Smith’s Separated Shoulder

Would you like to say that three times fast? I tried and almost said an expletive. And no, it was not from my recent frustrations of the football team’s performance. I’m not sure whether to be more frustrated about the news of Max Smith having a separated shoulder, or not. I guess I shouldn’t sit here and fume about something that I can’t really control. A bruised shoulder was reported from head coach Joker Phillips and staff prior to the game against Florida. Now that Smith’s shoulder is separated, he may have to play with the pain for the rest of the season. The most unfortunate of circumstances awaits Maxwell Smith and the offense in their next opponent. The South Carolina Gamecocks may be the one’s feasting on a hobbled Kentucky quarterback. Their defensive front-line is the best Kentucky has had to face all season, and now is the worst time to face them.

My frustrations are mostly focused on the coaching staff and their lack of communication to the fans. I understand the whole philosophy of telling everyone your “star” player is plagued by an injury or sickness, and then he catches the opposing team off guard. However, neglecting the fact that Max Smith was not “fine” before the Florida game still irks me, a lot. Now that the reports about the shoulder being separated just irks me more.

So what do you do? Against the most aggressive SEC defensive line you have seen, would you throw your hobbled starting quarterback in front of them and say “Good luck, kid”? However, without a truly viable backup option you are just stuck in quite a pickle. And trust me, I hate pickles. Speaking of the backup situation, with Morgan Newton having a lackluster (to say the least) performance against Florida, Freshman QB Jalen Whitlow will take over the reins in the #2 spot. The freshman may have thrown the best pass of the game against Florida. However, Joker Phillips stated during the last practice Whitlow didn’t throw “God-awful”. Well, that’s certainly encouraging.

So what about Kentucky high school sensation Patrick Towles? Coming out of Highlands, he was the crown jewel of Kentucky’s most recent recruiting class. Joker Phillips has placed a red-shirt on the freshman, so he’s technically not listed in the depth chart at all. After the Florida game ended, the news broke that Towles’ and his father would sit down after the season and discuss whether Towles would even be at ‘Cat come next year.

In conclusion, the starting quarterback is going to play all season with pain. The backup quarterback was picked over the star recruit for his mobility, but he can only throw a level above “God-awful”. Morgan Newton may try another position all together, and Patrick Towles wants to transfer. When is Big Blue Madness, again?