Lucas: Trio of talented UW tailbacks feed off each other

A pensive Zach Brown hesitated before answering the questions on whether he had any posters on his wall, any sporting icons, any role models from his own generation or previous ones. Even though LeBron James is more today than Michael Jordan, the University of Wisconsin freshman tailback singled out Jordan for his NBA pedigree and all the championship rings that he earned during his career with the Chicago Bulls. "That motivates me," Brown said.

When pressed on whether he has taken a liking to any football player, college or pro, past or present, Brown was quicker to answer. "Recently, I've been watching Steven Jackson," he said. "I like watching him run. I feel like we have the same running technique."

Brown's eyes widened when he was informed that Jackson, the fourth-year tailback with the St. Louis Rams, played collegiately at Oregon State, where he came under the wing of Paul Chryst, the current UW offensive coordinator who also served in that capacity with the Beavers in 2003-2004. Jackson left after his junior season and was selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2004 draft. After learning of Chryst's connection to Jackson, Brown wanted to know more and went up to Chryst and asked about their coach-player relationship.

"Steven Jackson is one of those guys that the younger generation identifies with," said Chryst, obviously realizing that any comparisons between the two would be premature and unfair because they're just not in the same league. "But he's certainly a good player to watch, because you can pick up things from him. Steven is so talented. It's kind of neat that Zach would ask about him."

That has been one of Brown's strongest characteristics this season. If he doesn't know something, or he wants to know more about something, he isn't shy about asking the right questions. He listens, too. And he prepares. "That was one of the things that really jumped out at us -- his preparation," Chryst said. "He gave himself a chance to do what he did at the end of the season because he quietly went about his business and stayed focus. He has been very good at listening and preparing. There were some things that he had to find out through trial and error. But I thought he was the most disciplined as a runner in the Minnesota game."

That's a good starting point since Brown rushed for 250 yards against the Gophers. "I'm a strong believer in, 'It's not how you start, but it's how you finish,' " said Brown who started the final three games of the regular season and rushed for 421 yards and four touchdowns during that stretch against Minnesota, Michigan (108 yards) and Ohio State (63 yards). "In high school, I just got the ball and ran. But I'm learning here how to be more patient. I believe all you need is one cut. You cut and you run. And if you're patient, and let your blockers do their work, you'll find that daylight."

In the next breath, Brown pointed out he has also learned from watching P.J. Hill. "He's really good at being patient and working his blocks," said Brown, who realized that he was afforded an opportunity to take over as the UW's No. 1 tailback because of P.J. Hill's leg injury and slow recovery. P.J. Hill has returned to practice. But it's uncertain how much he will play, or if he will play at all, in Tuesday's Outback Bowl against Tennessee. "P.J. is getting more healthy," Chryst acknowledged, "and a healthy P.J. is a good thing for us. It's good to have Lance back, too."

That would be sophomore tailback Lance Smith, whose participation this season has been limited to home games. After Smith was involved in an off-the-field incident last summer with his girlfriend -- he pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct -- Smith was suspended for all road games during the regular season. The ban did not include bowl games and, thus, Smith was allowed to join his teammates in Tampa, Fla. "I know I'm going to be available to play," Smith said, "and that's a good thing for me. I'm just happy the suspension is over. I know coach Chryst is going to try and get me more involved in the game plan. And that's a good thing for me, too."

Chryst smiled at the thought of actually utilizing three tailbacks in a rotation. "Boy, it's nice to have this whole group together again," he said, "and, quietly, I think there's some pretty good competition going on between them. Everyone is in a pretty good frame of mind. And the unique thing about the bowl prep is that there are enough reps for everyone. That way you don't worry about one guy not getting enough in order to see what we're doing with the game plan. If all three are healthy and ready to go, you want to be able to use all three and I think we'll be able to do that successfully. Certainly, if one guy gets hot, then it's his job to lose. But I'm expecting to get all three involved."

Brown and Smith have developed their own bond over the season. "Lance knows that I think he's good back," Brown said. "And I know that he thinks I'm a good back. And we both know that if we compete, we'll make each other better." P.J. Hill has not been left out of the loop. "It's weird because I'll be talking with P.J.," Smith said, ''and I'll be thinking, 'Man, I've missed the same number of games that you've missed.' He's used to being out there on the field and he's handling it. I just told him not to worry about anything, because everything will come together."

As it may for Smith. "He's finding out who he is," Chryst suggested. "He believes that he can outrun anyone and I love that about him. But a lot of times you've got to learn to let the play work for you instead of always looking for the home run. Lance's vision is really pretty good and sometimes he will get himself into trouble. He'll see things before anyone else, and you're like, 'Wow, how did he make that cut? Or why did he make that cut?' "

The Outback Bowl will be another lab for Smith. "You're going to learn something every time you step on the field," he said. "On zone plays, I have to learn to press to contact, instead of just getting the ball and doing what I want to do. In high school, you could get away with a lot of that stuff. In college, the speed is so much different and the athletes are stronger and smarter."

Asked if there was a Steven Jackson, or some other role model in his life that motivates him, Smith paused and said, "My mother motivates me. Growing up with a single parent, you realize how hard life can be. But she supported me and she told me that everything would be all right. Making her happy motivates me more than anything, and I'm just hoping to put a smile on her face with my play." It would be no coincidence if Chryst was smiling at that thought, too.

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