Eckwood43
05-11-2004, 11:32 AM
Couple big things in the spring.......Tommy Cook, the Cats' top returning receiver, probably will miss the 2004 football season because of a torn ACL he suffered in the Blue-White game, which will require reconstructive surgery. The normal recovery time for such an injury would extend well into the season.
Shane Boyd is going to have to step up for J-Load and be able to stretch the field. Athletic but inaccurate, most of the time, Boyd was a scrambler.
The two major questions for Kentucky coming into spring were offensive line and quarterback, and Coach Rich Brooks said both positions made strides over the 15 practices.
UK post-spring position by position analysis from the Kentucky Herald
Quarterback
Splitting time between football and baseball, Shane Boyd solidified himself as the starter. Brooks and Hudson now expect Boyd, who will go back to baseball full-time, to use his downtime this summer to work on his throwing accuracy.
Redshirt freshman Andre Woodson got better as spring practice progressed, and if he can develop into a dependable backup, the staff might redshirt incoming freshman Joe Joe Brown.
Running back
Arliss Beach bounced back from an ankle injury to finish strong.
Alexis Bwenge will again be a swingman capable of contributing at tailback or fullback, and he and Rock Johnson showed the potential to be a formidable tandem in goal-line situations. Brooks said Dominic Lewis, who moved from tight end this spring, will stay in the backfield.
The X-factor will be true freshman Rafael Little...UK coaches expect Little to challenge for the No. 1 job.
Offensive line
Quite a few questions here. Paul Dunn's patchwork unit managed to build some continuity heading into the fall. Matt Huff settled in at guard opposite fellow senior Jason Rollins, and Mike Aitcheson slid into Huff's old spot at left tackle. Right tackle Hayden Lane might be the most improved player on the line.
The center spot is unsettled, though Matt McCutchan played admirably during the spring.
We'll know more about this group in the fall when junior-college transfer Ernie Pelayo is healthy and four true freshmen arrive.
Receivers
About everybody who got repetitions showed the potential to contribute, though a knee injury to Tommy Cook could dampen things. Keenan Burton looks ready to take the next step; Scott Mitchell has size and athleticism; Jacob Tamme showed the knack for the spectacular catch; Glenn Holt shook off a hamstring injury to have a good spring; and Gerad Parker was his usual sure-handed self.
Throw in speedster John Logan and freshman Lonnell Dewalt, and UK could go seven or eight deep here in the fall.
Tight end
Eric Scott stood out late with several nice catches in both the final scrimmage and the Blue/White game.
With UK expected to use several two-tight end sets, Jeremiah Drobney, Jamir Davis and Kurt Jackson all should see time.
Defensive line
One of the few spots where UK has depth and flexibility. The coaches know what they've got with Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns and steady but overlooked fellow end Trey Mielsch. The Lamar Mills/Ellery Moore nose tackle combo again worked nicely, with Moore also a factor at end.
B. Jay Parsons needs to add strength but showed a knack for making plays off the edge. Redshirt freshman Ricky Abren should continue to mature into a playmaker.
Linebackers
Dennis Johnson was the revelation of the spring at inside linebacker and gives the unit a solid third option behind Chad Anderson and Dustin Williams. Raymond Fontaine stepped in for the dismissed Deion Holts outside and had a big spring.
Secondary
This unit was depleted for much of the spring. Strong safety Mike Williams sat out to rest his surgically repaired shoulder, cornerback Earven Flowers was in and out of practice as he dealt with academics and corner Bo Smith still is trying to work through a bothersome groin. The positives were a healthy spring by Warren Wilson and the play of converted wideout Karl Booker at corner.
Special teams
The Wildcats appear to have plenty of kick-return options, and the place-kicking duo of Taylor Begley and Clint Ruth is back. The kick coverage units still need shoring up.
Punter Anthony Thornton missed much of spring practice because of injury, and Sevin Sucurovic punted well enough in his absence to suggest he might push Thornton in the fall.
Shane Boyd is going to have to step up for J-Load and be able to stretch the field. Athletic but inaccurate, most of the time, Boyd was a scrambler.
The two major questions for Kentucky coming into spring were offensive line and quarterback, and Coach Rich Brooks said both positions made strides over the 15 practices.
UK post-spring position by position analysis from the Kentucky Herald
Quarterback
Splitting time between football and baseball, Shane Boyd solidified himself as the starter. Brooks and Hudson now expect Boyd, who will go back to baseball full-time, to use his downtime this summer to work on his throwing accuracy.
Redshirt freshman Andre Woodson got better as spring practice progressed, and if he can develop into a dependable backup, the staff might redshirt incoming freshman Joe Joe Brown.
Running back
Arliss Beach bounced back from an ankle injury to finish strong.
Alexis Bwenge will again be a swingman capable of contributing at tailback or fullback, and he and Rock Johnson showed the potential to be a formidable tandem in goal-line situations. Brooks said Dominic Lewis, who moved from tight end this spring, will stay in the backfield.
The X-factor will be true freshman Rafael Little...UK coaches expect Little to challenge for the No. 1 job.
Offensive line
Quite a few questions here. Paul Dunn's patchwork unit managed to build some continuity heading into the fall. Matt Huff settled in at guard opposite fellow senior Jason Rollins, and Mike Aitcheson slid into Huff's old spot at left tackle. Right tackle Hayden Lane might be the most improved player on the line.
The center spot is unsettled, though Matt McCutchan played admirably during the spring.
We'll know more about this group in the fall when junior-college transfer Ernie Pelayo is healthy and four true freshmen arrive.
Receivers
About everybody who got repetitions showed the potential to contribute, though a knee injury to Tommy Cook could dampen things. Keenan Burton looks ready to take the next step; Scott Mitchell has size and athleticism; Jacob Tamme showed the knack for the spectacular catch; Glenn Holt shook off a hamstring injury to have a good spring; and Gerad Parker was his usual sure-handed self.
Throw in speedster John Logan and freshman Lonnell Dewalt, and UK could go seven or eight deep here in the fall.
Tight end
Eric Scott stood out late with several nice catches in both the final scrimmage and the Blue/White game.
With UK expected to use several two-tight end sets, Jeremiah Drobney, Jamir Davis and Kurt Jackson all should see time.
Defensive line
One of the few spots where UK has depth and flexibility. The coaches know what they've got with Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns and steady but overlooked fellow end Trey Mielsch. The Lamar Mills/Ellery Moore nose tackle combo again worked nicely, with Moore also a factor at end.
B. Jay Parsons needs to add strength but showed a knack for making plays off the edge. Redshirt freshman Ricky Abren should continue to mature into a playmaker.
Linebackers
Dennis Johnson was the revelation of the spring at inside linebacker and gives the unit a solid third option behind Chad Anderson and Dustin Williams. Raymond Fontaine stepped in for the dismissed Deion Holts outside and had a big spring.
Secondary
This unit was depleted for much of the spring. Strong safety Mike Williams sat out to rest his surgically repaired shoulder, cornerback Earven Flowers was in and out of practice as he dealt with academics and corner Bo Smith still is trying to work through a bothersome groin. The positives were a healthy spring by Warren Wilson and the play of converted wideout Karl Booker at corner.
Special teams
The Wildcats appear to have plenty of kick-return options, and the place-kicking duo of Taylor Begley and Clint Ruth is back. The kick coverage units still need shoring up.
Punter Anthony Thornton missed much of spring practice because of injury, and Sevin Sucurovic punted well enough in his absence to suggest he might push Thornton in the fall.