10 questions facing the Cats in 2009

Chip Cosby / ccosby@herald-leader.com

Fan Day
When: Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium (Gates open 6:30 p.m.)
Highlights: Team introductions, autograph session, equipment station activities, fireworks

Related Stories

Can Florida win it all again?

1. Barring injury, can Mike Hartline remain Kentucky's quarterback for the entire season?

It's hard to imagine anybody but Mike Hartline taking the first snap against Miami (Ohio) in the season opener on Sept. 5. But how long that remains the case depends on Hartline. There's significant buzz surrounding freshmen Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski. And don't forget about Randall Cobb, who showed last season he has what it takes to be a SEC quarterback and will be used occasionally in the "Wildcat" package.

If Hartline plays reasonably well and the team is performing at or above expectations early, UK Coach Rich Brooks likely will stick with Hartline while working in one of the freshmen and Cobb on occasion. But if Hartline struggles and the Cats have four or five losses in mid-October, the fans and media likely will clamor for a change.

2. How much will we see the two freshman quarterbacks this fall?

Morgan Newton likely will play; it's just a matter of how much and how soon. He is considered a dual-threat quarterback, while Ryan Mossakowski is known as a rocket-armed pocket passer.

Whether Mossakowski plays at all depends on how he throws in camp following off-season shoulder surgery. There has been speculation that he will redshirt.

Rich Brooks said this summer that he won't redshirt someone just for the sake of redshirting him, but one has to think that the coaching staff has at least considered creating some separation between the two highly regarded quarterbacks.

3. Who will be the hardest player to replace from last year's team?

If you took a poll, the top three likely would include defensive linemen Jeremy Jarmon and Myron Pryor and left tackle Garry Williams. But a strong case could be made for kicker/punter Tim Masthay.

Rich Brooks is a big believer in field position, and Masthay single-handedly turned games with his booming kickoffs out of the end zone and punts that pinned teams deep inside their own territory. While sophomore Ryan Tydlacka should step into the punter's job, there's nobody on campus who could provide the touchback-producing missiles that Masthay did on kickoffs.

4. What is the key to an improved Kentucky offense?

Yes, the quarterback play has to improve. Certainly, the other skill positions need to be more productive. But the key to both of those stems from the running game and the offensive line.

Senior Alfonso Smith has waited for his chance to be the feature tailback, and he's added off-season bulk to go with his impressive speed. Derrick Locke will provide a dual run-catch threat out of the backfield if he's healthy, and Moncell Allen is the power back.

Thanks to Mike Hartline's ability to get rid of the ball and avoid sacks, UK allowed the fewest sacks in the league in 2008. But the line struggled to create holes in the running game, something that must change if the offense expects to make strides.

The Cats averaged only 3.7 yards per game on the ground last year. If they can get closer to 4.5 or better, that will open things up significantly for Hartline and the rest of the offense.

The line has the size, depth and experience to get the job done. Having its biggest body (left guard Christian Johnson) back after missing last season won't hurt, either.

5. What can be expected of Randall Cobb?

Regardless of where Randall Cobb lines up, count on him to be good. He's expected to develop into the offense's go-to receiver. He'll be a change-of-pace threat at quarterback in "Wildcat" packages. And he also might be UK's most dangerous return man.

Cobb has the talent, work ethic and personality to serve as the face of the program for the next three seasons. Provided he doesn't break down the way he did at the end of last season, expect him to have a big 2009, which could set the table for a monster 2010.

6. Which newcomer(s) are most likely to see significant time in the season opener?

How many times have you heard the phrase 'junior-college players are signed to make an immediate impact'? And when you consider there's a serious need at both of their positions, the answer would have to be a pair of junior-college signees who were teammates at Los Angeles Harbor College: receiver Chris Matthews and defensive end DeQuin Evans.