Yeah, Notre Dame has the tradition and the national titles and the TV contract (and unlike most of my Big Ten brethren I actually have a soft spot for the Irish), but the Rudy story just isn't that great.* The movie is pretty good. I liked the movie.
Jim Leonhard. He's the real deal. 5'8," unrecruited, walk on, became a starter, became an All-American (on one of those teams that, you know, wins bowl games -- something Notre Dame doesn't have much experience with this century), is first all-time for the Badgers in picks (tied with Fletcher with 21) and picks in a season (by himself, 11), passes defended in a season (25), all-time punt return yardage and single-season punt return yardage, was an undrafted free agent in the NFL, becomes a starter (incidentally, ahead of Notre Dame's all-American Tommy Zbikowski on the Baltimore roster) and now he makes the free-agent market dough (yup, thats a 6 with 6 zeros). Anyway, this is a nice story the Journal Sentinel pointed out. He's a classy guy on top of being one heck of a football player. Good on ya, Jim. Five feet nothin'? He's got your five feet nothin' right here:
* Rudy isn't even the best ND walk-on story. Walk-on kicker Harry Oliver stuck a dagger through one of their biggest rivals' hearts (the link is worth it to hear Michigan's pain) with this 51-yarder. Here's the Notre Dame announcer's version.
Showing posts with label all american. Show all posts
Showing posts with label all american. Show all posts
Spring Preview: Tight Ends
This just in: we're stacked at tight end. Graham is a possible All-American, Kendricks has Beckum-like potential (came in as a highly-recruited wide receiver), and Turner would start at tight end for most schools.
The question here isn't quality. Rather it's can the Badgers avoid the slew of injuries that hit the tight end corps last season? If they do, look out. Chryst will come at the opposition with all kinds of clever uses for his tight ends. This year shapes up to be another step towards making UW the new Tight End U.
The question here isn't quality. Rather it's can the Badgers avoid the slew of injuries that hit the tight end corps last season? If they do, look out. Chryst will come at the opposition with all kinds of clever uses for his tight ends. This year shapes up to be another step towards making UW the new Tight End U.
The Chryst Manifesto
Having proven my own limitations as a blogger, what follows is the Chyrst Manifesto, a study of the Badger offense, 2005 to present . . . as a series of jpegs. You should be able to click on each to enlarge and read or print it . . . (ps typos and editing mistakes are included for free!)
Hill to the NFL?
Potrykus, at the Journal Sentinel, is reporting PJ Hill will likely declare for the NFL draft.
edit: confirmation that he will declare for the draft.
So? Hill has been very productive for the Badgers, and will leave, whether this year or next, with the 3rd most yards in Badger history, behind Anthony Davis and Ron Dayne. His redshirt-freshman year he was a freshman all-American. So, we should be sad, right? That's the thing, I'm having a hard time getting too upset about this. When Calhoun left, that sucked. Another year with him would've been outstanding (that would've been Hill's redshirt year). Hill? I'm not so sure.
John Clay has really made strides and on talent and running ability, should get the bulk of the carries. I'm sure Hill has a better sense of blocking schemes and such, but towards the end of the year it was more and more evident that wasn't going to be enough to keep Clay out of the backfield. Moreover, Zach Brown's potential remains untapped, and as long as Clay and Hill split carries, Brown is relegated to a passing-down back, which sucks for him. Brown is a strong runner with good speed and more patient reading his blocks than either Clay or Hill (not surprising, it's harder for him to just run guys over since he gives up 30-40 pounds to them). He deserves more carries. Hill leaving opens up that opportunity for him, while kiving Brady Ewing time to develop.
Unlike 2007 and 2008, we are developing depth in the backfield again, at least at the tailback position, so the potential loss of Hill is less damaging than it would've been last season. Frankly, I don't think this will mean a drop in production from the tailbacks.
As for Hill in the NFL? I wonder what he's hearing. What I see is a big, serviceable college back, without top-end speed or great moves, who is pretty durable, but that's all. Badger detractors would call him a "system back" and I'm not sure that's wrong. Is that really what the NFL is looking for? If Darius Walker (three-year starter at Notre Dame, including the tw0 BCS appearances) didn't get drafted, I could see the same thing happening to Hill. I don't know, it just seems like a bad move for Hill. Maybe not so much for the Badgers.
That's probably not very nice, but it's how I see it.
edit: confirmation that he will declare for the draft.
So? Hill has been very productive for the Badgers, and will leave, whether this year or next, with the 3rd most yards in Badger history, behind Anthony Davis and Ron Dayne. His redshirt-freshman year he was a freshman all-American. So, we should be sad, right? That's the thing, I'm having a hard time getting too upset about this. When Calhoun left, that sucked. Another year with him would've been outstanding (that would've been Hill's redshirt year). Hill? I'm not so sure.
John Clay has really made strides and on talent and running ability, should get the bulk of the carries. I'm sure Hill has a better sense of blocking schemes and such, but towards the end of the year it was more and more evident that wasn't going to be enough to keep Clay out of the backfield. Moreover, Zach Brown's potential remains untapped, and as long as Clay and Hill split carries, Brown is relegated to a passing-down back, which sucks for him. Brown is a strong runner with good speed and more patient reading his blocks than either Clay or Hill (not surprising, it's harder for him to just run guys over since he gives up 30-40 pounds to them). He deserves more carries. Hill leaving opens up that opportunity for him, while kiving Brady Ewing time to develop.
Unlike 2007 and 2008, we are developing depth in the backfield again, at least at the tailback position, so the potential loss of Hill is less damaging than it would've been last season. Frankly, I don't think this will mean a drop in production from the tailbacks.
As for Hill in the NFL? I wonder what he's hearing. What I see is a big, serviceable college back, without top-end speed or great moves, who is pretty durable, but that's all. Badger detractors would call him a "system back" and I'm not sure that's wrong. Is that really what the NFL is looking for? If Darius Walker (three-year starter at Notre Dame, including the tw0 BCS appearances) didn't get drafted, I could see the same thing happening to Hill. I don't know, it just seems like a bad move for Hill. Maybe not so much for the Badgers.
That's probably not very nice, but it's how I see it.
Seniors: Part 4, the Defense
Last, but not least, the Seniors we know and love on the defense. It's going to be strange not seeing Chapman, Shaughnessy, Levy, Casillas, and Langford -- each four year starters -- out there (it was strange not seeing Casillas in the Champs Sports Bowl). So, gone, but not forgotten, here are the defenders we are sending off:
Beginning as a first-team Freshman All-American as a true-frosh, Shaughnessy has been a four-year force for the Badgers. A three-year starter at defensive end, he’s fast, strong, and finishes. He was the leading tackler among lineman in ’06, the defensive MVP in ’07, and he finished this season an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree. Particularly in passing situations, Matt came through: in 2008 he was tied for second on the team with four sacks and he led the lineman with four pass-break-ups, including the one that Levy intercepted at Fresno State. He went out harassing Ponder in his last game as a Badger, with his head held high.
Good luck to them all in whatever life deals them next.
Thanks again to all the Seniors who represented Badger football so well.
#2 Jonathan Casillas, New Brunswick, New Jersey
In 1997 Barry Alvarez took the Badgers down to Florida for a match-up with Georgia. The Bulldogs embarrassed Barry’s Badgers with their speed. That was a turning point for Wisconsin, and players like Jonathan Casillas were the result: a fast, athletic outside linebacker. Casillas made a splash in Barry last battle for the Axe when in 2005 he blocked the Minnesota punt (still wearing #46), leading to the improbable game-winning touchdown. It was the ESPN’s Pontiac Game-Changing Play of the Week; especially impressive because it was the same Saturday as the “Bush Push” and Michigan’s last-second win over eventual Big Ten and Orange Bowl champ, Penn State. As a true-Sophomore, Casillas started every game at outside linebacker and flashed his speed all over the field. He was a key part of containing Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the Capital One Bowl, and had a key pass break-up in the second half to help seal the win. Fast and athletic, he excelled again in 2007. In 2008 he fought through an injury early in the season in time to make what, in retrospect, was a game-saving tackle against Fresno State, preventing a long touchdown, which led to a field goal for the Bulldogs. A three-year starter, and a team captain in 2007, Casillas was an impact player for the Badger defense throughout his career in Mad-town.
#91 Jason Chapman, Bedford Heights, Ohio
A four-year starter, Chappy was the rock for the Badger front line. As a redshirt freshman he was a 3rd-team Freshman All-American and Academic All-Big Ten. His Sophomore season he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Defensive tackles don’t tend to get a lot of glory, or even statistics, but Chappy held things down for four years, and made play after play in the offensive backfield. We won’t be surprised to see him play on Sundays.
#17 Allen Langford, Detroit, Michigan
Often overlooked when Aaron Henry or Jack Ikegwuonu were strutting their stuff, Langford was essentially a 4-year starter at the corner spot. Coming off a torn ACL in last year’s Ohio State game, this year it seemed like you never heard from him. That was because he was shutting down his guys, earning 1st-team All-Big Ten honors. His best game may have been against Cal-Poly, nearly shutting down 6’6” Ramses Barden, a sure first-day draft pick, mostly in 1-on-1 coverage. This season, Langford led the Badgers with 12 passes broken up, he was second among the secondary, first among the corners, in tackles, with 43, and had two picks. In a shaky defensive backfield, Langford was the bright spot.
#11 DeAndre Levy, Milwuakee, Wisconsin
Another 3-year starter at linebacker (strongside), Dre was the emotional leader of the defense. Maybe not the loudest, he’s intense, and a wicked hitter. He’s several times been named the Big Ten defensive player of the week, and has earned academic all-Big Ten honors. It seems like Levy and Casillas have patrolled the outsides forever, and they will be missed. This season, Dre was second on the team with 65 tackes, including 7.5 for a loss. He also had a key pick in the Fresno State game and led the team with two fumble recoveries. The Champs Sports Bowl will be his final appearance as a UW team captain.
#54 Mike Newkirk, Ladysmith, Wisconsin
A 264-pound 5th year senior defensive tackle? How’s that happen at Wisconsin? A big motor, that’s how. A pre-season Athlon second-team All-Big Ten honoree, Newk just always seemed to be on the go. Going up against meaty centers and guards all season, Newk led the team in tackles for loss (8), and was second on the team in sacks (4) and fourth in tackles (56), behind only the starting linebackers. For his trouble, he was a second-team All-Big Ten pick at the end of 2008.
Beginning as a first-team Freshman All-American as a true-frosh, Shaughnessy has been a four-year force for the Badgers. A three-year starter at defensive end, he’s fast, strong, and finishes. He was the leading tackler among lineman in ’06, the defensive MVP in ’07, and he finished this season an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree. Particularly in passing situations, Matt came through: in 2008 he was tied for second on the team with four sacks and he led the lineman with four pass-break-ups, including the one that Levy intercepted at Fresno State. He went out harassing Ponder in his last game as a Badger, with his head held high.
Good luck to them all in whatever life deals them next.
Thanks again to all the Seniors who represented Badger football so well.
All-Time Badgers by the Numbers
In case you missed this leading up to the Holidays, the Capital Times put out a pretty good list of the all-time Badgers, by the numbers.
Some honorable mentions from the Alvarez Era (given my age, that's what I'm competent to recall):
#1 Luke Swan (no argument with Brandon Williams): the Fennimore Flash didn't have the God-given talent that Williams did, but had the heart of a lion.
#2 Lee Deramus: Jamar Fletcher is the right pick here, but Deramus was a key cog in a hard-working team that brought the first Rose Bowl glory to Mad-town. Brian Calhoun would receive more votes if he had stuck around for one more year. Scott Starks had one of the great all-time Badger plays, returning Drew Brees's fumble for a touchdown to beat Purdue, vaulting UW to #4 in the nation (for a week or two).
#6 (pending) Isaac Anderson looks like he could be a great one. Better than Ike? That's a high bar, but I like what I see so far.
#9 Jonathan Orr: vs. Beckum? Tough call, I think. Two great ones.
#10 Taylor Mehlhaff: better than Samuel? No, but very important to the Badgers during his tenure.
#11 Darrell Bevell: 1993. 'Nuf said. Owen Daniels wasn't too bad, either. Either more important to the Badgers than their first black All-American (two times, too)? Probably not.
#14 John Hall or Kevin Stemke: apparently 14 is a [really good] kicker's number at UW.
#28 Anthony Davis: after his Freshman season, you always felt like there was a little more potential than he ever realized.
#29 Jeff Messenger: not at the front of the talent line, but a leader for the tough secondary for the '93 team.
#30 Zach Brown (also pending): I'm looking forward to seeing Clay and Brown as the two backs sharing most of the time. If he gets the snaps, he should take over the all-time #30 spot.
#33 Brent Moss: 1994 Rose Bowl MVP. "A tough out" as they say. A shame how his career went down, but before Fall 1994, he was as beastly a back as the Badgers had since Ameche and would've been a serious Heisman contender.
#39 PJ Hill: the Cap. Times limited this to players without any eligibility, surely PJ will take this spot when he leaves? I don't know. I've never been sold on him, and I'm still not.
#41 Terrell Fletcher: one of the better backs we've placed in the NFL; Chryst would drool all over a back like him. And he played second fiddle to Moss. Also at #41 Mark Zalewski: typifies the Wisconsin football story.
#44 Chris Pressley: for his academic exploits, but Donnel Thompson was a critical cog of those 98-99 teams, so academics alone don't get Chris there.
#45 Matt Berstein: beast of a fullback, but hard to say better than Greisen and his 7-year (and counting) NFL career.
#47 Eric Unverzagt: a staple for the '93 team, and an all-time linebacker name. Better than a 1937 first round pick for the Packers? Who knows.
Most of the lineman I recall made the list, but #67 Dan Buenning and #68 Mark Tauscher are notable exceptions on the offensive side. Two stick out on the defensive side (below).
#77 Anttaj Hawthorne: beastly defensive tackle. Difference between him and Wendell Bryant is Bryant played on a better Badger team.
#82 Elmars Ezerins: made some key plays in the 1963 Rose Bowl comeback including a fumble recovery that led to a touchdown; nearly blocked the USC punt at the end to give Wisconsin a chance to win. Besides, he's a friend's dad.
#88 Chris Chambers: didn't run great routes, but scored great touchdowns . . . and still does. Obviously can't beat out Pat Richter, but one of the better big-play threats we've had since I've been paying attention.
#89 (pending) Garrett Graham: a shoe-in; another in a recent line of great tight ends.
#90 Erasmus James: nasty at end; but for a nasty Gopher cut block, the 2004 sqaud might (and I stress "might") have made the Rose Bowl.
Some honorable mentions from the Alvarez Era (given my age, that's what I'm competent to recall):
#1 Luke Swan (no argument with Brandon Williams): the Fennimore Flash didn't have the God-given talent that Williams did, but had the heart of a lion.
#2 Lee Deramus: Jamar Fletcher is the right pick here, but Deramus was a key cog in a hard-working team that brought the first Rose Bowl glory to Mad-town. Brian Calhoun would receive more votes if he had stuck around for one more year. Scott Starks had one of the great all-time Badger plays, returning Drew Brees's fumble for a touchdown to beat Purdue, vaulting UW to #4 in the nation (for a week or two).
#6 (pending) Isaac Anderson looks like he could be a great one. Better than Ike? That's a high bar, but I like what I see so far.
#9 Jonathan Orr: vs. Beckum? Tough call, I think. Two great ones.
#10 Taylor Mehlhaff: better than Samuel? No, but very important to the Badgers during his tenure.
#11 Darrell Bevell: 1993. 'Nuf said. Owen Daniels wasn't too bad, either. Either more important to the Badgers than their first black All-American (two times, too)? Probably not.
#14 John Hall or Kevin Stemke: apparently 14 is a [really good] kicker's number at UW.
#28 Anthony Davis: after his Freshman season, you always felt like there was a little more potential than he ever realized.
#29 Jeff Messenger: not at the front of the talent line, but a leader for the tough secondary for the '93 team.
#30 Zach Brown (also pending): I'm looking forward to seeing Clay and Brown as the two backs sharing most of the time. If he gets the snaps, he should take over the all-time #30 spot.
#33 Brent Moss: 1994 Rose Bowl MVP. "A tough out" as they say. A shame how his career went down, but before Fall 1994, he was as beastly a back as the Badgers had since Ameche and would've been a serious Heisman contender.
#39 PJ Hill: the Cap. Times limited this to players without any eligibility, surely PJ will take this spot when he leaves? I don't know. I've never been sold on him, and I'm still not.
#41 Terrell Fletcher: one of the better backs we've placed in the NFL; Chryst would drool all over a back like him. And he played second fiddle to Moss. Also at #41 Mark Zalewski: typifies the Wisconsin football story.
#44 Chris Pressley: for his academic exploits, but Donnel Thompson was a critical cog of those 98-99 teams, so academics alone don't get Chris there.
#45 Matt Berstein: beast of a fullback, but hard to say better than Greisen and his 7-year (and counting) NFL career.
#47 Eric Unverzagt: a staple for the '93 team, and an all-time linebacker name. Better than a 1937 first round pick for the Packers? Who knows.
Most of the lineman I recall made the list, but #67 Dan Buenning and #68 Mark Tauscher are notable exceptions on the offensive side. Two stick out on the defensive side (below).
#77 Anttaj Hawthorne: beastly defensive tackle. Difference between him and Wendell Bryant is Bryant played on a better Badger team.
#82 Elmars Ezerins: made some key plays in the 1963 Rose Bowl comeback including a fumble recovery that led to a touchdown; nearly blocked the USC punt at the end to give Wisconsin a chance to win. Besides, he's a friend's dad.
#88 Chris Chambers: didn't run great routes, but scored great touchdowns . . . and still does. Obviously can't beat out Pat Richter, but one of the better big-play threats we've had since I've been paying attention.
#89 (pending) Garrett Graham: a shoe-in; another in a recent line of great tight ends.
#90 Erasmus James: nasty at end; but for a nasty Gopher cut block, the 2004 sqaud might (and I stress "might") have made the Rose Bowl.
Seniors: Part 3, Ball Carriers
Although this year hasn't been what we'd all hoped, the seniors have provided a lot to the Wisconsin football program. A brief recap of the seniors' careers at Wisconsin, here are the guys who [sometimes] get the ball. Not a lot of graduates, but quality over quantity:
#44 Chris Pressley, Woodbury, New Jersey
Bielema joked at the Champs Sports Bowl presser that while our scout team can’t match FSU’s athleticism, he doubts the Noles scout team can replicate a 280-pound fullback. Introducing . . . Chris Pressley. Chris is a lineman’s kind of fullback. He only had two carries all year, but that’s not why he’s here; he’s a road-grader. Scratch that, he’s a very smart road-grader. Chris graduated last year as an academic all-Big Ten, and is keeping that up, with a perfect 4.0 in grad school, leading the way for the Badgers through the hole and in the classroom.
#34 Bill Rentmeester, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Our other hulking fifth-year Senior fullback, Bill also excels on special teams. He doesn’t carry the ball often (11 carries for 52 yards this season), but iced the Fresno State game with a key, leg-churning, draw play to pick up a first down in the waning moments deep in Wisconsin territory. His five tackles and key blocks for the kicking units have earned the attention of NFL scouts. Bill and Chris have been a great tandem of fullbacks and will be tough to replace next season.
#9 Travis Beckum, Milwuakee, Wisconsin
Came in as a 5-star recruit on the defensive line. A reserve linebacker and special teams player his true-freshman year, he, along with fellow reserve linebacker Andy Crooks, was switched to tight end his sophomore year. He immediately made a difference and was noticed as a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award (nation’s top tight end), and a Walter Camp second-team All American. In a 12-1 season that started with serious question marks regarding who on earth Senior John Stocco could throw the ball too, he quickly became the go-to guy. His signature drag route across the middle was nearly uncoverable and Stocco found him on it to seal the Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas. His Junior year, he continued to impress. He was a finalist for the Mackey Award and named a Walter Camp first team All-American. He led the nation’s tight ends in receiving yards and broke the record for catches by a Badger tight end. 2008 was largely a bust as he was hurt in the preseason and saw limited action before breaking his lower leg.
Outside of Travis, the Badger offense lacked star power throughout his time, but Travis was truly special. Big, fast, and sure-handed, he was the perfect weapon in a Paul Chryst offense and will likely be the best remembered player of the 2008 senior class.
Good luck to Chris and Bill as they take on the Noles, and good luck to all of them in whatever they do next, whether it's playing on Sundays or something else.
#44 Chris Pressley, Woodbury, New Jersey
Bielema joked at the Champs Sports Bowl presser that while our scout team can’t match FSU’s athleticism, he doubts the Noles scout team can replicate a 280-pound fullback. Introducing . . . Chris Pressley. Chris is a lineman’s kind of fullback. He only had two carries all year, but that’s not why he’s here; he’s a road-grader. Scratch that, he’s a very smart road-grader. Chris graduated last year as an academic all-Big Ten, and is keeping that up, with a perfect 4.0 in grad school, leading the way for the Badgers through the hole and in the classroom.
#34 Bill Rentmeester, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Our other hulking fifth-year Senior fullback, Bill also excels on special teams. He doesn’t carry the ball often (11 carries for 52 yards this season), but iced the Fresno State game with a key, leg-churning, draw play to pick up a first down in the waning moments deep in Wisconsin territory. His five tackles and key blocks for the kicking units have earned the attention of NFL scouts. Bill and Chris have been a great tandem of fullbacks and will be tough to replace next season.
#9 Travis Beckum, Milwuakee, Wisconsin
Came in as a 5-star recruit on the defensive line. A reserve linebacker and special teams player his true-freshman year, he, along with fellow reserve linebacker Andy Crooks, was switched to tight end his sophomore year. He immediately made a difference and was noticed as a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award (nation’s top tight end), and a Walter Camp second-team All American. In a 12-1 season that started with serious question marks regarding who on earth Senior John Stocco could throw the ball too, he quickly became the go-to guy. His signature drag route across the middle was nearly uncoverable and Stocco found him on it to seal the Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas. His Junior year, he continued to impress. He was a finalist for the Mackey Award and named a Walter Camp first team All-American. He led the nation’s tight ends in receiving yards and broke the record for catches by a Badger tight end. 2008 was largely a bust as he was hurt in the preseason and saw limited action before breaking his lower leg.
Outside of Travis, the Badger offense lacked star power throughout his time, but Travis was truly special. Big, fast, and sure-handed, he was the perfect weapon in a Paul Chryst offense and will likely be the best remembered player of the 2008 senior class.
Good luck to Chris and Bill as they take on the Noles, and good luck to all of them in whatever they do next, whether it's playing on Sundays or something else.
Not Everybody's All-American, Urbik Is
but four-year starting senior Kraig Urbik is, according to ESPN's Ivan Maisel. Congratulations!
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