Northwestern University Athletics
Camp Kenosha Report: Day Three
8/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 11, 2008
Camp Kenosha Day Three Photo Gallery
KENOSHA, Wis. -- Northwestern kicked off its third day at Camp Kenosha and its second day of practice at UW-Parkside Monday morning with the first session of a two-a-day workout. The Wildcats will hit the field again for an afternoon workout during the second of five two-a-days at Camp.
Northwestern had a day off from the practice field Sunday, attending meetings and film sessions instead. The Wildcats also held their annual cannonball contest in the pool, with freshman defensive tackle Evan Luxenburg (Beachwood, Ohio/Beachwood) taking home first-place honors.
Monday morning's practice saw both the offense and defense ratchet up the intensity during 7-on-7 drills. The weather continued to be unseasonably fantastic, with high puffy clouds and temperatures in the 70's.
Following the practice, redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Ben Burkett (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) and Al Netter (Rohnert Park, Calif./Cardinal Newman) talked about taking reps with the first-team offense.
Q&A with center Ben Burkett:
Q: This is your second trip to Kenosha after red-shirting last year. Talk about the differences in your approach between the two camps.
A: Well, one of the big differences is that last year I sat out and didn't really get to play because I had an early shoulder injury. This year I'm out on the field practicing and going hard everyday so that's a big difference and it definitely makes this year a better experience.
Q: You're getting a good amount of reps at center with a lot of new guys on the offensive line this year. How do you think you guys are progressing?
A: We lost three very good linemen after last year and now we have some younger guys to replace them trying to step up. I think we're doing a good job. Everybody gets along and even though I think the communication could be a little better, I think we're going to be all right.
Q: Talk about how the veterans on the line have kind of helped you guys along.
A: Well, last year being behind Trevor (Rees) and being able to watch him, to talk to him or to see on tape what the right thing to do is, it helped a lot.
Q: Assess how the new offense is coming along with the re-installment of the no-huddle.
A: I think it's exciting and I think C.J. (Bacher) does well with it so hopefully it will be pretty productive.
Q: Does the nice weather make camp any easier on you guys?
A: Yeah, we've been pretty lucky. Last year it was really hot so hopefully it stays this way. That's all I'll say, I don't want to jinx it.
Q&A with offensive tackle Al Netter:
Q: What are the differences between your Kenosha experience last year and this year?
A: As a red-shirt, your reps are really limited and you're just trying to give 100 percent effort even if you don't really know what's going on. Now in my second year, getting a lot of reps at the tackle spot, it's a lot different and a lot more intense. You're getting in there against the best and it's going well this year.
Q: So you think you've made some progress and you're confident about what your role is?
A: Yeah, I'm very confident. Our new offensive coordinator and our offensive line coach are gelling together and I think most of the guys are really comfortable in the system.
Q: Are you enjoying the no-huddle as a lineman?
A: Yes we like the no-huddle because we think it's definitely to our advantage. We want to get our offense on the field, get going and pick up the pace offensively.
Q: Talk about how the veterans have helped get you acclimated to your new role.
A: Kurt (Mattes) plays the other tackle position and he's helped me a lot through the process. We just go out there and communicate, try to tell each other what we're seeing out there between Keegan Kennedy, Desmond Taylor and myself. All the older guys are pretty helpful to the younger guys when it comes to communicating and pointing things out.
DAY THREE NOTES:
• Tuesday's practice has been moved from the scheduled 9 a.m. start to 11 a.m.
• The forecast for the rest of the week holds much of the same for NU. Winds from the lake are helping, forming a neat line of marine clouds that drifted by during practice.
• Northwestern's remaining two-a-day sessions after Monday are Wednesday, Friday and next Monday, Aug. 18.
• The Big Ten Network will visit Northwestern on Thursday, Aug. 14, to tape a 90-minute show from Camp Kenosha. The BTN is touring preseason camp at all 11 Big Ten schools. The NU show will air at 8 p.m. CT Thursday night.
