Heading into fall camp one of the biggest question marks on defense was whether or not the new starters could gel quickly to form a cohesive unit, well after nearly a full week of camp the Badgers secondary and defense in general are well on their way to doing just that according to Bret Bielema on Friday.
“I’ve been impressed with the communication. Now, we don’t know until the live bullets start flying,” Bielema said in Friday’s press conference. “It’s the best we’ve ever had it. It was a point of emphasis in the out of season so I hope that keeps up going forward.”
Wisconsin is breaking in new starters at crucial spots like safety and cornerback, while also hoping Devin Smith and Shelton Johnson, both starters early in 2011, can stay completely healthy in 2012.
As anyone who follows football knows, communication is key to building chemistry and, by all indications, it’s there on the defensive side of the ball and that can only lead to more opportunities to those that are taking advantage of what coaches are asking them to do.
Darius Hillary has been one of those players and despite speculation over his role, he’s staying at cornerback. According to Bielema, he has only taken reps at cornerback and will continue that way the rest of the week.
On the offensive side of the ball, the biggest question mark has been, and continues to be, at wide receiver. Names like Chase Hammond and Kenzel Doe have stuck out to Bielema.
“He’s [Chase Hammond] a guy that’ll have two good days and maybe slip off a bit, but I’ve been impressed with him so far this camp,” said Bielema.
“I’ve been impressed with Kenzel Doe. I think Kenzel’s playing at a high level right now.”
Bielema also mentioned that Jeff Duckworth is lacking consistency and that Jordan Frederick is a guy who’s also impressing in camp.
Full pads have finally gone on and hitting finally is happening, but has anything really changed in practice? In short, Bielema says no.
“The only thing full contact allows us to do is to play ‘big boy football’,” said Bielema.
Of course, Bielema had to leave us all guessing at the end as he announced there will be a major scheduling announcement coming very soon, so stay tuned!
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