It comes as no surprise that Pat Moorer, the new Illini football strength coach, can outlift his students. If called on, the chiseled, 255-pound Floridian can bench-press 460 pounds.

"I just lift to stay in shape," Moorer said. "You don't want some guy to come in here out of shape with a big stomach and ask these young guys to work. Our goal is to improve. We're not going to pile on weights just to see what we can do. I believe in repetitions. We're not in here to waste time."

On this subject, let's all agree while strength is important, the ability to hoist big barbells doesn't necessarily carry over to the field. The three strongest quarterbacks in recent history were Shane Lamb, Rich Weiss and Chris Jenner, not to be confused with all-stars Tony Eason, Jack Trudeau and Jeff George. The strongest receivers were barely remembered Darrin Brown and the late Mitch Brookins. Slender David Williams caught 101 passes one year without great strength.

At the same time, to make the reverse argument, check the top four ball carriers: Howard Griffith, Kameno Bell and current squadmen Robert Holcomb and Steve Havard. Or the strongest guards: former standouts Tim Simpson, Rick Schulte and Troy McMillin.

The point is, strength can help but still it boils down to playing the game.

Moorer helped Florida edge Illini

Moorer played linebacker on back-to-back state high school champions in Pensacola, Fla., before matriculating as a walk-on at the University of Florida, where he twice led the team in tackles and joined Emmitt Smith in leading the Gators past Illinois, 14-10, in the 1988 All American Bowl.

Professionally, he was with San Diego one season, switched to the World League for two years, and had a final year at Philadelphia.

"It was a numbers game," Moorer said. "Different teams had different needs, and I had trouble sticking. I returned to the University of Florida as an intern, and got into the weight training end of it. It's long hours and hard work, but I like it. I was promoted to coordinator (all sports) in 1994, and I worked with Lon Kruger's basketball team during his Final Four season (1994)."

In succeeding Greg Scanlan, who succeeded Leo Ward, Moorer has had five weeks to work with Ron Turner's football team.

"If we had had to play the first day I arrived, I'd have to say we'd have had our butts handed to us," Moorer said. "We've improved already and we have spring, summer and fall to get better.

"I don't know what we're doing differently because I'm not looking back. I don't want to know anything about a 2-9 season. All we can control is what we do from this point on. I'll probably have the entire team here this summer."

It's tougher: Williams

The players are impressed.

Said senior cornerback James Williams: "It's tougher than ever, more intense. He's working us a lot harder. We come out of the workouts completely worn out. But it'll make us better.

"We know what to expect this summer. It's going to be rough."

Moorer says he won't update the charts on the weight room wall, those historical records showing Holcomb and Havard as the UI's 3-4 backfield lifters, George McDonald-Ashford as the third-strongest receiver, defensive tackle Garrett Johnson and offensive guard Brent Taylor as fifth-strongest at their positions, and Steve Willis and Ivan Benson as the 3-4 safeties.

"When I was trying to decide whether to take this job, everybody told me that Illinois was better than 2-9," Moorer said. "Then when I talked to Turner, I had a good feel for what could happen here. I went to bed one night praying about my decision. When I woke up, I knew what I wanted.

"I won't be giving out individual (lifting) numbers. To me, the best way to attain goals is through team effort and unselfishness. But, yes, we have guys who are standing out. J.P. Machado (303-pound junior tackle) is our strongest player. Holcomb is a solid 214 pounds and has a great work ethic.McDonald-Ashford and (Marquis) Mosely are doing well. Garrett Johnson works extra hard and will do everything to get ready to compete. The big guys, Marques Sullivan and Antoine McNutt, are down to 329 and 327.

"I don't just hand out program cards," Moorer added. "I'm a hands-on guy and I get very personal with the players. When they have problems, I'm somebody they feel comfortable talking to. That's what I do."

Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette.