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| Dere Hicks and his Illini teammates open the Big Ten season Saturday, Sept. 26 at Ohio State. |
Here's your chance to have Illini DB Dere Hicks answer your questions. He'll be in the chat room Tuesday, Sept. 22, starting at Noon CT. Send in your questions today.
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| Moderator: Hey everybody, Dere is just grabbing a quick bite to eat and he'll be with us in a few minutes. Keep those great questions coming! |
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| bryan dejaynes galesburg il.: Dere!awesome play last year on stanzi and iowa i was there, can you and your teamates take ohio st out of their game like we did in 2007? have a great year, go illini!! |
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Dere Hicks: Hey Bryan, thanks for the question! Most definitely; any time we go out for any game, we hope to take it to our opponents. We're going to have to stay sound to our assignments and play together as a defense to take OSU out of their game plan on Saturday. |
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| /charlotte: HEllo Dere',
As an Illini, you have played a number of defensive positions and seem to be good at all of them. How do study/prepare for and remember the corner, nickle and safety positions and what will you play against Ohio State? |
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Dere Hicks: Charlotte, great question! it just comes down to being more knowledgeable about the defense. It makes you a better player and helps your reactions because you know where your other teammates will be in any situation. |
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| Atlanta: What determines when you play bump and run coverage or to give the wide recever atleast five yards? |
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Dere Hicks: Atlanta, we get that one a lot! As a nickelback, you almost have to play bump-and-run because you can't use the sideline for help. As a cornerback, I like to press every play because I'm an aggressive guy, but down and distance really determines how we play receivers. |
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| Duane (Fairview Heights): How do you expect to slow down the multi-dimensional Pryor from OSU this week at the Horseshoe? |
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Dere Hicks: Duane, I feel that we're just going to have to contain Terrelle and not give him clear lanes to scramble and run the ball on the perimeter. He's such a talented player that he's nearly impossible to stop, you just have to try to contain him. |
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| Jon (Dallas, Tx): Dere,
Has the short break allowed the Illini to rediscover passion and focus going forward? Most of the other pieces seem to be in place for a successful season.
Best of luck against the Buckeyes this Saturday. Make us proud. |
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Dere Hicks: Jon, I think it really has. Relaxing and watching football for a weekend really helped us regain composure and rest our bodies after going through Camp Rantoul and the first couple weeks of the season. |
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| Austin (Tucson): Dere, congrats on the win against Illinois State. But where in the world is the secondary? It didn't show against Mizzou or Ill St. Please tell me it is coming in Columbus! |
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Dere Hicks: We're here, Austin! Seriously, though, we just keep working to get better as a unit and learn how to play better together. Hopefully we'll be able to put it all together Saturday! |
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| shelby menge jacksonville illinois: How do you like your coach, Ron Zook, this year and how do you like the Fighting Illini team? |
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Dere Hicks: Shelby, Coach Zook is an exceptional guy! He's full of energy and one of the best coaches I've ever played for. The team is really jelling together as a team rather than individuals, so it's a great group to be around! |
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| rodney williams: how is tavon wilson doing so far? |
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Dere Hicks: Rodney, Tavon's coming along great! He's a young player who's trying to step up in place of Vontae Davis, and he's really working hard to fill those shoes. |
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| Greg, Richmond, VA: How far along are the new guys at linebacker in understanding the defense? Obviously Martez will be sorely missed, but what can teh new guys provide? |
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Dere Hicks: Greg, those guys are doing great! I would say that Ian Thomas would get the most improved player award after the summer because he worked so hard. Evan Frierson started watching film together at 6:30 each morning this week, so he's really trying hard to progress and hopefully that will show on Saturday. |
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| Bill, Springfield, Illinois: after an interception do you think ball protection or running the ball, have a great game |
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Dere Hicks: Bill, the first thing I think when I get a pick is that I want to score! I want to get to the end zone as fast as I can. |
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| Luke, Olney: Has the team considered moving you to safety with all the trouble we have been having there? How would you feel about that move? |
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Dere Hicks: Luke, I'm open to any opportunities that will help the team. I played safety in a couple games last year, plus playing cornerback and nickelback, so I'm up for doing whatever is best for the team. |
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| Moderator: Thanks for the great questions you all sent in today! Dere has to get going, so that's going to be it for today's chat. Check back on Thursday to chat with head women's soccer coach Janet Rayfield! |
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