IlliniKrush

Illini update (this thread has gone too long without a post): Aug. 6, 2003 The Illini football team took to the grass practice fields at the football complex on Wed., afternoon to kick off training camp with its first session of the 2003 season. Dressed in only helmets and shorts for the first two days, the Illini still were able to mix in a healthy dose of team action with over 30-minutes of 7-on-7 and full team work. "Generally, I was pleased. It was a good first practice," head coach Ron Turner said. "We did come out a little tight today and the biggest thing will be getting them to relax. I love the attitude of this team." SCOUTING THE CENTERS: Last season, Duke Preston was trying to fill the shoes of departed center Luke Butkus as he prepared for the starting role in 2002. In 2003, the junior is a veteran on the line and becoming a solid leader. Preston, despite being in his first year, helped lead the Illini's school record-breaking offense and aid in Antoineo Harris' 1,330 yards rushing, which also set the single-season mark. "Duke really progressed as the season went along last year," Turner said. "He gained a lot of confidence and has found himself one of the leaders on the line. He came into camp in the best shape of his life and I am very excited about his potential this season." Preston, a San Diego native, is backed up by junior Dave Hilderbrand. Hilderbrand has served as a reserve at guard and center over the last two years, playing primarily on special teams. He returned a kickoff two yards against Northwestern in 2002. "Dave has settled into the position at center," said Turner. "But he could also be a big contributor at the guard position as well. He is becoming a versatile player for us and will have a huge role on the team." THE INVITEES: Checking in along with the 2003 rookie class on Tuesday were eight invited walk-ons. Due to NCAA rules, the coaching staff is not allowed to mention the new additions until the official reporting date. So here are the players that complete the new incoming group, including a pair of local talents: PK Justin Brantley, Fr. (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin DePorres); FB Gerard Jackson, Jr. (Miami, Fla./Dodge City JC); WR Spencer Jensen, Fr. (Lockport, Ill./Lockport); LS Tyler Keely, Fr. (Oswego, Ill./Oswego); LS Justin Kovach, Fr. (Batavia, Ill./Batavia); WR Frank Lenti, Jr., Fr. (Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel); DB Drew McMahon, Fr. (Champaign, Ill./Central); and DB Tyler Rouse (Champaign, Ill./Centennial). UPCOMING SCHEDULE: The Illinois football team will conduct its next four practice sessions in Champaign at the football complex. Here are the following practices times for the next five days: Thurs., Aug. 7 3:30 p.m. Practice #2 (Champaign) Fri., Aug. 8 1:15 p.m. Practice #3 (Champaign) 6-8 p.m. Fan Appreciation Day (Memorial Stadium) Sat., Aug. 9 10 a.m. Practice #4 (Champaign) Sun., Aug. 10 9:45 a.m. Practice #5 (Champaign) 1-5 p.m. Players Report To Rantoul Also, i guess Marlin Jackson's court date has been set. He is the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year and would be a huge loss to UMs chances this year. The OSU picture was taken yesterday without Clarett, he is still being held out of practice (though not suspended), and it sounds as if OSU is preparing to play this season without him.

This is just a perfect example of how this thing has gone too far in the media. Nothing against you steff, but who the hell cares if he wears a tie or not I'm starting to get sick of all this coverage, that hearing yesterday was way overblown considering they set a freakin date

A few things: He talks about JM's guarantee of winning the final 2 games of the series. I would just like to know what happened in those 2 games, and his response. He talks about unveiling some of the worst uniforms in baseball. Damn, those all baby blue uniforms were so fashionable. While there is some substance for him saying we are cocky...well, you are still the KC royals, and we have much more talent than you...the division is ours if we play well, everyone knows that. And, someone inform this guy that we beat KC 5 out of the last 6 games we've played em, and get that response too.

Heather was drunk, forgive her... And i'll second the GRRR to HSC

Two bad sports feats off the top of my head: High school game, pick off a pass, go on a breakway...whiff completely on the shot and then get knocked on my ass trying to regain control and get a shot off High school summer ball game, hit a leadoff triple, get picked off before the next pitch when i looked down for a second to make sure i was in foul territory. And heather, that just wasn't right

Oh you mean the carbonated hawaiian punch? Yuck original mountain dew, good did anyone see that other orange mountain dew, only to be here during summer? it tastes exactly like the old orange all sport

At the time I started this thread the game wasn't even over. I had no idea Colon had a blister. So I take it back, good win today. I don't know if Jerry made the right call going to Flash, but at least Marte picked him up. CWSOX45 Fair enough man, fair enough

No way in hell you take ours over the a's big three I have to steal bmr's line, watch some baseball

i think lilly

It's definitely not better than the a's big 3 (4 really) This year they're just as good, if not better. In the regular season, its close. However, i prefer to choose history when evaluating players, and the oakland trio is much better. Not to mention, they have much more playoff experience. Really, its a no brainer. Hmmm...I dunno. Colon alone might have as many playoff starts as Oakland's 3. Anyone have the stats? If only he could start every game. Buehrle didn't pitch in the 2000 playoffs, right? And I'm sure Loaiza has never been in the playoffs, so Colon would be the only guy who's been there. But, if we manage to make it, I like our chances with our 3 headed monster. Oh we can beat Oakland. Because of our offense. Their big 3 is better than ours. Oakland has an offense? You are correct

It's definitely not better than the a's big 3 (4 really) This year they're just as good, if not better. In the regular season, its close. However, i prefer to choose history when evaluating players, and the oakland trio is much better. Not to mention, they have much more playoff experience. Really, its a no brainer. Hmmm...I dunno. Colon alone might have as many playoff starts as Oakland's 3. Anyone have the stats? loaiza, buehrle?

It's definitely not better than the a's big 3 (4 really) This year they're just as good, if not better. In the regular season, its close. However, i prefer to choose history when evaluating players, and the oakland trio is much better. Not to mention, they have much more playoff experience. Really, its a no brainer. I agree. They have a history of losing to everybody come playoff time... Ya, that wasn't funny at all

Colon Buehrle Loaiza but, either way, its a strong 3 That'd be my 1-2-3 too. Game 3 in a 5-game set is the most important game. In game 3, you can clinch a series, you can become 1-win a way from clinching, you can get back into the series by winning that game, or you can lose that game and be done. No other game in a 5-game set means more, except possibly game 5, and I don't consider that the most important game because that game is not going to necessarily be played. If a game 5 is involved, then that is the most important game in a 5-game set, for obvious reasons. What I like about our 1-2-3 is the fact that all of them are big games pitchers. How many big games(big games meaning almost must wins) have these guys won this year? How many times have they turned the ship around? I really like our chances if we get to the playoffs, because of these 3. I say game 1 is the most important game. If you are down 2-0, well game 3 is important for you now, but then 4 is, and then 5. Same if you are up 2-0. Get the lead, make the team take 3 of 4.

potential to be the best pitcher, but has not been all year c-o-n-s-i-s-t-e-n-c-y

It's definitely not better than the a's big 3 (4 really)

White Sox = no established closer right now Yanks, Cards, BoSox = All have established closers

Ted Lilly is horrid this year The other two games, uh oh

I don't think you could say the first one, but that's just me. Not yet. At times, IMO, you could. When this team was during their hot streaks(the 12 games against the Cubs and Twinks and their 15 game stretch against the AL's least, minus Toronto), that team, IMO, was an ALCS/World Series caliber team. But, with the way this team has played in the past 2 months, as a whole, they are, at the very least, a playoff caliber team. Ya, mainly because of the division they are in....but don't tell anyone else that

Great point, JM just can't win with some people. The bullpen has become a glaring concern these last few days. Hopefully tomorrows day off will help everyone. What a great series and again pulling to within a game of first place. Nice job White Sox!! No matter what your opinion of Jerry, you don't look to try to turn a good move into a bad move just because you don't like him Monday, i hated his move right when he did it with Garland Today, i agree 100% You really shouldn't have a predisposition and actually look at what is going on, not just assume something bogus to make Jerry look bad/good

No

Ha, that's great. It is a good move by the yanks, nice job cashman

I don't think you could say the first one, but that's just me. Not yet.

Hello, they won, so just shut up with the Rick Whiteesque second guessing. Assuming Colon was fine (which i don't think he was), of course you second guess this If they blow it, it gets second guessed. So just cuz we win we throw a blindfold on to any bad moves in the game? That's the wrong perspective to have, i'm sorry Because one game, that same stuff will cost you. Then it's ok to talk about it? No, I understand the scutiny, but for christ sake's, it turned out he had a blister. It's things that I hear like "f*** You Jerry!" that piss me off. No one even knew the circumstances for him taking Colon out. I get frustrated by him too, but he knows more about baseball than anyone on this board, and if he thinks it's a good move, he's got more credibility than anybody on this board does. I don't think you read my post close enough I said i don't think Colon was fine, making it the right move. I was saying, what if he was....it was setting up a scenario to work off of Jerry was right. It may have been more than a blister (back, shoulder?)

Perfect I would say winning is winning in game 7 of the world series, because who gives a s*** how you played that game You want to be playing good baseball, win or lose So, even if we lose...if we play well, and just get beat on that day, i don't feel as bad. Of course you don't want to lose, but according to this guy, you should just rip the team apart if they lose even if they play well, because, well, they lost and that's the bottom line

Jerry just said no doubt he would have finished the 9th. Sandy, Jose said he was pushing the ball, was hurt. It was the right move If he leaves him in and Colon visits the dl because of it, he gets run out of town. JM just can't win with some of you people even when he does the right thing