Defensive Backs
One word to describe the Badger defensive backfield headed into the Spring? Depth. At safety there are three players with a year-plus of starting experience. Big-hitting Valai is the obvious starter at strong safety, but Pleasant continues to push him and played well in the second half last season. You can't teach height, and that's always a concern with Valai. Free safety is a little tougher to sort out. Shane Carter looked to be a star two years ago, but it hasn't happened yet. Transfer Chris Maragos pushed him for playing time last season, replacing him as the starter for a while. They will continue to battle. Carter looks like he has more raw talent, but in his 5th season, he needs to capitalize on it to hold off Maragos's determined push for the starting spot.
At the corners Aaron Henry returning -- as long as his knee really is fully recovered -- is good news, giving at least the potential for a true lock-down corner. Goins began last season as the starter, but after he went down to injury Niles Brinkley played well. They will battle hard for the starting spot, with one likely becoming the nickel back. I suspect Goins will regain his starting spot, but coach Cooks won't hesitate to go with Brinkley.
Devin Smith and Anthony Fenelus were special teams contributors who are expected to round out the two-deep at the corner spots, and the coaching staff is looking at Otis Merrill as an additional contributor. All have potential, but are unlikely to challenge for the starting positions in 2009.
Looking at a backfield that reads Goins, Valai, Maragos, Henry is reassuring, if not earth shattering. This crew, and their backups, will take a little pressure off of the mostly new defensive line on passing downs. Still, when facing elite receivers, one wonders if they will be able to keep pace.
I Don't Believe In Jinxes: Post-Season
Well, I don't believe that some random fan out in California can say something that somehow jinxes our athletic teams in Wisconsin.
The Badger hockey team still has a shot at the NCAA tourney without winning the WCHA tourney. Number one, they need to beat Denver in the WCHA semifinal. Then a whole bunch of other stuff has to fall just right. So it's still possible, but not likely. The problem is even teams that aren't playing any longer can get a boost in the pairwise rankings (which are very good at predicting NCAA tourney invites) when the teams they have played win. Because of that, the only sure bet is to win the WCHA tourney. So let's pull for that. It only requires 2 upsets, folks.
Along those lines, this Florida State match-up in the basketball tourney seems doable. Truth be told, though, this is a football blog and I don't know a thing about Florida State basketball (but I do know that 12/5 upsets aren't uncommon in hoops; oh, and I know we should have played them better in football). Assuming a win over FSU, everyone seems ok with the likely second round match-up with Xavier, although that strikes me as likely major conference bias. Of course I'd like to see the Badgers go far, but, seriously, there's no way they are one of the best 16 teams in the country. They just aren't. Get there and I'll be very happy for them and cheering them on, but that would just be an example of how strange the outcomes in the NCAA basketball tourney can be. You could say the same thing about the men's hockey team making their tournament.
On the other hand, our women's hockey team is a legit national title contender. Semifinals this Friday vs. UM-D (three WCHA squads, with Minnesota in the other semi, in the Frozen Four!). Go Badgers! Good goaltending is the key to playoff hockey and so far Patty Kazmaier finalist Jessie Vetter (video, and yes, the athletic department LOVES that song for highlight videos), who sounds like a someone who could shred on the lead guitar, has proven up to the task (1.33 GAA is just sick!).
The Badger hockey team still has a shot at the NCAA tourney without winning the WCHA tourney. Number one, they need to beat Denver in the WCHA semifinal. Then a whole bunch of other stuff has to fall just right. So it's still possible, but not likely. The problem is even teams that aren't playing any longer can get a boost in the pairwise rankings (which are very good at predicting NCAA tourney invites) when the teams they have played win. Because of that, the only sure bet is to win the WCHA tourney. So let's pull for that. It only requires 2 upsets, folks.
Along those lines, this Florida State match-up in the basketball tourney seems doable. Truth be told, though, this is a football blog and I don't know a thing about Florida State basketball (but I do know that 12/5 upsets aren't uncommon in hoops; oh, and I know we should have played them better in football). Assuming a win over FSU, everyone seems ok with the likely second round match-up with Xavier, although that strikes me as likely major conference bias. Of course I'd like to see the Badgers go far, but, seriously, there's no way they are one of the best 16 teams in the country. They just aren't. Get there and I'll be very happy for them and cheering them on, but that would just be an example of how strange the outcomes in the NCAA basketball tourney can be. You could say the same thing about the men's hockey team making their tournament.
On the other hand, our women's hockey team is a legit national title contender. Semifinals this Friday vs. UM-D (three WCHA squads, with Minnesota in the other semi, in the Frozen Four!). Go Badgers! Good goaltending is the key to playoff hockey and so far Patty Kazmaier finalist Jessie Vetter (video, and yes, the athletic department LOVES that song for highlight videos), who sounds like a someone who could shred on the lead guitar, has proven up to the task (1.33 GAA is just sick!).
Tuesdays with Barry?
This is a pretty cool little fluff piece from the athletic department *interviewing* Barry about the seniors on the men's basketball team. For the first in the series, talking about other UW coaches, go to the UW audiovisual page.
In other news, PJ . . . well, others have said what needs to be said.
In other news, PJ . . . well, others have said what needs to be said.
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.
Pre/Post Season
Today the post season begins for the men's basketball and hockey teams. The roundballers start with Ohio State in the Big Ten tourney, and on the ice the Badgers take on Minnesota State (Mankato) at the Kohl Center. Both likely need wins to get to the NCAA tourney. For the hockey team, they will need more than just winning this series with Mankato.
The top-seeded women's hockey team hosts Dartmouth to start the NCAA tourney tomorrow.
It goes without saying, but . . . Go Badgers! On Wisconsin!
Of course, this is a football blog, so we're in the pre-season. UW put up its linebacker preview today. As previously noted, Culmer St. Jean will move to middle linebacker, with Jaevery McFadden moving to the strong side. Blake Sorensen is the most likely starter on the weak side. I'm pretty comfortable with those three as the starters. St. Jean has been well regarded, but unlearned, from the start. With several years under his belt, the learning shouldn't be a problem any longer (and didn't look like it was his extensive action in the last two games last season). McFadden is moving to his more natural position on the outside.
The bigger concern, especially with the news that Hodge isn't coming back, is depth. Yes, everyone's excited about Rouse's talent, and we hear good things about Taylor, Hubbard, and Prather, but there isn't much experience there (practically none outside of special teams). Of the true freshman coming in, O'Neill and Fenton got the most press, but neither of them is likely ready to go this coming Fall.
In short, the problem with the linebackers isn't talent, it's depth.
On the plus side, the defense is much healthier this Spring than it was last year. Hopefully that pays dividends.
The top-seeded women's hockey team hosts Dartmouth to start the NCAA tourney tomorrow.
It goes without saying, but . . . Go Badgers! On Wisconsin!
Of course, this is a football blog, so we're in the pre-season. UW put up its linebacker preview today. As previously noted, Culmer St. Jean will move to middle linebacker, with Jaevery McFadden moving to the strong side. Blake Sorensen is the most likely starter on the weak side. I'm pretty comfortable with those three as the starters. St. Jean has been well regarded, but unlearned, from the start. With several years under his belt, the learning shouldn't be a problem any longer (and didn't look like it was his extensive action in the last two games last season). McFadden is moving to his more natural position on the outside.
The bigger concern, especially with the news that Hodge isn't coming back, is depth. Yes, everyone's excited about Rouse's talent, and we hear good things about Taylor, Hubbard, and Prather, but there isn't much experience there (practically none outside of special teams). Of the true freshman coming in, O'Neill and Fenton got the most press, but neither of them is likely ready to go this coming Fall.
In short, the problem with the linebackers isn't talent, it's depth.
On the plus side, the defense is much healthier this Spring than it was last year. Hopefully that pays dividends.
Spring Previews
As we're about two weeks from Spring practice starting, UW has begun releasing pre-Spring position previews. So far they've put up the offensive line, defensive line, and running backs.
Of note, reshirt freshman Peter Konz has been switched from defense to offensive guard for this year. Line coach Bostad says Konz, Zeitler, and Current will compete for the left guard spot. Interesting battle shaping up for right tackle between Bscherer and Oglesby who have both seen significant time on the field at tackle. Current looks to be the backup center, but that hasn't prevented players from starting at guard before. Guard depth still looks like an issue. In sum, Carimi says (in the video UW offers) "We're mean." A lot meaner than years past, or so he says. That should be interesting . . .
For the defensive line, no big surprises. One change is it looks like Dan Moore will move from end to tackle. Transfer J.J. Watt, after sitting out last season, is getting a lot of attention for serious playing time this fall. In no particular order, Schofield, Kelly, Nzegwu and Mains are the likely two-deep at end, with Moore, Watt, Stehle, and Butrym likely the same for the tackle spots.
No surprises at running back, either. Clay, Brown, then the young guys. Concerns about depth, however, appear overstated. Fullback? It looks like this blind squirrel found a nut when predicting that Dex Jones might just be our next starting fullback. A little surprise is that Brady Ewing might be in the mix at fullback rather than halfback, as will walk-on Sam Spitz. Reading Coach Settle's comments, maybe the offense plans to use the fullback a little more to catch the ball out of the backfield? (In 2008, the Badgers completed one pass to a fullback.)
Although the Badgers haven't posted a quarterback preview yet, ESPN ran a little piece on Chryst's latest quarterback derby -- as basically everyone knows -- the biggest question heading into the Spring. Other than the puzzling statement that Budmayr was the Badgers' biggest quarterback recruit in years (1 year after the higher-rated, Mr. Tennessee Football, Phillips?),* the article seems pretty spot on.
You can find all of UW's Spring rundowns here.
Not to be overlooked, as Scott Tappa noted (as well as the media outlets), Elijah Hodge, Xavier Harris, and James Stallons won't return with the Badgers. Hodge will graduate in May and will forego his 5th year of eligibility in Madison. Harris's back has never sufficiently recovered from injury. His playing days are over, but he's on track to graduate (still on scholarship) next year. Stallons? With Phillips and Budmayr on the younger end of things and Tolzein and Sherer on the older, maybe he just didn't figure to get much playing time. Or maybe it was something else . . . ?
Harris and Hodge will both be missed for the depth they provided. Good for them for taking their education seriously. Both are pretty high profile examples of the injury bug ending bright prospects in football.
* Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about Budmayr's potential, too.
Of note, reshirt freshman Peter Konz has been switched from defense to offensive guard for this year. Line coach Bostad says Konz, Zeitler, and Current will compete for the left guard spot. Interesting battle shaping up for right tackle between Bscherer and Oglesby who have both seen significant time on the field at tackle. Current looks to be the backup center, but that hasn't prevented players from starting at guard before. Guard depth still looks like an issue. In sum, Carimi says (in the video UW offers) "We're mean." A lot meaner than years past, or so he says. That should be interesting . . .
For the defensive line, no big surprises. One change is it looks like Dan Moore will move from end to tackle. Transfer J.J. Watt, after sitting out last season, is getting a lot of attention for serious playing time this fall. In no particular order, Schofield, Kelly, Nzegwu and Mains are the likely two-deep at end, with Moore, Watt, Stehle, and Butrym likely the same for the tackle spots.
No surprises at running back, either. Clay, Brown, then the young guys. Concerns about depth, however, appear overstated. Fullback? It looks like this blind squirrel found a nut when predicting that Dex Jones might just be our next starting fullback. A little surprise is that Brady Ewing might be in the mix at fullback rather than halfback, as will walk-on Sam Spitz. Reading Coach Settle's comments, maybe the offense plans to use the fullback a little more to catch the ball out of the backfield? (In 2008, the Badgers completed one pass to a fullback.)
Although the Badgers haven't posted a quarterback preview yet, ESPN ran a little piece on Chryst's latest quarterback derby -- as basically everyone knows -- the biggest question heading into the Spring. Other than the puzzling statement that Budmayr was the Badgers' biggest quarterback recruit in years (1 year after the higher-rated, Mr. Tennessee Football, Phillips?),* the article seems pretty spot on.
You can find all of UW's Spring rundowns here.
Not to be overlooked, as Scott Tappa noted (as well as the media outlets), Elijah Hodge, Xavier Harris, and James Stallons won't return with the Badgers. Hodge will graduate in May and will forego his 5th year of eligibility in Madison. Harris's back has never sufficiently recovered from injury. His playing days are over, but he's on track to graduate (still on scholarship) next year. Stallons? With Phillips and Budmayr on the younger end of things and Tolzein and Sherer on the older, maybe he just didn't figure to get much playing time. Or maybe it was something else . . . ?
Harris and Hodge will both be missed for the depth they provided. Good for them for taking their education seriously. Both are pretty high profile examples of the injury bug ending bright prospects in football.
* Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about Budmayr's potential, too.
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!)
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