Bob Asmussen: Welcome back to another News-Gazette chat. We'll thank you ahead of time for all the great questions. Sorry we haven't been able to answer every one in the past few weeks, but the volume has been tremendous.

Don't forget, you can always email me or paul directly. I'm at rasmusse@news-gazette.com and Paul is at pklee@news-gazette.com.

Time to get to some questions.

Dave C., Champaign, IL.: It seems like Sam Carson isn't being given much chance to win one of the starting linebacker spots. I've been impressed with him when he's gotten in at linebacker and on special teams. What role do you see him playing this year and why do you think he's being passed up?

Bob Asmussen: Dave C.,

I agree that Sam Carson seems to play well when he gets into the games and in scrimmages. No decisions have been made on the linebacker slots, though Brit Miller, Martez Wilson and Rodney Pittman seem pretty solid as the starters.

Sam did a fine job as J Leman's backup. He's a smart player who knows the defense as well as anyone. Unfortunately for Sam, he has been at Illinois during the J Leman and Brit Miller era.

What I think you will see in the fall is Sam getting quality time as a backup to Miller. All of the Illinois coaches like to shuffle their players to keep them fresh, especially when they don't believe there will be a big dropoff between the first and second unit. Right now, Illinois is five-deep at linebacker and is looking to make that more like six- or seven-deep by the time the season starts. That will mean a move up by current players or help from the incoming guys.

Sam will definitely be in the mix and will be an important part of the defense in 2008.

Kyle, Champaign, IL: Is Darius Purcell trying out for RB or FB?

Bob Asmussen: Kyle,

The original plan was to use him as a fullback. But with the limited numbers at tailback, he is also getting some work there too.

Darius has been impressive as a runner, blocker and pass catcher. Even with two new tailbacks coming in the fall, he figures to get plenty of playing time. And he looks to have a chance to beat out Rahkeem Smith for the starting fullback spot.

When they recruited Darius, the Illinois coaches weren't sure what position he would end up playing. What they liked was his athleticism, work ethic and willingness to listen. He wants to play, so he will go where he is told to go and work like a maniac.

You've got to give Illinois a lot of credit for signing Darius. He didn't have any other offers from BCS schools, but Illinois liked him a lot. The Chicago Public League coaches think that Illinois has more success than anybody else in the league because of its willingness to look deeper down the rosters. I think you will see that pay off when Jeff Allen starts playing too.

jeremy, thompsonville, il: Paul, what is the latest word on Jamil wilson? is he really considering illini?

Paul Klee: Illinois got more involved with Jamil Wilson, a highly regarded high school junior from Wisconsin, as recently as last weekend. You would think in-state schools like Marquette and UW would have the inside track, but yes, Illinois is at least slightly involved.

Randy, Dahinda, Il: Now that Rodney Alexander has left the team wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that Rich Sem. would see significantly more playing time?I am tired of hearing all these excuses about Rich. If he was good enough to give a scholarship to then play him and let us see what we have. I have a feeling he may be much better than most people give him credit for.

Paul Klee: Significantly more playing time would indicate some playing time at all, right? There have been excuses in regards to other players, but there have been few excuses used in the many times I've written about Rich Semrau. He told us midway through the season that he blamed himself for not working as hard as he should have last offseason. Bruce Weber has said on multiple occasions that it's time for Rich Semrau to prove himself, regardless of prior injuries and setbacks.

From watching most workouts, I can tell you that Rich Semrau has a ways to go before he's a consistent member of the playing rotation. Though he participated in an overseas tour with Athletes in Action last summer, Rich told me last night he doesn't have plans for an overseas tour this summer. He said he's right around 235 pounds, feels good about his conditioning and plans on returning to campus for summer workouts as soon as possible after a short break following final exams.

"The gym's so close (at Illinois). I can work out whenever I want," he said. "I just need to get right back into it and get ready for next season."

Hope that helps.

steve, litchfield, il: Whom do you see filling the RB position

when the ILLINI go against Misery in the fall?? # of wins?

Bob Asmussen: Steve,

I think Daniel Dufrene will be the starter against Missouri, though I wouldn't discount the idea that either Mikel Leshoure or Jason Ford can take the job at some point during the season. But, it's Daniel's spot to lose. If he runs like he did against Ohio State and at other times during the season, he will be the guy and will have a great chance to gain 1,000+ yards. Will he be Rashard Mendenhall? No. But you could say the same thing about every other running back in the Big Ten outside of Columbus (I think Chris Wells has got a great shot to win the Heisman in 2008).

Leshoure has definitely had good moments during the spring and the practices are going to be a huge help to him at Camp Rantoul. Can Jason Ford catch up? Maybe. He will have a chance to work with the players during the summer. That will be a critical time for him.

I see Troy Pollard as a situational guy who will drive defenses nuts. He is making good progress in his recovery from knee surgery and will be a factor in 2008.

As for the number of wins, I'll go with a similar statement as last season: Illinois can win every one of its games. I don't see any more than six possible losses (Missouri, Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa). So, somewhere in the 9-3 range makes sense to me. It could be better. It won't be much worse than that.

Rich Patton, Mt. Village, Alaska: Why did Rodney Alexander decide to leave the program? Did the coaches want him to play a role that he didn't like? Did he think he would not play? Did his skills not fit next year's needs? Was his defense not adequate? How will this effect next season?

Rich in Alaska

Paul Klee: The decision had less to do with playing style or skills or how he shoots the ball. Coaches had a tough time adjusting to Alexander, and he had a tough time adjusting to the Illinois coaches. If you read the News-Gazette you would have seen that at the Big Ten tournament, Rodney Alexander said he was confused at why he had not played in the first three games. That should have been the first hint. He had fallen out of the rotation and only played two minutes in the BTT championship.

"It's just what they wanted to do, I guess," he said in Indianapolis. "I don't know. I don't know why."

To me, it's an unfortunate result. I enjoyed working with Rodney and spoke to him often. More important, a degree from the UI is a valuable commodity and he was on track to graduate next spring.

As far as how it affects the Illini next season, you'd like to think Dominique Keller can average the 4.6 points and three rebounds provided by Alexander. If not, Illinois should probably step away from the juco route for a while. In trying to find a two-year contributor late in the recruiting process, they misjudged Alexander.

That said, there is a clear message being sent over the past two months: the coaches want players who are going to buy in to their approach and accept roles. The example I hear most often is Wisconsin. In the past, players had the upperhand in these disgruntled dealings. Not anymore.

"We're working them harder than we have ever before," Weber said yesterday.

Keller is expected to sign a letter of intent today, the first day of the signing period that runs through May 21.

That was the quick answer. Hope it helps.

Ben, Washington, IL: One questions referenced Rodney Alexander having left the team. Is that accurate? Also, any more on Steve Holdren leaving, was he a scholorship player?

Paul Klee: A) Yes B) Steve Holdren said last night he won't return next season, will graduate in the fall and pursue an internship in the St. Louis area C) No.

"I put in my time in college and I'm getting close to the end of school," Holdren said Tuesday. "It's a struggle with my knee to get it going and I just felt it was that time. Some time you realize it's that time."

There's more from Holdren in today's N-G.

Brent, StL, MO: If you had to call it know, who do you see Bruce locking down for the 2011 recruiting class?

Paul Klee: I'd say Donivine Stewart for starters. He has a scholarship offer. Illinois is giddy at the possibilities of the 2011 recruiting class, a talented in-state class by any measure.

Mike, Urbana, Illinois: I surely don't think this basketball staff is mean by any stretch, but why would you bench Alexander for the Big 10 Tournament and then put him in the last two minutes of a route? Our high school coaches used to do that to show up a kid.

Paul Klee: You had mean high school coaches, Mike.

Kyle, Champaign, IL: I would love to put this issue to bed, but I hear more and more rumors floating around. Will we see Anthony Morris in the O&B come the Fall?

Jim, Tampa, Fl: I enjoy these chats guys,keep up the good work. Bob do you think there is any truth to the rumor that Anthony Morris will play in the fall? Has the coaching staff been pleased with the progress of Ryan Palmer, and do you see him as our starting right tackle?

Bob Asmussen: Kyle and Jim,

Thanks for the questions. I'll start with Anthony Morris, who was supposed to be a part of the 2007 Illinois class but didn't make it because of academics.

There were rumors during the year that Anthony was going to Parkland College. That wasn't right. Instead, he stayed close to home and took classes to improve his academic standing.

From what I understand, there is a chance he could join the Illini in the fall. It doesn't sound like it's a done deal, but that it is a possibility.

Ron Zook said during his Tuesday press conference that receiver is a priority position because of the number of players the Illini use at the position. Adding Morris for 2008 would certainly be a plus for the offense.

Morris was a great high school player for Bill Mosel at Thornton, earning a spot on our All-State team. Thornton is planning to honor its all-time all-state football players, which is a great idea. The school has had a ton of outstanding players.

Back to the chat ... Ryan Palmer is playing well in the spring and is currently No. 1 at right tackle. Eric Wolford promises to put the five best on the field in the fall. If Palmer is one of the five, he will be at right tackle. I don't think the decision has been made, but being involved with the first unit in the spring has been a plus for Palmer. He's a great kid and seems to be a hard worker, which is a big plus when playing for Wolford.

Though the offensive line has been kind of a patchwork in the spring because of injuries, overall the group should be pretty good by the time the season rolls around.

Paul Klee: Looks like that's all the time we have for today. Good chat. Klee's Corner coming Sunday, Bob will have a spring game preview Saturday and a feature on J Leman on Sunday. Look forward to seeing you back at the News-Gazette chat next week.

pk and ba