|
FLORIDA
A&M |
WON
52-13 |
UCLA |
LOST
17-35 |
WEST.
MICHIGAN |
WON
30-27 |
PURDUE |
LOST
30-38 |
at
Wisconsin |
LOST
7-24 |
at
Michigan State |
LOST
25-38 |
MICHIGAN |
LOST
19-30 |
at
Minnesota |
LOST
0-45 |
IOWA |
LOST
13-23 |
INDIANA |
WON
26-22 |
at
Northwestern |
LOST
21-28 (OT) |
|
2004
Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook |
Call
it a breath of fresh air, but new faces
abound in Champaign this year as the Illini
attempt to shake off their previous two
efforts - a horrifying combined record of
4-19. The new faces are coaches, starting
with Ron Zook, who last year could be found
dealing with his own heat being provided
by the Gator nation prior to his dismissal.
The ole adage that it takes time to rebuild
a program rings true this fall as the new
coaching staff is left with a cupboard of
smallish athletes, not quite making a perfect
fit for a Big Ten style of play. Depth is
an issue on both the offensive and defensive
lines, not a good place to be thin. Amazingly,
the previous staff found recruiting to be
a difficult task, but Zook has already made
a few splashes in his first (and very short)
recruiting season. In these terms, Zook
becomes a perfect fit with his salesmanship.
The
glaring player issues of the recent past
are still visible. Bottom line: the inside
of the defensive line is cause for anxiety
in terms of what they have to offer. Outside
of some quality bookends, the team's weakest
unit is the defensive front seven...a group
of players either under-sized or lacking
in the athletic department who try hard.
Not enough for this level. The nation's
94th ranked rushing defense of 2004 played
a huge hand in terms of parlaying UI’s
3-8 season. Nothing has changed in terms
of frontline bodies available for this new
staff. The LBs, in turn, will be worse off
as their size just won't allow them to make
a difference if the line doesn't get some
form of penetration while taking on blockers.
The corners are by far the defensive highlights,
while the DEs have ability to bring pressure
on opposing QBs. For the Illini to be successful,
the offense will have to grind it out with
long drives to keep this undermanned defensive
front well rested.
The
second question would be at QB, a formula
for disaster given the defensive prognosis.
Tim Brasic makes sense for starting duties
given his high school experience with the
spread offense. But please, Ron, pick a
QB and stick with him. The QB merry-go-round
is not going to work as multiple incumbents
won't have the luxury of becoming acclimated
with the quick decisions needed in this
spread system. Luckily, the passing game
can play second fiddle to the stockpile
of veteran talent Illinois has lining up
in the backfield. Whether the five guys
up front (and only five with little behind
them) can make the ground game work will
be a crucial element to team success.
The
schedule offers much contrast in terms of
what the Illini will face from a scheme
standpoint. The first three non-conference
games feature teams running a similar spread
offense based on passing. Look for more
nickel back situations to be employed by
coaches through September. The problem is,
this approach will not work once the smash
mouth Big Ten competition enters the ring.
An understatement would be claming Illinois
has to get out of the starting gate quick,
winning home games versus Rutgers and San
Jose State. Otherwise they may be looking
at another three-win season. Given the overall
talent, a four-win season actually should
not be unsatisfying. If Ron Zook and the
new staff can muster five or six wins, the
future would look that much better.
Projected
2005 record: 3-8
|
|
|
P
Steve Weatherford |
ILLINOIS
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 2.5 |
DL
- 1 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 2 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 2 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Chris Pazan, 63-37-1, 292 yds., 1 TD
Rushing: Pierre Thomas, 152 att.,
893 yds., 8 TD
Receiving: Kendrick Jones, 47 rec.,
687 yds., 5 TD
Scoring: Pierre Thomas, 10 TD, 60
pts.
Punting: Steve Weatherford, 57 punts,
45.4 avg.
Kicking: Jason Reda, 7-12 FG, 26-27
PAT, 47 pts.
Tackles: Justin Harrison, 79 tot.,
42 solo
Sacks: James Cooper, 2 sacks
Interceptions: Morris Virgil, 2 for
31 yds.
Kickoff returns: Pierre Thomas, 25
ret., 27.1 avg., 1 TD
Punt returns: E.B. Halsey, 27 ret.,
8.4 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 8 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Jon Beutjer-QB, Brad Bower-QB, Anthony McClellan-TE,
Duke Preston-C, Bucky Babcock-OT |
DEFENSE:
Mike
O'Brien-DE, Mike Gawelek-LB, Matt Sinclair-LB,
Kelvin Hayden-CB |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
The good news is that Illinois will finally have
a full-time QB coach in Ed Zaunbrecher. The former
staff lacked proper assistants to coach this position,
and it showed immensely once Kurt Kittner left
the program. Junior Tim Brasic is the leader coming
out of spring. Although ignored the previous season,
Brasic has been quick to pick up this new spread
offense now being utilized. He ran a similar offense
in high school, which makes him a nice fit. His
size is marginal and his arm may not be the strongest
of the bunch, but Brasic reads quickly, makes
plays and takes care of the pigskin. His downfall
may be his lack of collegiate playing time. Chris
Pazan is surely lacking confidence after last
season, where one week he would be the starter
only to be followed up by playing on their scout
team the next. He has the strongest arm of the
bunch but is not the most mobile, which does not
bode well in this type of system. Kisan Flakes
found himself in the backup role coming out of
spring, although his subsequent arrest for marijuana
possession leaves his suspended status an unknown.
If he returns, his backup role is likely to be
diminished. Flakes has a decent arm, but is too
inconsistent in terms of accuracy. He is quick
to take off running when targets are covered.
Running
Back
Three skilled veteran ball carriers return, making
this the best unit on the field...possibly the
best in the Big Ten when dissecting talent from
top to bottom. The all-purpose back is E.B. Halsey,
bringing a set of skills that includes the ability
to run between the tackles, catch passes and block.
Halsey is also one of the team leaders and coaches
are placing big expectations on his shoulders.
Do not be surprised if Halsey gets utilized as
a slot receiver on a few occasions, further displaying
his versatility. Pierre Thomas is the power option.
His 6.4 yards per carry and eight TDs makes him
a short-yard guy who can also move the chains
with larger gains. Expect over 20 attempts per
outing, but he does not have the hands of a Halsey.
Marcus Manson is currently suspended due to some
off-the-field issues this summer. His status for
fall camp in unknown. Watch out for incoming freshman
Rashard Mendenhall, a highly touted prep star,
to move into third on the depth chart if Mason
in unavailable. With the new spread offense, the
FB is not likely to be as used, as a one-back
set is par for this system at most programs. However,
Jason Davis had an outstanding spring and the
senior is likely to see the field, throwing yet
another dimension to this version of the "Zook"
offensive schematics.
Receiver
DaJuan Warren has by far been the most impressive.
Warren made the transformation from QB to WR and
has now emerged as a prime option. Speed, size,
strength and hands all have seemingly gotten better.
He should profit in this new system. The question
is...will speedy senior Kendrick Jones live up
to his hype? He can stretch the field and make
that highlight catch, but then drop three others.
His trash talking has yet to be backed up with
better play as opposed to his sulking when Big
Ten competition shuts him down. The new staff
still needs to demonstrate a form of patience
when dealing with the senior. Walk-on Frank Lenti
made quite an impression, discovering a connection
with the QBs in spring. How much he factors in
could be limited come fall once the talented freshman
arrive. At least one or maybe two new signees
are being counted on the see action, in particular
with Derrick McPhearson, the prize of Ron Zook's
first ever-recruiting class. Back up Franklin
Payne has been out with a hamstring injury, but
when he is on the field, he makes plays. Ron Zook
wants this group to improve, although it's far
from being sub par. If the young players are as
advertised, the receivers are capable of contributing.
Otherwise, look for the skilled RBs and TE to
be more active in the passing game.
Tight
End
Outside of WR DaJuan Warren, Melvin Bryant may
be the most improved ball catcher. Not so much
from a physical standpoint, but from gained knowledge,
for his previous campaigns have been plagued by
immaturity. Given the opportunity, Bryant has
blossomed, enough so he is one of the better pass
catching TEs in this league. The hopes are that
incoming freshman Greg McClendon is ready when
stepping on campus, as J.R. Kramer has not quite
grasped the position.
Offensive
Line
Matt Maddox has moved from guard to center and
seeming the transition has worked thus far. He
is the anchor of this group. Maddox displays some
of the best technique and intelligence found in
the conference, which makes him a perfect fit
for the position. With the spread offense, the
center is key as he makes all the line calls while
aiding the QB in reading the defense...a lesser
responsibility then what the West Coast offense
offered. As for the rest, they lack experience,
which will have to be compensated for with brute
force. The middle of this unit is the strength.
Other than Maddox, both guard positions have some
positives to offer. The huge problem is depth
- there isn't any. The starting five and maybe
one other sub are the only options. The rest of
the OL consists of converted defensive linemen
and injured players with little to no experience.
Some of the listed back ups did not even participate
in spring drills. Injuries would devastate this
group. The most improved linemen this spring were
Ben Amundsen and also Jim LaBonte, whose dramatic
improvement was imperative at right tackle. Illinois
should be fine with this group, stressing once
again...as long as no one gets hurt.
|
|
WR
Kendrick Jones
|
|
|
ILLINOIS
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Tim
Brasic-Jr (6-2, 185) |
Kisan
Flakes-Fr (6-1, 190)
Chris Pazan-Jr (6-2, 210) |
FB |
Jason
Davis-Sr (5-11, 220) |
Russ
Weil-So (6-0, 240) |
RB |
E.B.
Halsey-Jr (5-10, 200) |
Pierre
Thomas-Jr (5-11, 190)
Marcus Mason-Jr (5-9, 200) |
WR |
Kendrick
Jones-Sr (6-2, 180) |
Franklin
Payne-Jr (6-0, 185) |
WR |
DaJuan
Warren-So (6-3, 195) |
Frank
Lenti-Jr (6-2, 180) |
TE |
Melvin
Bryant-Jr (6-5, 235) |
J.R.
Kraemer-Fr (6-5, 220) |
OT |
J.J.
Simmons-Jr (6-6, 290) |
Ryan
McDonald-Fr (6-4, 270) |
OG |
Ben
Amundsen-So (6-6, 305) |
Martin
O'Donnell-So (6-5, 290) |
C |
Matt
Maddox-Jr (6-4, 290) |
Kyle
Schnettgoecke-Sr (6-3, 280) |
OG |
James
Ryan-So (6-6, 310) |
Dan
Motuliak-Fr (6-4, 270) |
OT |
Jim
LaBonte-So (6-7, 300) |
Andrew
Burk-Jr (6-6, 290) |
K |
Jason
Reda-So (6-0, 185) |
Steve
Weatherford-Sr (6-4, 205) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
Coach Tom Sims takes over this group after spending
the last four years doing the same at Minnesota.
Sophomore Xavier Fulton has the potential to be
one of the better DEs Illinois has seen in a while.
He is physically impressive and has a great burst.
Derek Walker has an upside at DE but has to get
tougher while getting more reps in his first real
season. Backup DE Cyrus Garrett is still trying
to shake the rust after sitting last fall. Chris
Norwell is by far the best tackle in this bunch
after having a good spring. Josh Norris was also
quite impressive at DT after amazingly being a
starter at DE last fall. Norris is all heart and
may not bring the best talent. He is a tremendous
example of how far determination can take a player.
But he really is a situational player at best.
Coaches are praying Ismail Abdunafi can be eligible
- his absence could be devastating. The inside
of this front is the most glaring defensive weakness
as the prior coaching staff really failed in terms
of bringing in strength and talent. Thus, depth
is also a huge problem.
Linebacker
You want to see changes via this new coaching
staff’s decisions? Look no further than
at LB, where plenty of moves were in store for
spring. Russ Weil moved to FB, while RBs Walter
Mendenhall and Brian Grzelakowski moved to LB
in an effort to make this group faster. Redshirt
freshman Remond Willis moved from the weakside
to the middle. None have great size, but again,
speed was the priority as opposed to the slow-footed
groups lining up the past three seasons. Remond
Willis is the smallest of the starters, which
makes his move the biggest surprise. He makes
up for the deficiency with his athleticism, as
he may be the best athlete on the team pound for
pound. If the front line continues to lack penetration,
size won't matter and will make this unit a big
question mark. Starting OLB J Leman has increased
his weight and demonstrates the best skills, as
he continues to make plays. The Illini will play
a good bit of nickel defense when the season commences
versus non-conference opponents who are running
a wide-open offense, so Leman is likely to sit
out in these situations. But that philosophy will
have to change once Big Ten play begins. This
group is very young (all freshman and sophomores)
with only Thornhill and Leman garnishing significant
reps. One has to wonder if these are truly Big
Ten worthy LBs in the early part of their careers.
Names such as Butkus, Nitschke, Howard, Hardy
and Rice are long gone, and recruiting has seemingly
been ruined here with the previous coaches, an
approach that has to be revamped with this new
staff.
Defensive
Back
This coaching staff is much more aggressive. Their
(dumbfounding usual) ten-yard cushion given to
opposing receivers on short yardage situations
will not be par for this group. Look for more
man (press) coverage as opposed to zone given
the upside of talent on the corners. In turn,
the LBs are free to blitz, something Ron Zook
likes to employ. Both CBs, (nicknamed the Killer
B's) Charles Bailey and Alan Ball, have really
excelled and may have been the biggest surprise
of spring defensively, which gives coaches the
confidence to put them on that island. Both are
capable of playing on Sundays. The young Bailey
may be the best corner in Champaign since Eugene
Wilson. At safety, Travis Williams has been hurt
most of spring trying to recover from a sports
hernia. Moving in has been three players: Morris
Virgil, Kevin Mitchell and Jody Ellis. Virgil
is still a little shaky tackling and covering,
but held off Ellis for the starting FS job. FS
will have to cover in this scheme and there does
not appear to be anyone capable of doing just
that. Justin Harrison is the safe bet at strong
safety even though he missed spring due to knee
surgery. Harrison is of the LB mold and coaches
will place him close to the line of scrimmage
when in blitzing mode. Back up CB James Cooper
is a defensive leader and will see time as a nickel
back. He makes plays although lacking the athletic
skills of the corners in front of him. Depth (maybe
not the best of quality) exists throughout the
secondary as up to five CBs and four safeties
could see considerable time.
|
|
DB
Justin Harrison
|
|
|
ILLINOIS
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Xavier
Fulton-So (6-5, 270) |
Cyrus
Garrett-Jr (6-3, 230) |
DT |
Ryan
Matha-Sr (6-3, 300) |
Adam
Wilk-Jr (6-5, 275) |
DT |
Chris
Norwell-So (6-7, 270) |
Josh
Norris-Sr (5-11, 250) |
DE |
Derek
Walker-Fr (6-5, 245) |
Scott
Moss-Sr (6-3, 260) |
LB |
Anthony
Thornhill-So (6-1, 215) |
Walter
Mendenhall-Fr (6-0, 200) |
LB |
Remond
Willis-Fr (6-0, 220) |
Brian
Grzelakowski-So (5-11, 210) |
LB |
J
Leman-So (6-3, 220) |
Sam
Carson-Fr (6-1, 225) |
CB |
Alan
Ball-Jr (6-1, 175) |
Sharriff
Abdullah-Jr (5-8, 180) |
CB |
Charles
Bailey-So (6-1, 195) |
James
Cooper-Sr (5-11, 200) |
SS |
Justin
Harrison-So (5-11, 205) |
Travis
Williams-Sr (6-1, 185) |
FS |
Morris
Virgil-Sr (5-10, 195) |
Jody
Ellis-Fr (6-1, 180) |
P |
Steve
Weatherford-Sr (6-4, 205) |
.. |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Jason Reda is the returning veteran after going 7-12
in FG attempts, with his longest being 40 yards. Reasons
exist to find another replacement as Reda still struggles
while learning to kick with no tee. His inconsistency
continued throughout the spring and places a big concern
in finding a kicker that can be counted on. No luck
exists in terms of locating another kicker on scholarship.
Junior walk-on Dominic Shaffer is the only other kicker
on the roster. Do not be surprised if punter Steve Weatherford
gets a shot at handling these duties as well, although
his accuracy between the uprights is also short in terms
of easing concerns.
Punter
Senior punter Steve Weatherford returns after being
named first-team all-Big Ten by the coaches last fall
after averaging 45 yards per attempt. He has a booming
leg and is sure to find time at the next level in the
NFL.
Return
Game
RBs are the options in this department. E.B. Halsey
and Pierre Thomas will likely handle the punt and kickoff
returns once again, which give viewers something to
be excited about given the handful of speed available
with these options. Some talented freshman could also
play a role.
|
|
|
|