Defensive backs coach Chris Ash congratulates cornerback Antonio Fenelus following an interception during Saturday's practice:
Recently in Brian Lucas Category
Kind of a sparse media crowd at the first practice due to the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis but Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal checks in with a practice report and a story on the quarterbacks: Tolzien strikes competitive balance.
WKOW-TV (Ch. 27) in Madison was also on hand and shot some highlights and talked to Jay Valai and Aaron Henry:
WKOW-TV (Ch. 27) in Madison was also on hand and shot some highlights and talked to Jay Valai and Aaron Henry:
The Badgers opened spring practice on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. on the practice field in the McClain Center. UW practiced for 24 periods in helmets and shorts.
Practice No. 1 Photo Gallery
"I liked the energy, I liked the enthusiasm," head coach Bret Bielema said. "A couple things really jumped out at me the defense was really talking and communicating. That's been a big emphasis. Then offensively we threw some deep balls which was encouraging."
Watch Day 1 highlights as well as post-practice interviews with Travis Frederick, Jay Valai, Aaron Henry and head coach Bret Bielema
New Kids on the Block
On the defensive side of the ball, Wisconsin debuted two new coaches, Chris Ash and Greg Jackson. Ash is coaching the defensive backs while Jackson is in charge of the nickel backs and assists defensive coordinator Dave Doeren with linebackers. "I thought they did a great job jumping in and coaching their guys with intensity," Doeren said. "Our guys were running around and playing fast so they definitely took to them."
Still Got It
Last spring a lot of the talk coming out of the practices was about quarterback Jon Budmayr's ability to throw the deep pass. He hurt his arm a bit and was forced to sit out most of fall camp last year but if day one of spring practice is any indication, Budmayr hasn't lost any arm strength. During skelly (7-on-7) he completed about a 45-yard pass to Kyle Jefferson behind the defense. Later in practice, during 11-on-11, Budmayr hooked up with walk-on wide receiver Jared Abbrederis on what would have been a 60-yard TD pass.
"Jon can throw the deep ball, there's no doubt about that," Bielema said. "He likes to throw it and he's good at it. That's great word for our defense, on the flip side."
Play of the Day
Speaking of deep passes, on the last play of practice, during 11-on-11, quarterback Scott Tolzien hooked up with Isaac Anderson on about a 45-yard pass. It seems offensive coordinator Paul Chryst likes to dial up a long pass play on the final play of practice during the spring, dating back to last year.
Seen & Heard
Among the notables at practice today were former UW wide receiver Jonathan Orr, former defensive back Chris Maragos and the governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle, who stopped by briefly ... it's only the first practice but the first four defensive linemen in drills were J.J. Watt and Louis Nzegwu at end and Patrick Butrym and Jordan Kohout at tackle (the second four were Tyler Dippel and David Gilbert at end, Ethan Hemer and Eriks Briedis at tackle) ... talking to Coach Bielema after practice, cornerback Antonio Fenelus stood out during practice, jumping an out route during "skelly" for an interception that would have been a pick six
Practice No. 1 Photo Gallery"I liked the energy, I liked the enthusiasm," head coach Bret Bielema said. "A couple things really jumped out at me the defense was really talking and communicating. That's been a big emphasis. Then offensively we threw some deep balls which was encouraging."
Watch Day 1 highlights as well as post-practice interviews with Travis Frederick, Jay Valai, Aaron Henry and head coach Bret Bielema
New Kids on the Block
On the defensive side of the ball, Wisconsin debuted two new coaches, Chris Ash and Greg Jackson. Ash is coaching the defensive backs while Jackson is in charge of the nickel backs and assists defensive coordinator Dave Doeren with linebackers. "I thought they did a great job jumping in and coaching their guys with intensity," Doeren said. "Our guys were running around and playing fast so they definitely took to them."
Still Got It
Last spring a lot of the talk coming out of the practices was about quarterback Jon Budmayr's ability to throw the deep pass. He hurt his arm a bit and was forced to sit out most of fall camp last year but if day one of spring practice is any indication, Budmayr hasn't lost any arm strength. During skelly (7-on-7) he completed about a 45-yard pass to Kyle Jefferson behind the defense. Later in practice, during 11-on-11, Budmayr hooked up with walk-on wide receiver Jared Abbrederis on what would have been a 60-yard TD pass.
"Jon can throw the deep ball, there's no doubt about that," Bielema said. "He likes to throw it and he's good at it. That's great word for our defense, on the flip side."
Play of the DaySpeaking of deep passes, on the last play of practice, during 11-on-11, quarterback Scott Tolzien hooked up with Isaac Anderson on about a 45-yard pass. It seems offensive coordinator Paul Chryst likes to dial up a long pass play on the final play of practice during the spring, dating back to last year.
Seen & Heard
Among the notables at practice today were former UW wide receiver Jonathan Orr, former defensive back Chris Maragos and the governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle, who stopped by briefly ... it's only the first practice but the first four defensive linemen in drills were J.J. Watt and Louis Nzegwu at end and Patrick Butrym and Jordan Kohout at tackle (the second four were Tyler Dippel and David Gilbert at end, Ethan Hemer and Eriks Briedis at tackle) ... talking to Coach Bielema after practice, cornerback Antonio Fenelus stood out during practice, jumping an out route during "skelly" for an interception that would have been a pick six
Practice No. 1 started with "Flex" (stretching) at exactly 10:12 a.m. (three minutes early according to my watch. Here are the first photos:
No snow, no hockey rink ... must be time for spring football practice (full disclosure: this picture was taken Friday morning. As I post this on Saturday, there is a steady rain falling in Madison).
The Big Ten Network tabbed eight Wisconsin icons to the preliminary Big
Ten Icons Watch List at a reception Thursday night, hosted by the Big
Ten Network in Indianapolis.
Representing Wisconsin on the prestigious list are five former football standouts in Alan Ameche, Ron Dayne, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, Pat Richter and Mike Webster. The men's hockey program boasts Chris Chelios and Mark Johnson while Suzy Favor Hamilton represents the women's track and field team.
Read the full release here.
Representing Wisconsin on the prestigious list are five former football standouts in Alan Ameche, Ron Dayne, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, Pat Richter and Mike Webster. The men's hockey program boasts Chris Chelios and Mark Johnson while Suzy Favor Hamilton represents the women's track and field team.
Read the full release here.
The latest addition to the "Wow Room" in the football office:
Former Badger football coach and current Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez had a big year in 2009, being inducted to both the Wisconsin State Athletic Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. He may be adding the College Football Hall of Fame to that list.
Alvarez is one of seven former college coaches to appear on the the 2010 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame announced today by the National Football Foundation. The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 13-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live May 27 from the NASDAQ Times Square site in New York City during a noon press conference and inducted at The National Football Foundation s Annual Awards Dinner on December 7, 2010 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel also in New York City. The May 27 press conference has been carried live on ESPNEWS for the past three years, and the same coverage is anticipated again this year.
There are currently eight former Badgers in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Pat O'Dea, Robert Butler, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, Marty Below, Alan Ameche, Dave Schreiner, Pat Harder and Pat Richter.
If Alvarez is inducted, he can expect another citation from Governor Jim Doyle, like the one he received on March 3.
Alvarez is one of seven former college coaches to appear on the the 2010 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame announced today by the National Football Foundation. The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 13-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live May 27 from the NASDAQ Times Square site in New York City during a noon press conference and inducted at The National Football Foundation s Annual Awards Dinner on December 7, 2010 at the landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel also in New York City. The May 27 press conference has been carried live on ESPNEWS for the past three years, and the same coverage is anticipated again this year.
There are currently eight former Badgers in the College Football Hall of Fame, including Pat O'Dea, Robert Butler, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, Marty Below, Alan Ameche, Dave Schreiner, Pat Harder and Pat Richter.
If Alvarez is inducted, he can expect another citation from Governor Jim Doyle, like the one he received on March 3.
This will be the last Pro Day post as starting tomorrow we will be all spring ball, all the time.
It's pretty widely known that Chris Maragos has been training with former Badger Jim Leonhard. Here are the two of them talking about that relationship (courtesy of WKOW here in Madison):
WKOW's web site has a couple more videos you can check out as well.
It's pretty widely known that Chris Maragos has been training with former Badger Jim Leonhard. Here are the two of them talking about that relationship (courtesy of WKOW here in Madison):
WKOW's web site has a couple more videos you can check out as well.
Tomorrow we will have our complete spring football preview on the site but thought we would share some quotes from senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay and junior defensive end J.J. Watt.
On his spot on the depth chart: "I still take the approach that it's open competition and you can't get complacent because we have some great young talent at the quarterback position. I don't think there's any spot sealed for the season. That's the coaches' take-home message."
On the players he is looking forward to seeing in spring practice: "Offensively, I'm looking forward to seeing the tight ends step up. We lost two great guys last year, they were great team captains, great workers, great leaders, and it's time for those young guys to step up. I'm excited to see the progress they've made since the end of the season."
On sitting out spring practice: "I'd say it's beneficial. I'm getting the rest that I need and the rehab on my ankle. It's also giving me a chance to study the game more."
On his rehab schedule: "I'm in the pool at 4:45 a.m., so I get up around 4:15. Then I turn around and have workouts at 7, so I don't go home, I just stay in the stadium and get a little sleep. Then I go to classes. I sleep pretty much through the day after going to class and seeing my tutors and advisors and coach's meeting. I'm pretty wiped out after that. It's pretty tough but I'm getting adjusted to it. My body's getting used to getting up early."
On his spot on the depth chart: "I still take the approach that it's open competition and you can't get complacent because we have some great young talent at the quarterback position. I don't think there's any spot sealed for the season. That's the coaches' take-home message."On the players he is looking forward to seeing in spring practice: "Offensively, I'm looking forward to seeing the tight ends step up. We lost two great guys last year, they were great team captains, great workers, great leaders, and it's time for those young guys to step up. I'm excited to see the progress they've made since the end of the season."
On sitting out spring practice: "I'd say it's beneficial. I'm getting the rest that I need and the rehab on my ankle. It's also giving me a chance to study the game more."On his rehab schedule: "I'm in the pool at 4:45 a.m., so I get up around 4:15. Then I turn around and have workouts at 7, so I don't go home, I just stay in the stadium and get a little sleep. Then I go to classes. I sleep pretty much through the day after going to class and seeing my tutors and advisors and coach's meeting. I'm pretty wiped out after that. It's pretty tough but I'm getting adjusted to it. My body's getting used to getting up early."
On what gains he's looking to make during spring practice: "Personally, I'm looking to improve my pass rush. Last year my pass rush wasn't up to par. (O'Brien) Schofield had most of the sacks for our defensive line so I want to step up my game in that area. Also, obviously I want to continue to get better in the run game and enhance myself overall as a player. I feel our defensive line this year is going to be really good. We have a lot of young guys stepping up and pressuring me so there's no guarantee on defense. Having those guys step up and pressure me from behind has made me work harder."
On replacing O'Brien Schofield: "Nobody's going to replace O.B. as a leader or as a football player. I'm going to do everything in my power that I can to try and replace him and try and step into that leadership void that we have. The best part of the Wisconsin football team is all the leaders we have. Our guys really hold each other accountable. We're a really accountable football team and that's our strength."
On replacing O'Brien Schofield: "Nobody's going to replace O.B. as a leader or as a football player. I'm going to do everything in my power that I can to try and replace him and try and step into that leadership void that we have. The best part of the Wisconsin football team is all the leaders we have. Our guys really hold each other accountable. We're a really accountable football team and that's our strength."
