Freshmen QBs on quest to be backup

[ukfaninva]

By Chip Cosby
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
There will be no quarterback controversy at the University of Kentucky in 2007 as Andre Woodson's banner season has put a deadbolt on the position for next season.

But what happens behind Woodson is still murky. Junior Curtis Pulley is the clear No. 2 going into the Music City Bowl, but Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks has said he'll sit down with Pulley after the season and go over his options, which would include redshirting or moving to wide receiver full time.

After Pulley there are freshmen Will Fidler and Mike Hartline, both of whom have been getting more work as UK prepares for the bowl game.

The extra practices figure to set the tone for spring practice, when both Fidler and Hartline will be battling to back up Woodson.

It's a battle that figures to go into next fall camp and even extend into 2008, when Woodson is gone. UK offensive coordinator Joker Phillips said neither player has a clear advantage going into spring.



http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/16219152.htm

[ukgrad]

I'm by no means a football guru, but what about Pulley at tight end since we're losing Tamme? Is he not big enough?

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

Brooks just needs to sit down with Pulley after the season, and let him know straight up that he's not a QB and if he wants to continue to play it will be as a WR. If Pulley still has aspirations of being a QB, then I guess he can transfer to Marshall or wherever, like some of the rumors that had floated around mentioned.

As for Hartline and Fidler, does anybody know which one has more arm strength or which one has better field vision and can make the proper reads.

[PeachtreeCat]

I would hate to see Pulley leave or redshirt. He is so talented, we need him on the field!

[SueW930]

Tamme has another year of eligibility, I believe.

[ukgrad]

Oh... i thought this was his last year

SueW930 wrote:
Tamme has another year of eligibility, I believe.

[johnkyblue]

Bourbon Town Catfan: I don't think your judgement, stated as fact, of Pulley not being a QB is necessarily right. I trust Brooks to make that decision.

[ridgecat78]

"Junior Curtis Pulley is the clear No. 2 going into the Music City Bowl"

I thought Pulley was a Soph this year.....

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

johnkyblue wrote: Bourbon Town Catfan: I don't think your judgement, stated as fact, of Pulley not being a QB is necessarily right. I trust Brooks to make that decision.

Ok to rephrase that then ---- Tell him that he would better help the team to move to WR.

[johnkyblue]

If that's true - then yes.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

i see pulley not leaving uk i do see him redshirtin next year and then coming back with two full season after woodson leaves after his Sr Season but then again Pulley is just too good to stick him on a bench he done alot of great things this year on special teams and then pulled some big catches down. I dont know

[baldcat]

From what we've seen this year...Curtis has a HUGE future as a WR.

I think he could play at the next level as a WR.

[trublue4life]

Didn't Pulley play some defense in high school? I could see him as a BIG TIME safety with his size and ability to go up in the air and get the ball. He's the kind of rare athlete that could possibly play both ways - WR & safety. Just a thought.

[I. Melvin]

The last time we had a quarterback with good all-around athletic ability who refused to move to another position where we needed him more we ended up with Shane Boyd throwing pick sixes to UofL linebackers and bouncing the ball at the feet of our receivers.

Shane would have been a great tight end or H-back - a position of need for us back then.

But Hudson was coaching the offense, so nothing made any sense at that point in time ...

[Caveman Catfan]

BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN wrote: Brooks just needs to sit down with Pulley after the season, and let him know straight up that he's not a QB and if he wants to continue to play it will be as a WR. If Pulley still has aspirations of being a QB, then I guess he can transfer to Marshall or wherever, like some of the rumors that had floated around mentioned.

As for Hartline and Fidler, does anybody know which one has more arm strength or which one has better field vision and can make the proper reads.


Brooks won't do that. He has repeatedly stated that Pulley is a QB and that Pulley has real skills to be a QB. Brooks will give Pulley the opportunity to redshirt next year and then have 2 years at the QB position. Or, Curtis can perform in the same role he did this year and then have one year at QB. Either way, Brooks has made it clear that Curtis is a QB. Brooks is committed to Curtis.

[johnkyblue]

Caveman Catfan wrote:Brooks is committed to Curtis.
As he is to all our players. I'm thinking the only way Pulley moves is if he himself asks to move - and Fidler and Hartline get good enough. This is the SEC, ask UTK how many QBs you need. Ask UGA. :) :) :)

His passing looked a lot better in the spring game, the last time we have really had a chance to see him throw it around.