University of Arizona Football: Learning to RELAX

HiCat · 07-21-2005

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.p...c1_ua_football

University of Arizona Football: Learning to RELAX

WR Vickers can help UA offense by being himself

ANTHONY GIMINO
Tucson Citizen

July 21, 2005

VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen

University of Arizona wide receiver B.J. Vickers hopes to have a quick impact with the offense this season.
B.J. Vickers heard all the hype in the spring.
How he was the savior of the Arizona receiving corps. How he was going to be one of the Pacific-10 Conference's biggest-impact recruits.

"When I first got here, I was listening to all of it," Vickers said Monday after the Wildcats' voluntary workout on campus.

Related story:
2005 UA Football Schedule

With the players' official reporting date just over two weeks away on Aug. 3, one of the areas in which Vickers, a transfer from Santa Monica (Calif.) Community College, said he has made the biggest strides from spring is being able to shut out all the outside adulation.

"In spring, I was like, 'Man, they are expecting big things out of me,' so, I was trying to make a big play every play," Vickers said. "Every time I messed up, I felt like, 'Oh, my world is over.' I had to stop listening to everything and just be myself."

One more thing: He had to get in better shape.

Vickers, the son of former UA tight end Ryan Vickers, is 6 feet 3, a powerfully built 215 pounds, and looks like he could run all day, but spring ball and the rigors of coach Mike Stoops' offseason program brought a different reality.

"The main thing was that I would get fatigued, and then I couldn't think right and then I was missing plays," Vickers said. "All of that came into play in the spring. It was a big transition."

The four-day-a-week offseason workouts - which include sprinting while attached to a 100-pound sled - have improved Vickers' conditioning, and film study with receivers coach Charlie Williams has sharpened his mental game, he said.

"Basically, a lot more learning, rather than relying just on skill," he said.

Vickers, a junior, ended up first string on the post-spring depth chart as the Wildcats look for more game-breakers.

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Junior Syndric Steptoe is a slippery receiver who caught 30 passes, including three touchdowns, last season. But beyond that, there isn't much of a track record for the UA wideouts, although junior Mike Jefferson - 16 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns last season - has looked much improved in spring and summer workouts.

Speedster Bobby McCoy, a redshirt freshman, is another to watch, but it's still Vickers getting the hype.

With his combination of ability and opportunity, he could very well be one of the top additions in the Pac-10 this season. Rivals.com recently selected Vickers as one of the top five newcomers in the league.

He's had to deal with that kind of chatter for a while now, ever since he was one of the top receiving prospects in the West at Venice Senior High School in Los Angeles. Vickers originally signed with Louisville to play in coach Bobby Petrino's high-flying offense, but academics sent him to junior college instead.

Now, he just needs to not let all the praise affect his game.

"There were a lot of things I didn't know when I first got here. It was a big learning experience," Vickers said. "I know I have a long way to go. I am nowhere near where I can be."
Impact new receivers

Arizona's B.J. Vickers isn't the only new receiver expected to make a big impact in the Pac-10 this season. Here are four others:

James Finley, Oregon: With a new spread offense under former BYU coach Gary Crowton, the Ducks can team Finley, who originally signed with Oregon State, with Demetrius Williams and Cameron Colvin.

Lavelle Hawkins, Cal: Hawkins is a former LSU signee who ended up at powerhouse City College of San Francisco, where he caught passes from Joseph Ayoob, who also signed with the Bears last winter.

DeSean Jackson, Cal: Almost ended up at USC, but the prospect of more immediate playing time lured this Parade All-American to Berkeley.

Patrick Turner, USC: Just what the Trojans need: Another big-time target for Matt Leinart. Turner (6-5, 220) was arguably the nation's top high school receiver.

CatFromKC · 07-21-2005

Yea I saw that article this morning. It was a decent read. I'm really interested in seeing if Vickers can keep this attitude throughout the season. Because the fact of the matter is, he's going to drop a pass here or there, and it'll be interesting to see how he reacts when it actually counts.

Also I'm really interested in seeing how Jefferson's improved his play. He had a lot of size last year but seemed like he just couldn't find his niche in the offense and get in a groove. Hopefully him and Steptoe can get a little more open field to work with this year with defenses gearing a little bit more towards Vickers.

aicrag · 07-21-2005

I'm glad he (Vickers) has learned to tune out all the hype. Because I know on this board and the others they seem to think he is going to to be All Pac10 by next year. I won't happen because it takes a while (a year at least) to get acclimated to the speed of D-1 football. I look to see him start out strong and possibly wear down about the middle of the year. GOD I HOPE I AM WRONG ABOUT ALL THAT!!! I wish nothing but the best for him and the rest of the receiving corps after last years debacle. The sky is the limit for this group. They really have no where to go but up.

Did I leave any cliches out?

Ciao

HiCat · 07-21-2005

air,
"I look to see him start out strong and possibly wear down about the middle of the year. GOD I HOPE I AM WRONG ..."

I hope you're wrong too. It would be nice to see a couple of receivers who can catch and run. Steptoe had some big plays last season. Here's hoping for some great plays from the WR's this year..

CatFromKC · 07-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by aicrag

I'm glad he (Vickers) has learned to tune out all the hype. Because I know on this board and the others they seem to think he is going to to be All Pac10 by next year. I won't happen because it takes a while (a year at least) to get acclimated to the speed of D-1 football. I look to see him start out strong and possibly wear down about the middle of the year. GOD I HOPE I AM WRONG ABOUT ALL THAT!!! I wish nothing but the best for him and the rest of the receiving corps after last years debacle. The sky is the limit for this group. They really have no where to go but up.

Did I leave any cliches out?

Ciao

I have a feeling you will be wrong. Just look at the schedule. Chances are it would be he'd start off slow, and once we get past our first 5 brutal games (excluding NAU), he could probably explode.

But let's just hope he starts off strong and then gets better as the competition worsens.

07-21-2005	#1
HiCat GOAZCATS.com Legend Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: running into the sun Posts: 11,400 Rep Power: 21474876	University of Arizona Football: Learning to RELAX http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.p...c1_ua_football University of Arizona Football: Learning to RELAX WR Vickers can help UA offense by being himself ANTHONY GIMINO Tucson Citizen July 21, 2005 VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen University of Arizona wide receiver B.J. Vickers hopes to have a quick impact with the offense this season. B.J. Vickers heard all the hype in the spring. How he was the savior of the Arizona receiving corps. How he was going to be one of the Pacific-10 Conference's biggest-impact recruits. "When I first got here, I was listening to all of it," Vickers said Monday after the Wildcats' voluntary workout on campus. Related story: 2005 UA Football Schedule With the players' official reporting date just over two weeks away on Aug. 3, one of the areas in which Vickers, a transfer from Santa Monica (Calif.) Community College, said he has made the biggest strides from spring is being able to shut out all the outside adulation. "In spring, I was like, 'Man, they are expecting big things out of me,' so, I was trying to make a big play every play," Vickers said. "Every time I messed up, I felt like, 'Oh, my world is over.' I had to stop listening to everything and just be myself." One more thing: He had to get in better shape. Vickers, the son of former UA tight end Ryan Vickers, is 6 feet 3, a powerfully built 215 pounds, and looks like he could run all day, but spring ball and the rigors of coach Mike Stoops' offseason program brought a different reality. "The main thing was that I would get fatigued, and then I couldn't think right and then I was missing plays," Vickers said. "All of that came into play in the spring. It was a big transition." The four-day-a-week offseason workouts - which include sprinting while attached to a 100-pound sled - have improved Vickers' conditioning, and film study with receivers coach Charlie Williams has sharpened his mental game, he said. "Basically, a lot more learning, rather than relying just on skill," he said. Vickers, a junior, ended up first string on the post-spring depth chart as the Wildcats look for more game-breakers. advertisement Junior Syndric Steptoe is a slippery receiver who caught 30 passes, including three touchdowns, last season. But beyond that, there isn't much of a track record for the UA wideouts, although junior Mike Jefferson - 16 catches for 249 yards and three touchdowns last season - has looked much improved in spring and summer workouts. Speedster Bobby McCoy, a redshirt freshman, is another to watch, but it's still Vickers getting the hype. With his combination of ability and opportunity, he could very well be one of the top additions in the Pac-10 this season. Rivals.com recently selected Vickers as one of the top five newcomers in the league. He's had to deal with that kind of chatter for a while now, ever since he was one of the top receiving prospects in the West at Venice Senior High School in Los Angeles. Vickers originally signed with Louisville to play in coach Bobby Petrino's high-flying offense, but academics sent him to junior college instead. Now, he just needs to not let all the praise affect his game. "There were a lot of things I didn't know when I first got here. It was a big learning experience," Vickers said. "I know I have a long way to go. I am nowhere near where I can be." Impact new receivers Arizona's B.J. Vickers isn't the only new receiver expected to make a big impact in the Pac-10 this season. Here are four others: James Finley, Oregon: With a new spread offense under former BYU coach Gary Crowton, the Ducks can team Finley, who originally signed with Oregon State, with Demetrius Williams and Cameron Colvin. Lavelle Hawkins, Cal: Hawkins is a former LSU signee who ended up at powerhouse City College of San Francisco, where he caught passes from Joseph Ayoob, who also signed with the Bears last winter. DeSean Jackson, Cal: Almost ended up at USC, but the prospect of more immediate playing time lured this Parade All-American to Berkeley. Patrick Turner, USC: Just what the Trojans need: Another big-time target for Matt Leinart. Turner (6-5, 220) was arguably the nation's top high school receiver. __________________ "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice"

07-21-2005	#3
aicrag GOAZCATS.com All-American Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ol' Pueblo Posts: 1,318 Rep Power: 472970	I'm glad he (Vickers) has learned to tune out all the hype. Because I know on this board and the others they seem to think he is going to to be All Pac10 by next year. I won't happen because it takes a while (a year at least) to get acclimated to the speed of D-1 football. I look to see him start out strong and possibly wear down about the middle of the year. GOD I HOPE I AM WRONG ABOUT ALL THAT!!! I wish nothing but the best for him and the rest of the receiving corps after last years debacle. The sky is the limit for this group. They really have no where to go but up. Did I leave any cliches out? Ciao __________________ "Choosing between Michael Ruffin and Shelden Williams for the starting power forward spot on the All-Ugly Team is going to be like choosing Bird or Magic for the '87 MVP." The Sports Guy

07-21-2005	#4
HiCat GOAZCATS.com Legend Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: running into the sun Posts: 11,400 Rep Power: 21474876	air, "I look to see him start out strong and possibly wear down about the middle of the year. GOD I HOPE I AM WRONG ..." I hope you're wrong too. It would be nice to see a couple of receivers who can catch and run. Steptoe had some big plays last season. Here's hoping for some great plays from the WR's this year.. __________________ "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice"

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07-21-2005	#2
CatFromKC GOAZCATS.com Future Star Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 444 Rep Power: 1230675	Yea I saw that article this morning. It was a decent read. I'm really interested in seeing if Vickers can keep this attitude throughout the season. Because the fact of the matter is, he's going to drop a pass here or there, and it'll be interesting to see how he reacts when it actually counts. Also I'm really interested in seeing how Jefferson's improved his play. He had a lot of size last year but seemed like he just couldn't find his niche in the offense and get in a groove. Hopefully him and Steptoe can get a little more open field to work with this year with defenses gearing a little bit more towards Vickers.

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