April 15, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern began week three of spring practice outdoors Tuesday, marking the first time the team has been outside this spring. With wind gusts reaching 35 mph, much of today's focus rested on fine-tuning the special teams units.
NUsports.com turns its focus to the offensive line. The O-line returns three starters: Trai Essex (Fort Wayne, Ind./Paul Harding), Zach Strief (Milford, Ohio/Milford) and Matt Ulrich (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood). With the graduation of center Austin King and guard Jeff Roehl and injuries to Scott Crohn (Plymouth, Minn./Armstrong) and Joe Tripodi (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea), among others, there are plenty of snaps to go around. NUsports.com chatted with offensive line coach James Patton after practice to get his thoughts about this year's unit.
James Patton, Offensive Line Coach
NUsports.com: How was it to get an outdoor practice under your belts?
James Patton: It felt great. We had a chance to enjoy the weather and get off the turf. It felt good to get outside because that's where the games are played.
NU: How's the team progressing as it tries to fill in for the graduation of Austin King and Jeff Roehl?
JP: I think they're doing well, but you can't replace two All-Big Ten players overnight. The guys we have going are working hard. Are they to Austin and Jeff's levels yet? No, but they're working their tails off. If they keep working hard, then some of these guys have the potential to be All-Big Ten.
NU: Which guys are adjusting particularly well to the center position?
JP: One guy that I see is Matt Ulrich. He started at left guard for us last season, but he has the ability to play center and guard. We are a little limited with only seven or eight guys out there, but that's allowing a lot of guys to get quality reps.
NU: Who might the leaders of this year's unit be?
JP: Matt Ulrich, Zach Strief and Trai Essex are guys who have started games. We'll count on them to be the leaders. Not that some of the young guys won't step up, but their game experience molds them into leaders.
NU: What are your expectations and goals for the offensive line in 2003?
JP: Our expectations are to have the most solid five guys on the field every game. Obviously, we want to help our offense gain yards on the run and the pass. The offensive line is not just one guy. There are five guys that play, and if we play as a solid unit we can accomplish any goal that we set.
Session Eight Notes
Two area high schools were on hand for Tuesday's practice. Oak Park River Forest and Chicago Saint Patrick, the alma mater of sophomore linebacker Tim McGarigle (Chicago, Ill./Saint Patrick), made the trek to Evanston ... The defense took advantage of the windy conditions, intercepting two passes in a three-play span. Junior safety Dominique Price (Jeffersontown, Ky./DuPont Manual) and junior cornerback Herschel Henderson (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) each picked off passes in the endzone during seven-on-seven drills ... Practice nine is slated for 4 p.m. Thursday.