Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - September 29, 2011

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LUCAS AT LARGE

Perfection a moving target for O-line

BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com

UW center Peter Konz dropped a word into Tuesday’s post-practice conversation that is rarely if ever associated with a college football team.

“Democracy,’’ he said.

Jaws dropped, dogs howled, heads turned, babies cried, Konz laughed.

Democracy? Really.

Konz found a way to put it into play in response to a relatively innocuous question about the personality of this season’s offensive line. What exactly is that personality, he was asked.

Konz started out by saying “I think it’s a little more equal among everybody.’’

He was talking about leadership responsibilities. Last season, Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt were the unquestioned leaders of the O-line. Carimi won the Outland Trophy. Both were All-Americans.

“Now everybody is an equal,’’ said Konz, a fourth-year junior from Neenah, “and everybody can have a say on what goes on and how to best handle a situation.

“Gabe and Moff would tell us exactly what was going on, whether it was a play or if we were in the hotel where we had to be (at a certain time). Whatever it was, they would mostly tell us what to do.

“Now it’s more of a democracy.’’

After he stopped laughing -- and nobody laughs like Konz -- he explained, “On the things that are within our power, we ask each other to get the best sense of what’s best for all of us.’’

Does that always translate into being on the same wave length with his teammates?

“A lot of times,’’ he said.

And when everybody is not on the same page, then what?

“The good thing about that is,’’ he said, “if we’re not, we’re talking about it.’’

Democracy, in other words -- Konz’ word.

Another word was brought up Tuesday that is rarely if ever attained. Perfection.

As in, “Do you think the UW offensive line can play the perfect game?’’ Konz was asked.

“I don’t think we’d ever talk about a perfect game,’’ he said, speaking for his fraternity brothers on the line of scrimmage, “because that would mean that we’re satisfied. That’s anti-Wisconsin.

“If you were in a meeting with us, and if they ever told us we had a perfect game (as a position group), I think we’d shut down the place and go home.’’

Konz knows that near-perfect techniques and execution will be needed Saturday night against Nebraska’s defensive tackle, Jared Crick, the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

“He’s very explosive,’’ Konz said. “He uses his hands and feet very well and he finds a way to make a play. He’s always watching the ball.

“He’s not one of those guys who will maintain his gap because the coach said so. He’s going to be athletic and he’s going to make a play.’’

The Huskers defensive front will likely have additional motivation knowing Wisconsin’s offensive line will be featured in this week’s Sports Illustrated. Be grateful that it’s not the swimsuit issue.

The mere mention of SI exposure triggered a flashback to when former UW tailback John Clay was on the cover for the magazine’s “Best Sports Photos of 2009” issue.

In what amounted to an artsy-craftsy shot, Clay was shown wearing his helmet with his visor reflecting the images of a number of his teammates, most of whom were hard to identify.

“I tell people I was on there (the cover),’’ Konz said, “but it’s really Scott Tolzien.’’

What about the SI jinx? Konz was reminded that UW’s defensive line was featured in a 2004 issue and, that same week, the Badgers lost 49-14 at Michigan State.

“Dang,’’ Konz said. “I’m going to go watch film right now so none of that happens.’’

Perfect.

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