SB Nation - Dicky Lyons Jr

Dicky's World

Ken Howlett — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:06:40 -0000

Hello everyone! I have a UFL tryout with the Orlando Tuskers. It is a new league and it is a great opportunity for players like me to get a chance to play again. Marcus McClinton is also trying out; and Shane Boyd is the starting quarterback for the California team, so wish us luck.

LyonHeart Sports Academy is also up and running, and it's booking up fast. We are adding an adult boot-camp for any adult who is trying to get back into shape. My partner, Shomari Moore, and I are currently in New Orleans working out with Duke Rouse (Deion Sanders' trainer) on fine turning our training plans.

I also just got involved with a product endorsed by race car driver A Unser, and former UK and Boston Celtic basketball player Rick Robey, called Force. It looks like it is going to be a really good opportunity. So, that is everything I have going on right now, and hopefully they all work out.

Oh yeah, I also found a house in Lexington, and I'm officially moving up in September. I'll let you know when the house warming party is!

P.S. Bring gifts!

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Dicky's World

Ken Howlett — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:02:28 -0000

August 6, 2009

July: After the Atlanta and Bills workout I had the month of July to work on my conditioning. I also worked with the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana. I had the opportunity to work out with Peyton and Eli (Manning). I also picked up some tips from Colt's receiver Anthony Gonzalez. It was my second year working the camp, and it is honestly one of my favorite things to do. The Mannngs are terrific, and I got to meet a lot of coaches from around the country.

August: I had a workout with the Saints and had head coach Sean Payton throwing me passes. I wasn't pleased with my workout at all, and felt I missed an opportunity. Since then I have been battling a nasty cold. I was on my way to the doctor to get a shot when the Atlanta Falcons called and invited me to their training camp. I literally had to throw all my stuff in a bag and head to the airport. I was sitting in the New Orleans airport with a bag full of whatever was not in the laundry, and a bag of cold medicine. This could be my only shot, so I have to forget about everything: the cold, my knee, and the fact that I might only be a "camp body." Whoever is in front of me better be ready to die out there, because I will!

August 5: I got cut from the Atlanta Falcons before I even stepped on the field. Within 24-hours I went through a roller coaster of emotions. Obviously, I wasn't a huge priority for the Falcons and they decided I was not needed. That is fine by me; life goes on. I was on the verge of coming back to Lexington to finally start my llfe with my wife, and dog, but I will still be training to be ready for anyone who calls, because I am opening my own training facility in Lexington.

LyonHeartSportsAcademy: Former Kentucky teammate Shomari Moore and myself will be opening a training facility for kids and young adults from ages eight and up. It was created for the sole purpose of helping children, adults, and collegiate athletes with enhancing their speed, strength, and flexibility. In addition, they will learn a multitude of different techniques that will also improve their linear, lateral, and vertical movements, which will help them excel in their respective sports. Today's sports are fast-paced, physical, and played at high speeds. If you have any questions you can email me at Lyonheartsportsacademy@gmail.com or go to our web-site: http://www.wix.com/lyonheart/LHSA

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

The Big Blue Daily Mail -- "Last Time We Had a Leak Like This Noah Built Himself a Boat."

Truzenzuzex — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:43:03 -0000

"All right, who's the U-boat commander?" (via U.S. Geological Survey)

View full size photo »

I'm sure you all recognize that classic line in the lede as coming from Wilford Brimley's scene-stealing portrayal of Asst. U.S. Attorney General James A. Wells in the 1980's film classic, Absence of Malice. The reason I chose it is because today the sky sprang a rather large leak not dissimilar from what I imagine happened in Noah's day, and in the space of only an hour dumped over six inches of rain on a very large part of Jefferson County, Kentucky. There has never been a rain like that on this part of the country in recorded history. Needless to say, things around here got a little dicey.

Fortunately, your humble correspondent somehow managed to escape the deluge, getting only a mild soaking and going about his daily routine much as he usually does. Ultimately, it was my father who called me from 30 miles away and alerted me to the catastrophe, and when I saw the extent of the flooding, I was aghast. Of course, the normal places were flooded downtown -- heck, downtown is only a few feet above the level of the Ohio river, so flooding in a rainstorm is expected.

What was unexpected was seeing Churchill Downs under two feet of water, and the lower level of the Louisville International Airport (!!) flooded so badly that some travelers will be coming home to vehicles that are rather worse for the wear. Never, ever, have I heard of the airport flooding. Nor Churchill Downs. We are talking about a major leak here, folks -- cow-urinating-on-a-flat-rock kind of leak for over an hour.

We at A Sea of Blue hope fervently that all the families displaced by this gruesome event are able to recover quickly and return safely to their homes. Thankfully, there was no loss of life despite a few close calls, due mainly to a few apparent Darwin Award nominees trying to discover if motor vehicles can double as submarines. Here is a clue to those so inclined to discover the obvious through trial and error -- they don't, and it's an error to try.

But now, we must move on to the Wildcats

Today's top Wildcat story is John Calipari's comments via television news tonight that players won't be playing based on whether they think they should or on their reputation, but based on how well they perform.

Aren't you impressed by this delicious insight? I know I am. I have been waiting with bated breath to hear Coach Cal produce a version of, "Them that earns it gits it." I am fairly giddy with joy at having him reassure me that John Wall will not stroll casually onto the floor like Jesse James in the Old West that everyone feared because of his reputation. Saints (and Cal) preserve us from a swelled-headed Patrick Patterson, or a dismissively cocky Daniel Orton. Finally, I can sleep.

Sarcasm aside, it's always good to see the UK coach say something on TV, and he did offer one thing I fervently agree with -- an, "I wish we could start right now!" Me too, coach, me too. And I have a ton of company here on A Sea of Blue, I assure you. If we could just for a moment experience the "Fast Forward" flashes like the cast of the upcoming TV series, it would be all the way to March where we could remember a very successful season with satisfaction. Alas, there is no TV magic scriptwriter who will assuage our suffering, so for now we must continue to trudge through the Summer of Desire with no succor for our desperate passion, no respite for our yearning.

Okay, so I got a little carried away there, just a bit. Now, for some news of Wildcat intererest:

UK Basketball News

Bluegrass State Basketball: Is Calipari the Perfect Fit at UK Or Is It Just Me?
Heh. Well, yeah.
"I just feel badly for Nimrod the first time he takes the floor at Rupp Arena and the UK fans let him have it."
Bite me, Goodman. Anyone named Nimrod deserves to be made fun of.
Robic says big changes coming to UK
Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times Online - Steelers
That John Calipari, he do get around.
Extra Onions: Karen Sypher's new lawyer, UK video, and more - The Dagger - NCAA Hoops - Rivals.com
Eamonn Brennan has some tidbits, including video of a UK pick up game. It's hard to tell who is who, but its fairly easy to recognize Wall, Cousins and Jon Hood. The guy who took the video really should try to point the camera at the action, such as it was. This game is so casual and so lazy that even I could have sustained this pace.
Golden Spikes of Rupp Arena Era Nominations Continues
Well? Do you agree with this list? If not, who would you add/take away?
Calipari interested in Maurice Harkless
No surprise there.

UK Football News

UK FOOTBALL PREVIEW: The Linebackers
Nice preview by Wildcat Blue in a Sea of Orange. UK's linebacking corps looks solid this year, and I think Maxwell and Tevathan will fill in nicely.
Staying low-key is UK's key this week
Last year Rich Brooks didn't have to wait for the season for his first loss. The University of Kentucky football coach announced on the first day of practice last season that quarterback Curtis Pulley was dismissed from the team, costing the Wildcats a potential starter.

Well, I guess if you look at it that way ...
WAR EAGLE EXTRA: Opponent preview: Kentucky
Auburn Football takes a look at the UK-Auburn game. I do take umbrage with their "schedule easy and you'll make a bowl game," comment. There is no qualitative difference between Auburn's non-conference schedule and Kentucky's, but it seems that the meme will be forever repeated even if factually bankrupt. And just to avoid the "what about last year?" question, let's look at Auburn's NC schedule last year:

Auburn: 1 FCS, 3 FBS and 1 BCS
UK: 1 FCS, 3 FBS and 1 BCS *Western Kentucky was transitioning to FBS

So other than the fact that Western was transitioning to FBS, you have a push there. Not only that, but in overall schedule strength, Kentucky's was 11th in the league, and Auburn was 9th. I suppose they can therefore claim we have a weaker schedule, but just barely. But other than that quibble, it's a good preview and they interview Chip Cosby of the Herald Leader.
THE MICHIGAN FOOTBALL BLOG: UK Makes Derrick Bryant's Final Three....Who Are the Other Two?
Could we dare hope to beat out Michigan for a recruit? In football? I wouldn't bet on it.
Vandy, UK football a lot alike
Great. Just great. We are like Vanderbilt. If we were talking about academics, I would be proud, but ...
Brooks’ book a must read for UK fans
Nice review of Tom Leach's new book by Larry Vaught.
Cats pick up third commitment
Perhaps a diamond in the rough here. He's short and fast and unrated, but that beats short, slow and unrated any day.
Odds and Ends: Kentucky Football Edition
Some useful and interesting notes about Kentucky football.
Fans question Calipari on definition of "real pizza" John Clay’s Sidelines
Heh. Pizza is so subjective. Some like thin, New York style, and others like Chicago style deep dish. Most like something in-between.

Papa Johns is not my choice, though. I prefer Papa Murphy's take home and bake pizza. That's pretty much all we eat, and speaking of that, I think I have some left over for lunch today. Mmmmm.
Calipari says all the right things
"I am more excited to be your coach than you are to have me." Calipari said at the Big Brothers and Big Sisters luncheon Tuesday in Lexington.

Yep. That's saying the right things, all right.
Calipari headed back to China John Clay’s Sidelines
Maybe he should buy a condo over there. I think he could afford one. He could rent it out during basketball season.

Other UK Sports News

None today

NCAA Sports News

SLAM ONLINE | " College Basketball Preseason Top 25 Countdown
Teams 25-21. Some good team reviews here. Florida makes an appearance.
Florida pays Urban Meyer in Calipari bucks John Clay’s Sidelines
Feh. Well, good for Meyer, I guess. We know where the Gators' hearts are at.
July recruiting viewed slightly different from top - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com News, Fantasy, Video
Calipari is at a big school (Kentucky) with unique resources (private jets) and in possession of great relationships that aid in the process of securing players. So of course he wants to eliminate summer recruiting! Even without it, he can still recruit off his own name and his school's name, and it's not a problem if he needs to go see a prospect in Oklahoma on a January night because he can finish practice by 4:30, hop a private plane by 5:15, fly across a few states, watch the game, get back on the private plane, fly home and get in bed by midnight.

Did you know UK had a private jets (plural)? I didn't. In fact, I thought they were talking about leasing one aircraft for use by the athletic department, but the idea that there are more than one is news to me. In fact, I'm not even sure they've actually leased a plane, as I certainly don't recall that news item. But since they did budget the money, you have to assume they used it.

Still, plural? But Parrish does make a point that will resonate with the little guys. I don't see the July period going away anytime soon.

Other News of Interest

Catch of a lifetime: Kentucky auto worker reels in $1 million FLW Fantasy Fishing grand prize - FLW Outdoors
PITTSBURGH — Terry Moberly, an auto production worker from Berea, Ky, claimed first place in the 2009 FLW Fantasy Fishing season and its $1 million grand prize. Moberly was awarded his $1 million grand prize at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena during the weigh-in ceremonies on Saturday of the Forrest Wood Cup.
Rocky Top Talk compares Kiffin to Coach --Cal John Clay’s Sidelines
Heh.
Dicky Lyons Signs With the Falcons
Matt Jones is repeating an Alan Cutler report that Dicky Lyons Jr has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. I expect to get more on this from Dicky himself at some point.
UK Coach Rich Brooks and Coach John Calipari book signings

The Daily Schadenfreude

Basketball Recruiting: 2004-09: Part 2
Hard to believe Self would get criticized, but KU fans have found a way.

Sprints Is Not Running for Congress // 08.04.09

cocknfire — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:10:38 -0000

More photos » by JOE RAYMOND - AP

Find the future congressman in this picture.

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Team Speed Kills Now. LIVE tonight at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bill Connelly of Football Outsiders (and our own SB Nation Missouri blog, Rock M Nation) joins us to for a numerical preview of the SEC. Oooooh. Numbers. All of that from the FO Almanac for this year, which is available here and here. Good stuff for those of you who have looked at sabermetrics and wondered, "Why can't they do that for football?" And Dr. Charley West of SB Nation's West Virginia blog The Smoking Musket ~~shows us how to burn couches~~ gives us a WVU view of the Mountaineers' game with Auburn.

'We talkin' 'bout practice' (III). The Auburn Tigers report today. But is there a quarterback in their midst?

Lou Holth for Congreth. How would I even begin to make that up?

If he ran, Lou Holtz would join an already-crowded GOP primary field that includes two state legislators and a Winter Park city commissioner. Still, the prospect of Holtz getting in has Republicans buzzing about his fundraising ability and aura of celebrity.

"You put him in the ring and it's all but over," said John Dowless, an Orlando-based Republican consultant. "He's on TV, he's likable, the name ID is huge and people respect him enormously." ...

"Holtz has said enough things on TV … and because of this I'm sure he's said enough stupid things," said [University of Central Florida Roger] Handberg.

No. Not Dr. Lou. Here he is on health care.

And here, for those of you who didn't see it in March, is his penetrating analysis of how global warming couldn't be happening because it was cold that day.

I'm still waiting to see how he uses the newspaper trick to explain the national deficit.

Urban Meyer is staying at Florida. No, not because of the contract extension. The exension is a six-year deal worth $4 million per. (Meaning he's still getting paid less per national championship than Nick Saban, but I digress.) Fowler gives a good enough reason about why Meyer isn't yet the highest paid coach in the nation.

Consider that Florida could easily win another national title in 2008. Then consider that in the era of high-rolling coaches, every coach who wins a national title will undoubtedly get a hefty raise.

This might be why Florida didn't make Urban the country's highest paid. If Florida would have shelled out, say, $4.75 million today instead of $4 million, then what do they do if he won another title? Pay him $5.5?

But he also follows the pro-Florida logic that I find to be contradictory.

Maybe they can refer to a buyout that won't be very much, maybe as low as $500,000, but Jeremy Foley has shown in the past he doesn't restrict coaches with hefty buyouts. You either want to be a Gator or you don't.

Then why would the raise matter? Either Meyer wants to be a Gator or he doesn't, right? If you're going to try to "encourage" a coach to stay by giving him more money, why not go ahead and throw in a buyout? And while "You either want to be a Gator or you don't" might be Foley's philosophy, it's not exactly the best comeback to whispers of a pending leap to Notre Dame.

Blutarsky also points out the other problem with thinking $4 million = NO NOTRE DAME!!!

But if I can be that little nagging thought that resides in the back of their reptilian brains just for a minute, consider one thing: if Notre Dame is paying Charlie Weis over $4 million per year right now, how much would it pay for a real coach?

I think most of us who have either written or commented about the matter on this site think the odds of Meyer leaving for Notre Dame are slim to none. But, especially sans a larger buyout, this contract extension really does nothing to make that departure any less likely.

Two more notes on this: No, the money isn't state money; no, Les Miles isn't getting a raise.

Finally, on a team I can cheer for
Not sure how long he'll be in camp -- he would almost have to be considered a long shot -- but Dicky Lyons Jr. is expected to sign a contract with the Atlanta Falcons today. I think I'll pass on hearing about his Michael Vick dreams.

We'll fight with you, Donald
The colorful attorney for Renardo Sidney has made the Mississippi State signee's case worth following. Now the NCAA apparently wants to shut Donald Jackson up, and he's refusing.

No
Not this year, and probably not for a long time -- if ever. Next question.

Jim Delany has gone round the bend

"So were we 1-6 (in bowl games) last year? Yeah. Were we 0-6 in the BCS in the last (three years)? We were. Those are the facts. But take me from 2000 or 1997 to 2005; I remember when Michigan played Ohio State. We were the toast of the town, one versus two, game of the century."

Um, Jim. Did ya miss the game after the "Game of the Century"? The one where the winner of the Game of the Century got dismantled by the "undeserving" No. 2 Florida Gators?

And, really, you want to play a bowl game in Happy Valley in December or January? (HT: Dr. Saturday)

We packed a ballroom for three days
The Pac-10 can't even pack a classroom for one.

This has got to be the dumbest BCS reform idea I've ever heard
Craig, the computers were the entire reason an unqualified Oklahoma team got into the national championship game in 2003 and created the first and so far only split title of the BCS era, in the most controversial BCS episode ever -- which isn't exactly a low bar to clear. And you want to make the computers more important? At this point, you will better serve your conference and its teams if you just shut up.

Oh, and Utah was 5th in the final BCS computer rankings of the regular season ... which would have still left them out of the national title game. Good job there. (HT: Blutarsky) As for postseason rankings, Sagarin's ratings have Utah 5th if you use the real ratings and not the "politically correct" ELO-CHESS formula forced on him by the BCS. This is useful because Sagarin is one of the only computer polls to tease out the different numbers. (Some have Utah lower than first even within the BCS confines.) As for Sagarin's Pure Points/Predictor, Utah comes in 10th.

The NCAA's arguments vis a vis the Florida State case are still bogus
Lawyers put it much better than your humble correspondent can.

Kentucky Football: Rich Brooks Has a Book Coming Out This Week

Truzenzuzex — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:00:11 -0000

More photos » by Butch Dill - AP

Brooks is all smiles at SEC media days, even as they voted Kentucky last in the conference. Nothing to see here. Move along ...

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As most of you know, Tom Leach has a new book coming out about Rich Brooks this week. The title is, Rich Tradition -- how Rich Brooks revived the football fortunes of the Kentucky Wildcats, and you can order your copy at this link if you are interested.

There is really no doubt that Rich Brooks has helped turn the Kentucky football program around. Back in the early 2000's Kentucky was arguably the weakest team in the SEC. Attendance to games was down, the choice of Brooks was quite unpopular, and his first two and a half years at Kentucky looked really ugly. Calls for Brooks' replacement were everywhere. But then suddenly, things turned around, and UK football has been on an upward trajectory ever since.

Tom Leach, of course, is a good friend of this blog, and he knows that we periodically have Dicky Lyons Jr posting his comments here. In honor of that, Tom thoughtfully provided us with this excerpt from the book as it relates to Dicky:

--- Begin Excerpt ---

Lyons says he sensed his teammates' confidence was shaken after that LSU game, so he wanted to challenge them.

"That’s why I went and made those statements, just trying to get the team fired up and it got coach Brooks fired up, and I think the whole team rallied around that game. I think that, you could put that whole turnaround on that week alone," he said. "I think that’s when we really found a spark as a team and with our coach."

Brooks was furious. With so much on the line, the last thing he needed was one of his players giving the opponent some bulletin board material to use as motivation.

"He didn’t guarantee a win. What he said was that he wants to go down and beat Mississippi State like LSU beat us. He wants to beat them bad, beat them up physically and that is what we are going to do. I don’t remember the word 'guarantee'—it might have been in there—but I have always been a believer in not putting the cart before the horse, if you will. And you give the opponent the respect you should going up to a game and after a game, and also, (brash talkers are) putting their teammates in a bad situation by running their mouth," Brooks said.

Brooks made Lyons off-limits to the media for the rest of the week and he ordered him to do extra running after practice. A reporter friend of mine wondered if Brooks was perhaps using Lyons as a way to test his team's unity, but Brooks insists that this was not on his mind. He says his anger was genuine because he saw it was Lyons disrespecting an opponent. Nevertheless, the team did rally around Lyons, with some of his teammates joining him for the extra running drills, and the coach noticed.

"That’s just me being me. Like Dicky being Dicky, that’s just me, being me. I am never going to tolerate that. I guess I am an old-fashioned guy. I think some of the new age antics in athletics are uncalled for and I think that is one of the things that are uncalled for. (But) I liked that," Brooks said of the support Lyons got. "I thought that was a positive thing that there were some players that did the extra running and not leave Dicky hanging by himself."

"I think that’s what was needed," teammate Keenan Burton said of Lyons' proclamation. "You know, sometimes you do negative things, but those negative things kind of help you build your identity and coach Brooks gave us opportunity to build our own identity."

--- End Excerrpt ---

UK Football: Setting a New Standard

Ken Howlett — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:29 -0000

More photos » by Butch Dill - AP

Kentucky football head coach Rich Brooks believes he has reasons to smile.

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This is the first in a series of 10 posts which will examine, position by position, the 2009 Kentucky football team. But, first, an introduction to the season.

In last year's preseason examination of the 2008 football squad, I wrote about the opportunity presented to that team to change the culture of Kentucky football. And even though the team experienced season-ending injuries to key personnel, and was much-maligned by the press and fans alike, they seized the opportunity, and claimed it as their own. By posting a winning record for the third consecutive season, along with winning the third of three straight bowl games, the 2008 UK squad accomplished a feat never before achieved by a Wildcat team. And Kentucky has been playing football since 1881.

In 2009, Rich Brooks and Company seem primed to take the next requisite step up the SEC food-chain. It's a step not easily attained, for it's fraught with Gators, Gamecocks, Bulldogs, and the ever-irritating Vols. But in order for Kentucky to continue on the upward arc of respectability, the step simply must be conquered.

Coach Brooks confronted the next step concept head-on at SEC Media Days:

"We've changed some history at Kentucky, we have to change some more. That would be beating some of the teams in our league that we've struggled to beat over a number of years. And we're a lot more capable of having that happen now than we were three or four years ago."

"We've had success against a few teams, but we have to continue to build on that and beat more of 'em, because our goal obviously is to be a factor and have a chance to win the SEC East. To do that, we have to climb over the teams that have ruled the roost, if you will, and ruled it very well I might add, in the past 10, 15 years. Now, you know, we need to climb the ladder. This is not good enough. Going to bowl games and winning them isn't good enough. We need to compete for the SEC championship."

"Compete for the SEC Championship;" yes, that's what Papa Brooks said.

Competing for an SEC championship, in most years, equates to competing for a national championship. And that truism may never be more relevant than this year, considering SEC East rival Florida is the universe's selection as the preseason No.1 team in all the land.

But, I must applaud the coach for his attitude. For without a leader focused on that which is attainable, making history, and winning championships, are unattainable. The Kentucky football program, under Rich Brooks' passionate, positive leadership has accomplished that which very few thought possible. So no, this fan doesn't begrudge the coach for reaching high to grasp the stars that have yet to shine on the Bluegrass.

Speaking of reaching for the heavens, Brooks put it like this:

"You're reaching for a higher star, obviously, in trying to be a team that competes for an SEC championship. When you get to a certain level it's a lost easier to get to that next level, and I think that's where we are."

The next level ... the next step ... climbing the ladder ... Reaching the plateau where the serious pliers of pigskin excellence congregate demands that UK accomplish that which, for decades, seemed improbable.

Our sage coach realizes in order for stars to be lassoed, and championships competed for, Kentucky must beat (not compete with) a series of division bad-guys the boys in blue have rarely bested. Although UK boasts a three-year running record of 23-16, its SEC mark in the same time-span is merely 9-15. The perpetrators responsible for UK's less than stellar SEC record in that time are Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The not-so-attractive numbers look like this (brace yourself): UK - 1 Bad Guys - 11.

Sometimes statistics are party-poopers extraordinaire, but can shed light on ones shortcomings. Brooks knows:

"I think, realistically, we SHOULD (emphasis mine) beat some teams we haven't beaten in awhile, and we better beat some teams that we haven't beaten in awhile, because there's a lot of them on our schedule."

"... teams that we haven't beaten in a while ..." To the aforementioned East bandits, add Alabama and Auburn. Both UK foes in 2009: The Tide's record versus UK is 34-2-1; Auburn holds a 24-5-1 mark against the Wildcats, and have won 15 in a row dating back to 1967.

Just so we're clear: UK must play four SEC East competitors against which they are 1-11 over the last three years, as well as two SEC West teams that hold a combined 7-58-2 all-time record against the 'Cats. Now we see why most college football prognosticators are giving long odds on UK's chances of winning north of five games.

But, laughing at long odds is Brooks' specialty, and the need to overcome feeds Brooks' fire. Just take a gander at the circumstances he has beat-down over the last three years. Circumstances he's overcome which have enabled him, today, to be in a position to talk about taking steps, and "reaching for a higher star:"

In 2006, UK sat at 3-4 after a 49-0 drubbing at the hands of LSU. His team, also having lost to Louisville by 31 points, was at a crossroads. His career at UK was stopped at the same crossroads, blinker on, ready to turn for home and the rocking chair. But no, not yet. Brooks rallied his charges in the face of dire circumstances, finishing the season 5-1, with one of those victories coming over Georgia, a team UK had lost to in 14 of its last 15 meetings.
In 2007, after losing an ugly, mistake-filled game against South Carolina 38-23, Brooks refused to allow his team to wallow in the misery caused by falling to a team they should have beaten. For coming to town was the No.1 team in the country, the LSU Tigers. And in what may be the preeminent moment in UK football history, the 'Cats coaxed unlikely victory into paying a visit to Commonwealth Stadium, even though victory visiting was the longest of shots.
In 2008, after losing his probable starting quarterback (Curtis Pulley), his All-SEC caliber receiver (Dicky Lyons), his star tailback (Derrick Locke), and his most explosive performer (Randall Cobb), Brooks once again magically propelled his offensively-challenged team to another winning season, and a UK record-setting third bowl win in a row.

Of course I've not even mentioned the fact that Brooks, upon arriving at UK in 2003, inherited a roster depleted by probation, and ravaged by attrition. And over the course of his first three years, facing overwhelming media and fan disillusionment, his steely fortitude enabled him to persevere and execute his program-saving game-plan. So far be it for me to sit here at my keyboard, in air-conditioned comfort, and question a warrior's optimistic outlook.

So from Brooks' mouth, to your screen, comes additional thoughts from the coach on why he believes the 2009 'Cats will break down barriers, and tug at Orion's Belt:

"I think that this years Kentucky football team, going into the season, is going to be a better team than I had going into last season. The reasons I feel that way, is I believe our offense will be much more productive, which it needs to be, because we were not very good a year ago. (Quarterback) Mike Hartline should show marked improvement, and I believe he will. All I have to do is think back three years ago, Andre' Woodson's sophomore season, what he accomplished his junior season, and it was significantly improved. I think Mike Hartline will see a lot of that same type of improvement. The people around Mike Hartline will be more experienced and better, as well. I mean, we played five freshmen receivers last year. (Hartline's) understanding of the offense will be greater, and his accuracy I think will improve along with that experience."

On sophomore Randall Cobb and some of the other performers on offense, Brooks had this to say -- "(Randall Cobb) will be a receiver most of the time and we'll have a package for him in our Wildcat formation in the backfield. He has exciting play-making ability. He can run it. He can catch it. He can return it. He can throw it. We have our players; Kyrus Lanxter came on and had a good bowl game. Gene McCaskill came on and had a good bowl game in our win over East Carolina at the Liberty Bowl. We have a young man by the name of Chris Matthews out of junior college who caught 86 balls, who's 6'6", 210, and runs in the 4.4's (in the forty-yard dash). I think the experience at tight end with T.C. Drake, Maurice Grinter, and Ross Bogue returning; all of those guys are going to be better than they were a year ago. And Mike's ability to get the ball to them will be enhanced because of their experience, as well as his own improvement."

Speaking about the defensive side of the ball, coach Brooks said: "Defensively, we lost some very good players, but the great news is winning three bowl games in a row, we've established (through recruiting) some depth and better SEC-ready talent. And we have some young people that I think are going to be impact players for us on the defensive side. And I do not see us slipping on the defensive side, (just) because we lost some good players."

In any sport, a vital part of being a successful coach is displaying a positive outlook to ones team. But even more important, having an established track-record which solidifies ones optimistic mind-set is key to selling ones team, and fan-base, on realizing the dreams and aspirations of all involved. Coach Brooks possesses such credibility.

Even though for many fans the expectations for the upcoming season are tempered due to UK's rigorous SEC slate, I have to believe. I have to believe because Brooks leaves me no choice. I have to believe, because I believe in Brooks. I believe, before he takes his final bow as UK coach (presumably in the next two years), that he will fulfill the promise demonstrated by his previous accomplishments. I believe he's the man to take UK to the next level ... the next step ... and to climb the ladder skyward toward the stars that he will someday grasp.

Thanks for reading and Go 'Cats!

Sprints Will Concede Big XII Superiority When They Actually Believe It // 07.06.09

cocknfire — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:45:10 -0000

More photos » by Sue Ogrocki - AP

'So, if we beat Georgia, we might be good? Or we might not? How does that work again?'

Browse more photos »

The realm of the possibly potentially plausible. A poster at Double-T Nation, SB Nation's Texas Tech blog, decries "SEC hacks" for not thinking the Big XII "appears ready to surpass SEC in football." The poster's response is a column ... from a Big XII hack?

I hate to spend too much time on this, in part because it's just a columnist from Big XII territory touting the Big XII -- no surprise there -- and also because, as I've said before, conference superiority is as much a matter of opinion as anything else.

But the column is interesting for the incredible volume of wiggle words and phrases, like:

--"its best may be directly ahead;"
--"2009 might be the year when the Big 12 takes the final step in performance and perception;"
--"'We could be there;'"
--"That total might just be the beginning."

The problem in following that logic is that, respectively:

--It may not;
--It might not;
--They could not;
--It might not.

And setting up the Oklahoma State game against Georgia as a match-up with a "traditional SEC power" shows how the Big XII plans to spin that game, despite the fact that it will be Top 10 team matching up with a squad that even the optimistic Phil Steele places at No. 13. Most expect the Dawgs to have a "down" year -- or at least a non-SEC championship year -- after losing most of their offense.

But if Oklahoma State defeats them, watch out. The Big XII will be coming on.

Or, at least, it might be.

Is the real story Boy Wonder's RECRUITing?
It is somewhat newsworthy, I suppose, that Kentucky only has two commitments for the 2010 recruiting class at this point. But what's kind of surprising is that, according to the list in the story, uber-RECRUITer Lane Kiffin is seventh in the league in commitments, behind Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina ... and Vanderbilt. Sure, not all recruits are created equal, and Vanderbilt and even South Carolina are probably not drawing kids with the same number of stars as Boy Wonder is hoping for. But we must assume that the other four schools are.

Cardwell, Kirschman both leaving Alabama
We can assume that Brian Cook is not pleased.

I will still call it World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party Cocktail Party Cocktail Party
Bernie Machen continues his fight against liquor at a game that most fans still refer to as a drinking party. His newest idea is that if there are fewer places at which to drink, college students will drink less. Sure, Bernie. That'll do it.

'I feel like I did when I was 45'
A Florida Today article about Steve Spurrier's possibly impending retirement throws cold water on the idea. As for the program's historic futility? "That is what intrigues and gets me excited each day, is to do it there." The question, of course, remains whether he can. (HT: Leftover Hot Dog)

Is 'black jorts' really the best you can come up with?
Forde puts four SEC games in the "red-hot college football rivalries" category: Tennessee-Florida, Florida-Georgia, LSU-Alabama and Ole Miss-Arkansas. (HT: LOHD)

How could a radio ad with Dicky Lyons Jr. not be funny?
The latest installment of Dicky's World.

'They are what we are in hockey'
The reaction of the Canadian football team's coach after the U.S. wins the Junior World Championship 41-3.

NCAA review of Renardo Sidney's eligibility continues
New developments include Sidney's former coach defending him and the denials of financial help for Sidney's family from a Reebok executive. Interviews begin today for the family of the Mississippi State signee.

Jason Henry is out at Arkansas
This is not a surprise.

Kentucky's Pilgram transferring to Oklahoma State
Turns down Memphis.

Dicky's World

Ken Howlett — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:37:52 -0000

July 1, 2009

As the month of July begins, I am starting to feel like the old me. My leg is getting stronger, my routes are sharper, and I'm sporting a pretty good tan. I increased my workouts to three times per day to get into tip-top shape.

I have one more scheduled NFL workout, and that is with the Saints later this month. I am also working the Manning Passing Academy, and will have a workout with Eli and Peyton Manning. Hopefully, I can impress them, along with the many NFL coaches who attend their camp. I just need to get my foot in the door.

Some guys get the take their shoes off and put their slippers, walking into the NFL. I'm not one of those guys. I'm the guy who is going to have to break in the back door, and convince them to let me stay. That's all I have right now.

On a personal note: My dad and I are doing a radio ad for Kentucky National Insurance. So, listen for it on the radio. It's funny.

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Dicky's World

Ken Howlett — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:58:52 -0000

June 24, 2009

Hello. Not much going on since the Buffalo workout. My agents are calling teams, and seeing if they are making any roster changes. I still have the Saints workout, but that is not for another couple of weeks. So, in the mean-time I have to push my workouts and increase my "cardio". I have to get into the best shape of my life. When a team calls, and I get my chance, I do not want to lose it because I am out of shape.

I am working out three-times per day now, making sure I waste no time. "Time is what we want the most and use the worst." I don't know where I heard that, but I like it.

Now, to answer a few questions:

Question: I am really wondering, besides quickness off the line and 40-yard dash speed, what do the pros look for in receivers? I assume they look closely at how well you run routes, but after that, what is it that separates an NFL receiver from a guy trying to make the team?

DLJ: Last year I got the chance to sit down with Peyton and Eli Manning, and I asked them the exact same question. They both said the same thing: "WORK ETHIC!" They continued, "Do these guys like to work? Do they do all the little things right? Like blocking, running, going full speed on decoy routes, etc." So that's what I try to do.

Question: Dicky, when you run into fans is there a certain memory that seems to come up more often than others? Do fans always bring up the one-handed catch against Mississippi State, or the hit you put on (Craig) Steltz, or some other play?

DLJ: A lot of fans just like to say hi, and thank me for everything, and I always say "the pleasure is all mine." I loved every moment I played for Kentucky. And yes, those two memories come up a lot, and I don't blame them. I think about them all the time, too. My wife gets mad because when I need motivation I go to You Tube and watch those two plays.

On a personal note: My five-year high school reunion for Holy Cross High School is this weekend, and I am looking forward to seeing all my old buddies.

I also talked to Moncell (Allen) the other night, and he is doing great with school and football, and I predict a big season out of him. Remember, I didn't step up until my third year. Plus, Moncell is a Holy Cross boy!

Dicky Lyons, Jr.

Dicky's World

Ken Howlett — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:54:14 -0000

June 14, 2009

Workouts

I have been recuperating from the Falcon's workout, and preparing for the Bill's workout. Mr trainer, Duke Rouse and Prime U are helping me with my explosion and my 40-yard dash starts. This will help me shave a few tenth-of-seconds off my 40-yard time. Hopefully, we can get the time down to the 4.4 range.

I'm leaving Buffalo Wednesday, where I will meet with Shomari Moore (former UK defensive back). He is also trying to make it on an NFL roster, and we need to make sure we support him as well.

There will be a lot of players at this workout, compared to my other workout, but I like it that way. This creates more competition and I love to compete. What do you expect?! I'm a Wildcat!

Dicky's World Q&A

ky1wildcats7: The No. 12 is my favorite for many reasons, but what was your reasoning for choosing to wear it at UK? I don't think the NFL allows wide receivers to use No.12, so if you get picked up by a team, what would be your number of choice?

I understand you may not be able to answer this, but if you had to pick the team you would like to play for in the NFL, who would it be, and why?

DLJ: The first time I played football was in the 8th grade, the coach was handing out jerseys, and I got No. 12, and so it began. Receivers can wear No. 12 in the NFL, but I'll take whatever they give me, then I"LL make the number.

I want to play for whichever team wants me to play for them.

scfcats: How long do your workout lasts, and are they typically the same? Who runs the workouts? Is it just you by yourself at the workout, or are there other players trying to get a spot?

Last question: Who is involved in helping you get on an NFL roster? I noticed you have a P.R. person, and I'm curious about these peripheral people, and what their roles in the process might be. What does XAM Sports do, specifically, what do they do for you?

DLJ: My workout with Atlanta lasted around one-hour. I don't know how the other teams work. The workout was run by a combination of scouts, coaches, and trainers. I was working out with one another receiver in Atlanta, but that was it.

XAM Sports is my agency. I have two agents, Jason and Scott, who work on getting me in the NFL, and Shawn, who deals with public relations and a million other things. They have been an instrumental part of every aspect of my training, media interviews, and just being really good people. They really believe in me, and want to see me do well. I will never be able to thank them enough for all their help.

cdnWildcatfan: Dicky, I get the feeling the NFL trend is toward smaller, quicker wide receivers. Do you think this is the case, and if so, how much do you think this helps you?

While I get the feeling you'll make a roster somewhere, there is never a guarantee with these type of things. If it doesn't work out, what are your plans? Would you consider the Arena League, or the Canadian Football League for a year before taking another crack at an NFL roster?

DLJ: When I look around the league at the wide receiver position I see a variety of athletes who all offer something different. But, the one thing I notice are the receivers that stick around, year in and year out, are the ones that work the hardest. Whether they are small and quick, or tall and fast, they have a great work ethic and are always trying to improve their skills. Personally, if I'm playing, I want to be the best, so whoever is in front of me on the depth chart better bring his "A Game" every day, because as soon as he slips I'll be there to pass him up.

Right now my entire focus is making it onto an NFL roster. I feel that if I start thinking about where else I could go, I will not accomplish my goal because I didn't truly believe in it.

On a personal note: I play chess.

Dicky Lyons, Jr.