One is known for his hard-nosed between-the-tackles style, while the other is more a slashing, cutting runner. One is from outside Chicago, the other a stone's throw from New York City.
Senior running backs Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey may seem different at first glance, but they actually have quite a few things in common. Over their four years at Illinois, they have become great teammates on the field and close friends off. Recently, Ben Taylor from the Illinois Sports Information office got their thoughts on everything from splitting carries, to Camp Rantoul, to "Bad Boys."
How much does splitting carries matter to both of you?
E.B.: I think people on the outside don't really know how good of friends Pierre and I are. I guess they think we're supposed to be at each other's throat, but Pierre and I have been tight since day one. We hang out together; we chill together.
Pierre: This is my boy right here. He's like my brother. And on the field he's another set of eyes out there on the field. If there's something I don't see that he sees, he comes back and tells me, and I do that for him, too. People ask me sometimes - they're like 'Man why didn't they put you in?' And I tell them because E.B. can get the job done, too. But you've got to realize that those people just saw you back in high school, they never saw E.B. in high school. So they don't know what he can do. I know what he can do. I know he is going to get the job done.
E.B.: You also have to explain that we've got backs who are a talented group - probably one of the most talented groups that have been through here. We just know that at any given time one of our numbers could be called and we have to go out and get the job done.
What was your first impression of each other?
E.B.: I was just thinking about this the other day. I remember when Pierre first came here it was summer time. We had harnesses strapped on to each other and we were working out and we had to run with a harness on and then take it off and then try to run. Pretty much everyone, after you took the harnesses, were falling and tumbling down and everything. When it was his turn, he was falling and tumbling and he got up and he was really mad! We all told him not to worry about it, but he wanted to do it again. From there I knew that everything he did was serious, he was a competitor and he wanted to be good at everything that he did.
Pierre: My first impression about E.B. was that he's an amazing man because of the way he talks to you. Seeing him the first time on the field was just amazing because my first impression of him was Barry Sanders, one of my favorite running backs, because of the way he was cutting out there on the field. I'm thinking, 'He can cut way better than me. I really have some competition!' I really look at E.B. as a real good friend and older brother because I've learned a lot from this guy. He taught me a lot from my freshman year. A lot of problems I had I came to him about because I knew he would be back on my side.
Whose running style does the other remind you of?
Pierre: That's Barry Sanders right there. That's who he reminds me of.
E.B.: My sophomore year, a beat writer asked me about Pierre and I told him that he reminds me of Walter Payton with his style and his frame and how he runs with it so naturally and how he breaks tackles and how he's a tough guy. At the time he was probably about 190-200 pounds and now about 212. That's really not big for a running back, but he runs with so much power and so much leverage that it's tough for one guy to bring him down. When you watch film, you rarely see one guy bringing him down. That's one thing that I like about him is that he's balanced and breaks tackles and he keeps going, keeps churning.
Pierre: I just thought of seeing him on the field, seeing him make guys miss. Man, he makes guys look silly sometimes. I remember a long time ago, I think it was our freshman year when we played Missouri, he hit someone - I mean he broke his knees, he buckled down. I was just like 'He makes guys look silly on the field.' You've got to really break down on this man to tackle him, otherwise he's going to get you.
E.B.: It was kind of funny once when we were practicing punt coverage because I'm back there as a returner and Pierre is the fullback and he's got to get to the ball and that's pretty much one-on-one time for me.
Pierre: Coach said it was live and I was like 'Man, I've got to go tackle E.B. So I run down field and I'm just going side-to-side shuffling my feet, 'cause I know E.B. likes to cut and I'm like 'Man, he isn't going to make me look bad. I'm going to shuffle one way and keep going that way.'
If you two were the lead characters in the movie "Bad Boys," who would be the Will Smith character and who would be Martin Lawrence?
E.B.: I would say that I'm Martin Lawrence. I say he's Will Smith. Martin Lawrence, he just seems like he's the person who's always worrying and he was already in a relationship so he had sort of a father concern about everything and the situation. A lot of times I'll joke with Pierre all the time about little things and making sure he's doing the right thing and things like that. Will Smith was more of a flashy guy, had all the ladies, the pretty boy. You can see Pierre doesn't have any facial hair. Everybody thinks that he's 17.
Coming out of Camp Rantoul, which unit is the most improved?
Pierre: I would say the offensive line. They're a lot faster and quicker getting to their blocks. They've been really explosive off the line.
E.B.: I agree, but I would also say the play of our wide receivers and secondary. Athletically, we upgraded tremendously in our secondary, and I think the wide receivers are starting to understand their role in this offense and what the coaches expect of them, especially after the last scrimmage.
What are your most memorable pranks from Camp Rantoul?
E.B.: I would say just the royal rumbles that we have in the hallways. Especially this year, the second floor was like the arena. Everybody from the first floor met up on the second floor and people on the third floor came down to the second. If you were looking for a royal rumble session, you found it on the second floor.
Pierre: I remember one time I stayed on the second floor, a whole bunch of clothes were just thrown down the hall. I don't remember whose clothes they were, but it was so many clothes on the floor of the second floor.
Who are the funniest guys on the team?
Pierre & E.B.: Russ Weil!
Pierre: Especially in our meeting room, Russ Weil is crazy!
E.B.: Rashard (Mendenhall) is a prankster too. Rashard is a silly kid, man. But with Russ, you don't expect it. He's just out of nowhere, just the things that he says and the outbursts you just don't expect. Sometimes he's quiet, sometimes he looks quiet, but when we are in a meeting room, we joke around and then Russ comes out of nowhere and says a prank or something out of left field and we are just like 'What?!'
Pierre: Marques Wilkins and Will Judson are some clowns, too. They're inseparable. They are like 'Dumb and Dumber.'
