With Jeff Mack and Alex Lewis preparing for the jump to the NFL, the Badger coaching staff got its first look at its new linebacking unit in a game situation in Saturday’s spring game.

LaMarr Watkins, Reggie Cribbs and Paul Joran worked with the Cardinal first-team defense Saturday. Watkins lined up at the will, or weak side position, Cribbs started at the mike linebacker and Joran played the sam position over the tight end.

Cribbs unofficially registered four tackles and Watkins came up with an early interception of White team quarterback Matt Schabert.

Wisconsin is playing without expected starters Mark Zalewski and Elliot Goode, who missed the bulk of the spring season due to injury.

“I think we got much better at linebacker, but we didn’t get to work with two of the top three that were injured right away,” head coach Barry Alvarez said. “We’re going to have to start from scratch there, but we have other guys coming in that I think can help us with depth—some incoming freshman that can help us depth-wise. That’s my biggest concern: linebacker and depth at quarterback.”

Dontez Sanders, who moved from defensive back to outside linebacker this season, turned in an impressive effort in the spring game. Spending most of the contest in white, Sanders recorded eight tackles unofficially and laid several big hits, the most impressive of which came at the expense of tight end Jason Pociask.

“I didn’t see ‘Tez,’ I was on the other sideline, but Dontez was out there making a lot of plays,” said new defensive coordinator Brett Bielema, who served as head coach for the Cardinal team. “He’s a real active kid. I think he obviously loves to play the game and likes to get involved in things when he can and looked like he made some good plays.”

While the unit is still a concern to the staff, Bielema saw some positive signs from his inexperienced linebackers.

“Reggie Cribbs did some good things, but he’s had a good balance of the spring, especially toward the end,” Bielema said. “But, the other guys made some good plays. I saw Paul Joran make a play or two, but I saw him miss one, too. That’s a work in progress and we just have to keep getting better every day.”

 

Daniels continuing to develop: The transition from quarterback to tight end is nearly complete for Owen Daniels. The junior from Naperville, Ill., continued to impress the Wisconsin coaching staff in Saturday’s spring football game, catching four passes for 52 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Stocco that drew the Cardinal within seven.

“I think he’s developed himself into being a good receiver, a good route runner,” Alvarez said. “He’s worked on his hands. He really is a guy that I think presents matchup problems for a defense. He really gives us a lot of options in the things we can do with him.”

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Daniels is looking to build upon a 2003 season in which he caught 15 balls for 193 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His breakout game came Nov. 8 against Minnesota, when he snared three passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

“I thought going in last year, Owen could really be outstanding,” Alvarez said. “I’m not too sure Owen went into the year sold he was a tight end or a receiver. I think in the back of his mind, he was a quarterback. Yet, I think in the off season, and as the year went on and he played and contributed, he’s such a competitor he wanted to be on the field.”

 

White shines for White: Reserve safety Johnny White turned in an impressive performance Saturday. Working with the second team defense, the 6-foot-2, 211-pound sophomore from Pearland, Texas, was unofficially credited with seven tackles. He made his presence felt early and often, making several strong tackles along the line of scrimmage in the first quarter.

“I thought Johnny White, a young defensive back at safety really filled and was physical in the game,” Alvarez said.

White appeared in just two games in 2003, recording one tackle. In addition to White, several other inexperienced defensive backs also enjoyed solid afternoons. Fellow sophomore safety Roderick Rogers started for the Cardinal at free safety, as Jim Leonhard sat the game out to avoid injury. Freshman cornerback Ben Strickland also caught the eye of several Wisconsin coaches and players. A graduate of Brookfield Central, the 5-foot-9 Strickland is drawing comparisons to Leonhard for his play-making ability in practice.

“They made a lot of plays,” cornerback Scott Starks said of the youthful UW defensive backs. “A lot of young guys stepped up like Johnny White and Strickland, they stepped up and played well. Roderick Rogers played well today, so I was happy with the young guys.”

 

Special teams shaping up: An area of concern at times in 2003, the Badgers special teams enjoyed a solid spring game, other than a muffed punt by Paul Hubbard that resulted in a touchdown for the White. Hubbard was returning kicks in the absence of regular return men Leonhard and Brandon Williams.

Senior place kicker Mike Allen connected on both of his field goal attempts, and made all five extra points he attempted.

“Mike Allen was excellent today,” said Alvarez, who expects incoming freshman Taylor Mehlhaff to challenge Allen for kick off duty.

Allen is currently the only kicker on the Wisconsin roster, although reserve punter Paul Standring can also kick. In the past, Allen had to battle Scott Campbell for the starting job.

“I just keep pushing myself,” Allen said. “Before I was always in practice, ‘Okay, I’ve got to beat that guy.’ I’d beat him that day, and it almost seemed like I was satisfied. Now, it’s ‘Okay, I’ve already beaten them all, now I have to beat myself. I missed that field goal today, now I have to take 50 shots from that spot.’ It’s different, but I like it.”

Like Alvarez, Allen is expecting a strong push from Mehlhaff.

“We’re going to have competition,” Allen said. “He’s a great kicker. I just met him yesterday—real nice kid. I’m excited for the competition.”

Alvarez also expects competition at the punting position, where senior R.J. Morse is the incumbent. Freshman Ken DeBauche from Bayport High School could give Morse a push.

“I think Kenny DeBauche will challenge for that job,” Alvarez said. “We thought all along he punted well all spring. I thought he was especially good today.”