Getting to know…Jeff Bias

Q: What are your expectations for this season?

A:  I have big expectations for myself and I know the coaches have them as well. Just being back on the field as much as possible is big for me. Coming out of high school I sat and was injured. I want to go out and get the reps so I can be around the ball as much as possible. I’m a ball hawk. 

Q: You moved inside earlier in your career. How do you feel about moving back out to defensive end?

A: I think the outside will be great for me. I have a lot of speed so I can come off the edge really nice. I’m small on the inside, but I can get it done. I like being on the outside and not worrying about double teams, but I do still get them on the edge. It’s about maintaining them. I think the DE spot will be fun so I get to run free and wild.

Q: How much have the arm and knee injuries set you back the last two years?

A: I tore one of my biceps and that was a big blow. It was my second year coming off that redshirt year and I was actually getting ready to play. It was a big step back. I did a lot of thinking when I was out (in 2010). Then I had the meniscus in my knee last yaer, but everybody seems to get those if you’re a defensive or offensive lineman. That’s not a big issue. I’m pushing through that. I can’t look back on the injuries. I’m just going out at practice every day and not worrying about it. I’m trying to get better every day.

 Q: How much pain was involved in the bicep injury?

A: There was some pain when I partially tore it. I couldn’t feel it when it completely tore off. It was just a big sac of muscle after it came off.

 Q: How has camp gone so far?

A:  I’m an older guy, but I’m a younger guy. All the guys I came in with are now a grade above me so I’m behind them. But I know the scheme of things and know how things are run. Being an older guy, you have to mentor the younger guys. They’re not used to the tempo and speed of practice yet. It’s an asset knowing how things are run. It’s a big plus as an older guy. We have some talent with the younger guys. It’s just getting them where we need them to go. Getting them technically sound is probably the biggest thing with them. 

Q: How is the defensive line looking?

A: I’m pretty confident with the guys who are starting like Bo Putrah, Chris Rupe and Jared Cross. I consider us all starters. We rotate a lot. We have Luke Sebald, Chris Hansen, Aaron Pavek…I’m confident in all those guys. They can all play. We want to be around the ball and make plays. That’s great if you’re a defensive linemen. You just put hand down and go. That’s the biggest thing. I think we’re ready to do that and make a statement.

 Q: Are you bigger than last year?

A: I’m around the same weight, but I bulked up pretty good. I gained about 10 pounds from last season. Keeping it on is another story. I’ve been chugging away up at Garvey (Commons), but I feel good.  I’m ready to go. A lot of guys put on some nice weight. I did a lot of running. I had the meniscus surgery so I was doing a lot of circuit training basically. 

Q: How is the knee after summer surgery?

A: It was a left meniscus tear. It feels fine. There is some soreness, but that’s expected. I had it in June.  

Q: What was it like growing up in Racine, Wis.?

A: It was a big change coming here. I moved there when I was in eighth grade. I graduated from there. It was a big change from living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I lived there for two years. It was really nice in Iowa. There was a lot of violence down in Racine. I lost one of my best friends. But I fought through that stuff. I lost somebody when I was up here going into my sophomore year. It’s just Racine. It’s about 15-20 miles from Milwaukee. A lot of guys from my conference are actually on the team. I know the names and you have a lot of cats from Milwaukee. That’s nice. I give a lot of props to my coaches in high school and my parents and keeping me on the right track. They wanted me to get out of town and do something better. There were a lot of cats who just stayed there and do the same old thing. My wrestling coach and my football coach, those guys really pushed me. It was a great high school experience.