 |
| Cornerback Vontae Davis answers fans' questions live in the chat room Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. CT |
Check out Vontae Davis' responses to the fans' questions from this afternoon's chat session.
|
 |
| Moderator: Vontae is in the house. We'll start in just a moment. |
|
| D.C.: Being considered as one of the best corners in college, who in the NFL would you love to match up with, one-on-one? And, being from Washington D.C., what is some advice you would tell some of the kids who look up to you? |
 |
|
Vontae Davis: I would have to say Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens, because they are some of the best receivers in the NFL. They bring a lot of excitement to the game. It would be a lot of fun to play against them. I would tell the young kids to stay in school. The only way you can make it to college is to work hard and stay positive. |
|
|
| Frank (Peoria): With Justin Harrison gone, are you now the hardest hitter on this defense? I'm going to say, yes. |
 |
|
Vontae Davis: I think I'm one of the hardest hitters, but one of our guys who hasn't even played yet, Donsay Hardeman, hits even harder than I do. So we'll be glad to have him playing as soon as he can. |
|
|
| Derrek (Bloomington): Is it true that you committed to Illinois during that 63-10 loss to Penn St in 05? If not, when did you committ? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: That's when I visited Illinois. But I committed in February, the last day that you could sign a letter. |
|
|
| Len (Moline): Are you looking forward to going out east somewhat close to home and playing Penn State? Will you have friends or family there? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: I'm looking forward to playing at Penn State next week. Since that's about as close as we play to the DC area, I will have some family and friends there. |
|
|
| Andrew (New Jersey): Hey Vontae, congratulations on your performance on Saturday. You've been the best player on defense, and Dere has done a great job as well so far.
With Marcus Thomas sadly out for the rest of the year, who do you see getting time behind you at corner? Is it possible that Travon Bellamy might mix in back at his old position?
Also, although it's tough to tell so far away, are you expecting Donsay to come back and get significant playing time against Penn State?
Thanks, Vontae, good luck with the rest of the season! |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Tavon Wilson is a young guy who has been working hard. We've been pushing him hard, and he's coming along. He's from H.D. Woodson High School, which is also in Washington, D.C. He's playing some corner. Travon can play nickel and corner, but right he's playing safety. That's where we need him right now. I can't say on Donsay right now. He's making progress. This off week is going to give him some more time. I think he will have a chance to play some against Penn State. |
|
|
| Jim (Chicago): Vontae,
Who gets more ladies when you go back to D.C.? You or Rejus? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Proabaly Rejus. He likes the big girls and I don't. So they just love it when we come back. |
|
|
| Seat Pleasant, Md.: Hello Vontae. Other than Arrelious, who is the toughest wide receiver you have faced? |
|
|
|
| Jon (New York): Tae-
Do you still (or ever) get nervous on the big stage? Which stadium has been the most intimidating for you?
Keep up the good job! Go Illini! |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Penn State and Ohio State both have a real, crazy atmosphere. When you're there, it really hits you---the big-time football atmosphere. |
|
|
| John (Edwardsville): What freshman do you think will be a great players from both the offense and defense? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: There are a lot of them. It's hard to pick out just a few, because we have lot of talented, young players. Here are a couple, though. Tavon Wilson...he's raw, but he reminds me of myself. He's learning, but he's going to be very good. On offense, Fred Sykes is going to be a good one. Once he learns everything, he's going to be really tough. |
|
|
| Patrick (Glen Ellyn): which one of your teammates have you hit the hardest in pracice? |
|
|
|
| Patrick (Glen Ellyn): Who is faster; you or Arrelious? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: I'm a little faster, but Arrelious is bigger than I am--he's very fast for his size. |
|
|
| Grady, Saint Joseph, IL: Vontae,
What are your thoughts on how this year's team seems to be playing up to or down to the opponents talent level? Is it a team chemistry or attitude thing? Can we expect a more "pumped up" Illini football team against Penn State? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Every Saturday you have to be ready to play. We just haven't been quite prepared on both sides of the football at the same time. When we get both sides going at once, we'll be tough to beat--we'll line up against anybody. |
|
|
| Kevin(Arlington Heights): Do you have any pregame rituals? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Most of the time, I just listen to music to get going before the game...to get really motivated. I also say the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. |
|
|
| Luke Hayes (Birmingham, Ala.): Is there any chance that coach Zook will switch you to play safety at some point during the season? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: I doubt it, because I'm better at making the plays at corner than I am at safety. |
|
|
| Kevin (Chicago): How did you get the number 1? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: I wore No. 4 in high school, but I just wanted to wear the No. 1 in college. Getting to wear No. 1 was one of the reasons that I wanted to come to Illinois. |
|
|
| Andrew (Mt. Laurel): Going into the bye week, how do guys like you, Brit, Juice, Ryan McDonald, etc. go about getting all cylinders back up and firing for the Big Ten schedule?
Do you like the timing of the bye week this year because of that opportunity? |
|
|
Vontae Davis: It's perfect. The last two years, we had to go straight in to the Big Ten season with no week off. I think the older guys on the team will use the opportunity this week to help the younger players get ready for the Big Ten season. The Big Ten is a very physical conference, and we need to be ready. |
|
|
| Billy (UIUC): How many times are you going to take an interception to the house next week at Penn State? Got to catch up to Brit Miller. |
|
|
Vontae Davis: Every ball I get my hands on, I plan to take to the house. If I touch four, then I plan to take all four to the house. |
|
| Moderator: Thanks to Vontae for sitting in this afternoon. He's got to go get ready for meetings and practice. Thanks for all of your questions. Join us again next Tuesday for a chat with one of Vontae's teammates. |
|
|
