2009 Pigskin Preview: Practice doesn’t mean perfect for quarterback’s second chance

Whether or not you would’ve believed it this time last year, Mike Hartline looks like he’s growing into an SEC quarterback.

Hartline was clouded with mystery before the 2008 season. One group of fans guessed Hartline and his 6-foot-6 frame would take the Cats by storm, filling the massive void Andre Woodson left behind.

Other fans assumed his inexperience and lack of help at the receiver position would shoot the Cats in the foot — that is, until Randall Cobb stepped in to scramble his way toward saving the day.

Sadly, both groups of fans were right.

Hartline, at times, looked like Woodson’s rightful successor. Especially against Louisville — a game placed under the microscope each year because it’s early in the year and it’s the Cats’ biggest rivalry game — Hartline looked like the quarterback of the next three years without question.

But that version of Hartline didn’t show up every week.

Hartline was benched in the midst of losing to Florida by 58. Sure, we’re talking about the all-universe Florida defense that made Heisman winner Sam Bradford look average in the BCS National Championship Game, but Bradford didn’t throw his teammates under the bus after the loss.

Hartline did.

Don’t expect every last one of Hartline’s problems to vanish this year, but expect to see a matured, polished SEC quarterback.

“He’s throwing the ball more accurately, throwing the deep ball more accurately,” UK head coach Rich Brooks said. “He’s giving receivers a chance to make a play on the ball and amazingly, we have some receivers making some plays on the ball.”

Receiver play is one area out of Hartline’s control that will undoubtedly make the quarterback’s job easier this season.

Not only will the receivers drop fewer balls, but Hartline’s confidence in his teammates will allow him to throw the deep ball and make the big play when necessary.

“Last year we were shorthanded because of young guys, one being myself,” Hartline said. “But right now we have big, strong targets, guys that know what they’re doing and just want to make plays on the football.”

Cobb is now considered to be a wide receiver, though he will see a few snaps each game in a special Wildcat package.

Plus, the pair showed a flash of good chemistry when the two hooked up for two late-game touchdowns in a comeback win over Arkansas.

And beyond Hartline’s improvements, the leading buzz-maker during fall camp may have been junior college transfer Chris Matthews, a 6-foot-5 receiver ready to step in and immediately make plays.

“He’s a very big and physical receiver, and he can really catch the ball,” senior cornerback Trevard Lindley said. “I like going up against him because I have been trying to get better on bigger receivers.

If Hartline can have success throwing in practice against Lindley, widely regarded as one of the nation’s top defensive backs, he shouldn’t have trouble picking apart any other cornerback in the league.

But there’s a catch with all of this: None of Hartline’s steps forward so far mean anything if he can’t get it done off the practice field.

Practicing well is one thing. Perhaps its importance is even overshadowed at times.

But Hartline hasn’t separated himself from last year’s ghost quite yet.

By all accounts, Hartline is in great shape, his arm is stronger than ever and his decision making from a year ago is much improved.

Brooks also noted the extra year under Hartline’s belt would make it easier for audibles and checks at the line of scrimmage.

Stronger personnel around him or not, Hartline Present is shaping up to be a much better player than Hartline Past.

Whether Hartline Game is as good as Hartline Practice? That remains to be seen.

“On the practice field there is no question that we have seen tremendous improvement in Mike Hartline,” Brooks said. “Now we’ll have to see if that translates to games, completions, touchdowns, lack of interceptions, those kinds of things.”

Who knew?

James Pennington is a journalism senior. E-mail jpennington@kykernel.com.