SEC East: 2008 Look Ahead

[WildcatRick]

Kentucky Wildcats

Will be missed in 2008:
Lost amidst the Billy Gillispie arrival that makes Norman Dale’s early days in Hickory seem like a smooth transition, Wildcat fans seem to be neglecting (or unwilling to admit) that the great Andre’ Woodson is moving on. The talented senior has led the renaissance of the Kentucky football program and replacing his 39-touchdown season will be impossible (yes, impossible). Woodson, along with Keenan Burton (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=33400019), Rafael Little (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=33400022) and Steve Johnson (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=33400013) will be sorely missed. Hopefully the Kentucky faithful really took in the Music City Bowl experience, as it may be awhile before they return to postseason play.

Fantasy star in 2008:
Derrick Locke (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=33400041)’s 536-5 freshman season certainly bodes well for the future of the Kentucky running game. Filling in for oft-injured Raphael Little, Locke provided solid but not spectacular production. In fact it is tough to tell the difference between Locke, Little and former Wildcat Artose Pinner. All are stocky, hard-nosed running backs that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Locke’s injury leading up to the bowl game notwithstanding, he should be a solid selection in SEC-only leagues. While there is a bevy of candidates to pick up additional carries in 2008, we think Locke will see the majority of touches, which includes the half dozen screen passes Kentucky throws each game. This will make him the likely fantasy star of the offensive unit, though this unit will be without the services of an NFL-caliber quarterback.

Speaking of missing Mr. Woodson, Dicky Lyons (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=33400012) Jr. may fall prey to the same feelings of loss experienced by Notre Dame TE John Carlson (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=51300089) in 2007; in other words he may spend next fall wondering where all his buddies went.

Fantasy sleeper of 2008:
Remember the name Chris Pulley? At one point this young man was penciled in to be the 2006 Kentucky starting quarterback, then following some academic struggles and personal stuff the talented footballer left the university. Well, he’s been running the scout team this fall, and he has a legitimate shot to win the starting job in 2008. First off, he’s not Andre’ Woodson-in fact, he’s a better athlete, having seen significant carries and balls thrown his way prior to his premature departure from Lexington.

He has a couple years of eligibility left and only the very green Mike Hartline (http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/stats/player-pages.aspx?ID=3340005) in front of him. He’ll likely be raw, but he may also come from nowhere. Keep an eye on this young man.

2008 Fantasy Outlook:
The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats will have a difficult time coming close to their 2007 offensive production, and we see a significant drop off from this impressive campaign that saw the Woodson-led squad surpass 40 points in eight of their 12 contests.

Some programs are able to withstand the loss of a talent like Woodson and not miss a beat. Kentucky is nowhere near this point, and fantasy owners will be wise to look elsewhere for SEC talent. Or at least wait until the later rounds to snap up some Wildcats.

http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/2007-archive/article.aspx?ID=153

[Brian McCat]

Oh my gawd. Thanks for linking, Rick, but this article´s writer couldn´t find his bellybutton if you gave him a map.

Locke provided solid but not spectacular production. In fact it is tough to tell the difference between Locke, Little and former Wildcat Artose Pinner. All are stocky, hard-nosed running backs that can catch the ball out of the backfield.

WHAT¿!¿! Locke is a stocky back? How about the fact that he´s a skinny track runner? Not spectacular? Hang it up. Perhaps he´s forgotten about Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith? My guess is that he´s never watched a down of UK Football.

Remember the name Chris Pulley?

No, I don´t have a clue who Chris Pulley is. I know of a Curtis Pulley, though.

Some programs are able to withstand the loss of a talent like Woodson and not miss a beat. Kentucky is nowhere near this point, and fantasy owners will be wise to look elsewhere for SEC talent.

MmmmOK. Well, maybe he forgot that we return 8 of 11 on a defense that will be much stronger and deeper than half of the teams in the SEC.

[Matt Dillon]

I agree wholeheartedly, BM. Evidently this guy didn't do any research whatsoever on the Cats and thus has come off looking like a complete and total buffoon in my opinion. Perhaps, someone should email this guy and point out the error of his ways.

[SBCatMan]

While it is true that this writer is generally clueless, you have to give him a break for this reason: It APPEARS to me that he is talking about FANATSY Football, at least most of the time. Now, I have never played fantasy football and that I think it is silly at best, asinine at worst. But, my understanding of it is that it is based upon statistics.

Now, IF both of those assumptions are true -- 1) he is MOSTLY talking Fantasy Football and 2) FF is based on stats, then UK may not be a good Fatntasy team in 2008. The strength of the team should be defense and a solid running game with 3 - 6 backs getting a lot of carries and a lot of yards. I think most of us agree that neither Pulley nor Hartline is going to put up Woodson-like NUMBERS.

However, where the guy really and truly misses the mark BADLY is his comment about not going bowling for a while. That comment seems to be about REAL football and on that one, he is WAY OFF base.

[Brian McCat]

However, where the guy really and truly misses the mark BADLY is his comment about not going bowling for a while. That comment seems to be about REAL football and on that one, he is WAY OFF base.

Yep.

Still haven´t figured out who Chris Pulley is, though.

And if I were a Fantasy Football geek, I would probably want to pick up a Trevard Lindley, for example. The kid´s not half-bad.

[The Old School JPS]

In just about all fantasy leagues you draft offensive skill players and perhaps a kicker, but only a defensive unit (Kentucky, LSU, etc.) and not individual defensive players. So few will draft Trevard Lindley . . . or that Chris Pulley guy . . .

[I. Melvin]

Let 'em sleep on us.

Easier to sneak up and smack 'em in the mouth before they know we're there.

A lot depends on that Chris Pulley guy, though ...

[johnkyblue]

The league I play in has one defensive player spot. I had the Redskin that was killed on my team at the time. That fact pretty much sums up last year in FF for me.

[RV]

The league I play in has one defensive player spot. I had the Redskin that was killed on my team at the time. That fact pretty much sums up last year in FF for me.

His (Sean Taylor's) year didn't turn out exactly peachie. :icon_rolleyes:

[I. Melvin]

My fantasy team would have done better if they had been shot ...

[johnkyblue]

:icon_rolleyes:What?