The Badgers kick off their Big Ten schedule this Saturday at Illinois. A key factor for UW is junior defensive back and 2003 team captain Jim Leonhard. The Daily Cardinal's Joe LaDien got a chance to talk with Leonhard about his feelings on the team's performance thus far and his outlook on the Big Ten season.
The Daily Cardinal: So far you guys are 3-1, but you haven't been really dominant in any games this season. As one of the key players on the team, how would you assess your team's performance up to now?
Jim Leonhard: I'd say overall we played pretty well. And like you said, we never put a complete game together so we definitely got to come out, you know, take all the positive things from those games, and the negatives, and you know, just get better at fundamentals and carry over into the season.
DC: Being put in a leadership role as a team captain and having been nationally recognized as a top defensive player, there is a lot of pressure and expectation placed upon you. Is your approach to this season any different than last season?
Leonhard: No, not really. I mean I just go out there every day working on fundamentals and just do your responsibility. If you take care of your responsibility, you know, good things will happen, and you know you have to trust that everyone else is going to do the same thing.
DC: In light of all of your accomplishments as a player last year, what are your individual goals for this season?
Leonhard: I don't really go into the season I guess with a whole lot of individual goals, you know, it's like I said, just go out there and work hard every day and good things will happen. I mean you don't have to put a set number on things. Just work hard and you know the right thing is going to happen.
DC: What did you work on most in the off-season?
Leonhard: Just more working on quickness and strength in the off-season with John Dettman, and football wise, just getting to watch film and learn teams' tendencies and that's about it really.
DC: Obviously you didn't see this, but when ESPN showed the game last Saturday, they did something about the dunk contest you guys had. So what's the highest you can jump?
Leonhard: The highest? Probably 36, 37 [inches], something like that. I've got to go off two feet, though. [laughs]
DC: Was last week's play of Booker Stanley a shock to the team or is that kind of play expected out of any running back that steps on the field?
Leonhard: I don't know if it's unexpected of any running back that steps on the field, but you know, we see it everyday so I mean when you go against it you know he's a good back and if he gets in there, he knows his responsibilities, he's going to rip all out and we all knew it and I mean, it wasn't a big shock to anyone on the team.
DC: Looking to Illinois, a team that came into Camp Randall last year and defeated you 37-20, is there a sour taste in the players' mouths that's going to motivate you guys for this game?
Leonhard: Oh, definitely. I mean I think they beat us the last two years and you know you got to take that to heart a little bit and want to come out and compete really hard and, you know, it's the Big Ten opener, if you can't get up for that game, I mean, you shouldn't be playing this game.
DC: The Big Ten is extremely competitive this year as there is no clear-cut favorite with you guys being in it, Michigan, Ohio State. With such heavy competition, what do you think this Badger team is capable of doing this season?
Leonhard: Like I said, if we get everything nailed down, offensively, defensively and special teams, and play a complete game we feel we got a good chance of winning the Big Ten. I mean, we've got all the athletes that we need. We just need to put that complete game together, you know, week in and week out, and never have a down time during the season and you know we'll come out on top.
-Interview conducted
by Joe LaDien
