Kentucky's quarterback picture still evolving

[WildcatRick]

Who's going to play quarterback for Kentucky this fall?

Now that Curtis Pulley is out of the picture, the guy pushing him all spring, sophomore Mike Hartline, has moved to the head of the pack.

Hartline's chief competition for the job might come from a guy that Hartline would love nothing more than to get the ball to a few times this season in one-on-one matchups on the perimeter.

True freshman Randall Cobb has been one of the most impressive athletes on the field this preseason, according to Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, and he's going to be on the field somewhere.

That's fine by Hartline.

"Whatever it is - quarterback, receiver or catching punts - he's too athletic for us not to put him on the field. We're going to get him the ball in some way, shape or form," said Hartline, who's attempted just six passes during his career.

"It also pushes me, too, because you see somebody that young and that talented with that potential. It's a competitive thing I like. I don't take it as a threat, because he's my teammate. We'll make each other better."

Chris Low, ESPN (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-219/Kentucky-s-quarterback-picture-still-evolving.html)

[DJRUKALUM]

Thanks for the link. I've been impressed with Chris Low's articles about us. Even though he's a former Tennessean writer, he's being very fair and giving us a lot of ink.

[poodoo]

"Tennessee started recruiting me pretty hard after I had a breakout game my senior year, but that was too late," Cobb said. "They said they were recruiting me as a quarterback. I wasn't really sure. I didn't feel comfortable with the situation. I felt I had some coaches up here at Kentucky that I could trust, who were loyal and that everything they told me ... I could believe." QUOTE from Low link
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I, too, love Chris Low's articles about UK. Also, I love Cobb's words about our coaching staff here. Cobb is so right in feeling that he could believe them.

[RV]

I fear folks will be expecting too much, too soon from young Mr. Cobb. Some are even predicting he will be the starter at QB and that will just not be the case. As I have maintained, he will see time at WR, some punt returns and some time at QB which will be mainly red zone and short yardage attempts unless I miss my guess. He is quite a talent but we must not forget that he is a true Freshman and prone to mistakes.

We will sink or swim with Hartline this season and this will determine, to an extent, the futures of our new QB commits next fall.

[BLUE-K]

I really like Hartline's mentality. Bravo! Of course, I've ALWAYS liked Randall's as well...

[gerntz]

I fear folks will be expecting too much, too soon from young Mr. Cobb. Some are even predicting he will be the starter at QB and that will just not be the case. As I have maintained, he will see time at WR, some punt returns and some time at QB which will be mainly red zone and short yardage attempts unless I miss my guess. He is quite a talent but we must not forget that he is a true Freshman and prone to mistakes.

We will sink or swim with Hartline this season and this will determine, to an extent, the futures of our new QB commits next fall.

I buy that.

[Gunsmoke]

Spreading Randell around here and there in different game situations will probably be the route taken. I don't think he is going to be starting at QB this year. This is Hartline's team.

[BlueBoy44]

I think that we should do the smart thing and start Hartline, he has the mentality and the athleticism we need for this offence right now. I think we can find a spot for Cobb somewhere on the field. He reminds me of Pulley, the coaches can use him as a QB or WR, which is very helpful in a lot of situations and gives us a very solid QB for longer games to put in late in the 4th or OT. But right now starting a Freshman QB with a relatively newer offence that is still making mistaked doesn’t fit me just quite right. With the offence still making some mistakes here and there in the WR position. We need a more experienced QB starting right now in the beginning of the season, until out offence clicks. Am I going to complain if Cobb plays Sunday? No, just as long as he gets the job done, as he’s expected to.