2008 Wisconsin Badgers

[wadc45]

JS Online: UW cornerbacks work on recovery

Injured starters sit, watch spring drills
By JEFF POTRYKUS
jpotrykus@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 10, 2008

Madison - Day after day, cornerbacks Allen Langford and Aaron Henry stand inside the McClain Center and watch their University of Wisconsin teammates at work.

"That has been the most difficult part is just watching," Langford said after a recent spring practice. "I don't like sitting on the sideline watching.

"It's hard because it takes time. You feel like you can do stuff but if you go back before you should or rush it, a lot of stuff can go wrong."

Henry understands such a cautious approach.

Continued...

JS Online: Notes: Defensive tackle making quite an impression

Stehle producing plays Badgers' coaches like to see
By JEFF POTRYKUS
jpotrykus@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 12, 2008

Madison - On a day the University of Wisconsin offense generated perhaps its best overall performance of the spring, defensive tackle Jeff Stehle showed again why the coaches are optimistic he will play a key role in 2008.

"Stehle is really one of the bright spots of the spring for the defense," first-year defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said after practice Saturday, "and I am really, really happy with his progress."

On the second play of a red-zone session inside the McClain Center, Stehle fought off a block and drilled tailback Zach Brown after a 3-yard gain, forcing a fumble. Linebacker Jaevery McFadden recovered the fumble at the 15 to end the possession.

Continued...

ESPN - Rittenberg: Big Ten notebook - College Football

Sophomore Jay Valai has made a strong push this spring to become Wisconsin's starting strong safety. After replacing Aubrey Pleasant in the Badgers' Outback Bowl loss, Valai has continued to impress the coaches in practice. For much of the spring, he has worked with the first-team defense alongside Shane Carter, a returning starter at free safety.

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The Badger Herald - Carter’s siblings a ‘safety’ net

by Greg Schmitz
Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Carter family definitely has the athletic gene.

Butch Carter played college basketball under Bob Knight at Indiana before going on to play six years in the NBA.

Cris Carter was a standout wide receiver at Ohio State before becoming a future Hall of Famer after 15 years in the NFL.

So when Shane Carter was born in 1987, right around the same time Cris began his NFL career and Butch ended his NBA career, it was no surprise he got involved in sports at a young age.

“With everybody in my family playing sports and my father wanted us to play, [it] kind of gave me the gateway to get in, but once I started playing I just had a love for it,” Carter said. “I loved to go out there and just play anything. That’s all I really ever knew was playing ball.”

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[Bernini]

The already extraordinarily decimated Badger defensive line suffered its most devastating injury to date, when All Big Ten Senior Defensive End Matthew Shaughnessy broke his leg this week.

Journal Sentinel- Shaughnessy Injury

[Bernini]

Athlon Sports: 2008 Badgers' Preview Video

[TheFresher]

Originally Posted by Bernini

Athlon Sports: 2008 Badgers' Preview Video

that's just a jpg, it's not actually a video

[TheFresher]

here's the actual link.. 2008 Video Preview: #12 Wisconsin Badgers - AthlonSports.com

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by TheFresher

here's the actual link.. 2008 Video Preview: #12 Wisconsin Badgers - AthlonSports.com

Thanks, I should have examined the address more thoroughly.

Anyways, looks like Evridge is solidifying his position at starting quarterback. I had little confidence in Sherer's girl arm and mediocre mobility so I'm pleased about that.

Valai overtaking Pleasant will be a shot in the arm to both our pass and run defenses.

The cornerback group is solid with Henry and Langford recovering well from injuries and talented youngsters like Goins and Cromartie. Cromartie could assume a role comparable to Henry as a frosh if need be.

I think the linebacking corps is superb, but their success is predicated by the defensive line occupying the opponent O-Line.

Defensive line is the biggest question. I like the defensive end potential quite a bit. Decremer was our best pass rusher last season and Shaughnessy is a solid 4-year starter (albeit overrated). Schofield and Nzegwu are more than agile enough to prevent spread running backs from getting outside. Westphal is probably polished enough to play early. But defensive tackle looks like a mess. I hate the gap penetrating v. plugging philosophy. We're just undersized, understaffed, and under-talented inside. We need everybody to regain full health there in order to even be adequate otherwise we will be a sieve again. You're only as good as your weakest link defensively.

Offensively, we have a ton of talent overall it's just a matter of figuring out how to move players around so our best see the field. 3-4 starting caliber running backs, 2-3 starting caliber tight ends, 0-1 starting caliber receivers. Paul Chryst will have an opportunity to earn his substantial salary this season.