Archive for August, 2008

Bashing Postmortem

All the talk about Hunter Cantwell being a high NFL pick incurred a quick demise today, Cantwell turning out to be UK’s best offensive weapon, turning the ball over almost on demand. If passing the ball to Bilal Powell on his own two-yard line with UK defenders in Powell’s face is an indication of Cantwell’s judgment, look for repeat performances in Big East play. My least favorite was the long pass to three UK defenders,  no Louisville receivers within 20 yards. Hello interception, putting the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.

Ron English’s defense showed Kentucky’s upcoming opponents exactly what it takes to shut down the Wildcats. Stop the run, they don’t have a passing game yet. This will be a long season for the Wildcats as well.

The defensive effort was the best in recent memory, making significant strides during the off season, holding the vaunted UK running game to a total of 63 yards on the ground. They had every excuse to throw in the towel often in the second half but refused to wilt. No one injured today that we know of, good to see Johnny Patrick get back off the ground.

Bilal Powell was not the Bilal Powell fans expected to see, tiptoeing up the line, leisurely returning kickoffs, dropping handoffs, coughing up balls. Where did the old Bilal Powell go?

Doug Beaumont was one of the rare bright spots offensively for the Cards, catching nine passes for 77 yards. He’s as good as advertised.

If UK’s offense was less than stellar, the Cards’ offense was anemic, unable to mount any semblance of a threat, showing little grit, even less poise. The triple threat backfield of Bilal Powell, Brock Bolen and Victor Anderson was mediocre at best.

Josh Chichester is effective if he doesn’t have to lean over to catch the ball. Keep it high, Hunter, he’s a big guy.

Jeff Brohm has had a few challenges in his life, including an injury that sidelined him during his sophomore season, but none any larger than restoring a hint of offensive respectability in very short order.

Football is not meant to be played in 90-degree weather. The only reason this game was held in the afternoon is because Kentucky dictates too many of the terms for game time — that’s the sad reality. No regard for fans or players,theirs or ours. Now that their football team has regained control of the series, UK can afford to be a little more reasonable when it comes to scheduling. But don’t hold your breath.

Silent Stealth

 
If the University of Louisville football team has a passing attack, Doug Beaumont (inset) will be an integral part of it. The 2006 Mr. Football in Kentucky is stepping into new territory as a leading wide receiver this season. His mom, Sheree Beaumont, was on hand for the Kickoff Bash Friday evening. She says Doug is the silent type, preferring to let his actions on the field do the talking for him. One would hope those actions speak loudly as the 2008 football season begins.

Lady Bird Spotlight

 
Cheering on the Cards against the Cats this weekend will be Lady Bird Sarah White, a junior at the University of Louisville and a grad of Manual High School. Her national championship dance team was a hit as usual at the BBC Kickoff Bash Friday evening. 

Bluegrass Boil

Too many unknowns to make an intelligent pick for the Louisville-Kentucky football game on Sunday. Not that this observer would make a pick; too big a fan to be objective and don’t make predictions when the Cards are involved. The upcoming game is no exception. Here are some things to ponder as kickoff time  nears:
After two consecutive winning seasons, although only 7-5 in each and two Holiday Bowl wins, the Cats may be full of themselves, patting themselves on their collective back, over confident despite being an inexplicable underdog.
Returns 24 experienced players on defense. They’ve been around. over and through the blocks a few times against some great teams.
Wesley Woodyard, the player who anchored the UK defense for what seemed like seven years, is gone, finally. He was the heart and soul, the brute behind the defense.
Sophomore QB Mike Hartline has played briefly in four games, completing four of six pass attempts for 67 yards. Unknown, untested and under exposed to game action.
Four elusive running backs in Tony Dixon, Derrick Locke, Alfonso Smith and Moncell Allen. Speed, elusive, proven.
Dicky Lyons, Jr. is the household name at UK like Brohm and Nord at UofL; there always seems to be one around and they’re good at what they do.
Rich Brooks, the coach, has been around long enough to know how to take advantage of inexperienced defensive teams. Behind that Botox facade is a steel trap of a brain.
Returns a total of seven starters on offense and defense. The newbies could be in for more than a few surprises. The jucos need to raise the much-needed level of respect for juco transfers.
QB Hunter Cantwell has the arm, the grit and the ability to take a beating but whether he has the receivers is the gut-wrenching question.
Four gifted running backs in Bilal Powell, Brock Bolen, Victor Anderson and Darius Ashley. Unproven. They had better be exceptional with so much inexperience around them.
Kickoffs should be less tense with candidates Tim Dougherty and Chris Philpott who have booted more than 90% of their kicks in the end zone up to now.
A “coach on the field” in center Eric Wood, who provides the leadership one usually expects from a quarterback. Calming influence, leads by example, inspiring his fellow offensive lineman.
James Bryant, the transfer from Miami, as a reserve linebacker, a huge 6-foot-3, 235-pounder who needs defensive coordinator Ron English to be a master motivator to be a threat to opposing offenses. If that ever happens …
Jeff Brohm, an offensive coordinator eager to prove himself and absolutely abhors anything remotely representing Kentucky.
Steve Kragthorpe, the coach, will advance from a blank stare to a genius if he wins this game.

The game will be ugly, no matter who wins.

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Pre-Game Action – Don’t forget the Kickoff Bash sponsored by the Bluegrass Brewing Company (BBC) today at 5 p.m. at Theatre Square (Fourth & Broadway). Card Game will be there, along with Hell In The Hall, DitchBall, and Cardinal Empire blog/web sites and, of course, the UofL Cheerleaders. Card Game will be giving away an NCAA football to some lucky fan. Hope to see you there!

Just Need To Sign The Papers

Arena Chairman Jim Host meets with reporters following a meeting in which he announced that financing had been secured for the new downtown Louisville basketball arena at a minimum cost to taxpayers of more than $103 million less than original estimates.

Unless a major national economic catastrophe happens between now and next Wednesday, the Downtown Louisville Basketball Arena project will happen, and at costs significantly below original estimates.

That was the word this morning from Jim Host, chairman of the Louisville Arena Authority, in announcing that financing agreements will be signed with Goldman Sachs & Company on Sept. 3. “I’m not going to say it’s over until it’s over but we have a very good feeling this time,” he said. “I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that nothing happens in the financial markets.”

The total cost of the arena will be $238 million, according to Mortenson Construction, which had originally submitted costs projected at more than $254 million.  The cost to local taxpayers will be $206 million – as compared to the original estimate of $309 million.

Sharing Host’s optimism was Jim King, president of the Louisville Metro Council. “This arena is going to happen,” he declared. “The cost is well within the parameters the Metro Council has seen and approved.”

Board member Dan Ulmer, also retired president of Citizen Fidelity Bank & Trust,  noted that Mortenson and the HOC design team had made some changes in the arena design in recent weeks which provided major savings for the project without sacrificing quality. “We owe both of these companies a huge debt of thanks for their efforts,” he said.

Host concluded that the guaranteed revenue sources from the state and the city’s tax incremental financing (TIF) district separated the arena from other construction projects affected by the current downturn in the economy.

Meanwhile, demolition crews continue to rid the remains of the old LG&E electrical grid on the site of the new downtown basketball arena.

Link:  Arena Authority Expects To Close Bond Sale Next Week