John Clay's Sidelines

Former Kentucky running back John Conner gets some love this morning in the Newark Star-Ledger.

Jenny Vrentas writes of the New York Jets fullback:

Shonn Greene took his third handoff from Mark Sanchez in the preseason opener. Ahead, along the row of right hash marks, was a hole plenty big enough for the powerful running back to charge through, 19 yards of Reliant Stadium turf his to gain.

When Greene popped back up, he gave a hefty pat on the back to John Conner — the second-year Jets fullback who, to no one’s surprise, opened the hole by plowing Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans out of the way.

In his second year with the Jets, the Lakota, Ohio native has moved up to a starting spot, replacing three-time Pro Bowl pick Tony Richardson. Running backs coach Anthony Lynn calls Conner “a young hammerhead.”

Here’s the thing you have to love about Conner: He walked on at UK.

PROGRAM NOTE: DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK AT 10 A.M. FOR LIVEBLOG FROM UK FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY.

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Michael O’Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times come right back with another Anthony Davis story, repeating earlier rumors, this time with UK’s response.
• Football Cats report and are itching for practice to start, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• APR numbers support John Calipari’s contention that he cares about academics, reports Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader. (Remember, the story that won’t be written.)
• Kentucky will play Oklahoma in Maui opener, before a possible dream match-up with Washington. This being Washington’s dream.
• “I hope we look bad,” says Calipari about Canada trip, reports Tipton in the H-L.
• Kentucky football team takes plenty of questions into camp, starting at quarterback, reports Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• A small team with big strides to make, basketball Cats prepare for its trip north of the border, eh, reports Dawson in the C-J.
• It’s always something with Calipari, says the Cincinnati Enqurier.
• Get ready Ashland, John Calipari is coming your way Sept. 6, reports the Ironton Tribune. (Hat tip to Bluegrass State Basketball.)
• Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News on UK basketball taking some media hits of late.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Sun-Times repeats rumors, acknowledges response’

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• UK football recruit Mychal Bailey expected to be eligible, says H-L report.
• Ex-UK center guard Dermontti Dawson is an intern coach with the Bengals, reports Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader.
• Andy Katz of espn.com writes that Kentucky basketball is looking for a head start in Canada.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes about a program that helps UK and U of L athletes return to school.
• John Calipari after another top point guard, reports Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal.
• Travis K. Kircher of WDRB continues his thorough blog from the Karen Sypher trial.
• Kentucky Sports Radio gives its report on what happened Monday in the Sypher trial.
• Armchair Quarterback has some advice for Joker Phillips, as UK’s camp is about to start.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Kentucky basketball prepares for Canada’

Here is John Conner talking about scoring two touchdowns in UK’s 36-13 win over the Warhawks. Actually, this video is really the side of Conner’s head. The senior fullback drew a crowd of reporters, and those of us who were slow to arrive had to take whatever angles we could get.

Calipari in Nashville on Wednesday.Big Blue Links for Thursday:

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that John Calipari has connected with Kentucky fans.
• The Tennessean also has video of Calipari’s trip to Nashville.
• Jeff Elliott of Jacksonville’s Florida Times-Union reports that Stacey Poole is expected to announce for UK today.
• Phil Kornblut of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports that Poole has made his decision.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes on UK’s plan to play John Conner some at tight end.
• UK has changed time on ticket pickup for Madness.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Calipari big hit on trip to Nashville’

(AP Photo/ James Crisp)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader writes that UK secondary is trying to live up to the hype.
• My column saying that, outside of natural rivals, SEC fans hate Florida the most.
• Ex-Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is out pushing health-care reform.
• Kenny Colston of the Kentucky Kernel reports that Landon Slone is still at UK.
• B.W. Jones of the Kernel reports that UK defensive line looks for improvement.
• Chris Rodgers of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports that Stacey Poole’s mother wants him close to home.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX thinks Poole to Kentucky may have already leaked.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Landon Slone is back at UK, but not for hoops’