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.”