernel that talks about how the players are dealing with the absence of the seniors that they grew up having around.  Of course, we go through this every year when Kentucky's seniors move on to bigger and better things, but this year is a bit extraordinary with the loss of so many guys collectively having a huge impact on Kentucky's climb out of the cellar of the SEC into a mid-pack competitor.

I'll be watching as spring training continues, and update everyone as they become available.  Wildcat football is becoming exciting again, and as we move from dusk into the Long Night on the dark side of Planet Basketball, football spring training will draw news and interest.  I am excited with our football recruiting class and the possibility that this team may even be better, overall, than last years' due to a significantly deeper and likely better defense.  How the offense will pan out with the loss of Woodson & Co. remains to be seen, however.

...And said, "I'm outta sight!"
He said for a nominal service charge
I could reach Nirvana tonight
If I was ready, willing and able
To pay him his regular fee
He would drop all the rest of
His pressing affairs and devote
His attention to me.
-- Frank Zappa, Cosmik Debris

Comes now ESPN with a sweet offer for UK:  "Tell you what, boys," sez they, "You and Louisville can play on Monday night, Labor day next year.  It's our Prime Real Estate here on the Leader, and we know you can't resist."

But the boys from Bristol reckoned without Mitch Barnhart, who politely asked them to pound sand.  Why?  Well, we will have a pretty green team next year, and it seems that Barnhart doesn't like having a short week:

That's true, but seeing as our game that Saturday is mighty Norfolk State (!), all I can think of to say to Mitch is, "Look here, brother, who you jivin' with that cosmik debris?"

I honestly think that Barnhart is just trying to stick it to the Cardinals any way he can these days.  I really don't think this tempest in a teapot matters all that much, and if Barnhart thinks it's important, I'm fine with it.  But his argument, for my money, is pretty darn weak.  It isn't as if we will be going down to play Alabama in Tuscaloosa or something.

I do think Jurich's publicity-grubbing ways are just a little bit weird.  I can understand why the Cards want to play on Monday night, they want to play anytime in prime time on ESPN, even if it's Thursday.  However, I just don't quite get Barnhart's argument -- why doesn't he just say "Because Louisville wants to do it, I don't".  It may not be politically correct or particularly professional, but quite frankly, the message he is sending is that he wants to make life as hard as he can for the Cards, and if getting in a cheap shot here angers Jurich, he is all about that.  The argument that Kentucky needs an extra 2 days to prepare for an FBS team is just transparent nonsense.  If it's not, Kentucky is in a world of hurt.

But hey, these are rival schools and the rivalry isn't all that friendly, and Barnhart seems bound and determined to make sure the relations between the two athletic programs are as frosty as possible.  That doesn't necessarily bother me, but one must wonder what the driving force behind that is.  It could just be a competitive nature -- if there is bad blood between Jurich and Barnhart, I am blissfully unaware of it.

But the bottom line is, I could care less either way.  On the other hand, maybe you do and if so, let's hear about it.

Kentucky fans may not find this tremendously interesting, but this is the deadline for nominations for the College Football Blogger Awards, and I have a few nominations.

As you well know, here at A Sea of Blue, we focus very strongly on the Kentucky Wildcats, and although we do blog Wildcat football, I don't consider this blog to be truly "football-centric."  In fact, we are, quite frankly, basketball-centric, although I think we have done a reasonable job of blogging UK, and to a lesser extent, SEC football this season.  For details on these awards, visit EDSBS and read all about it there.

There are lots and lots of worthy blogs out there, and I am sure I have left several excellent ones out of my consideration.  What can I say, I do the best I can with what little of my once-considerable mental capacity I still retain.  Please be sure and visit all the fine blogs liked here, they are all excellent in their own right and deserving. 

So, without any further ado, I will jump right in:

Continue reading this post »

Ask your questions in here, Jared Powell from The Cats Zone will be checking here for questions as well.

I was out for the Gillispie conference, sorry I didn't put it up.

Ask 'em if you have 'em!

Congratulations to the LSU Tigers for bringing the BCS championship trophy back to to SEC country for the second year in a row.  Tiger reax can be had at And The Valley Shook.  For Buckeye reaction, be sure to check out Around the Oval, the SB Nation Ohio State blog.  

I know that here in Kentucky, we are deeply immersed in basketball season, and even the BCS championship seems at best a distraction from what is in front of us, especially given the struggles of our team so far.  But this big Tiger victory is further validation of the Kentucky football team, as if we needed it -- one of only two schools to hang an "L" on the newly-crowned BCS champs.

It is absolutely incumbent upon me to acknowledge to outstanding effort the Bayou Bengals put into this season, and the straight on, no-nonsense whipping they gave a worthy Ohio State squad last night.  Ohio State may not have been truly worthy of a #1 ranking given their relatively weak schedule, and some will argue that a 2-loss team like LSU was not worthy of a berth in the national championship, either.  But no matter what, OSU acquitted themselves well, but were clearly the inferior team this year.

Both arguments are irrelevant now.  There is little real doubt that LSU is the best team in college football, and what doubt their is exists mainly in the minds of Trojan fans, although the SB Nation Southern Cal blog Conquest Chronicles rejects that suggestion in a very classy and honest post today that I hope our brothers and sisters of the SEC will remember when the shoe is on the other foot one day.

Congratulations to Les Miles and the Boys from the Bayou.  Geaux Tigers!

That was one exciting game, but the Wildcats once again come away as champions of the Music City Bowl.  But it sure was a lot closer than it had to be.

Why was the game so close?  Well, it pretty much came down to UK doing some foolish things near the end of the game, probably more because of the fact that as successful as the Cats have been, we still have a long way to go to match the bowl and big-game experience of some of the better teams.  Micah Johnson could have simply taken a knee after he picked Weatherford late in the 4th quarter and sealed the victory.  Instead, Micah tried to show us he could be a ball-carrier too, and ultimately fumbled away the hard-won turnover (one of 4 UK turnovers) a few seconds after he achieved it, giving the Seminoles a chance to tie or even win the game. 

I have to admit, visions of the Bluegrass Miracle were dancing in my head at that point.  It was really scary to think that as hard as we played and as well as we were able to do, we could almost give the game away like that.  I'm sure that an earlier version of UK would have found a way to lose this game in the same situation.  But apparently, those years are firmly in the rear view mirror, where I'm sure we all hope they will stay.

I have to give a shout out at this point to the Florida State Seminoles.  Given the problems they were facing, they could have easily mailed this one in and nobody would have noticed.  But not only did they not do that, they demonstrated to Kentucky and anyone else paying attention that even the dire circumstances the 'Noles faced with the academic suspensions is not enough to keep them out of a ball game with a lesser program.  Make no mistake, folks, UK has a very long way to go indeed to have the kind of program the Seminoles enjoy.  Kudos to them for playing their hearts out under very unfortunate circumstances, and for playing a very clean, classy game overall.  To see what they thought about the game, visit fellow SB Nation site Tomahawk Nation.

The officiating in this game was very poor, but fortunately, at least in my opinion, it all pretty much evened out.  That's all I'll say about that.

What a great job by our seniors and our defense.  Woodyard was again the leading tackler, Woodson wound up breaking the UK passing TD record of Tim Couch and the SEC mark set by Florida Gator Danny Wuerffel.  Raphael Little rushed for 152 yards, but that stellar performance was tarnished slightly by a rare fumble.  Jacob Tamme had two huge plays, one of them a recovery of a UK fumble and the other the first touchdown of the game.

All in all, the seniors acquitted themselves with the excellence they have shown all season.  The secondary held Weatherford to 45% passing, while Woodson completed a robust 64% of his passes for a whopping 358 yards.  Once again, as he has all season, Stevie Johnson showed us the big play, and scored the final touchdown for the Cats.

Now, it's time to give Rich Brooks some props.  How far has he brought the Wildcats since early in 2006, when virtually everyone had decided it was time for him to go?  The turnaround this program has made is truly spectacular, and it shows no real signs of abating.  Even though we lose some huge skill players this year and the heart of our linebacking corps on defense, we have some great players waiting in the wings to step up and help us compete again with the best of the SEC.  Our talent level is up, and even though "up" does not mean it has reached the level of the SEC elite, Brooks has done a very good job of picking up talented players that nobody knows that much about.  That is an amazing skill set in itself, but hopefully, a year or two more of this kind of success, and we should start being able to compete on a higher level in recruiting.

I cannot say enough about what Rich Brooks has done.  Nothing short of probation could wipe away his legacy as one of the best Kentucky coaches in memory, and the man who has taken this program from the depth of probation to undreamed-of heights for a Kentucky team.  Brooks has the entire Big Blue Nation behind him now, as it should be.

Some congratulations are also in order for the long-suffering UK football fans.  I do not qualify, I am only recently converted to a fan of the football program, but I am happy to be one now.  The football team has brought great credit on the school, not just by their deeds on the field, but by largely staying out of trouble and performing reasonably well in the classroom.

So now, it is time to farewell the football Wildcats, and turn our full and undivided attention to basketball, something I am sure at least a few readers will be glad to hear.  Well done, Gridiron Felines -- you have done Kentucky very proud, and we are just as proud of all of you.