Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha: Day Five
8/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 15, 2004
KENOSHA, Wis. - Sunday's afternoon session was another spirited one in Kenosha, as the Wildcat football team donned full pads for the second time during this trip North.
One of the pleasant surprises during the day came during 7-on-7 drills, as the first unit consistently found its targets. One of those main targets was tight end Taylor Jones.
That is right, we said tight end Taylor Jones.
Head coach Randy Walker made comments leading up to preseason practices that he was looking to incorporate his tight ends in the offense this season. If Sunday was any indication, he just might keep his word.
That, of course, is just fine with Jones.
"Coach Walker has made it known that he wants to use tight ends a lot more in the offense but it's just up to our performance as far as how much we see the field," Jones said.
Walker's desire to get his tight ends more involved in the passing game definitely seems to have resonated with junior quarterback Brett Basanez, who threw the ball in Jones' direction on Sunday just as much as some of his speedy receivers.
The two hooked up on a few short out patterns during 7-on-7 drills, lulling the defense to sleep, before barely missing on a deep fly pattern that was just out of Jones' diving grasp.
"The main thing we obviously need to take care of is blocking, but the nice thing so far this year, is that once we take care of the blocking, we'll be treated to a couple of passes," Jones said.
After practice, Jones was sitting in a tub of ice outside the locker room to cool down. And if Sunday's practice is any indication, Jones and the rest of NU's tight ends might need to start icing their hands after games this fall because they will be treated to more than just a couple of passes.
