First Practice in Full Pads: The Kentucky football team held its first practice in full pads Saturday with a two-hour workout at the Nutter Training Center.
The practice was capped with a 30-minute controlled scrimmage in which the team simply ran plays from one spot with no down or distance kept. UK?s top two quarterbacks, Shane Boyd and Andre? Woodson, alternated plays with the offensive unit.
The offensive highlight of the scrimmage came from Boyd, who circled right end on a quarterback keeper and raced 55 yards for a touchdown. The offense also got good gains on scrambles by Boyd and Woodson and on running plays from tailback Arliss Beach. In the passing game, catches by Beach, wide receivers John Logan and Gerad Parker, and tailback Draak Davis turned into big gainers.
The defense got three sacks on blitzes by outside linebackers, two by Raymond Fontaine and one by Keith Shelton. Free safety Muhammad Abdullah got the best hit of the day when he leveled a wide receiver who was trying to make a catch over the middle.
The following are some quotes from Coach Rich Brooks following the practice:
On today?s practice?
?It was a little ragged, as it usually is on the first day in pads. Everybody plays well in shorts, but when you put the pads on, things get a little different. We made some mistakes out there today, but the enthusiasm is good, and the guys are flying around. There were some good plays on the offensive side and quite a few good ones on the defensive side. We just need to keep making progress as we go through this. Guys have to learn from what they see on film. We?ve had two seven-on-sevens going, so we?re getting a good look at the receivers, the defensive backs and the quarterbacks throwing the ball against the different coverages. We?re able to correct a lot of things. As long as the guys continue to progress, we?ll be alright.?
On the progress of the new junior-college players?
?It?s a little too early. There isn?t any progress to look for at this point. We?re just getting out on the field and trying to see what everybody can do.?
On Andre? Woodson?
?We had a few quarterback running plays for him today, and he still has to learn how to run in this league. To develop the quarterbacks, I?ll need to do more of the live stuff with them so they understand there is a different tempo. It?s kind of a risk-reward thing. We?re trying to get a good look at him executing at full speed when they know they can be hit hard. We?ll probably have more live stuff with the quarterbacks this spring than normal.?
Caragher to be Featured on Live Chat: UK running backs coach Ron Caragher will participate in a live chat session on ukathletics.com on Tuesday. The time will be announced Monday.
Brooks Call-In Show to be Held April 20: Coach Rich Brooks will have his spring practice radio call-in show on Tues. Apr. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Damon?s Restaurant in Lexington.
The show is produced by Host Communications and UK play-by-play announcer Tom Leach will serve as host. Brooks will give his observations on the team?s progress during the spring as the Wildcats prepare for the Blue/White Game.
Abney, Lorenzen, Burress Featured in Draft Diaries: Former Wildcats Derek Abney, Jared Lorenzen, and Leonard Burress are writing diaries for various entities as they prepare for the 2004 NFL Draft in April.
Abney?s diary is featured on CNNSI.com. Lorenzen?s diary is in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Burress? diary is at website InsideTheLeague.com.
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Mon. Apr. 5 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Wed. Apr. 7 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Fri. Apr. 9 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Sat. Apr. 10 Practice, 11 a.m. at Nutter Training Center
Mon. Apr. 12 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Wed. Apr. 14 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Fri. Apr. 16 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Sat. Apr. 17 Practice, 1 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Mon. Apr. 19 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Tue. Apr. 20 Rich Brooks Call-in Radio Show, 7-9 p.m., from Damon?s Restaurant in Lexington
Wed. Apr. 21 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Fri. Apr. 23 Practice, 3:40 p.m. at Nutter Training Center
Sat. Apr. 24 Blue/White Spring Football Game, 1 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium
– UK –
