Rossow: UI secrecy could mean excitement

Love to give you an update on Illinois football, but with practices now held in secret it's hard.

We know the Illini stretch well, probably better than any other team in the Big Ten. Many touch their toes without bending a knee.

Otherwise, it's guesswork under the new rules that allow outsiders a glimpse for the first 20 minutes and last five minutes of practice.

Certainly something good's going to come from the UI's hush-hush approach. Don't believe for a second Ron Turner did it to cut down on distractions. Road games in college football are all about distractions. Turner would be wise to test out his two-minute offense during last call on Green Street to best prepare for the loud fans of Washington State.

If his quarterback can't complete a pass with a handful of fans and reporters nearby, he's not going to make the right read before 45,000 in Pullman, Wash.

Let's hope Turner closed the curtains for chicanery purposes.

When's the last time Illinois did something out of the ordinary anyway? A fake field goal here (Iowa), an onside kick there (Louisville). That's about it. Maybe in the six days left before the season opener, Turner will spice up the playbook with deception, with nobody but his players and coaches in on it. Maybe he'll ...

– Trot out Kurt Kittner at quarterback. The promising freshman rose quicker than any balloon in Rantoul, leaving camp as the No. 2 quarterback. Maybe he gets some snaps against Washington State, which knows Mark Hoekstra's tendencies but knows only what the yearbook says about Kittner (he once worked for a professional cleaning service).

– Try the wishbone for a series. The offense requires quality tailbacks and little passing. The UI has both. Turns out Steve Havard, projected as Robert Holcombe's replacement, is looking more comfortable at fullback, so he can lead block for Jameel Cook and Rocky Harvey. The risk of interception is minimal (the UI had the most in the Big Ten last season), and a ball-control offense will allow the defense to rest.

– Move a linebacker to fullback. Ever see Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer mow down a potential tackler? Let UI linebacker Robert Franklin do the same thing. He's big enough and knows a thing or two about blocking (he played volleyball in high school).

– Let Bobby Jackson play both ways. He wears his number (2), plays his position (defensive backfield) and is one of his team's best athletes. Why not give the UI sophomore a chance to perform like Charles Woodson? Jackson played wide receiver in high school, so hands aren't a problem. Neither is speed if we are to believe his prep time in the 100 (10.8 seconds).

– Bring back Butkus at linebacker. Think that'd give Illinois a headline or two? Luke Butkus is a steady backup center, but imagine the attention if Turner moved him to middle linebacker for a series against the Cougars. Like Jackson, he played the position in high school. Like Jackson, he has a lot of talent. Like Jackson, he'd be fun to watch.

– Throw on fourth down. The new punter in town, freshman Steve Fitts, also played quarterback in high school. And Turner says he thrives under pressure. Combine a strong arm and a strong will, and you've got a 20-yard completion on fourth and 18.

– Put himself in the press box. That's where Turner did his best work with the Bears. Remember the cameras catching him in Green Bay the day he accepted the job at the UI? He had just made the perfect call, having Dave Krieg fake a quarterback sneak and throw a touchdown pass to Curtis Conway. Worked like a charm. Could work against Washington State.

Jim Rossow is sports editor for The News-Gazette.

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