Chip Cosby has a nice article on the uncertainty of UK Football entering the off-season. Who will be the coach? If Joker takes over, will UK adopt a new style of play? What will change once Joker Phillips is announced as the head coach? On offense the Cats have many question marks. Derrick Locke is trying to hold the staff hostage by his comments after the Music City Bowl. Locke says he is coming back for his senior year, but if the offense doesn't go in the direction he wants he could leave early. UK is losing four senior offensive lineman, but should be in pretty good shape, the unit will need some time to gel as group. The receiving group, including Chris Matthews, Randall Cobb and LaRod King, must develop more during the off-season. Will the Cats have someone to step up and play tight end? Who will replace John Conner? I'm hearing rumors there could be a quarterback battle heading into next season too. My gut tells me that Mike Hartline will be the starter, but anything is possible.
On defense UK is losing Corey Peters which is huge, but the Cats return everyone else. Ricky Lumpkin must become a bigger factor next season. Look for Mark Crawford and Mister Cobble to compete for playing time. The linebacker positions are probably the biggest concern heading into the off-season. The Cats lose Micah Johnson and Sam Maxwell, while Danny Trevathan returns. Expect, Ronnie Sneed, Jacob Dufrene, Ridge Wilson, Qua Huzzie and Will Johnson to all compete for playing time. The Cats secondary should be in pretty good shape with Paul Warford and Randall Burden returning. Look for Martavious Neloms, Cartier Rice and possibly one of the freshman to come in and make an impact. Dale Trimble could be the biggest surprise of the incoming freshman class.
On special teams the Cats will gain incoming freshman Joseph Mansour. The LaGrange standout has a big leg and fans will be impressed. The return game will be solid with Locke and Cobb returning kicks, but personally I like Winston Guy returning kicks. He didn't receive many opportunities this season, but is fearless in the return game.
Overall, I expect the 2010 season to be another good one for UK. The Cats should make their 5th Bowl appearance in as many years. The schedule sets up pretty nicely with some key home games. If Joker Phillips becomes the new head coach, he will have in hands full when he takes over. GO CATS!
If Derrick Locke has an attitude problem with the letter I in it, I hope he goes pro. We do not need players with an attitude like this on the team.
ReplyDeletei think he will be stunned when he tries personally.
while a great player for UK, I too think he will be stunned at the lack of interest in him in the NFL. Players like him usually go in the 5th round or later and do not have very productive careers on the whole.
ReplyDeleteBill
Im with you guys. We have a ton of unproven depth at running back. We'll see how it shakes out but I, like you guys am not all tore up about it. I saw were D.Locke posted on his facebook that the newspapers were twisting what he said making him sound like a prima donna. Wouldnt be the first time but either way its all good.
ReplyDeleteMickey
Uncertainty? Yeah we do have some, but we have more answers for this program now than we have ever had in my lifetime--Regardless of what happens!
ReplyDeleteBill
What I mean is with all of the loss of talent, at least we now have talent to replace it and unlike previous yrs, will not have to wait 2-3 yrs to let talent catch back up to where we can again compete
ReplyDeleteSorry for the confusion
Bill
I wanna see what George can do next year. Havent heard alot about him but I think his RS is intact. Im still a little confused as to why we didnt run between the tackles more after the brief success by Moncell. No Phonzie Smith either. The game was wierd. At any rate Im with you Bill we have people waiting to step in. So go or stay, whatever. We dont need the drama!
ReplyDeleteOne thing is fo sho--"We ain't chur momma's CATS no mo!!"
ReplyDeleteLOL! I can't believe I wrote that
Bill