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SEC Report: UK's Brooks counting on defense

July 25, 2008|LARRY VAUGHT

HOOVER, Ala. -- Kentucky coach Rich Brooks expects his defense to do more than just be improved this season. He's counting on the defense being good enough to win games for the Wildcats.

"Defense in this league is what ends up winning championships. We have quality type SEC players in all spots finally," said Brooks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days Friday.

"I believe we will have a much improved defensive front. It will be as good as it has ever been. We have guys that belong in this league on defense. We haven't had that all five years I've been here. We have people lining up at all 11 positions that can start at a lot of schools in our league, and I am talking about big-name schools.

"This clearly can be best defense we've had, and we need that this year to be a viable team. We have not been a great defense. We have been improving. I believe this year you will see a significant improvement on the defense."

With the losses UK had on offense -- three players were drafted and two others signed free agent contracts -- the coach knows the defense, which returns eight starters, has to be more dominant for the Cats to earn a third straight bowl trip.

"Our defense has to jump up for us to win. That's no secret. I am hopeful that will happen," Brooks said. "We want a defense that will not just keep us in games, but will be more stifling statistically when it comes to yards, points, third down conversions. We want to make it not as difficult to win games."

Brooks listed backs Trevard Lindley and Marcus McClinton, linebackers Micah Johnson and Braxton Kelley, and linemen Jeremy Jarmon, Myron Pryor and Corey Peters as potential all-SEC players.

"I think that we have a chance to be clearly the best defensive team that I've had," Brooks said. "We haven't been a great defense. We've been improving, getting better. But I believe that this year you're going to see a significant step on the defensive side at the University of Kentucky."

Jarmon, an end, and Lindley, a cornerback, were both named to the all-SEC second team Friday. Brooks didn't hide his feeling that both deserved first-team accolades.

"Jarmon and Lindley obviously are not first team because they were not voted by the media or coaches. I believe they both are as good as anybody in the country, much less the SEC. That's how good I think they are," Brooks said.

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