Northwestern University Athletics
Spring Football Update -- April 11
4/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 11, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Finally, spring has arrived in Evanston.
The Wildcat football team took practice outside today for the first time since spring football began on April 4. The previous five practices here held inside because of poor weather.
"It was great," said Head Coach Randy Walker on being able to practice outside for the first time. "I was tired of practicing indoors. We did slip and slide a little bit out there, but it was a great day and a great practice."
The 'Cats were in full pads with limited contact today. The next practice is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 with a full scrimmage headlining the day. The scrimmage is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
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Athletic media services student assistant Randy Scott sat down with Tony Stauss, Kunle Patrick and Jarvis Adams and got their thoughts on the first six days of practice.
Tony Stauss
Q: Offensively, you've had to learn a lot of new material in the first few days of spring practice. Has being inside the first five days hindered the learning curve?
Stauss: Well, obviously we'd like to be outside every time we can, because Coach Walker says 'we play the game outside so we should practice outside.' But we're a team that prides itself on whatever surface we play on, we're going to go 100 percent and be the best we can be. Obviously we'd like to get outside especially with some of the new things we're doing. But it's been a great spring so far, with the new offense and everything.
Q: Do you feel like you're handling the new offense well and working some of the wrinkles out?
Stauss: We've just finished our sixth day of practice and I definitely have a better handle on it now than I did the first day, for sure. I've been able to make some checks when the defense blitzes and I know that's a real key to this offense. We seem to be getting better every day.
Q: You look like your agility is getting better, did you work on that in the off-season?
Stauss: I had two main goals in the off-season -- to get about 10 pounds heavier and improve my 40 time by two-tenths. I think I did better with that in the winter.
Kunle Patrick
Q: You and Jon [Schweighardt] have similar receiving styles. How do you guys play off each other? Is it fun working with him?
Patrick: Oh yeah. We always make jokes in and out of practice. We're just out there having fun. Just trying to be the best that we can.
Q: Coach Walker has specified some leaders on defense. Do you consider yourself a leader on offense, and who else do you see as a leader on offense?
Patrick: I look at the quarterback as someone who should always be the leader on offense. He makes the calls, he makes most of the decisions. But, I'm an influential player because I am older and I have experience. If some of the younger guys need help, I'm there to help them out.
Q: What was one thing you were trying to improve on from last year?
Patrick: My speed and I've gotten a little faster.
Jarvis Adams
Q: With a new Defensive Coordinator in Coach Colby, there are new things to learn. Do you feel like you guys are picking it up as you go along in spring practice?
Adams: Oh, definitely. We started off a little slow, but that's how it is when you learn something new. Day by day we're getting a little bit better. Every now and then we lapse, but we get back on it.
Q: Was it tough coming in after not playing for two months?
Adams: Oh, definitely. There's nothing like being in football shape. We train in the off-season, we condition, but there's just something about being in football shape.
Q: Who do you think will be the leaders on defense this year?
Adams: Our seniors definitely. I mean, Pat Durr will step up. Raheem (Covington) will anchor the backfield. The defensive linemen will step up. Everybody will help out ... we all want to make something happen with this team.
