Illini's Wilson knows he needs to step up, learn the defense
Illinois sophomore linebacker Martez Wilson, considered a future star, found himself on the second string heading into Saturday's football scrimmage at Memorial Stadium. An unproductive practice Wednesday by Wilson was all the Illini coaches needed to send a message.
"The other day, I messed up,'' Wilson said. "I have to get my head right. They told me after the meetings Thursday. After that, it was a wakeup call. I can't afford to be on the second team.''
Although co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch tried to convince anyone who would listen that the two outside linebacker spots remain undecided, the Illini not only expect Wilson to start the season opener Aug. 30 against Missouri, they figure the 6-foot-4, 248-pound Wilson can become Illinois' next great playmaker on defense.
"As he gets more and more comfortable, he'll speed up,'' Disch said. "He's head and shoulders better than bowl practice. We need him to be really good really soon.''
The Illini lost senior linebackers J Leman and Antonio Steele from last season's team.
Called The Next Simeon Rice because of his size, speed and big-play capability -- "I'm not the next Simeon Rice. I'm the next Martez Wilson,'' he said -- Wilson also must play sound, fundamental defense by filling gaps and sticking his nose in the action. He didn't do that earlier last week, Wilson said, and he must also learn the defense and not rely solely on his speed.
"He's not going to play unless he learns what he's doing and plays fast,'' Disch said. "He's getting better. He still has times when he's not playing as hard as we need. He's willing, extremely coachable. He'll get there. He knows enough now that ability alone doesn't get you anywhere.
"He knows if he's not doing what he's supposed to do, the defense suffers. If he's not playing hard, the defense suffers.''
Wilson endures daily film study with Disch, and if there's any need for extra motivation, Wilson likely got it from the demotion.
"When players face change, they battle back and get better or tank it,'' Disch said. "He's not going to tank it.''
With Leman gone, senior Brit Miller slid from outside linebacker to middle linebacker. Wilson plays at weakside linebacker, where he can also rush the quarterback or drop into pass coverage. Redshirt freshman Ian Thomas is the leading contender at strongside linebacker. Senior Rodney Pittman took Wilson's spot in the first string at the start of the scrimmage Saturday.
As a freshman last fall, Wilson earned spot duty at linebacker and played on special teams. There's little chance at learning while sitting on the bench, coach Ron Zook said. The goal is for Wilson to react and play rather than hesitate while thinking.
"You just have to do it,'' Wilson said. "If you think, you'll be stuck. Against USC in the Rose Bowl, there were a couple plays where I was just lost. I was thinking too much.''
The Illini defense controlled the scrimmage with 10 sacks, two interceptions and 11 drives stopped. Junior wide receiver Jeff Cumberland made two touchdown catches, including a 16-yarder when he spun and made a one-handed catch. His other score, a 35-yarder, came after blasting through two defenders.
NOTES: Right guard Jon Asamoah (turf toe) and center Ryan McDonald (neck) missed the scrimmage. Asamoah might return this week, Zook said, but McDonald is likely to remain limited during spring drills. A starter in 45 games, the senior needs to build strength in his neck rather than take a pounding in practice. . . Cornerback Marcus Thomas joined practice after missing the first week while taking care of academic concerns. Sophomore receiver Brian Gamble also is back at practice after clearing up academic issues. . . Work on the stadium renovation continued during the scrimmage...
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more information, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .