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Special Teams Player
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200...;u_sid=10385758
LINCOLN — The offensive line, maybe the team's deepest and most experienced unit, would like its teammates to take notice.
Click to Enlarge
NU senior guard Mike Huff
All summer long, the linemen haven't been shy about setting the tone for 2008. They're bringing more energy and intensity, something they plan to continue at every practice, meeting and game this fall. And they want to make sure that the rest of their teammates do the same.
"That's actually been one of the biggest goals, just gelling together as a unit," said senior guard Mike Huff, who's started 18 games the last two years. "We know we need to lead the team."
Their rationale is quite simple.
Games are often dictated by how the offensive line performs, so why shouldn't those same players take control in the locker room or in practice?
"It all starts up front. Everybody knows that," Huff said. "That's why it's one of the biggest things that we've been working on this summer, just being leaders of the team."
The offensive linemen were the ones most affected by the Husker staff's new slim-down approach to offseason training. Nine linemen began spring practice with listed weights at 300 pounds or more.
"It was a process through spring ball up until now," Huff said. "We're still getting adjusted to how things are getting run as far as strength and conditioning goes. We get something new thrown at us every day, and I think guys are doing really well at adjusting to that."
According to Huff, senior guard Matt Slauson, who was listed at 325 pounds during the spring, has dropped a considerable amount of weight, maybe the most of anyone. Slauson, coach Bo Pelini, senior quarterback Joe Ganz and senior defensive end Barry Turner will be in Kansas City Monday for Big 12 Media Days.
Huff doubts Slauson will have trouble talking to reporters about his weight.
"Slauson's looking good these days. He's trimmed down a bit. I think he's real happy with the way his weight is," Huff said. "He's always saying how much better he feels now that he's down in weight. I think it shows in his performance on the field when we're doing summer drills."
Huff was one of the few who hasn't had to change his weight much. He's stayed around 305 to 310 pounds for most of the summer.
That's allowed him to focus on building his strength and developing some flexibility, other points of emphasis made by the strength and conditioning staff.
"I'm pretty happy with the way my strength level is and the way my conditioning levels are," Huff said. "I feel a lot more explosive this summer than I ever have."
Huff and Slauson are two of four offensive linemen who started six or more games in 2007. Junior Jacob Hickman and senior Lydon Murtha are the other two. Sophomore Jaivorio Burkes, an expected starter at tackle, started three of the team's last four games.
The backups, led by three sophomores (D.J. Jones, Mike Smith and Keith Williams) who all had reserve roles last year, are as talented as they've ever been, Huff said.
"The excitement level around here is just amazing," Huff said. "Guys are just flying around during seven-on-seven drills. Everybody's just ready to go. We can't wait to get camp started."
Summer conditioning ends this week. Fall camp starts Aug. 4.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200...;u_sid=10385758
LINCOLN — The offensive line, maybe the team's deepest and most experienced unit, would like its teammates to take notice.
Click to Enlarge
NU senior guard Mike Huff
All summer long, the linemen haven't been shy about setting the tone for 2008. They're bringing more energy and intensity, something they plan to continue at every practice, meeting and game this fall. And they want to make sure that the rest of their teammates do the same.
"That's actually been one of the biggest goals, just gelling together as a unit," said senior guard Mike Huff, who's started 18 games the last two years. "We know we need to lead the team."
Their rationale is quite simple.
Games are often dictated by how the offensive line performs, so why shouldn't those same players take control in the locker room or in practice?
"It all starts up front. Everybody knows that," Huff said. "That's why it's one of the biggest things that we've been working on this summer, just being leaders of the team."
The offensive linemen were the ones most affected by the Husker staff's new slim-down approach to offseason training. Nine linemen began spring practice with listed weights at 300 pounds or more.
"It was a process through spring ball up until now," Huff said. "We're still getting adjusted to how things are getting run as far as strength and conditioning goes. We get something new thrown at us every day, and I think guys are doing really well at adjusting to that."
According to Huff, senior guard Matt Slauson, who was listed at 325 pounds during the spring, has dropped a considerable amount of weight, maybe the most of anyone. Slauson, coach Bo Pelini, senior quarterback Joe Ganz and senior defensive end Barry Turner will be in Kansas City Monday for Big 12 Media Days.
Huff doubts Slauson will have trouble talking to reporters about his weight.
"Slauson's looking good these days. He's trimmed down a bit. I think he's real happy with the way his weight is," Huff said. "He's always saying how much better he feels now that he's down in weight. I think it shows in his performance on the field when we're doing summer drills."
Huff was one of the few who hasn't had to change his weight much. He's stayed around 305 to 310 pounds for most of the summer.
That's allowed him to focus on building his strength and developing some flexibility, other points of emphasis made by the strength and conditioning staff.
"I'm pretty happy with the way my strength level is and the way my conditioning levels are," Huff said. "I feel a lot more explosive this summer than I ever have."
Huff and Slauson are two of four offensive linemen who started six or more games in 2007. Junior Jacob Hickman and senior Lydon Murtha are the other two. Sophomore Jaivorio Burkes, an expected starter at tackle, started three of the team's last four games.
The backups, led by three sophomores (D.J. Jones, Mike Smith and Keith Williams) who all had reserve roles last year, are as talented as they've ever been, Huff said.
"The excitement level around here is just amazing," Huff said. "Guys are just flying around during seven-on-seven drills. Everybody's just ready to go. We can't wait to get camp started."
Summer conditioning ends this week. Fall camp starts Aug. 4.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200...;u_sid=10385758
