Northwestern University Athletics
Airing it Out: Wildcats Looking to Bolster Passing Game
4/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 1, 2004
EVANSTON,Ill - With its extensive coverage of Northwestern's 2004 spring practice, NUsports.com will take an in-depth look at each position, complemented with a Q & A with each position coach and a player. Today, the quarterback position will be examined, as offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and junior quarterback Brett Basanez explain how the 'Cats will strengthen a passing attack that wasn't as productive as it needed to be in 2003.
Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Mike Dunbar
NUsports.com: From a personnel perspective, what positions are you most focused on improving this spring?
Mike Dunbar: Obviously running back. Jason Wright has left a spot that needs to be filled. We need to replace some experienced guys at wide receiver also. In the offensive line, we're certainly trying to continue to try and develop some depth. We've had a lot of injuries there, so what we're trying to do, instead of having five guys who are playing, we'd like to play seven or eight. With the ability to rotate guys, it makes for a stronger line. All in all, we'd like to create competition at all positions.
NU: Who are some younger guys you are excited to see step up this spring?
MD: I try not to preconceive who that may or may not be. I'm looking for who's it going to be. We think a couple guys have the potential. The two Joe's, Joe Wohlscheid and Joe Tripodi, have been injured, but we think they have the potential. Shaun Herbert filled in tremendously, with some key catches against Penn State. We have five talented kids who we've redshirted at wide receiver, but only spring football will tell if they're ready.
NU: What kind of effect has the addition of Kevin Johns and Garrick McGee had on the team thus far?
MD: They've both been great additions. Coach Walker likes to hire the person. Both know their X's and O's in and out, but both are great people first. Kevin knew what the offense was about from being a graduate assistant here before, thus making his return that much more smooth. Garrick coached with me in the past and knew what the spread offense was all about. They're hard workers, who've got great rapport with their players. From what I sense from our players, the transition to the new coaches has gone smoothly.
NU: How are you going to get the passing game back on track in 2004?
MD: We're working very hard to get the balance back, because we became very one dimensional. Last year we thought that running the ball was the best way to win football games. What we're doing this spring is making all the decisions for the quarterback simple and decisive. We may have had too much last year. By being better route-runners, throwing the ball on time, and being more decisive, we can get the passing game where it needs to be.
Quarterback Brett Basanez
NUsports.com: It terms of physical strength and throwing mechanics, what have you improved upon most this off-season?
Brett Basanez: Pretty much fine-tuning things. We've been working on carrying the ball higher, working on our drops, and sharpening our footwork. We didn't change the mechanics that much, just working on the little things.
NU: This being your third year under center, what kind of leadership do you offer the younger guys on the offense?
BB: I want to get guys in the groove and make them feel like they're part of the team. With the quarterbacks, it's much more of an organizational type of thing: getting guys in place and making sure they're paying attention to details. With the team, it's more of an enthusiastic role like trying to get guys hyped up or keep their heads up after a bad play.
NU: How do you feel that having all five starters back on the offensive line will continue to help the running game flourish and get the passing game back where it needs to be?
BB: That's definitely going to be great to have those guys back, even more meshed together. We're going to be just as good or even better running the ball, especially with Noah Herron in the backfield. In the passing game we need to pick up certain blitzes, which we have on film now, so it will be easier for us to get the ball into the hands of our receivers.
NU: In terms of strategy, how do you and Coach Dunbar plan to bolster the passing game?
BB: In regards to what Coach Dunbar may have already mentioned, we need to get back to the basics. Narrowing things down is key as we will not have as many options on certain plays. This will keep our receivers a lot more in-tune with the quarterback.
Practice Two Notes
Baltimore Ravens' head coach Brian Billick stopped by Trienens Hall to observe today's practice. Billick was speaking on Northwestern's campus Thursday night about sports media ... Derell Jenkins (Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook), who has made the transition from quarterback to safety this spring, leaped high into the air to knock down a long pass in today's session ... In seven-on-seven action, Bryan Heinz (Lone Tree, Colo./Highlands Ranch), Eric VanderHorst (Grandville, Mich./Grandville), and Deante Battle (Fayetteville, Ga./Starr's Mill) all pulled down an interception each ... Friday's practice, which is tentatively scheduled to be held on the outdoor practice fields, will be the first practice in which players will be dressed in full pads.
