Dec. 13, 2001
Robinson Re-Joins the Saints: Former Wildcat Jimmy Robinson has signed a contract with New Orleans and is expected to be in uniform Monday when the Saints play host to the St. Louis Rams. Robinson had been with New Orleans during preseason camp, but was released before the season began. Robinson played for Kentucky from 1997-2000, catching 70 passes for 761 yards and four touchdowns.
Ironically, Robinson could be matched directly against his former teammate, Willie Gary, who is a defensive back for the Rams. Like Robinson, Gary had been released in the preseason but has re-joined the team during the season.
Gary and Robinson are two of 12 Wildcats who are on National Football League rosters this season, including:?Tim Couch, QB, Cleveland Browns?Willie Gary, DB, St. Louis Rams?Eric Kelly, DB, Minnesota Vikings?Quentin McCord, WR, Atlanta Falcons?Marlon McCree, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars?Marty Moore, LB, New England Patriots?Todd Perry, OG, Miami Dolphins?Jimmy Robinson, WR, New Orleans Saints?Dean Wells, LB, Carolina Panthers?James Whalen, TE, Dallas Cowboys?Moe Williams, RB, Baltimore Ravens?Craig Yeast, WR, New York Jets
Excerpts From “More Morriss”: The following are some excerpts from a recent article entitled “More Morriss,” written by columnist Jeff Zurcher of Ace Magazine, a weekly publication based in Lexington.
“… Kentucky gridiron coach Guy Morriss is likeable just because.
“Earlier this week, the university said that Morriss would continue to coach the football Wildcats in the 2002 campaign. A wise decision by Director of Athletics Larry Ivy and President Lee Todd.
“But a decision not made just because …
“(H)ere’s the Cliff’s Notes version of why Kentucky keeps the coach.
“Because he works hard. He took over a corrupted, crippled, decaying program and dug in, injecting discipline and dedication from day one forward… never once making excuses or complaining though knowing full well that the 2001 season was just as likely to be his last as it was his first at the UK helm.
“Because his injury-cursed team was competitive. True, UK won only one SEC game. But the Cats were only out of one conference game too … when was the last time UK could claim that? Further (painfully or not), Kentucky was only a field goal shy of beating Mississippi State (14-17), a last-second defensive stop shy of beating LSU (25-29), and a frivolous interference flag or fumble shy of beating Tennessee (35-38) …
“Because of the way he handled the dual-quarterback system. Morriss showed he was the man, he had to be. He was firm and firmly in control, and so things flowed fairly well. For the most part, Morriss knew when to hold ’em, knew when to fold ’em thus permitting Boyd to learn and Lorenzen to blossom.
“Because the fans like him and the players love him, with the latter being more indicative of success, and with the understanding that that kind of love and respect are synonymous. The team spoke out in favor of Morriss throughout the season. And after all the team chose Morriss from the beginning and would no doubt choose to keep him ask anyone who plays for him. That’s called cohesion …
“Because he is honest, and honesty is catchy. Refreshing to hear a UK football coach, in post-game press conferences, answer, “I don’t know” or “I messed up” and know that deep down he doesn’t think otherwise. Morriss accepted all of the fault and none of the credit. That’s courteous, that’s class. (Also refreshing.) As is how he arrived at the post-game news conferences in a coat and tie, even though everyone knew he often wasn’t in the mood for either.
“Because he didn’t change and won’t. Becoming a head coach will often alter a fellah ego-wise. And most head coaches undergo some drastic transformation when their win-loss record becomes heavily weighted on either side. But Morriss is a professional.
“Because he is a football man to the core. And he has surrounded himself with a football-to-the-core staff. And he listens to them. What a concept.”
Players Going Through Examinations: The Kentucky football team is in the process of going through the fall semester final examinations, which are being held Dec. 10-14.After exams, the players return home for the Christmas break. Classes resume Wed. Jan. 9.
– UK –
