Cobb at QB not the right answer

Cats better off using star as receiver and in wildcat

By John Clay / Herald-Leader Sports Columnist

Charles Bertram

UK quarterback Mike Hartline grabbed his knee on the bench after being injured early in the 3rd quarter as the University of Kentucky played the University of South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC., Saturday, October, 10, 2009. This is fourth quarter action. On the right is teammate 78- Christian Johnson. South Carolina won 28-26. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff

The initial urge is to put Randall Cobb behind center.

In this case, the initial urge is the incorrect urge.

Situation: Now that Mike Hartline's injured left knee will force the Kentucky quarterback to miss at least two to four weeks, if not the remainder of the season, the Cats must reconsider the game's most important decision.

Option A: Go with backup quarterback Will Fidler, the lightly used junior, while also taking a serious look at highly recruited true freshman Morgan Newton.

Option B: Return to 2008's "Option B," when UK benched the struggling Hartline in favor of the athletic Cobb during a four-game stretch that concluded the regular season.

But let's examine that four-game stretch, which began with Kentucky winning a 14-13 nail-biter at Mississippi State in which, as a backup, Hartline threw for more yards (90) than did Cobb (56).

The next week, the Cats did score 38 points in a heart-breaking four-point loss to Georgia, but let's be real. Everyone scores points on Georgia. Ask Tennessee.

Next came a 31-24 home-field loss to Vanderbilt in which Cobb completed 11 of 26 passes. The finale brought a 28-10 loss at Tennessee in which UK managed 193 yards of offense, and Cobb suffered a season-ending knee injury.

"We won one game, nearly won another one against Georgia, but other than that, it wasn't nearly as productive and we ended up getting the guy hurt," Brooks said Sunday.

That "hurt" part should send a chill down the UK football follower's spine. After losing their No. 1 quarterback to injury, the Cats can ill-afford to lose their best offensive player.

And Cobb is the best. He is the best receiver. He may be the best runner, as exhibited by the 64 yards Cobb gained on that 70-yard touchdown drive that ultimately pulled UK to within 28-26 of South Carolina with four minutes remaining Saturday.

The counter argument is that it makes sense to put the ball in the hands of your best player as many times as possible. The best way to do that is to put him at quarterback.

But Kentucky's plan to start the season was to line Cobb up in different positions. The plan was to throw to him downfield, throw to him on screens, have him run end-arounds and also take the occasional direct snap at the Wildcat position.

"I don't think I would prefer to (change the package) at this point," Brooks said Sunday, "but we'll judge that going forward."

Says here Brook's preference is still preferred. Cobb running out of the Wildcat gives the opponents something to think about. Having him direct the offense at quarterback, at the expense of a credible drop-back passing game, allows the opponent something for which to scheme. And if you give SEC defenses something singular to scheme, they can shut you down.

So give Fidler a shot. Give him reps, coach him up at practice, tweak the game-plan to suit his strengths. Get Newton ready, if not for Saturday's game at Auburn, then for some possessions the following three weeks when Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State and Eastern Kentucky come to Commonwealth.

The Cats gave in to the Cobb-at-quarterback urge last season. This season, it's time to fight that urge.

Reach John Clay at (859) 231-3226 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3226, or jclay@herald-leader.com. Read his blog at Kentucky.com.