University of Minnesota Athletics
Player's Perspective - Jeff Tow-Arnett
6/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
GopherSports.com had the opportunity to sit down with offensive lineman Jeff Tow-Arnett as summer conditioning got under way in early June. Tow-Arnett discussed a number of topics, including the team improving its overall strength, the offense’s comfort level after a year in a new system, playing with his two brothers and looking forward to the opening of TCF Bank Stadium.
GopherSports.com: How do you feel about where the team is heading into summer conditioning?
Jeff Tow-Arnett: As of right now, I think we’re all in better shape than we were in last year. A lot of us, physically, we look a lot different than we did last year. A lot of people lost a lot of body fat and put on more muscle. Conditioning-wise, it seems like we all have a lot more energy. Strength-wise, there is a huge difference from a year ago. It is kind of crazy to see that last year what I maxed out at on the bench press, is what I’m doing now for sets of five. I never thought in a year that’s where I’d be at. I’m not the only one like that. There are a majority of guys who that’s where they’re at, too.”
GS.com: What do you think that says about Coach Hill’s strength and conditioning program:
JTA: I credit that to Coach Hill and his staff. They do an awesome job. I think part of it is that they instill the work ethic and what you have to do in order to get to where we’re at right now. I know that they’re trying to push us to take that next step and get us even further along. After the course of this summer, I think we’ll be right there and peaked. All the guys keep getting stronger. Each month, you can just see people’s bodies changing.
GS.com: You talked about the physical standpoint, but where do you think the team is at from a mental and emotional standpoint right now?
JTA: I think a lot of us are happy with where we’re at right now. But these next two months are really going to be critical for the upcoming season. Last year, some of us were at the point where, yeah our bodies had changed, but we weren’t as strong as we thought we could be. Now, with these next two months, we’ll be at the strength we need to be and be the strongest we’ve ever been.
In terms of confidence, you can tell when you talk to guys that when you look bigger and feel stronger, you obviously have a lot more confidence in what you can do on the field. When you have the strength there, it all comes down to technique. That’s the big thing. I think the confidence level is huge for a lot of guys. It has really grown from the fact that their bodies have changed and they’re more confident in the way they look. Sometimes when you look better, you’re going to play better.
It is much more comfortable now than it was last year in every aspect, especially like with the offensive line and knowing the offense and things like that. A year ago, I thought I can’t believe that people are actually able to run this,’ because I thought it was so complicated. This year, I can’t believe what I thought last year, because this is the easiest thing in the world. A lot of us are a lot more comfortable with it.
GS.com: How different is it the second time around, now that you’ve been through a full year with Coach Brewster and his staff?
JTA: We know what’s expected. It is just a whole different feeling when change happens. There is a little uneasiness and you’re unsure about what to do. Maybe your confidence level isn’t as high, because you are so concerned about doing the right thing. This year, it has gotten to the point where it is just fun to be around the complex. Lifting and running, to me I don’t consider it work or punishment or anything like that. It has actually been where I enjoy it. The day before summer workouts started, I was talking with one of my teammates and we were saying how excited we were for (Monday) and the running, lifting, trying to get bigger, stronger and faster. But the big thing, especially with the offense, is I think everybody is a lot more comfortable. Last year, you were so unsure about, when they called a certain play, what exactly needs to be done. Just having that year under your belt and knowing what they expect and what they’re looking for. You can concentrate a lot more on your job and doing exactly what you need to do, not necessarily worrying about Am I going to screw up this play.’ You really don’t second-guess yourself. You’ve already done and you already know.
GS.com: Talk about where you see yourself fitting in on the offensive line this year, after playing both guard and center last year.
JTA: They told me, basically, it was going to be mostly center. Guard is so fun to play. But it is just one of those positions that is not that hard to learn. Obviously you need to know the plays, but I try to learn the guard plays because that really helps me when I know what each guy on either side of me need to be doing. That way I can help them out. Hopefully if they know what I need to do, they can help me out at times. I think center is probably where I’m going to focus mainly. It isn’t only snaps. You have to make the calls before the play, kind of being the quarterback of the line. It is making sure people know which way I’m going and letting them know who we’re all accounting for in pass protection and stuff like that. It’s at a point now, where guard or center, wherever I end up it won’t make that much of a difference.
GS.com: Where can the offensive line improve in 2008?
JTA: In the passing game, I know we’re going to occasionally going to give up sacks, just because there are times when they are going to bring more guys than we can block. But one of the goals for us is just to give Weber a feeling where he can take an extra second or two to hold on to it and he’s not worrying about getting blasted and hit back there. I would like to see our offensive line do as well as we did last year, in terms of pass blocking and even improve from last year. In the run game, it would be nice for the coaches to have the confidence in us when we need three yards, they’re not afraid to keep four wide receivers in the game and they are confident enough in us five to get three or four yards. I think the fact that we’re stronger this year and we have pretty good chemistry on the line all of us are real good buds and we all get along with each other I think that’s going to play a big part. We always want to be around each other. I think the big thing is if we can get to where we can pass block forever, that’s going to help out Web. It’s not a question of if he’s going to complete a pass. It is just a matter of time. If we give him enough time, he’s good enough and we have good enough receivers that they’re going to be able to get it done.
GS.com: Talk about offensive line coach Phil Meyer. He’s been around the game a long time. What has he done for that unit?
JTA: He’s been awesome. The thing a lot of people respect about him is the fact that when you do something wrong, you know you’ve done something wrong. He’s not a coach that is just going to continuously yell just to yell. I think there are some coaches that do that just so the head coach thinks they’re doing something or coaching. Coach Meyer is one of those guys that when you do something wrong, he’s going to pull you aside and let you know. He’s not going to scream and yell. Normally, his philosophy is you’re going to get it from the head coach and then you’re going to get it from the offensive coordinator, so he’ll be the guy who will help you correct the mistake you made. He’s more there to help you fix it so it doesn’t happen again. He’s been a great coach. Every amount of time we get to spend together, we get to know more about each other. He seems like a real great person and a great guy.
GS.com: How cool was it to be out at the TCF Bank Stadium site for the county sign unveiling the other day?
JTA: Whenever I’m in that area, I always make a point to drive by the stadium, whether it is on my scooter or in the car. I always just want to drive around the stadium. I always heard how special it was for my Dad and some of his friends, who were here and actually played on the team. Like Denny Hale, he was the high school coach down at Worthington. We always played against him and he would talk about back in the day when they played at Memorial Stadium how special it was. Going over there the other day and just seeing it and getting to actually walk around the stadium. It really does send chills up your spine. A year from now, it is going to be something special and something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.
GS.com: Talk about having two brothers on the team with you. That’s a bit of a rarity in college football.
JTA: Having both of my brothers out there with me means a lot to me. My brother Nick and I are pretty close. You normally don’t see one of us without the other one. It is going to be nice to know that we’re both going to be out on the field at the same time. I think about that all the time. Hopefully, that first game, I’d like to see him get a touchdown catch and I’ll probably be the first one down in the end zone to congratulate him. It is definitely special to play with my brothers. I never thought it was going to happen with me and Nick. I was two years older, I always thought he was going to go play basketball or baseball someplace. I never figured he’d choose football. It all worked out and we’re here together now, so it’s really special.
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