Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha: Day Two
8/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2006
KENOSHA, Wis. - After experiencing the first two-a-day practice session of the year on Wednesday, Northwestern's football team was back in action Thursday morning at the UW-Parkside campus, for its seventh day of preseason camp.
The 'Cats practiced just once Thursday, a longer, more-intense session than the team had endured in either of Wednesday's meetings.
After practice, first-year offensive coordinator Garrick McGee sat down with NUsports.com to discuss the team's offense and the players who have been making an impact in camp.
NUsports.com: With nearly a third of preseason camp over, how do you see the offense progressing?
Coach McGee: We're doing a good job so far in camp. We (the offensive staff) have gotten a chance to see our young guys in some live situations, which is good and our quarterbacks are progressing nicely in terms of leading our offense. We have a long way to go until Aug. 31, but I think we're on the right track.
NUsports.com: Besides identifying your starter at quarterback, what's the biggest challenge for your offense between now and Aug. 31?
Coach McGee: The biggest challenge is identifying our leaders. We lost a lot of leadership since the last game we played starting with (Brett) Basanez, then Mike Dunbar (NU's former offensive coordinator) and unfortunately Coach Walker. When we are on the field on our own, who is going to lead the team? When we run out on the field, who is going to lead them? That is our biggest challenge.
NUsports.com: What aspect of the offense has impressed you the most thus far in camp?
Coach McGee: Our work ethic. Everyone's work ethic is right and they are working hard. It's tough to say what has impressed me the most, because camp so far has been about installing (the offense.) Actually, today was the last day of pure installation. From here on out, we will be practicing the offense.
NUsports.com: What players have really made some significant strides since the end of last season?
Coach McGee: The first player I think of is Kim Thompson. Everyone has known of Kim's potential since spring ball when he was a freshman (he is now a junior). We can see it not only on the field, but his personality, the way he carries himself is different. Tonjua Jones is another. I've been impressed with the way he's been playing so far. Terrell Jordan is another. It is great to see him on the field running around. He runs the ball hard and I like where he's at right now. Joe Tripodi and Ryan Keenan are both doing a great job up front for us. Erryn Cobb is another. All of these guys have played great on the field in the past, but now it's there attitude and their maturity that I like the most.
NUsports.com: What are your thoughts on the offensive line and its progress?
Coach McGee: I think they are doing well. We have a veteran group up there, but we don't have a lot of depth behind them. So we're trying to get some younger guys more reps to build our pool of good players. Having Trevor Rees back out there is great for our offense, but like I said before, we have been installing so much the last week that they haven't had a chance to just bury themselves in and execute.
NUsports.com: What is your favorite part of Camp Kenosha?
Coach McGee: I like that it is just us in a football-only atmosphere, with the beautiful scenery around us while we practice. I like the Mims' van parked on top of the hill everyday, I like the food in the cafeteria, and I like it all because it is just our football family up here. No distractions, just football.
