Hello HOB. Back over at the JCFTC this morning to interrupt your As The Basketball World Turns episode with a little UK spring football practice update. It’s offense day. We’ll have OC Bush Hamdan and select coaches/players from that side of the ball at approx 10 ET to discuss the latest developments. Stay tuned…
BUSH HAMDAN Q&A:
CUTTER BOLEY, JORDAN DINGLE, GERALD MINCEY Q&As:
CUTTER BOLEY:
* Trying to simplify things to learn the offense and pick things up.
* Even though they had the OC change, his heart was always here with Kentucky.
* Learning a lot from Brock and Beau every day. Nice to have those guys' experience to lean on.
* Really happy he came in early. Feels like he's so much further along than he would have been if he came in during the summer.
* Level of talent is so much different in college. In some ways, Boley said it's easier because you're throwing to guys who are so much more talented. In other ways, though, you have guys like Max Hairston on defense, "a next-level talent" making things harder.
* Hard to overthrow Barion Brown, he says with a laugh. You just throw it as far as you can, and he's gonna run under it.
JORDAN DINGLE:
* On playing for another OC... Feels stability from guys in the TE room who have been around for a while and having Coach Marrow lead them.
* Thinks the TE room can be the standard for the whole team. Lots of competition, pushing each other.
* This is the first fully healthy off-season he's had. Has taken advantage of it. Feels stronger and faster. Pushing hard to take it to the next level.
* Running a lot of 12 personnel groupings. Likes it.
* On differences in the run-blocking schemes... Different terminology, but not a big difference.
* On the new QBs... Loving it. Happy to have Beau back. He's the guy who threw him his first pass in college. Feels like all three QBs are good and could contribute. "Cutter really excites me. So much raw talent. He has a lot in his bag."
GERALD MINCEY:
* Having fun this spring, loves being back in football mode. Things are going well. Loves battling with JJ Weaver on the other side of the ball every day in pracitce.
* On Wolf being a "hard ass." Doesn't seem that way. He coaches hard, but you feel the love from him. He knows where a lot of us guys want to go, and it's his job to push us. I'm learning a lot from him, taking my game to the next level, addressing some of the weaknesses.
* Likes the brotherhood on this team.
* First impressions of Brock Vandagriff: "He can really throw the ball, man." Said he's shorter, but reminds him of a young Matt Ryan.
* On BVG's leadership ability... You can trust him. Communicates real well.
* On playing fast... It's not that fast by comparison to what he's used to, but it's different in the ways they use the field from sideline to sideline and vertically.
BUSH HAMDAN Q&A:
- On where they are after Day 10… Work in progress, mixing in a lot of guys at certain positions. A lot of moving parts, still trying to get everyone on the same page. A little sloppy on Saturday, need to get better from an execution standpoint in last 3-4 practices.
- You start thinking about things like have they done enough situational football at this time of spring. Are there some things they need to make sure they hit more with the last days remaining.
- On what he hopes fans will see on Saturday… Execution, playing fast. Want them to see the fast tempo and for the players to feel it. Even though the format will be a little unusual and things may be simplified a bit, need it to feel like a game situation.
- Asked if he has the pieces to implement what he wants to do… Pleased with the roster. “There’s a lot to work with.” Finding the right spots for them all is the key. But you're always looking for what's available in the portal if you have a specific need remaining. OL is a group with some good returning experience. RBs have been very consistent and solid throughout camp. WRs have shown a lot of talent. TEs another room with a lot of experience.
- QBs behind Brock getting a lot of good work. Experience with Beau, steadiness, knowledge of the system, consistency, accuracy throwing the ball. Cutter is very talented. As we stack days and get deeper into the playbook, a lot of thinking going on. Once it slows down a bit for him, excited about his future.
- Anthony Brown has that heart. Small in size, but has the want-to. Will mix it up in blocking. It’s what you dream of at that position. Says he is stepping into a leadership role, even though he's still a young guy.
- TEs… Day to day, from a maturity and experience standpoint, they rely on those guys to be a rock for the offense. Doing a great job.
- OL is getting pushed by Wolf. Will be big off-season to get bigger, stronger, faster. Trying to get cohesion with that first group of 5-6 guys and then develop the depth they need.
- On Brock from a leadership standpoint… Real good. Unique ability to be around different people and relate to all of them. Authentic and genuine. Everything you want at that position. His season will come down to decision-making and execution and ability to make plays.
CUTTER BOLEY, JORDAN DINGLE, GERALD MINCEY Q&As:
CUTTER BOLEY:
* Trying to simplify things to learn the offense and pick things up.
* Even though they had the OC change, his heart was always here with Kentucky.
* Learning a lot from Brock and Beau every day. Nice to have those guys' experience to lean on.
* Really happy he came in early. Feels like he's so much further along than he would have been if he came in during the summer.
* Level of talent is so much different in college. In some ways, Boley said it's easier because you're throwing to guys who are so much more talented. In other ways, though, you have guys like Max Hairston on defense, "a next-level talent" making things harder.
* Hard to overthrow Barion Brown, he says with a laugh. You just throw it as far as you can, and he's gonna run under it.
JORDAN DINGLE:
* On playing for another OC... Feels stability from guys in the TE room who have been around for a while and having Coach Marrow lead them.
* Thinks the TE room can be the standard for the whole team. Lots of competition, pushing each other.
* This is the first fully healthy off-season he's had. Has taken advantage of it. Feels stronger and faster. Pushing hard to take it to the next level.
* Running a lot of 12 personnel groupings. Likes it.
* On differences in the run-blocking schemes... Different terminology, but not a big difference.
* On the new QBs... Loving it. Happy to have Beau back. He's the guy who threw him his first pass in college. Feels like all three QBs are good and could contribute. "Cutter really excites me. So much raw talent. He has a lot in his bag."
GERALD MINCEY:
* Having fun this spring, loves being back in football mode. Things are going well. Loves battling with JJ Weaver on the other side of the ball every day in pracitce.
* On Wolf being a "hard ass." Doesn't seem that way. He coaches hard, but you feel the love from him. He knows where a lot of us guys want to go, and it's his job to push us. I'm learning a lot from him, taking my game to the next level, addressing some of the weaknesses.
* Likes the brotherhood on this team.
* First impressions of Brock Vandagriff: "He can really throw the ball, man." Said he's shorter, but reminds him of a young Matt Ryan.
* On BVG's leadership ability... You can trust him. Communicates real well.
* On playing fast... It's not that fast by comparison to what he's used to, but it's different in the ways they use the field from sideline to sideline and vertically.
