Aug. 18, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky football team put in some new blitzes on the defensive side of the ball Wednesday and wasted no time in showing them off, turning up the pressure on the offense, first-year head coach Joker Phillips said after practice.
“It (practice) was good with this weather,” Phillips said in reference to the cooler temperatures. “We had a lot of energy and the defense got after the offense a little bit more today because we put in some more blitzes. The offense wasn’t as efficient in picking them up and protecting the football and the quarterback.”
Phillips said that one of the goals of this team this season is to get better throwing the football.
“We have to get better at that,” Phillips said. “That is one of our goals in the spring and fall is to make sure that we are more efficient throwing the ball. To be efficient throwing the ball, you have to be efficient in picking up blitzes and those things. The defense just got after the offense today.”
Phillips is especially pleased with the play of junior-college transfer Mychal Bailey at the safety position. The UK head coach said he was happy with how Bailey played in the scrimmage last Saturday, saying he was one of the guys, along with freshman Jerrell Priester that was playing “really, really fast.”
“Mychal Bailey is putting a lot of pressure on a lot of people,” Phillips said. “Again, he is another guy that is starting to get a lot of reps because Dakotah Tyler has been out for a couple of days resting some soreness. With all the reps that he is able to get it will help him get into the game. He is going to be on every special team, now it is a matter if he can line up for us at safety and he continues to show us that he has a chance to.”
Phillips noted that sophomore wide receiver La’Rod King has a stinger in his neck and is considered day-to-day while it is being monitored.
Kentucky will continue practice Thursday, hitting the field early for the second and final two-a-day practice of camp. UK will then have one final tune-up practice on Friday before scrimmaging Saturday.
UK Football to Hold Operation: Move-in — The University of Kentucky football team wants to make it easier on UK students moving back to campus. All 105 players in fall camp will take time Friday morning to help new and returning students move into their dormitory rooms.
The Wildcats will start moving in the students at 8:30 a.m. before heading back to camp and meetings around 10 a.m. The players and coaching staff will head to the Complex Mall area before 10 a.m. to have a small pep rally/photo opportunity with President Lee T. Todd Jr. and First Lady Patsy Todd.
