Illini Football,

OK, that was me. Probably should have used a different phrase. Sorry about that.

The switch from Cassie Arner to Kent Brown is a change for football. Kent becomes the conduit to the program, a job Cassie held for more than a decade. I didn't think it was major, major news, but it definitely deserved mentioning.

Jake,

Thanks for the kind words. Believe it or not, I really am looking forward to the next football season. With all of the changes on the Illinois staff, it's hard to imagine how the season will go. Plus, I get to visit three of my favorite places in the league (Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan). And there might be a game at Wrigley Field. Yes, it will be interesting.

Rick,

I think you are talking about Cody Webster, a specialist from Harrisburg. He signed with Purdue.

Groundhogday,

I asked Ron Zook about him recently and he said he is improving. What you won't know until we see all the guys in the spring is where he stands with the rest of the cornerbacks. Tavon Wilson and Terry Hawthorne would seem to have a big edge going into practice. And Miami Thomas will be in the mix at Camp Rantoul.
But from talking to Ron Zook, it sounds like Nixon-Youman is progressing.

Steve D,

Cordale Scott transferred to Toledo and will have to sit out the 2010 season. He will have two years of eligibility with the Rockets.
From what I understand, Cordale wanted to move closer to his family in the Cleveland area. I think he would have fit in with the new offense, but he made the decision to move close to home.

Dave C.,

No matter who Notre Dame plays at Soldier Field, it will be a sellout. Still, you have to like the idea of Illinois playing Notre Dame there.
The problem for the Illini that season is that they already have games against Cincinnati and Washington. Would they want to play a third BCS team? I'd think yes, but you don't never know. The Cincinnati and Washington games are at home, so playing a game at Soldier Field wouldn't keep Illinois from play seven at Memorial Stadium.

Scott,

I think the fact that he was invited to the combine was a positive thing. Most of the players who go to Indianapolis get drafted, though not all of them.
I think he will get a shot in a training camp. Injuries were a problem during his Illinois career, but if he can stay healthy, I think he has a chance to stick with a team next season.

Peter,

The first day of spring practice is March 30 and the spring game is April 24.
The coaches will push the players hard during spring drills. I would think most of the new offense and defense will be in by the time they get done with spring practices.

John,

I think it could be as high as six or as low as four, depending on how the team performs the entire season.

I don't think if a change is made that Paul Petrino or Vic Koenning would be the most likely to take the job. But I don't think you would eliminate them either. A lot would depend on how their side of the ball performed.
Regardless of what happens, I don't think Ron Guenther wants to make a change, which is why he gave the assistant coaches two-year deals.

Jay,

Interesting point. I think both schools would consider it a neutral site. I don't think it would be a big deal as to who was listed as the home team on the scoreboard. In fact, there wouldn't need to be a designation. Just put Illinois and Notre Dame on the fancy scoreboard. Now, the coin toss would require a visitor. Maybe, you make it a two-year deal and let each team take turns being the home team, like with Illinois-Missouri in St. Louis.

Tom,

Martez will participate in the spring, but won't be in the spring game. I don't believe he will be allowed contact. The only other player that I know will be limited for sure if Miami Thomas. Again, he will participate, but won't be allowed contact.
Great question on whether or not the spring sessions will be open. I think they are still trying to figure that out. The spring game will be open, obviously. And I'd bet the Saturday scrimmages will be open too. I'm not sure about the workouts during the week.

Pully,

Great idea. You get some of that with the Big Ten Network, but probably not enough.
Maybe we'll see if IlliniHQ can mike up a player and use a fancy camera during practices. It's a great idea.

Geo,

I asked Ron Zook about the scholarship totals the other day and right now, the Illini are full.
Russell is from the same high school as Eddie McGee (H.D. Woodson). One of the recruiting sites had him with an offer from West Virginia.
Also, Illinois seemed to address its receiver needs with the recent class.

Drew,

Canada is one option. And there are all sorts of arena leagues in operation. Plus, there is the United Football League that just got started.

I've asked around the room and nobody believes they sell beer at Conseco during the Big Ten tournament. But there are plenty of places near the arena to get beer. Or Diet Pepsi.

Ron Carter,

I think we'll know early in spring drills who is picking up the offense the best. Both will be on somewhat equal footing because it will be their first time in the offense.
I think the game experience Jacob Charest has gives him a small advantage going into the spring. But I wouldn't rule out any of the three quarterbacks, including Chandler Whitmer.

Jason,

I haven't heard anything about Jeff. I will try to find out and report back to you ASAP.
I would think he will get a shot with somebody based on his skill set.

Jim,

Chandler was a very effective high school quarterback who did very well when he went to national passing camps. I think he has a chance to start if he is able to run Paul Petrino's offense better than the rest. I don't think the new coaches are too worried about the age or class of the players. They just want to win. Whoever gives them the best chance to do that will be on the field.

Jason,

I think it shows a willingness to take a chance. And given that they got rid of a bunch of coaches and everybody's job is on the line that's a good thing.
Everytime you think the Bears have turned the corner, they disappoint. They are in a difficult division, which doesn't help either. But I won't be stunned if they win eight games in 2010.

Tom,

I believe those decisions are coming soon. And I believe if Ron Guenther wants to continue as AD that will happen. I don't think anybody other than Ron Guenther knows what he will do.

Don't stop,

Vic Koennning sounds cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. He isn't going to force players to do something they aren't capable of doing. The bad part for the Illinois defense is they will be missing Martez Wilson and Miami Thomas from contact until Camp Rantoul. They could be two of the key players on defense.
I believe Paul Petrino will find a way to use Justin Green. And I think we will see some of his ideas during the spring.

Don,

Like a lot of the bigger guys on both sides of the ball, it has taken Lendell time to adjust to college football. But I think because of need on the defensive line, he will have a chance to contribute in 2010. A lot will depend on the status of Josh Brent.

Doug,
Jack has two years left at Illinois, so he is running out of time. But there are two vacancies on the offensive line, so he will have a chance to compete for a job. The problem for players as they get later into their careers is that the coaches do tend to favor younger guys if all else is even. You would rather have a four-year starter than a two-year starter. I'm not sure that's a factor with Jack, but it could be.

Dennis,

I think Graham Pocic will be in the hunt for one of the starting jobs on the offensive line. Lendell Buckner and Glenn Foster are trying to make their way into the rotation on the defensive line.

Ted,

Illinois is one of a handful of schools to have made offers to Bryant. Interesting, that former Illini coaches Reggie Mitchell and Kevin Cosgrove are recruiting Bryant for Kansas and Minnesota. But Simeon has been good to Illinois, so I would think Illinois has a good chance with him.
Fuller is receiving plenty of attention. DeAndre Smith is the primary recruiter. He has jumped into the Chicago area and gotten involved with some top kids. Again, Illinois would seem to be in a favorable position.
Adeyanju has the most offers of the three, with the Big Ten, MAC and ACC after him. Chicago Public League has been good to the Illini in the past.