Hartline's Demotion Leads to venting of frustration

Hartline Apologizes…

Mike Hartline has been threw the ringer as the starting quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats. In just his first start in front of the Kentucky faithful, he struggled early and was replaced by true freshman Randall Cobb for the remainder of the opening half. Then when he re-entered as the starter the opening series of the 2^nd half, he was welcomed with boos and disapproval.

The scrutiny of every poor throw, dropped snap, and wrong decision in crucial game time situations, led to the continuance of uncertainty that Hartline was the right decision at quarterback.

All the talk and scurutiny finally came to a change following the blow out loss to the Florida Gators 63-5. Ih that game, Hartline completed just 7 of 16 for 33 yards and an interception. Prompted by another poor performance in SEC play and facing a must-win in Mississippi State this Saturday, Coach Rich Brooks pulled the trigger and has made a change to Randall Cobb.

In a candid interview following his demotion he expressed his frustrations and threw teammates under the bus. The comments which he spouted off included how it “stunk” to lose the starting position.

"No one ever expects to win the starting job and then lose it because guys around him aren't performing the way they should. But it's best for the team and I'm a team player, and that's just the way it has to be."

The comment that the supporting cast was not doing their job was a CRUCIAL misstep and Wednesday he stood in front of his teammates and apologized for his harsh words about their play.

Following the apology to teammates, he came to the media to and explained how the players understood his frustrations and “still had his back.”

He explained that “He did not know what he said and that it was misunderstood what he meant.”

Although the comments might resonate in the team with some resentment, it was crucial for him to apologize, because in all likelihood, the Cats will call on him again at quarterback and he will need his team to rally around him. But as for now, it is Randall Cobb at quarterback, Mike Hartline as the backup and today he said he was fine with that.