WildcatRick
08-24-2007, 05:21 PM
1) The news that Kentucky defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins will return to practice is a huge lift to the defensive line for the Wildcats. The unbelievable recovery of Jenkins, who during the spring the staff indicated would definitely redshirt, solidifies the unit with more experience and added depth. The junior native of South Carolina was UK's top reserve at the position a year ago. With Jenkins added to the two-deep depth chart of Ricky Lumpkin, Corey Peters, JD Craigman and Myron Pryor, the question marks have all but been erased in the middle. Now there is not as much pressure on Craigman to produce in his first campaign at a new position and freshmen Shane McCord to make an immediate impact. This may now result in McCord redshirting.
2) The Wildcats received additional good news on the injury front, when starting middle linebacker Braxton Kelley was told that he’ll be able to resume practice activities. Kelley was my pre-season pick to have a breakout year after watching him be all over the place in the spring. He spent all of last year getting over his mental hurdles of tearing his ACL as a sophomore and is set for a breakout year this season. His replacement, Micah Johnson, has been outstanding this fall and looks poised to give Kelley a run for his money in the upcoming year for playing time.
3) Lots of debate over whether or not the UKAA should be putting together a Heisman campaign for senior quarterback Andre Woodson. I would agree with what UK officials are inadvertantly saying, at this point, and say no. If I'm Coach Brooks, I would rather not belittle the accomplishments of other players that have put in as much effort to the program as Woodson has and has meant just as much. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that the accomplishments of Woodson are any more significant than Keenan Burton, Rafael Little, Wesley Woodyard and other seniors. Each individual member of this senior class took just as much of a chance on coming to Kentucky, and have been just as successful for as long or longer of a period of time than Woodson. Did Woodson have an extraordinary campaign last season? Absolutely. But it was a special one-year effort. Should Andre and 'Cats take care of business against Louisville at home, then the campaign for Heisman can start gaining some momentum and then their could be a righteous claim for the UKAA not making more of an effort to pump Woodson. Until then, let's allow the team and Woodson to prove that they can handle the success and the weight of the accomplishments of this past year before we rant and cry over the lack of effort towards getting Andre to New York. Win some games and let the chips fall where they may until then.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3294
2) The Wildcats received additional good news on the injury front, when starting middle linebacker Braxton Kelley was told that he’ll be able to resume practice activities. Kelley was my pre-season pick to have a breakout year after watching him be all over the place in the spring. He spent all of last year getting over his mental hurdles of tearing his ACL as a sophomore and is set for a breakout year this season. His replacement, Micah Johnson, has been outstanding this fall and looks poised to give Kelley a run for his money in the upcoming year for playing time.
3) Lots of debate over whether or not the UKAA should be putting together a Heisman campaign for senior quarterback Andre Woodson. I would agree with what UK officials are inadvertantly saying, at this point, and say no. If I'm Coach Brooks, I would rather not belittle the accomplishments of other players that have put in as much effort to the program as Woodson has and has meant just as much. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that the accomplishments of Woodson are any more significant than Keenan Burton, Rafael Little, Wesley Woodyard and other seniors. Each individual member of this senior class took just as much of a chance on coming to Kentucky, and have been just as successful for as long or longer of a period of time than Woodson. Did Woodson have an extraordinary campaign last season? Absolutely. But it was a special one-year effort. Should Andre and 'Cats take care of business against Louisville at home, then the campaign for Heisman can start gaining some momentum and then their could be a righteous claim for the UKAA not making more of an effort to pump Woodson. Until then, let's allow the team and Woodson to prove that they can handle the success and the weight of the accomplishments of this past year before we rant and cry over the lack of effort towards getting Andre to New York. Win some games and let the chips fall where they may until then.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3294