Northwestern University Athletics
Spring Practice Continues In Trienens Hall
4/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 8, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern football team got back together to continue spring practice Tuesday afternoon, but were forced to remain in the newly remodeled Trienens Hall due to the snowfall that blanketed the Chicagoland area Sunday night.
NUsports.com got together with offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and quarterback Brett Basanez following practice to get their thoughts on the spring progression at the QB spot.
Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Mike Dunbar
NUsports.com: How different has spring ball been for you, personally, from last year to this year? How have things been progressing?
Coach Dunbar: There is more familiarity out there between myself and the players, so it's going a little smoother and I think we know a little bit more about what we need to do. From my perspective, we have a better handle with regard to what we need to prepare for, and with some of the adjustments we have made in the offense I think we're a little more solidified in which direction we want to go. Hopefully those things will lead to better consistency and execution.
NUsports.com: What are the most important things about spring ball, in your opinion?
Coach Dunbar: In the spring, you want to work on the fundamental skills, and as a staff we spend a lot of time trying to cover the skills and techniques that these guys need to master to run this offense. So we are putting an emphasis on that, and that has allowed us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and work on those. At the same time, we've been able to expand what I call "the system of the offense"; we are able to give them a little more because they have that base foundation from last year. We are able to grow and have more diversity this year.
NUsports.com: So is there time to put some wrinkles in the offense?
Coach Dunbar: I always think spring ball is extremely important because of those fundamentals, but you can do a little "Christmas shopping" to find out what you can or cannot do. By the fall you want to have that packaged up and set to go, because you don't want to be experimenting during the season. An example of that might be like today, where we worked on a few things in the red-zone offense.
NUsports.com: Are you pleased with the progress of the quarterbacks so far?
Coach Dunbar: We are making progress; we give them a full plate and a lot of stuff at this time of year. This is a tough conference and we see a variety of defenses, but they have done a lot of studying and worked hard in the off-season and now we are trying to see where that has gotten them.
NUsports.com: Does there seem to be any difference in their mentality from a year ago?
Coach Dunbar: Brett Basanez had 500 or so snaps last fall, and I don't think there is any substitution for experience. But even Alexander Webb, who only took a few snaps, had a few weeks of practice before he got injured and that was a positive. They grew from their experiences, and I think they have a better handle on what it takes and the things they need to do, and now they're working hard to improve those skills.
NU Quarterback Brett Basanez
NUsports.com: What is the biggest difference from last year to this year, mentally as much as anything, for you personally?
BB: It is just experience -- I have a lot of game experience after last fall now. I still feel like I am battling for a position out there, though. We have some great guys at the quarterback position, and we are all trying to get one day better each day.
NUsports.com: How's the leg?
BB: It is doing well. I healed it a little bit over the break, and I am just working now to get it stronger.
Notes From Tuesday's Session
Jeff Backes continued to work with the defensive backs, and came up with an interception during 11-on-11 drills. He also ran patterns with the wide receivers at different times during the sessions ... Marvin Ward also came up with a pick during the session ... Head coach Randy Walker announced a date change for one of next week's practices. Instead of going on Wednesday (April 16), the 'Cats will practice on Friday (April 18).
