7/16 Position-by-Position Football Preview: Tight Ends
Trevor Kelsey
As
was with the receivers, Cards fans haven't had to worry about their
tight end situation in a long time. But Gary Barnidge and Scott Kuhn
are not walking through those doors and neither are their combined 68
receptions for 826 yards and 9 touchdowns from last season. Instead the
Cards will be suiting up a group of guys who have zero starts and
catches at tight end. Louisville is so thin at the position that
Johnnie Burns, a defensive end the last three years, along with three
Freshman and two Sophomores are competing for the starting job.
"
We lost two dynamic guys." said Coach Kragthorpe referring to Barnidge and Kuhn. "
We have to find guys who will step up for us" Kragthorpe added during spring practice.
Coach
Kragthorpe likes to set up in two tight end sets and play smash-mouth
football, mixing ion some play-action. That will be hard to do with all
the surrounding questions that haunt the tight end position this
season. If the Cards want to be a run first team, using bigger
formations, someone or in this case two, will have to step up.
Uncertainty at the tight end is something the Cards could live without.
They need to be able to have confidence in their tight ends and not be
forced to use three and four wide outs in running situations, something
the Cards may be forced to do.
The 6-3 245 lb
Johnnie Burns
(pictured left), a three year defensive lineman, was a four year
letterman in basketball in high school and the senior is hoping to use
that athleticism to make the transition to the offensive side of the
ball. Redshirt Sophomore
Pete Nochta (6-5 246, lower right) is
also in the mix for playing time. Nochta is the only Cardinal returning
who has any experience playing the position, however he has yet to
record any catches or starts. Louisville will also hope to get
contributions from true Freshman
Mike Fennerty, a 6-4 220 pound
recruit from Olympia, Washington, who is hoping to take advantage of
the Cards weakened state to earn himself immediate playing time.
Another is JUCO transfer
Rock Keys, who may hold the keys to a
starting job if he demonstrates with the Cards what he has the last
couple of seasons at Jones County CC in Mississippi.
Nate Nord
out of west Boca Raton, FL is an interesting case, being the nephew of
TE coach Greg Nord and having the size (6-5 230) of a prototypical D-1
tight end. It will be interesting to watch how the younger Nord plays
under the elder Nord.
As,
Coach K pointed out at the beginning of Spring ball, the Cards are
desperate for help and need not only one, but two or three players to
step up and at least soften the blow left by the graduation of two
NFL-caliber tight ends. Hunter Cantwell needs someone to stop the
blitzing corner or keep the safety honest. As long as they come CLOSE
to matching the production of the last four years, the coaches and fans
will be pleased. Whether or not that is able to be accomplished is
another story.
7/6 Position-by-Position Football Preview: Wide Receivers
Rob Jones
Louisville
has been spoiled with wide-outs. A position that has been rich in
talent since I can remember is going to have problems living up to its
reputation this year due to one thing: inexperience. Just in the past
week, the Cards have potentially lost two of their wide-outs with the
most experience. Junior slot receiver JuJuan Spillman caught his walking papers as a result of a second DUI/marijuana charge, this time involving a handgun. On the other hand, Trent Guy
was SHOT IN THE BACK this weekend and his full-recovery timetable isn't
known. Guy could potentially return for the season, but how will he
respond to an incident that could have ended his life much less his
football career. Spillman and Guy were also the team's best option at
kick returner, both scoring a touchdown that way.
If the running
game works like it should, QB Hunter Cantwell's targets should get a
good amount of one-on-one coverage that will help disguise the lack of
experience. There are a few newcomers (ie: Maurice Clark) and young talent (Troy Pascley and Douglas Beaumont)
that could become the prototypical star receiver that Louisville has
been blessed with for the better part of 20 years. A total of 29 passes
have been caught by incoming Card wide-outs for a total of 0 TDs. Coach
Kragthorpe is handling the receivers, a job that should be considerably
more difficult this year due to the unit's lack of experience.
Scott Long (84, above) and Chris Vaughn
were known for getting in some trouble involving paint ball guns as
freshman. Now the two are the only receivers returning that have caught
a pass in college with 27 and 2 respectively. Long was really
impressive in open practice in the spring showing he might be able to
fill the shoes left by Harry Douglas. In the absence of Mario Urrutia,
Long started 7 games last year and caught a pass in 7 straight games.
The 6-2 211 pound junior from North Carolina has great hands and a
little speed. He should be one of Hunter Cantwell's top targets this
fall. Vaughn, who transferred from Notre Dame as a frosh, has been
riddled with minor injuries over his Cardinal career causing him to
miss a significant amount of time. The senior needs to toughen up and
play through nagging injuries because he has the body (6-3 220) and
talent to be a great contributor. Vaughn's passion for the game and
willingness to put his body on the line have been questioned since his
days at Notre Dame, maybe now that his time is running out in college
he will put up the stats to back up his expectations. Vaughn was ranked
the #1 WR in New England coming out of high school.
One of the
questions marks from Steve Kragthorpe's first year at Louisville was
why he didn't redshirt Louisville Male standout Douglas Beaumont. He
had only one rush and caught zero passes, but played in all 12 games on
special teams. Special teams? Doesn't make much sense using a guy who
has an immense amount of talent and gives superior effort in such an
unusual way. Beaumont is not afraid to go across the middle, catch a
screen and gain 8-10 yards, or help out the running game through
blocking. He was vastly under-used last year and is poised for a
breakthrough season. Beaumont is one of the best athletes on the team
and could be used in the return game if Guy's injury doesn't allow him
to come back. Look for Beaumont to be this year's breakout player,
something a few preseason magazines have already named him.
The
sleeper of the unit could be Troy Pascley, who missed most of last year
with pneumonia after redshirting in '06. He dazzled in practice last
year with his ability to overpower and separate from backs with
strength. The 6-2 190 lb soph is currently listed as the backup to
Scott Long at the X position over the senior Vaughn. Pascley's
potential is unpredictable, but if he plays in game action like he
practiced, he has the ability to be a diamond in the rough and
contribute immediately for the Cards. "The Giraffe" Josh Chichester is
also coming off a redshirt year and might be a little rough around the
edges, but his size is impossible to ignore. At 6-8 224 he could be a
great target for Cantwell in the red zone and on third down. Chichester
needs to improve his quickness and hands in order to break into the
rotation, but he will surely have the fan support after his stint with
the basketball team this past season. Pascley and Chichester won't be
expected to have great years, however the potential is there for one or
both to exceed expectations.
Maurice Clark is a JUCO transfer
from Saddleback CC and will add much needed depth and stability to the
position. The 6-3 Clark is the only recruit at WR that Kragthorpe
signed this year, but one of quality. He runs a 4.5 40 and had 16 TDs
and over 1,000 yards in two years of JUCO ball. It will be interesting
to see him in action, letting the fans see what kind of wide-out Coach
K is looking for on the recruiting trail.
The best thing the
corps of wide-outs have going for them is the QB throwing it to them.
For Hunter Cantwell to truly succeed, one of these guys is going to
have to step up and become a "go-to guy". Guys like Deion Branch and JR
Russell weren't highly touted coming into their breakout years, so look
for Long or Beaumont to perform better than might be expected. However,
losing players to dismissal, injury, and early-entry has really
handcuffed this bunch, forcing players who may not be prepared to play
significant, important time on the field. The potential is there, but
the experience is not. It will be interesting to see how the new faces
perform when practice starts in the next month.
7/5 WR Trent Guy Shot outside nighclub
Associated Press
LOUISVILLE — A University of Louisville football spokesman says player Trent Guy has been injured in a shooting in downtown Louisville. Louisville police spokesman Phil Russell said the shooting happened outside a parking garage near Theater Square and reported around 2:25 a.m. Saturday. UofL football spokesman Rocco Gasparro said the junior wide receiver was taken to University Hospital, where he was in stable condition after surgery for a gunshot wound in the back. Russell said the shooting followed a fight at a nightclub in Theater Square and no arrests have been made. Gasparro said other UofL football players were at the nightclub with Guy, but no one else was involved in the altercation. The school released this statement from Coach Steve Kragthorpe on Trent Guy:
"I was able to spend some time with Trent Guy this afternoon. He is in stable condition and is fortunate that his injuries aren't as severe as they could be. We are fully cooperating with the Louisville Police Department in their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Trent and his family during this difficult time."
7/3 Spillman's Cardinal Career likely over after second DUI arrest
Rob Jones
Louisville PRP product JuJuan Spillman was arrested this morning on
suspicion of DUI after police found 9.3 grams of marijuana and a loaded
handgun in his car. Police say Spillman was pulled over for "failure to
illuminate [his] license plate". This comes only a short time after the
speedy wide receiver had Jan 31, '07 marijuana DUI charges amended to a
possession charge, which levied drug classes and a $100 fine. Spillman
was to rejoin the team this season after being suspended for the
majority of last year. Coach Kragthorpe is in Mexico vacationing and is
not aware of the Spillman situation, but it seems obvious that
Spillman's playing days will be over.
"We are aware of JaJuan's situation," football spokesman Rocco
Gasparro said. "However, Coach Kragthorpe is out of the country on
vacation and cannot be reached. JaJuan's situation will be addressed
when Coach Kragthorpe returns later in the week."
Spillman was highly touted in both football and basketball out of
Pleasure Ridge Park. He was an integral part of the '06 Orange Bowl
campaign, scoring a TD against PITT and giving Harry Douglas much
needed rests in the kick return game. Spillman always had talent,
however attitude and legal problems led to his demise. If, in fact this
is the end, Spillman finishes with 16 catches for 120 yards, 4 rushes
for 42 yards, and 35 returns for 849 yards including a 100 yard TD
against Rutgers.
Spillman hasn't officially been dismissed, but expect an announcement regarding his status on the team sometime next week.
Louisville
PRP product JuJuan Spillman was arrested this morning on suspicion of
DUI after police found 9.3 grams of marijuana and a loaded handgun in
his car. Police say Spillman was pulled over for "failure to illuminate
[his] license plate". This comes only a short time after the speedy
wide receiver had Jan 31, '07 marijuana DUI charges amended to a
possession charge, which levied drug classes and a $100 fine. Spillman
was to rejoin the team this season after being suspended for the
majority of last year. Coach Kragthorpe is in Mexico vacationing and is
not aware of the Spillman situation, but it seems obvious that
Spillman's playing days will be over.Spillman was highly touted in both
football and basketball out of Pleasure Ridge Park. He was an integral
part of the '06 Orange Bowl campaign, scoring a TD against PITT and
giving Harry Douglas much needed rests in the kick return game.
Spillman always had talent, however attitude and legal problems led to
his demise. If, in fact this is the end, Spillman finishes with 16
catches for 120 yards, 4 rushes for 42 yards, and 35 returns for 849
yards including a 100 yard TD against Rutgers. Spillman hasn't
officially been dismissed, but expect an announcement regarding his
status on the team sometime next week.7/1 We're Back; Kragthorpe Keeps Cleaning House
After
a brief hiatus, The L Yes! Report is back. We are currently putting
together an in-depth football preview that will rival any on the
Internet. We will break down the squad position-by-position, starting
with the position Steve Kragthorpe coaches himself, the wide-outs. We
will analyze each player, give predictions and expectations, and
spotlight a particular player due for a break-out campaign. The Blitz
will be your one-stop for all Louisville football news. Kragthorpe has
been cleaning house this off-season, getting rid of the supposed "bad
seeds" from the Petrino regime through dismissal and transfer. There
have been 21 players to leave the team in on way, shape or form since
Kragthorpe arrived in Louisville. In the past week Manual-product
Aundre Henderson decided he didn't want to play football anymore:
"Aundre
has decided not to play college football anymore," said Kragthorpe in a
statement from the university. "He has given up his scholarship, but
will not be transferring to another institution. He will continue his
education at U of L, and I wish him nothing but the best."
Strange.
Michigan
transfer James McKinney, who was highly recruited out of Louisville
Central, was dismissed along with JUCO lineman C.J Millenbaugh because
of grades. Both never saw any action for the Cards, but were expected
to eventually start within the next couple seasons.
The L Yes!
Report will be here every day to keep you up to date on the latest
happenings in U of L sports. Make sure you check "Spanning the Globe"
for articles about Cardinals from across the country and email us with
any ideas for "YouTube of the Moment" clips. We have a new email
address staff@lyesreport.com.
Remember,
only 60 days until we get our revenge on the Cats in Papa John's. Never
too early to get prepared so keep checking back up until kickoff.
6/3 Martin to Transfer
Trevor Kelsey
Redshirt Freshman Dale Martin will be the next Louisville running back to be leaving town. Reasons for his decision have not been made known, but one can only guess it has to do with the depth the Cards will be bringing back at the position. Martin was a three-year starter at running back and four-year varsity performer at Bolingbrook High School and after rushing for 1,557 yards and 21 touchdowns during his senior season was considered one of the top running backs in the Midwest. He finished as the school's second-leading all-time rusher with 3,727 yards and was rated the 19th-best running back in the nation and the sixth-ranked player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com. Martin now joins running backs George Stripling and Anthony Allen to leave the team since the end of last season. There are no indications to where Martin will go.
“I talked to my family and my high school coach, and I kind of think I needed a fresh start,” Martin told the Courier-Journal. “I had been battling injuries, and a lot of things were just going wrong. I thought I’d cut my losses and get a fresh start.”
“It came down to a situation where I could stay and maybe play at 60 percent or take a year off and get healthy by shutting it down,” he said. “Right now I’m just focusing on my rehab. I feel like I’ve got a lot of things to show people when I get healthy."
5/18 Another Petrino Player Kicked Off TeamCoach Steve Kragthorpe continued to clean the house of all the "bad apples", this time in the form of Louisville Senior running back George Stripling. Stripling, considered the fastest of a deep running back core had missed all of this season's spring practices due to a suspension and had served a one game dismissal during last season. Yesterday though coach Kragthorpe confirmed that he would not be returning. Stripling was recruited here under the Bobby Petrino resheme and is one of now several players to run in to discipline problems since the coach left for Atlanta. Stripling played in 34 games as a Cardinal, rushing for 1,338 yards and 13 touchdowns, his best overall season coming in his Freshman year, when he ran for 621 yards and 7 touchdowns.
3/18 Kragthorpe Press Conference Wrap-UpSteve Kragthorpe met with media today to discuss his second season with the Louisville Cardinals. Coming off what many considered a disappointing ingaugrual campaign and not making a Bowl for the first time in nine years, Coach Kragthorpe seemed very optimistic about the upcoming season. With so many key players moving on for different reasons, there are many holes to fill.
"Every position will be open." Kragthorpe said. "I have a better feel for the players now." he added.
One position that is always looked at strongly is the QB. With Brohm gone a new era must begin. The Cards bring back three players at the position with only Hunter Cantwell with a start under his belt.
"Hunter is the incumbent" coach said. "He has to show he can be that guy on consistent basis."
Special teams could be a concern this season as well. Louisville lost both their starting kicker and punter, bringing in a freshman (Chris Philpot) to complete with Purdue transfer Evan McKeon.
"A huge vacated spot." Kragthorpe said. "You cant simulate that situation against Rutgers, its just one of those things, it's a game winner." said coach.
The departure of Rod Council had rippling effects through the whole team. Needing to fill his spot on the depth chart the Cards will be forced to move Bobby Buchanan to corner which leaves an open spot at safety. In hopes to counter that Coach Kragthorpe made the choice to move Louisville Male product senior Sergio Spencer from running back to safety.
"We have a lot of depth at the running back position and not a lot of depth at safety" he said. "[Sergio] sees the opportunity to play."
The offensive line was another concern on Kragthorpe's mind. "A lot of questions." he noted, "We need to find someone who can play consistently at the guard position." he added.
Louisville will be replacing two main starter from last season in OT Breno Giacomini and OG Daniel Barlowe.
When the season actually starts (date not known, thanks Kentucky) the Cards will be ready.
"Its not a big factor.' Kragthorpe said. "Get ready for the start 2008 season , even I don't know when that will be."
Whether it's a Monday, Sunday or whatever, Kragthorpe doesn't care. "I just need three weeks to prepare."
2/20 Rod Council Gets the BootCan we blame this on Petrino too? As you've probably already heard, senior CB Rod Council has gotten the boot from the team because he is currently in jail for ARMED ROBBERY. He stuck up a gas station when he was allegedly returning from a trip to North Carolina. Thank God no one was hurt. Rumors say he was excused because of a family crisis, which hasn't been confirmed. I know the team is going through conditioning right now and school is in its toughest point, so I have no idea why he was in North Carolina. We'll probably never truly find out what happened, but I do know we just lost our defensive captain and starting cornerback. Rod had the possibility of being All-Big East and an NFL draft pick and now he's going to be in jail for a while. Unless, this is a bogus charge, but unfortunately i doubt that. Woodny Turenne and Bobby Buchanon need to step their respective games up and look out for ball-haw Johnny Patrick to possibly start now. Rocco Gasparro released a statement regarding the Council situation.
"We were informed today that senior cornerback Rod Council was arrested early this morning. Based upon the information we received, Rod Council has been permanently dismissed from our team immediately. We do not tolerate that type of behavior in our football program. Fortunately, no innocent bystanders were injured or harmed in the process."
More to come on this nonsense later.....