Rich Brooks: Alabama D better than Florida’s

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks certainly has respect for the defense Alabama will bring to town Saturday. Speaking on the SEC teleconference, Brooks said the Crimson Tide defense is better than Florida’s which he saw last Saturday, at least statistically.

He wouldn’t be wrong, but Florida’s defense frustrated Kentucky all afternoon, holding the Wildcats down in a 41-7 win.

Read more in the coming days about his plan to increase productivity against Alabama.

MEDIA DAY 1: Kentucky coach Rich Brooks bats cleanup

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks opened with a joke. Again, the photo is from the AP.

• On being last to speak on opening day: “That’s appropriate. That’s where we’re picked every year any ways.”
• His opening statement was about 15 minutes shorter than Dan Mullen’s.
• “I don’t think there is a better corner returning in the country” on Trevard Lindley. Brooks also said he was surprised he returned to Lexington after being evaluated as a potential mid-second round NFL draft pick.
• On Tebow’s snub: “You guys are going to try and narrow it down (laughing). “I’m not the guy, good luck in the search.”
• “No question that the patience level, in society let alone college football, is at a premium. … I feel very fortunate (to still be employed at Kentucky). “Somebody had the intelligence and guts to weather the storm.” Kentucky was on probation when Brooks arrived in 2003.
• Quarterback Mike Hartline will be much improved this fall, Brooks promised.
• One fact Brooks keeps repeating: “We won three straight bowl games.”
• “That’s a tough one. With Alabama what Nick Saban’s assembled down there, that will be a tough one … but at least we have them at home.” Cited home wins over Georgia and No. 1 and eventual national champion LSU in 2007.
• “I Twitter quite a bit lately. I’m an old-school guy, who has kind of taken a liking to it.”
• Vote on the poll.