John Clay's Sidelines

Rob Bromley

Media Job Approvals are back on the Monday docket, this time with Rob Bromley of WKYT, who has worked for the Lexington CBS affiliate since 1977 in a variety of jobs. The New York native and Butler grad has anchored the sports, done play-by-play, and served as host of the coaches’ television shows.

What say you on Rob Bromley, thumbs-up or thumbs-down?

Previously: Alan Cutler – Kent Spencer – Dave Baker – Mary Jo Perino – Mike Cameron – Chris Cross – Dick Gabriel – Larry Glover.

Audio from today’s Kentucky football luncheon:

• Head coach Rich Brooks talks about his team heading into the opener against Miami of Ohio on Saturday.

Here’s the UK football depth chart as released today. If you have trouble reading it, click on the depth chart itself. It will open in a new window. Then click on it again to zoom in.

Videos from UK press luncheon today, starting with Trevard Lindley.

Corey Peters talks about his sprained wrist and the opener.

Randall Cobb talks about the freshmen quarterbacks.

Zipp Duncan talks about the line heading into Miami of Ohio.

Micah Johnson, who has missed time with a strained foot, should return to practice Tuesday. (Photo by John Clay)

Appears they now have wireless access at Wildcat Den, so I’m going to try and liveblog Rich Brooks’ press conference. He should be at the podium in a couple of minutes.

• Brooks, “We need to go up there on the road and get off to a good start with a win. Anything else is not acceptable.”

• Brooks on the start of the season, “I’m anxious. I’m kind of frustrated, kind of antsy, kind of nervous. I want to go play. I think a lot of our team is in the same mood, if you will.”

• Brooks says that for “the fans’ confidence” it would probably help for the receivers that they catch the ball.

• Considering the mystery of Miami’s defense, with a new coordinators, “I think the fact that we have some serniors in the offensive line, a quarterback that has started a number of games, and been in some big games should help us make some checks at the line of scrimmage.”

• Brooks says he thinks 7-8 true freshmen will play this year, and the rest will redshirt.

• Brooks says his three running backs have had a great fall camp, but would like to have had Locke and Smith be as healthy as Moncel Allen. Says some of the practice production has been hit-and-miss because of guys missing time. But when they are out there, the production has been good. Brooks says he has a sense that the running game will be greatly improved.

• Says going to Cincinnati is “a pretty painless trip.” Will spend Friday night in Northern Kentucky. Calls it an exciting venue to open the season. Says the fans should enjoy having all seat-backs on their seats.

Continue reading ‘Liveblog: Rich Brooks press conference’

Darnell Dodson

Big Blue Links for Monday:

• John Calipari writes on CoachCal.com that Darnell Dodson is battling a hip injury.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that Rich Brooks is tired of the talk and ready for the football opener.
• Cosby’s Sunday notebook leads with Chris Matthews praise.
• My Monday column saying UK is convinced that offense is “light years” better than a year ago.
• My Sunday column predicting Kentucky will go 8-4.
• Jerry Tipton’s Sunday notebook says John Calipari wants to instill confidence.
• Tipton also reports that Calipari insisted his book tour start in Kentucky.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Joker Phillips is happily soaking up the Rich experience.
• ESPN’s Andy Katz lists Eric Bledsoe as his top player to watch in the SEC.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal reports that UK target Kyrie Irving will visit Indiana.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Darnell Dodson battling hip injury’

SEC links for Monday:

• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes that playing Florida means more than money to Charleston Southern.
• David Jones of Florida Today writes on Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes.
• Chris Low of ESPN talks to Auburn starting quarterback, and Elizabethtown native, Chris Todd.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vanderbilt is pinning its hopes on its defense.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that if the ACC wants to get noticed, it better step up against the SEC.
• Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News writes that Phil Fulmer could be a coach in waiting.
• Charles Goldberg of the News writes that since Gus Malzahn has been given leeway to succeed, Auburn could have a better offense.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the News writes on Nick Saban’s new contract at Alabama.
• Joe Person of The State writes on the South Carolina running game.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Charleston Southern sees more than a payday’

UK senior running back Alfonso Smith talks about the offensive improvement after Saturday’s scrimmage.

Joker Phillips and Mike Hartline talk about juco receiver Chris Matthews’ impact after today’s scrimmage:

UK head coach Rich Brooks and Mike Hartline talk after today’s scrimmage.