Cats are about to wrap up Wednesday’s practice at the JCFTC. We’ll have DC Brad White & Co. joining us today to talk about this week’s matchup with Anthony Richardson and the Florida Gators. We are slated to talk to them around 5:30 ET. Stay tuned….
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* White says FLA QB Richardson has to be a team effort. “I could say something clever or funny, which I seldom do, but one person isn’t going too stop him, one scheme isn’t going to stop him. You have to do it collectively by being in the right spot.” It’s a big challenge when you really have a gifted player like this. Can change the game with a handful of plays, can change the emotion in the stadium. Just have to limit the big ones.
* Sometimes you can do everything right and still not stop Richardson, White says. You have to control your emotions and play the next play. Control the ebb and flow of those plays. Like a great pitcher who gives up a HR, you tip your cap and focus on the next batter.
* On the DL play… It’s about consistency. At times, really stout against the run. Only two big runs, though. Easy stuff to clean up on those. “You gotta execute, even when you’re tired.”
* Keaton Wade had a good start to his UK career at OLB. Not where he needs to be yet, but a good starting point. Didn’t see a ton of run action where he had to be violent. Remains to be seen how he’ll handle that. Eye discipline has to be really good there.
* Asked if he has to be restrained with what he calls with these young guys in the mix, White says not really. If they’re on the field, they’re expected to execute whatever needs to be called. But he does keep some things in mind not to put them in bad situations.
* Deone Walker is so ready physically, its helped him be ready to contribute early. He’s still learning the true pace of the college game and feeling the strain and stress of that. Guys say, “I used to be a two-way player in high school.” White laughs and says, “Well, that’s a lot less than one way in college.” … Needs to know how his strain and effort can impact the other 10 guys at every level of the defense.
* Proud that there was no panic from his guys after that first Miami drive for a TD. Really did a good job after that. Product of experienced guys, leadership.
* On Alex Afari … Thought he did a good job. Probably played more snaps than he had anticipated, but that was great to get something like 42 snaps in your first game as a true freshman. “That’s only going to help him… and gave us more data points to correct him on.” But that game told him he was good enough to be on the field. “He’s built for this… just has to continue to elevate his game as the games get bigger, the speed gets faster, and the collisions get more violent.”
* Florida looks really physical up front and moved Utah off the LOS. Ran the ball well. They are big but they move well. They’re embracing Napier’s new scheme. All three backs are talented, and Richardson adds another element to it, so that’s a big challenge.
LB JJ WEAVER Q&A:
* Definitely a big game for both teams. Expects a lot of noise in the stadium, a lot of "outside noise" going into the game.
* Hand signals and non-verbal communication is big this week, Weaver said.
* Huge chip on his shoulder since it was the Florida game where he got hurt.
* Loves playing this game No. 2 on the schedule. Says he's fresh. They're getting the full JJ Weaver, not one that's beat up.
* Weaver says the Cats hear the talk that people don't think the Cats are any good. Both Coach Stoops and Coach White brought it up, being called soft on SEC Network and how Florida will win "handily." ... "You see that? Man... But we're ready for it."
* FLA will play "aggressive, fast, and dirty," Weaver said, but the Cats are ready to give it right back.
* On what he recalls from last year's FLA game... Hard to gauge because they have a whole new coaching staff and scheme. But they can look at some of the same players who played last year.
* On FLA QB Anthony Richardson... Gotta play fast and physical with him. He can be a dominant player, but you can have a say in that if you play fast and physical.
LB JACQUEZ JONES Q&A:
* Jones doesn't feel like there's much respect coming toward UK right now, but says it's the "rat poison" that coaches like to talk about. Can't get caught up in it.
* Being called a "soft" team on the SEC Network was disrespectful and "added more fire to me."
* Things intensified in practice today after the coaches told them what was being said. They are taking it personal. "A slap in the face. At the end of the day, we're going to play Kentucky football."
* FLA's Richardson is a great athlete. Have to contain him. Knows he will make some plays. You have to keep your cool. Compared it to playing against a guy like Joe Burrow when he was at Ole Miss. You know he's going to make some big plays, but you have to try and contain them.
* You have to know where your help is and play the angles against Richardson. If the first guy misses, there has to be the rest of the defense there to finish him or he can "take it to the crib."
* On playing such a big SEC game early in the season... Means a lot. Everybody will be watching on ESPN. Gotta show out.
DL DEONE WALKER Q&A:
* On why he changed numbers from 51 to 0... Always wanted a single digit.
* FLA's Richardson is really fast, you have to be sure with your tackling.
* He's heard stories that the The Swamp kind of "sinks" down from street level, and it feels like everyone is on top of you.
* On what he learned from the first game... Says the coaches are preaching to him that in he "goes north" nobody can stop him. Also has to slow down and let the game come to him. Feels like the first game was kind of a "practice" for what he's going to face this week.
* Says he's really anxious and excited to see what the SEC is all about. "Everybody that's ranked should be wanting to play in the SEC."
* Florida's guards look really tough, physical, but he feels if the Cats can stop the running game, they will win.
BRAD WHITE Q&A:
* White says FLA QB Richardson has to be a team effort. “I could say something clever or funny, which I seldom do, but one person isn’t going too stop him, one scheme isn’t going to stop him. You have to do it collectively by being in the right spot.” It’s a big challenge when you really have a gifted player like this. Can change the game with a handful of plays, can change the emotion in the stadium. Just have to limit the big ones.
* Sometimes you can do everything right and still not stop Richardson, White says. You have to control your emotions and play the next play. Control the ebb and flow of those plays. Like a great pitcher who gives up a HR, you tip your cap and focus on the next batter.
* On the DL play… It’s about consistency. At times, really stout against the run. Only two big runs, though. Easy stuff to clean up on those. “You gotta execute, even when you’re tired.”
* Keaton Wade had a good start to his UK career at OLB. Not where he needs to be yet, but a good starting point. Didn’t see a ton of run action where he had to be violent. Remains to be seen how he’ll handle that. Eye discipline has to be really good there.
* Asked if he has to be restrained with what he calls with these young guys in the mix, White says not really. If they’re on the field, they’re expected to execute whatever needs to be called. But he does keep some things in mind not to put them in bad situations.
* Deone Walker is so ready physically, its helped him be ready to contribute early. He’s still learning the true pace of the college game and feeling the strain and stress of that. Guys say, “I used to be a two-way player in high school.” White laughs and says, “Well, that’s a lot less than one way in college.” … Needs to know how his strain and effort can impact the other 10 guys at every level of the defense.
* Proud that there was no panic from his guys after that first Miami drive for a TD. Really did a good job after that. Product of experienced guys, leadership.
* On Alex Afari … Thought he did a good job. Probably played more snaps than he had anticipated, but that was great to get something like 42 snaps in your first game as a true freshman. “That’s only going to help him… and gave us more data points to correct him on.” But that game told him he was good enough to be on the field. “He’s built for this… just has to continue to elevate his game as the games get bigger, the speed gets faster, and the collisions get more violent.”
* Florida looks really physical up front and moved Utah off the LOS. Ran the ball well. They are big but they move well. They’re embracing Napier’s new scheme. All three backs are talented, and Richardson adds another element to it, so that’s a big challenge.
LB JJ WEAVER Q&A:
* Definitely a big game for both teams. Expects a lot of noise in the stadium, a lot of "outside noise" going into the game.
* Hand signals and non-verbal communication is big this week, Weaver said.
* Huge chip on his shoulder since it was the Florida game where he got hurt.
* Loves playing this game No. 2 on the schedule. Says he's fresh. They're getting the full JJ Weaver, not one that's beat up.
* Weaver says the Cats hear the talk that people don't think the Cats are any good. Both Coach Stoops and Coach White brought it up, being called soft on SEC Network and how Florida will win "handily." ... "You see that? Man... But we're ready for it."
* FLA will play "aggressive, fast, and dirty," Weaver said, but the Cats are ready to give it right back.
* On what he recalls from last year's FLA game... Hard to gauge because they have a whole new coaching staff and scheme. But they can look at some of the same players who played last year.
* On FLA QB Anthony Richardson... Gotta play fast and physical with him. He can be a dominant player, but you can have a say in that if you play fast and physical.
LB JACQUEZ JONES Q&A:
* Jones doesn't feel like there's much respect coming toward UK right now, but says it's the "rat poison" that coaches like to talk about. Can't get caught up in it.
* Being called a "soft" team on the SEC Network was disrespectful and "added more fire to me."
* Things intensified in practice today after the coaches told them what was being said. They are taking it personal. "A slap in the face. At the end of the day, we're going to play Kentucky football."
* FLA's Richardson is a great athlete. Have to contain him. Knows he will make some plays. You have to keep your cool. Compared it to playing against a guy like Joe Burrow when he was at Ole Miss. You know he's going to make some big plays, but you have to try and contain them.
* You have to know where your help is and play the angles against Richardson. If the first guy misses, there has to be the rest of the defense there to finish him or he can "take it to the crib."
* On playing such a big SEC game early in the season... Means a lot. Everybody will be watching on ESPN. Gotta show out.
DL DEONE WALKER Q&A:
* On why he changed numbers from 51 to 0... Always wanted a single digit.
* FLA's Richardson is really fast, you have to be sure with your tackling.
* He's heard stories that the The Swamp kind of "sinks" down from street level, and it feels like everyone is on top of you.
* On what he learned from the first game... Says the coaches are preaching to him that in he "goes north" nobody can stop him. Also has to slow down and let the game come to him. Feels like the first game was kind of a "practice" for what he's going to face this week.
* Says he's really anxious and excited to see what the SEC is all about. "Everybody that's ranked should be wanting to play in the SEC."
* Florida's guards look really tough, physical, but he feels if the Cats can stop the running game, they will win.
