SEC Media Days: Day Three

(07/25/2008)

9:34

Good morning. We start the 3rd and final Day of the SEC Media Days here at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama with the day most Cat fans most anticipated--your University of Kentucky Wildcats. Coach Rich Brooks will be addressing the media in approximately 10 minutes, and will be joined by UK stalwarts Jeremy Jarmon and Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:34

9:43

Defensively, we will be the best we have been at Kentucky. Our front line is outstanding, Coach Rich Brooks begins his talk today.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:43

9:43

[Comment From Brad Rhodes '71Brad Rhodes '71: ]

Coach, Is there a chance that we will rotate quarterbacks this year, as Georgia did with Green and Shockley?

Friday July 25, 2008 9:43 Brad Rhodes '71

9:43

"This will be the best offensive line we have had since I've been at Kentucky."

Friday July 25, 2008 9:43

9:44

Quarterback is still up in the air between Pulley and Hartline.

"The biggest question" coming into the year is the wide receiver position.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:44

9:46

"We were one of the teams that people used to think they could put as an automatic 'W' and they can't do that anymore," Brooks said.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:46

9:52

"The difference isn't what it used to be," Brooks quipped after being asked what was the difference between Kentucky and the top two teams in the East, Florida and Georgia. "We have closed the gap in talent," which is the most significant difference.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:52

9:53

Brooks earlier discussed the excellent running backs Kentucky has, and said Tony Dixon goes into Fall practice as the # 1 running back. "We'll have to see if he can be the bellcow," or if it will be "running back by committee," he said.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:53

9:54

Thanks to KSR's TerryBlue for this, but you can see a live video feed of some of Kentucky's day at SEC Media Days at www.secsports.com-football

Friday July 25, 2008 9:54

9:55

"Virtual tie," Brooks said about Pulley and Hartline for the # 1 QB.

Both have strong arms, and both can throw well, but the vertical games need to improve for both of them. They are both better runners than Andre (Woodson).

Friday July 25, 2008 9:55

9:55

Curtis is faster (4.47 guy).

Friday July 25, 2008 9:55

9:56

"it is conceivable that both of them could see action," Brooks said, acknowledging he could play both QBs.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:56

9:58

"Joker Phillips is as qualified as anybody in the country to be a head coach," Brooks praised Phillips. He acknowledged that part of the reason was that he did not want his age to be used against Kentucky in recruiting after UK has already gotten over the hurdle that people used to use against UK--go there, and you won't go to a bowl game.

Friday July 25, 2008 9:58

9:59

BROOKS ON PLUS ONE playoff -- "I am in favor of it."

Friday July 25, 2008 9:59

10:00

Football players miss less class time than any other players at any other sport, period, Brooks said. "It is a ridiculous argument" to say that class time is a problem.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:00

10:01

BROOKS ON EARLY SIGNING PERIOD --"I have been in favor of an early signing period. Finally some of the other coaches are seeing that, too."

"I have a hard time seeing--other sports have an early signing period, and it's not a problem."

Friday July 25, 2008 10:01

10:03

"I don't have a timetable." "I'm going to be 67 in August. I am completely healthy, I am fine."

"If I am not a year from now, I want to have something in place, and I have that (Phillips as head coach designate.)

Friday July 25, 2008 10:03

10:05

"It's foolish in my mind" to tinker with the clock rules, Brooks said. Brooks was in favor of letting the rules play out for a few years to see how they work before tinkering with it.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:05

10:06

"We finally have some SEC looking guys on our defensive front, and speed."

"I don't set strict standards on height, weight and speed in my recruiting or else I wouldn't recruit Derrick Locke."

Friday July 25, 2008 10:06

10:07

We will make exceptions to height, weight and speed.

Some of hte players--likie Jeremy Jarmon, for example -- he was like 220 (instead of 285). (Brooks discussing UK projecting a bit.)

Friday July 25, 2008 10:07

10:09

Completely off-topic from Coach Brooks -- the All-SEC team was announced. Out of 70 media members voting, there were no unanimous selections to the All-SEC Team.

You'll have to ask KSR's Brian Eldridge about his selection for all-SEC quarterback, bucking the trend of voting for defending Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, in favor of Georgia's Matt Stafford. Hey, I'll let him defend that pick. ;)

Friday July 25, 2008 10:09

10:10

Phillip and I have become pretty good friends, "he loves the death out of me," Brooks joked about Tennessee beating Kentucky so much.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:10

10:12

[Comment From MacMac: ]

Stafford is going to have a huge year, but you can't vote against Tebow.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:12 Mac

10:12

My guess is Tim Tebow had 69 out of 70 votes.....

"I had to do it," Eldridge said.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:12

10:15

Brooks has concluded with the print/internet media, and Jeremy Jarmon and Dicky Lyons, Jr. will be gracing our presence in a minute. We'll have more from them when they arrive.

Logistically, Brian and possibly Larry will follow Coach Brooks a little today, while I will remain stationary and bring more from the other SEC coaches as they occur. We'll check in from all over today, though.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:15

10:18

[Comment From MacMac: ]

Good man Brian, kept him from being an consensus pick!

Friday July 25, 2008 10:18 Mac

10:19

Don't give Brian any encouragement, Mac -- he doesn't need it.

Jeremy has begun. "We want to be the best defensive front in the league," Jarmon said, clearly confident about UK's defense. He exudes confidence.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:19

10:21

[Comment From MacMac: ]

our front 4 can be as good as anyone's if we stay healthy

Friday July 25, 2008 10:21 Mac

10:22

Mac, Jarmon obviously agrees with you.

Brian Eldridge and Lonny Demaree are with him now. I'm waiting on Dicky Lyons, Jr. to arrive--they place them at opposite ends of the room, making it impossible to spend a lot of time with both of them, although Lyons' delay in arriving in this room makes it easier.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:22

10:24

"Tennessee didn't recruit me," Jarmon said. "I actually visited Tennessee after committing to Kentucky--I was there for the all-star game. Coach Fulmer told me I was going to be a helluva player when I grew into my feet," Jarmon said.

Gotta give Fulmer credit for nailing that one--in a way.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:24

10:25

Back in a minute with some stuff from Dicky, as he has arrived in the room

Friday July 25, 2008 10:25

10:31

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

Tell Mr Jarmon to say hello to Hunter Cantwell several times for me in the pizza pit

Friday July 25, 2008 10:31 Chris

10:31

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

Ask Dicky if he has a plan for all the double coverage that he will see this year

Friday July 25, 2008 10:31 Chris

10:31

Dicky is quite busy right now entertaining the masses.

So what does a talented receiver at the highest level dream about? Would you believe....."Matt Stafford?"

Friday July 25, 2008 10:31

10:32

"I had a dream last night about Matt Stafford," Lyons admitted. In the dream, Lyons--who has become engaged--was worried about losing his fiancee. "Cosmo tells me it's normal," Lyons joked, when talking about his dream.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:32

10:32

In the dream, Lyons was following his girlfriend around. "I went to a bar and she was there," Lyons said. "She told me she did not want to marry me."

Friday July 25, 2008 10:32

10:33

"I was trying to shake her out of it and I turned around and Matt Stafford punched me in the nose."

Friday July 25, 2008 10:33

10:34

Stafford said (in the dream), "You don't hit women."

Then the backup quarterback -- "Blake, who's now at Delta State" -- appeared, and he began hitting me. Then the quarterback for Michigan State began hitting me, and I was fighting off all these quarterbacks, Lyons kept joking.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:34

10:34

Apparently they were in some camp together where he met them. "I texted Matt after the dream and told him about the dream," Lyons said.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:34

10:34

More in a minute.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:34

10:35

[Comment From MacMac: ]

You never know with that kid do you?

Friday July 25, 2008 10:35 Mac

10:39

** This may not be news to you, but it was to me -- Dicky said that Kentucky has three quarterbacks in the NFL.

He talked about Shane Boyd, and Andre Woodson, of course, but said that Jared Lorenzen just signed with the Colts today.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:39

10:42

"I know when I go against him (Trevard Lindley) every day in practice, I'm going against the best," Lyons said.

"In my mind, he's first team. All-American," Lyons clarified, not stopping with all-SEC.

Lindlay did make 2nd team all-SEC media voting released this morning.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:42

10:42

Coffee break as the UK players exit the room and I await Tommy Tuberville of Auburn.

Brian and others will continue to follow UK throughout the day, and will have more for you from the UK perspective as well, both here and on the boards.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:42

10:42

[Be Right Back Countdown]

5 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 10:42

10:47

Before Tommy Tuberville takes the podium, one more quick Dicky Lyons story.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:47

10:47

Lyons said that he goes swimming with Coach Rich Brooks sometimes. "He does a swan dive," Lyons joked. "He's old school like that."

Every team needs a Lyons in the clubhouse.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:47

10:49

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

I'm late, what did I miss? :) Actually is Kentucky's time done for the day?

Friday July 25, 2008 10:49 Droops

10:50

Droops, scroll back and you'll see comments from Coach Brooks, Jeremy Jarmon, and Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Brian Eldridge is continuing to follow Coach Brooks, and Lonny and Larry may also have more as well.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:50

10:50

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

The block that Dicky put on the LSU safety was old school

Friday July 25, 2008 10:50 Chris

10:51

Dicky weighed 195 pounds last year. At 5'10, he felt that was too heavy. He has lost 20 pounds this year, and now weighs 175. He believes it will also help his endurance, as it will take weight off his knees.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:51

10:52

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

I'm scrolling back, but I get grabbed forward when someone posts. I like Dicky's dream, though I bet he could take them. :)

Friday July 25, 2008 10:52 Droops

10:52

Droops, here's another 5 minute break to allow people to catch up. Be back in 5.

Friday July 25, 2008 10:52

10:52

[Be Right Back Countdown]

5 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 10:52

11:00

Tommy Tuberville of Auburn is now up. Auburn is the SEC Media's pick for SEC Western Division champion over LSU.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:00

11:13

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Good break, and good reading. Lots of fun stuff.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:13 Droops

11:14

UK has a lot to be optimistic about; players and coaches feel good about what has been accomplished, and what is yet still to be accomplished.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:14

11:15

Lot of questions to Tommy Tuberville about individual players. Not sure if that means everybody kinda "knows" Auburn, so the questions are so specific, or what.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:15

11:17

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Weird, what kinds of questions to Tuberville, if you can give an example?

Friday July 25, 2008 11:17 Droops

11:18

Nothing specific...just "Coach, can you talk about 'XY' at this position?"

Friday July 25, 2008 11:18

11:19

It is hard to find a true drop-back quarterback in high school, Tuberville said. He's talking about using Franklin's spread offense, and how that will relate in recruiting. Gives Auburn more opportunities to recruit quarterbacks.

Says it is the offense of the future in high schools.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:19

11:20

He said that Gino Torreta won the Heisman at Miami as a drop-back passer in a spread offense, so it can work for them, too.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:20

11:20

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Dang, that's really specific, you're right. Maybe too specific.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:20 Droops

11:22

I think it's a product of the crowd thinning here, and the main ones remaining, on Day 3, of SEC Media Days are the mostly Auburn beat reporters, who cover them very specifically day-to-day and are looking for something different.

Tuberville now talking about Auburn's punter and a walk-on punter, too.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:22

11:22

"At Auburn, we spend a third of the time--and sometimes more than that--on the kicking game, because it has been huge for us in the past."

Friday July 25, 2008 11:22

11:23

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

lol! Walk-on punter. Yea, that must be the Auburn press alone, but I'm surprised more folks aren't interested in Auburn this season.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:23 Droops

11:24

"LSU doesn't have a true quarterback either," Tuberville explained about the prediction of Auburn over LSU in the SEC West. "It's all predictions anyway."

Pressure will be on us, and I'll try to use it to our advantage, Tuberville said.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:24

11:25

Tuberville on Early Signing Period.

"I think it would be great for college football."

"It's not going to happen--there are too many people against it."

Friday July 25, 2008 11:25

11:25

[Comment From AzzieAzzie: ]

auburn spends 1/3 or more on kicking game and has walk on punter?

Friday July 25, 2008 11:25 Azzie

11:26

No, the walk-on punter is pushing the starting punter, I believe, Azzie.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:26

11:26

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Early signing will happen eventually, but it will take time.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:26 Droops

11:26

People love change, so I think they'll do it eventually.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:26

11:26

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Yes, but will Auburn beat Bama again? :)

Friday July 25, 2008 11:26 Droops

11:27

That's the $3 million dollar question--in this state--always.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:27

11:28

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

I'd love to see it so that there would be talk of firing Saban. That would be rich.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:28 Droops

11:29

"Tony Franklin is a win guy," Tuberville said. "Our game plan going into the season is to use our running backs and our offensive line."

Seems to be suggesting the offense won't be *quite* as wide-open as many believed.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:29

11:29

[Comment From DroopsDroops: ]

Sounds like something Brooks would say, using the line and running backs.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:29 Droops

11:32

Tuberville concludes. Let's take a 10-minute break and we'll be right back.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:32

11:32

[Be Right Back Countdown]

10 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 11:32

11:57

Coach Bobby Petrino of Loui....err, Arkansas now on the agenda.

Friday July 25, 2008 11:57

12:01

"I always look forward to playing in a hostile environment," Petrino said about returning to Lexington to face Kentucky. "It'll be a little bit different, because we used to work on that game all summer and all fall."

Friday July 25, 2008 12:01

12:04

"there was a number of things that played into it (returning to college football")."

"I like the different seasons. I like the fact that there is a recuiting season, where you are in homes. I like the fact that there's a season where it's basically booster season. I like the period of spring ball. "

Friday July 25, 2008 12:04

12:11

"We didn't have a discipline problem when I was there," Petrino said about Louisville. "We felt good about the way we left the program and the shape we left the program in."

Friday July 25, 2008 12:11

12:15

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

Did his lips move when he said that?

Friday July 25, 2008 12:15 Chris

12:16

I'll have pics later, you can judge for yourself.

I am interested in getting the Louisville Cardinal fan perspective on that comment, though. I have posted it on our Football Forum as well.

Friday July 25, 2008 12:16

12:22

Petrino ends...several questions about Louisville, and ended before time expired for him to be there.

Friday July 25, 2008 12:22

12:24

[Be Right Back Countdown]

10 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 12:24

12:28

[Be Right Back Countdown]

10 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 12:28

12:36

[Be Right Back Countdown]

5 minutes

Friday July 25, 2008 12:36

12:43

Coach Steve Superior...err Spurrier of South Carolina to take the podium in just a minute. He's always entertaining.

Friday July 25, 2008 12:43

12:55

Sorry about the "just a minute." We're still waiting. Apparently he's been delayed slightly from another inteview.

Friday July 25, 2008 12:55

1:01

[Comment From AzzieAzzie: ]

does he have a new qb coach or is he taking charge

Friday July 25, 2008 1:01 Azzie

1:02

Azzie, do you mean Petrino, or Coach Spurrier?

Spurrier arrives, now just about 20 minutes behind schedule.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:02

1:03

[Comment From AzzieAzzie: ]

spurrier

Friday July 25, 2008 1:03 Azzie

1:03

We'll see.

"At six and six (6-6), that's the height of mediocrity, and that's where we were (last year)."

Friday July 25, 2008 1:03

1:04

New special teams coordinator at SC from Maryland. First time since Ron Zook did it in 1995 at Florida for Spurrier.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:04

1:06

Offensively -- new QB, Tommy Beecher (has the highest GPA on the team, can scramble and run). Can make all the throws. We're hoping and believing he will develop a lot of confidence and be a very good SEC quarterback.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:06

1:07

Steve, Jr. going into his 11th year coaching with his Dad.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:07

1:08

Steve, Jr. .has been calling plays also (in addition to Steve.)

Friday July 25, 2008 1:08

1:09

I felt like he is ready to be the principal play-caller. I'll still have the sheets (plays). It'll be a team effort. One guy has to start it, though.

If it goes bad, I did it. If it goes pretty well, he did it.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:09

1:09

There's your answer.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:09

1:09

Steve, Jr. is the designated play-caller, but Spurrier himself will be also involved.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:09

1:15

Tommy Beecher is going to be given the reigns to take South Carolina far, according to Spurrier. Going to give him a chance to develop as the leader of the offense.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:15

1:20

Just a side note -- there has been a lot of discussion today about UK freshman Donte Rumph and whether he is eligible or not. It has been widely reported that Rumph would not be eligible.

In an apparent surprise, Coach Rich Brooks said that "all" UK freshmen were eligible. When asked again if that was really "all," Brooks replied again "all."

Friday July 25, 2008 1:20

1:21

Rumph is in the UK Media Guide, although his photograph is not. Speculation is that part was too late for print deadline, so he very well may be eligible.

Huge news for UK fans if accurate.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:21

1:26

"We lack a little bit of confidence. We haven't done enough to gain confidence."

Friday July 25, 2008 1:26

1:30

"it's like going after girls, you try to get the best you can," Spurrier joked about recruiting kids.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:30

1:39

Coach Spurrier concludes by saying "see ya'll all in a season."

And with that, we'll say the same thing. Expect the next Blog and Virtual Tailgate to occur prior to Kentucky's opening game versus the Louisville Cardinals Sunday, August 31.

Be sure and look for plenty of football talk on the KSR Premium message board, where Larry Vaught, Lonny Demaree and Brian Eldridge posted throughout SEC Media Days, and join us on the football forum for more great discussion of Wildcat football. It's been fun, and "see you next season" here, too. Thanks for reading/visiting.

Friday July 25, 2008 1:39

1:39

Writer: Darrell KSR

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