Spring football notes - April 14

**BestdamnUKfanperiod** Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:13 pm

Spring football notes - April 14

By Eric Lindsey on April 14, 2010 12:57 PM | No TrackBacks
Stopped by the Nutter Training Facility Wednesday for spring football practice to do a story on wide receiver Brian Adams, which I will likely post Friday. While I was over there, I listened in on what head coach Joker Phillips had to say. Here are a few notes from his comments, which, coincidentally, had a lot to do with Adams' position group - the wide receivers.

- Phillips called it another "upbeat, positive practice." Phillips said they have to continue to work on the little things that could get them beat, which he pointed to turnovers.

- The biggest emphasis this spring season, Phillips said, has been the passing game, which of course includes the receivers. Phillips wants to be more balanced this year. Phillips said both sides, the receivers and the quarterbacks, are a part of the passing game. UK is expected to throw the ball more this year.

- EJ Fields, who has not seen the field in his first two seasons, has impressed at wide receiver in the spring. Phillips said he has been up and down in practice because of his foot, but Phillips was impressed with him in Saturday's scrimmage. Fields is a guy who Phillips believes can stretch the field for UK. This Saturday's scrimmage is another big test for him. Phillips said the biggest thing for him is confidence. The coaching staff believes in him. Now it's up to Fields to believe in himself.

- The wide receivers looked like a liability over the last two seasons, but the coaching staff really believes it could be strength this year because of the returning experience and raw ability of players like Adams, Fields and Randall Cobb. There is a possibility that eight, nine and even 10 guys could see the field this season. Phillips and wide receivers coach Tee Martin said it's a good problem to have because they'll need that many players and some of them can play special teams.

- Phillips said they need safety Winston Guy to keep improving. Phillips said he's blessed with great ability but they'll need him to continue to make plays. The coaching staff moved him down the depth chart a couple of days ago to send a message. Guy responded by taking the starting spot back over. Phillips said it remains to be seen who will take the other starting safety spot. Junior Josh Gibbs and redshirt freshman Dakotah Tyler have impressed Phillips early on.