Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2008

UK FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Lorenzen 'shocked' at Woodson pick

AARON BOYD SAYS HE EXPECTS TO START AGAINST LOUISVILLE

By Chip Cosby

HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

UK Athletics Department

Andre Woodson injured a quad muscle at Giants Minicamp.

Jared Lorenzen admitted to being shocked when he heard that the New York Giants had selected his former teammate, Andre Woodson, in the sixth round of the NFL Draft two weekends ago. The selection of Woodson gave the Giants five quarterbacks to work with. Most NFL teams keep only three.

"Well, first of all, I was shocked that Andre fell so low," Lorenzen said this week. "And then I was shocked from the standpoint that we already have four quarterbacks. But I do think it was a great value pick. Andre is a second- or third-round guy and you get him in the sixth round."

Woodson is participating in the Giants' rookie mini-camp this weekend. He'll be trying to put himself in a quarterback rotation that already includes Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Lorenzen, former No. 1 overall pick David Carr and journeyman Anthony Wright.

Lorenzen, who served as Manning's backup last season, is no stranger to quarterback competitions. Former UK coach Hal Mumme made waves when he gave Lorenzen, then a redshirt freshman, the job over incumbent Dusty Bonner in the summer before the 2000 season, and Lorenzen also battled with Shane Boyd to keep his job later in his career.

But now Lorenzen is firmly entrenched in what he calls the "most intense competition of my career."

"This is for a job," Lorenzen said. "This is your livelihood. At Kentucky, I knew if I lost the quarterback job, I had a chance to win it back. But this is all about your career, your future, and taking care of your family."

Woodson and Lorenzen were also in the same quarterback stable in 2003 when Woodson redshirted during Lorenzen's final season.

"You could see the talent he had then," Lorenzen said of Woodson. "He was raw, but Shane (Boyd) and I both used to talk about what a great future he had."

Lorenzen said he hasn't talked with Woodson since the draft but would welcome the opportunity to serve as a mentor.

"If he wants to sit down and work together and go over some things, I'd be more than glad to help him," Lorenzen said.

Lorenzen said Manning took him under his wing when he arrived at Giants' camp in 2004.

"I came in thinking everybody was my enemy, but Eli sat me down and said he'd do anything he could to help me," Lorenzen said. "Of course, everybody wants to be the man, but I think the bottom line is everyone wants everybody to get better. It's a tough adjustment to the NFL and I think you need the input and help of the veterans to survive. I know I wouldn't have survived without Eli's help.

"It can be a friendly competition. Andre's a Kentucky guy, so I want him to do well. I'm hoping that we can help each other out."

While the Giants do have a gluttony of quarterbacks, it's feasible that both Lorenzen and Woodson could make the squad.

Most NFL teams keep two quarterbacks on the active roster. The Giants could place its third-string quarterback on the inactive roster, which would mean he'd be available only in the event of an injury, and put the No. 4 quarterback on the practice squad.

Teams are often hesitant to cut draft picks, and the Giants are said to like Woodson's long-term potential as a backup to Manning, so they could conceivably place him on the practice squad and slowly develop him to be the No. 2 guy down the road.

Woodson injured

Woodson's NFL career is off to a rough start.

He pulled a quad muscle while scrambling to his left during an 11-on-11 drill.

"I don't know what happened," Woodson said. "I'm kind of disappointed I'm not out there for my first minicamp. I just can't wait to get back out there and do some good things."

He threw an interception on his first pass in minicamp on Friday, but he felt he improved a lot in the second workout in the afternoon.

Boyd prepping for prime-time role

UK freshman-to-be Aaron Boyd was a regular spectator at the Cats' spring practices as he prepares to try and earn a prominent role in the Wildcats' thin receiver position.

Boyd said he already feels like a member of the squad.

"I bonded with the guys, watched film, joked around," Boyd said. "Everybody welcomed me with open arms. It felt good. I wanted to make sure I was around as much as possible, because I see an opportunity there and I want to seize it."

Boyd also said he became familiar with UK's scheme during spring ball.

"(UK offensive coordinator) Joker (Phillips) quizzed me a lot on what's going on, and I talked a lot with the other receivers," Boyd said. "I pretty much have the offense down pat. I feel like I'm a step ahead of everybody else who will be coming in. If we were to play tomorrow, I feel like I could come in and contribute."

Boyd, the younger brother of former UK and current NFL quarterback Shane Boyd, said his size (UK lists him at 6-3, 210) is his biggest strength right now. He said he's heard knocks on his speed but doesn't think that will be an issue.

"I've been around a lot of NFL people, so I think my knowledge of the game will help me adjust," Boyd said. "I've got the size and strength, and (former UK receiver) Keenan Burton has worked with me on getting off the line, so I think that will be a strength as well. As far as my speed, I've got good game speed, and once the coaches start working with me, I think I can get down in the 4.4 range."

Boyd said he's gotten a qualifying ACT score and now only needs to finish strong during his last couple of weeks at Henry Clay to ensure his eligibility next season. He's already enrolled in UK's eight-week summer session and will be able to take part in summer workouts.

Boyd said his ultimate goal is to start the season opener at Louisville.

"That's my plan, to be in the starting lineup," Boyd said. "If I don't, I'll be disappointed. I don't expect anything less. I'm trying to do everything I can to give myself the opportunity."

Nutter Field House gets new turf

In the sixth major facility upgrade for the University of Kentucky football program in the last three years, a new playing surface is being installed in the Nutter Field House.

The installation of the new FieldTurf surface is expected to be completed by June. The FieldTurf field is a mix of sand and rubber particles that gives the surface a soft, springy cushion, enhancing the comfort and safety for the players. FieldTurf is used by 22 NFL teams, along with more than 40 major colleges and three Major League Baseball teams.

The new FieldTurf replaces the artificial surface that was installed when Nutter was constructed in 1993. Brooks wasn't a fan of the old surface because of the injury risks and was often hesitant to take his team indoors.

"I'm very excited about the change," UK Coach Rich Brooks said in a press release. "The FieldTurf will be much more conducive to good practices when we use our indoor facility."

UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has invested approximately $4,465,000 on six football-related projects over the past three years. In addition to the new indoor playing field, completed projects include: a new outdoor practice area at the Nutter Training Center, including two grass fields, a sports turf field, drainage system and stadium-style lights; a new locker room at Commonwealth Stadium, consolidating the team from two locker rooms to one; a new playing surface at Commonwealth Stadium; a new locker room, shower, and bathroom facilities at the Nutter Training Center; and a new team meeting room at the Nutter Training Center with state-of-the-art video capability.

Honors given to UK sportscaster

A familiar personality in broadcasting Kentucky sports, Dick Gabriel, (IMG Sports and the Big Blue Sports Network), received the Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year award at the annual National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association banquet in Salisbury, N.C.

Gabriel joins UK play-by-play announcer Tom Leach as current members of BBSN, who have won the award.

Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger was also recognized as the Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year.

UK's Masthay on service trip to Ghana

UK punter Tim Masthay is among a team of students that is going on an educational and service trip to the west African country of Ghana for two weeks. The trip is sponsored by the UK Education Abroad program. The group will tour the country, visiting landmarks and immersion in the culture of Ghana. There will also be service projects planned at a school and orphanage.

"One of my goals is to serve in the Peace Corps in Africa and I wanted to take this opportunity," Masthay said in a press release. "I know it sounds cheesy, but I want to serve my country and make a difference in the world."

The three-year starting punter averaged a career-best 39.8 yards per punt last season and led the Southeastern Conference in touchbacks. He was a second-team Academic All-American in 2007.

Chip Cosby covers UK football for the Herald-Leader. This article includes his opinions and observations. He can be reached by phone at (859) 231-3440 or by e-mail at ccosby@herald-leader.com.