Since the early '90s, offensive center has been a position of strength for the Wisconsin Badgers football program. The honor roll includes Cory Raymer, Derek Engler, Casey Rabach, Al Johnson, Donovan Raiola, and Marcus Coleman. Raymer was a first-team All-American, while Rabach and Coleman were first-team All-Big Ten.
John Moffitt, who has 19 straight starts, is in a position to add his name to that list in 2009. If the Big Ten had such a thing as an All-Media team (based on personality and quote-ability), Moffitt would be a consensus first-team choice. You can catch the "inhibited"
Moffitt's act elsewhere on this website ("Better Know A Badger"
).
Question No. 1: How can the offense be better next season?
Moffitt: By doing all the little things right. That's where the focus has been all the way from coach B (Bret Bielema) down. That extends outside of football -- in the locker room, in the weight room -- keeping focused on the details. I think that's what is going to make the difference because the lack of focus hurt us in a lot of games last season. Little things like when I didn't make the right call on the line of scrimmage or someone went to (block) the wrong guy. Little technique things can make a difference; the difference between a 20-yard run and a touchdown.
Question No. 2: How did the 7-6 record sit with you during the off-season?
Moffitt: Not good. It was the same with everybody and it carried through to our lifting workouts. Nobody was happy with 7-6. We all had a lot higher aspirations at the beginning of the season. We definitely have something to prove this season. I know that we're better than 7-6. There were some games we definitely should have won.
Question No. 3: When you were ranked in the Top 10, did you really believe you were a Top 10 team? (The Badgers were ranked as high as No. 8 going into the Big Ten opener.)
Moffitt: I honestly don't know. But, obviously, when you start listening to some of that outside stuff (the rankings), you do believe it. I know a lot of people buy into that stuff when they're constantly being told, 'You're Top 10 or You're No. 8 in the country.' We need to stay humble and just worry about what we can do.
Question No. 4: How do you feel about being completely off the national radar going into 2009?
Moffitt: Indifferent, and partially good. I like coming in as the underdog where they're not talking about you on ESPN. Instead of focusing on that, you're focusing on just playing ball. You don't have to listen to the hype all week about how you're suppose to win this, or that. You can just go out and play.
Question No. 5: What kind of impact can John Clay have on the running game?
Moffitt: He can have a huge impact. I like John's combination -- he's a big guy but he's fast, too. He can run you over. Or he can run around you. I just like the way John runs the ball.
Bonus question: How often do you get asked about a quarterback putting his hands on your rump before the football is snapped? (See video)
Moffitt: (Laughing). I get that question all the time. Seriously, I bet that I get asked that five times a season. And I tell everybody the same thing: it feels great. It's like a pat on the back, only lower.
