|
Illini Defensive Line Should Stack Up With The Best Of Them
April 9, 2008
by Brian Crawford Last season the Fighting Illini football team could hardly have asked for anything more, knocking off ranked opponents such as Penn State and Wisconsin, as well as top-ranked Ohio State. Illinois capped off its remarkable season by making its first trip to the Rose Bowl in more than two decades. But with each ending comes a new beginning and also, SPRING PRACTICES! Today we focus on the deepest unit on the Illini defense, and one with the most returning experience, the defensive line. Tom Sims, the Illini DL coach since 2005, David Lindquist and Will Davis, two returning senior starters, talk about spring practices and their outlook for the rest of the spring. In addition to Lindquist and Davis, Derek Walker and Doug Pilcher also return to start on the D-line, while four more bring significant game experience to the table. The returning players know what needs to be accomplished this spring to improve their position. "Most of the guys, especially seniors, are supposed to know our assignments and know what the coaches want," said Davis. For the senior leaders such as Davis and Lindquist, they know what is coming. Lindquist is preparing to be a leader,
"I know a little more of what to expect. The thing is now, though, that I have to step up and lead. I'm taking on a different role, but I'm up for it. We're picking up where we left off," Lindquist says. "Everyone wants to go out there and win." Sims thought the highlight of the spring so far has been the effort and the attitude. "I feel like the kids get out here and compete. They are smart; they are not really out there to kill each other, but we still get better. So, I think it is a good balance," Sims noted. Anyone who comes out for the remaining spring practices can look forward to the same effort from the Illini all the way through the Spring Game April 19. Another important facet of the off-season has been the time put in by each player in the weight room. Strength and conditioning Coach Lou Hernandez has been able to help produce bigger and stronger Illini. Lindquist says that Hernandez' impact has been unbelievable. "I came in here weighing 250 (pounds), and I weigh 290 right now. He's a huge asset. He gets everyone a lot stronger and faster, and he is a huge part of this team." For this spring, Davis says Hernandez is having the linemen focus on just strength. "After the weight room when we're focusing on running, we're all trying to focus on just speed, not really the endurance part right now, but just pure speed. The one hole in the middle of the line is the gap left by former defensive tackle Chris Norwell who started 46 games for the Illini defense. Lindquist, who also started along side of Norwell each game last year, said it will be different. "I'm so used to him being right there next to me. I think the other guys, Sirod (Williams) and Josh (Brent) or any of the other guys underneath them competing, too, are all up for it and are going to come in and do a good job." No matter who is there for the Illini in the fall, competition will be intense. The new faces of the Illini are also working hard to get their gap assignments down as well as working on new techniques. "They are a group of young men who are talented, who play hard, who have a good attitude, and who handle their business academically," Sims boasted. These new young men who are all competing for a spot on the field for the Illini should become very familiar faces for fans and for the other unfortunate Big Ten backfields this coming fall and for years to come. The great depth breeds competition on the D-line. Sims looks at competition as a great attribute. "It's all about competition. What happens is, now you have guys battling for every snap. Competition at each position is a good thing, and the more you can create, ultimately the better your team will be. There are quite a few guys vying for an opportunity to play, and we have guys that are not here yet that are going to get an opportunity to compete for that job, also. It is every day. Competition is every day." Sims talked about what he would like to see from his defensive line during the remainder of spring drills. "I'd like to see each guy take a step forward towards being the best ballplayer he can be. I want to develop as many guys as I can into a position that they can contribute on Saturdays. And that's something that will go into camp, and go into the season. We're trying to get as many guys as we can into a position where they can get on the football field and contribute." Davis has a slightly different, but positive opinion of the progression he wants to see. "Dominating, that is the first thing. That is the key word for this defense and the defensive line. If we do our job, we make everybody's job behind us easier." If everything goes according to the second team All-Big Ten defensive end's plans, count on seeing the Illini defensive linemen dominate in the fall.
|
