Hello everybody. Good Tuesday afternoon to y'all. We'll have another media opportunity with the Cats coming up today as they shift to an afternoon practice schedule with the start of classes this week at UK. We typically get offense on Tuesday and defense on Wednesday during the season, but this week we'll have the defense speaking today and the offense on Thursday. The Coen family is expecting a new addition any time now, so they flip-flopped today. I'll have all the latest news and notes on the Cats at approx 5:30 ET. Stay tuned...
NOTE:
Five Cats were named to the coaches' preseason All-SEC team today, including OT Darian Kinnard on the first-team offense and DE Josh Paschal on the second-team defense. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. and C/G Luke Fortner were listed on the third-team offense, while S Yusuf Corker was a third-team defense selection.
DC BRAD WHITE:
* White said he thought they started Saturday's scrimmage fast, then had a bit of a lull, but offense did some nice things to respond, too. Tackling was better than first scrimmage. Not where it needs to be, but an improvement.
* On what he's seen from the LBs group: A lot of potential there. The freshmen are spinning a little bit now that you add class on top of football and a little bit of game-planning. A few more mental breakdowns today than they've seen previously. Gotta get that cleaned up. Before this week, all they had to do was worry about football in their cup. Now there's a bunch of other stuff making that cup overflow.
* Corner is a bit thinner now, but they have guys that they're really confident in with Valentine, Dort, and Mosely. Geiger coming on, had one of the better camps of anyone on defense to help bolster their depth.
* Asked about the pass rush... Nothing new to report, per se, but White has been "pleasantly pleased" with Wright and his potential to "take the next step." He's really focused right now. But it can't just be one guy, White reminds us. It's got to be a bunch of guys contributing to the rush. "You have to service the entire group."
* On DeAndre Square being dinged up a bit lately and how confident he is that he'll be ready ... Smart player. Three years in the SEC. Things are slower for him than they are for the freshmen, so he should be ready.
* White said he loved seeing the new Coach Schlarman tribute sign at Gate 12 today facing the JCFTC main gate. It represents what UK Football stands for, White said. It was emotional to see it.
* On having less than two weeks until the first game... You never feel truly ready, but you get as close as you can and then just cut them loose, White said. May have to trim the gameplan for the first one to help them play the fastest.
* Jordan Wright can play either OLB spot, White said, so it won't be an issue when JJ Weaver is ready to go. You can get both of them on the field at the same time. "We've got options."
* Davonte Robinson is a guy who has come back with a purpose and is ready to prove himself, White said. He's in tremendous shape. "I'm gonna put a lot on him out there on the field, and he needs to come through."
DT MARQUAN "BULLY" McCALL:
* Bully said it's challenging when school restarts, but that's part of the college game. You have to go take care of business, he said.
* On what we should expect from the D this season: A lot of hustle, more strain.
* On upholding the expectations Brad White has set for him: McCall said he accepts the challenge and is ready to go.
* On his inspiration going through camp: Bully said his grandmother and his American bulldog (appropriate, eh?) named "Honey." Her birthday is Thursday. Ha. "On lonely days she makes me smile."
* Asked about how he balances his fun-loving persona and the new responsibilities and maturity the coaches have talked about... Bully says he's just taking his situation as a blessing. Knows he could be in so many other spots right now, but God has looked out for him.
* On what we might see from the new UK offense: "So many different things. They've got so much stuff." (All the players have expressed something along these lines lately. I think they're eager for the fans to get to see it.)
* Asked about pass rush and his role.... McCall said it's mostly about taking the coaching and structure of the defense and then "just dominate." Coaches have preached all camp that it usually comes down to winning one-on-ones.
* McCall says he's got the same kind of respect for center Luke Fortner than Forter expressed toward him on Saturday. "Luke, he gives me good work every day and pushes me." Hard worker who never gives up on a play, McCall added.
* Bully said it's good to get some work in the extreme heat before you have to play a game because it could be even hotter next week. It's miserable out here today, but McCall says "It's good for us."
DB DAVONTE ROBINSON:
* Robinson says he feels bad for the guys who have to step away from the team and deal with the legal situation hovering over them, "but we're not going to let it hold us back."
* Asked who has stepped up to help fill the void from losing a couple of guys in the secondary, Robinson said Geiger has really come on strong, "made plays all over the field this whole camp." Robinson said he's always had his eye on Geiger. "He's come out of his shell." Really strong in press-man coverage, sticks to receivers. "That's what separates him from everyone else."
* Having fans back in Kroger Field will be big this year, Robinson predicted. You could tell how much they were missed in third-down situations last year. He really missed seeing his friends and family up in the stands supporting him.
* Secondary is very "player-led," Robinson said. They've done their own workouts this summer, come out to work even when the coaches didn't ask them to. They've really bonded. Tight bunch.
* The heat today (index near 100) will help them leading up to the game, Robinson said. It has been pretty mild in Lexington for most of summer until the last couple of weeks. They need that work in the extreme heat just in case it's that way on gameday.
* On which WRs have grabbed his attention: "Wan'Dale, of course. Josh (Ali). Isaiah Epps. Chauncey Magwood. Rahsaan Lewis," Robinson said. "Really, that whole wide receiver room." Also threw Izayah Cummings into the discussion, even though he's a tight end now. "He's having a real good camp. Just his ability to go up and get the ball and the way he moves after he catches it."
* On whether he's seen a higher energy level and excitement from the WRs in the new offense... Robinson said they watch sometimes on plays where they're not in the rep and say, "Dang, that's crazy... We're just really excited to see it on Saturdays."
* On Brad White saying D-Rob looks like a guy who is ready to prove himself, Robinson said he knows he wasn't very good last year, and that he has a lot to prove this season being one of the older, most experienced guys in the room.
* On what advice he would offer JJ Weaver on trying to get back on the field and mentally ready to play again... Just keep your head down and grind. D-Rob has talked to him a lot in the training room and reminded him that he'll turn out stronger than when he got hurt. He's a little surprised that he's close to full health already. Big plus for the Cats if he's out there: "Very disruptive."
* Robinson said there's still a week and a half to go, but he's ready to go. Feels like the D is ready to play.
In the meantime...
#RIP Charlie
NOTE:
Five Cats were named to the coaches' preseason All-SEC team today, including OT Darian Kinnard on the first-team offense and DE Josh Paschal on the second-team defense. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. and C/G Luke Fortner were listed on the third-team offense, while S Yusuf Corker was a third-team defense selection.
DC BRAD WHITE:
* White said he thought they started Saturday's scrimmage fast, then had a bit of a lull, but offense did some nice things to respond, too. Tackling was better than first scrimmage. Not where it needs to be, but an improvement.
* On what he's seen from the LBs group: A lot of potential there. The freshmen are spinning a little bit now that you add class on top of football and a little bit of game-planning. A few more mental breakdowns today than they've seen previously. Gotta get that cleaned up. Before this week, all they had to do was worry about football in their cup. Now there's a bunch of other stuff making that cup overflow.
* Corner is a bit thinner now, but they have guys that they're really confident in with Valentine, Dort, and Mosely. Geiger coming on, had one of the better camps of anyone on defense to help bolster their depth.
* Asked about the pass rush... Nothing new to report, per se, but White has been "pleasantly pleased" with Wright and his potential to "take the next step." He's really focused right now. But it can't just be one guy, White reminds us. It's got to be a bunch of guys contributing to the rush. "You have to service the entire group."
* On DeAndre Square being dinged up a bit lately and how confident he is that he'll be ready ... Smart player. Three years in the SEC. Things are slower for him than they are for the freshmen, so he should be ready.
* White said he loved seeing the new Coach Schlarman tribute sign at Gate 12 today facing the JCFTC main gate. It represents what UK Football stands for, White said. It was emotional to see it.
* On having less than two weeks until the first game... You never feel truly ready, but you get as close as you can and then just cut them loose, White said. May have to trim the gameplan for the first one to help them play the fastest.
* Jordan Wright can play either OLB spot, White said, so it won't be an issue when JJ Weaver is ready to go. You can get both of them on the field at the same time. "We've got options."
* Davonte Robinson is a guy who has come back with a purpose and is ready to prove himself, White said. He's in tremendous shape. "I'm gonna put a lot on him out there on the field, and he needs to come through."
DT MARQUAN "BULLY" McCALL:
* Bully said it's challenging when school restarts, but that's part of the college game. You have to go take care of business, he said.
* On what we should expect from the D this season: A lot of hustle, more strain.
* On upholding the expectations Brad White has set for him: McCall said he accepts the challenge and is ready to go.
* On his inspiration going through camp: Bully said his grandmother and his American bulldog (appropriate, eh?) named "Honey." Her birthday is Thursday. Ha. "On lonely days she makes me smile."
* Asked about how he balances his fun-loving persona and the new responsibilities and maturity the coaches have talked about... Bully says he's just taking his situation as a blessing. Knows he could be in so many other spots right now, but God has looked out for him.
* On what we might see from the new UK offense: "So many different things. They've got so much stuff." (All the players have expressed something along these lines lately. I think they're eager for the fans to get to see it.)
* Asked about pass rush and his role.... McCall said it's mostly about taking the coaching and structure of the defense and then "just dominate." Coaches have preached all camp that it usually comes down to winning one-on-ones.
* McCall says he's got the same kind of respect for center Luke Fortner than Forter expressed toward him on Saturday. "Luke, he gives me good work every day and pushes me." Hard worker who never gives up on a play, McCall added.
* Bully said it's good to get some work in the extreme heat before you have to play a game because it could be even hotter next week. It's miserable out here today, but McCall says "It's good for us."
DB DAVONTE ROBINSON:
* Robinson says he feels bad for the guys who have to step away from the team and deal with the legal situation hovering over them, "but we're not going to let it hold us back."
* Asked who has stepped up to help fill the void from losing a couple of guys in the secondary, Robinson said Geiger has really come on strong, "made plays all over the field this whole camp." Robinson said he's always had his eye on Geiger. "He's come out of his shell." Really strong in press-man coverage, sticks to receivers. "That's what separates him from everyone else."
* Having fans back in Kroger Field will be big this year, Robinson predicted. You could tell how much they were missed in third-down situations last year. He really missed seeing his friends and family up in the stands supporting him.
* Secondary is very "player-led," Robinson said. They've done their own workouts this summer, come out to work even when the coaches didn't ask them to. They've really bonded. Tight bunch.
* The heat today (index near 100) will help them leading up to the game, Robinson said. It has been pretty mild in Lexington for most of summer until the last couple of weeks. They need that work in the extreme heat just in case it's that way on gameday.
* On which WRs have grabbed his attention: "Wan'Dale, of course. Josh (Ali). Isaiah Epps. Chauncey Magwood. Rahsaan Lewis," Robinson said. "Really, that whole wide receiver room." Also threw Izayah Cummings into the discussion, even though he's a tight end now. "He's having a real good camp. Just his ability to go up and get the ball and the way he moves after he catches it."
* On whether he's seen a higher energy level and excitement from the WRs in the new offense... Robinson said they watch sometimes on plays where they're not in the rep and say, "Dang, that's crazy... We're just really excited to see it on Saturdays."
* On Brad White saying D-Rob looks like a guy who is ready to prove himself, Robinson said he knows he wasn't very good last year, and that he has a lot to prove this season being one of the older, most experienced guys in the room.
* On what advice he would offer JJ Weaver on trying to get back on the field and mentally ready to play again... Just keep your head down and grind. D-Rob has talked to him a lot in the training room and reminded him that he'll turn out stronger than when he got hurt. He's a little surprised that he's close to full health already. Big plus for the Cats if he's out there: "Very disruptive."
* Robinson said there's still a week and a half to go, but he's ready to go. Feels like the D is ready to play.
In the meantime...
#RIP Charlie
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