At Louisville, wideout is now wide open

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, August 19, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

Louisville Cardinals
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

It's almost as if wide receivers are becoming an endangered species at the University of Louisville. This year, they're disappearing faster than whooping cranes.

In the spring, 2007 stars Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia took their pass-catching talents to the NFL. That left speedsters JaJuan Spillman and Trent Guy and big receiver Scott Long -- still not a bad unit.

Except that Spillman was kicked off the team after his second drug arrest. Not long after that, Guy was shot in the back outside a Louisville nightclub and is still recovering. And most recently, Long broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during a blocking drill. He was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday, which will mean at least four weeks on the sideline.

"We are lucky to have capable depth behind him," said UL coach Steve Kragthorpe, obviously an incurable optimist.

In fact, only one remaining Cardinal wide receiver caught even a single pass last season -- Chris Vaughn, who hauled in two. Other potential starters at wideout include Doug Beaumont, Troy Pascley and Andrew Robinson, all of whom are as green as Al Gore.

Beaumont could be the key, despite his 5-foot-9, 176-pound dimensions. Mr. Football in Kentucky in 2006, he has excellent hands and 4.45 speed.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals aren't facing some Division 1-AA patsy in their opener (no offense, Appalachian State), but a University of Kentucky team deep in experience on defense and fueled by a bitter rivalry.

Maybe Doug Beaumont should have an around-the-clock bodyguard.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (2)

About Darrell Laurant

Sorry, Darrell Laurant's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report