Wartezimmer » Benjamins return. Givens got behind reserve cornerback Tr

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton jogged out to practice last season and heard the unmistakable rasp of Rick Ross rapping over a pounding bass through the stereo system. This scene would not normally have given Shelton reason to pause. But when he discovered the orchestrator of the playlist was none other than Badgers head coach Paul Chryst, he couldnt believe what he was hearing.We came in one day, and he had it blasting, Shelton said. He knew the artist, and I was like, Wait, what?Few social circles exist in which Chryst wouldnt be considered tragically unhip. His noncontroversial press conferences, placid sideline disposition and general proclivity toward wearing dad crewnecks during games make him easy fodder for Twitter memes ironically juxtaposing Chryst with coolness -- not that he would care while buried in football preparations. Chryst doesnt even own a Twitter account.But what Chryst does possess is an innate ability to connect with players behind the scenes, despite what can seem like a cultural and generational gap as wide as the Wisconsin River. Those relationships, in part, have helped him quietly lead Wisconsin to the Big Ten championship game against Penn State on Saturday and, improbably, to the cusp of the College Football Playoff.Players say the 51-year-old country music-lover, who has entered national coach of the year discussions, routinely uses song lyrics and movie quotes to provide inspiration and bring the Badgers closer together. Sometimes, he even surprises his players.He liked Young Jeezy before we talked to him, running back Dare Ogunbowale said. A lot of the Florida guys like Rick Ross, so hes become keen to Rick Ross music. Its really just anything that we like to listen to.Chrysts ever-expanding musical knowledge base begins before practice, when the entire team meets at 1:30. He picks a different player each day, based on their assigned seating arrangement, to provide a quote to the team. That player is then given the opportunity to pick the Badgers first song during practice warm-ups. It is not uncommon for a player to select a hip-hop lyric and then choose the corresponding song.The reason for it is this is their team, and they get an opportunity to speak whatever is on their mind that day, Chryst said. And I think its one way that we can learn more about each other, whether its what you choose to share in speaking to them or a song that you want to share with them. Theres thought that goes into it by them. I think its a way for everyone to connect. Its also a platform for them to have in front of their team.Chryst recently listed country musician Phil Vassar as his favorite artist. Kenny Chesney ranks high on his iPod catalog as well. But he loves learning from players about new words or rap artists and sharing his wisdom with his three college-aged kids. Players say they have introduced him to the likes of Tupac, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz and Future.Hell say, OK, I might add that to my playlist, Wisconsin receiver Rob Wheelwright said. I feel like he does a great job of getting to know each player, seeing what they like or getting hip to our new generation.Added Shelton: When we do pick hip-hop songs, he asks, What is this song? If hes feeling it, you can tell because hell take out his pad and write the song down. Coach Chryst has grown to like all types of genres. Its just cool to be around him.That doesnt mean Chryst always understands what is being said. He thought one rap song by YC featuring Future, entitled Racks on Racks, sounded like red zone when repeated quickly. So he made it the teams unofficial red zone drill song.We let him have that, Wisconsin center Michael Deiter said. Thats his thing.When things come on, sometimes you can tell he has absolutely no idea what it is thats being played or what words are being said, receiver Jazz Peavy said. You see him bobbing his head sometimes and things like that. When country songs are on, hes always trying to get in a groove. He tries to get us to listen to the country side, the guys who dont. I dont think he likes some of the music that we pick.As in any strong relationship, there is give-and-take between Chryst and his players, who appreciate his willingness to accept their musical stylings. Most Fridays, Chryst picks a country song for the Badgers practice playlist. Chryst isnt afraid to cite movies and songs that existed before his players were born, with a dry sense of humor that can occasionally be difficult to spot.During his season-opening news conference in August 2015, Chryst was asked how Badgers players were adjusting to a new coaching staff. He wound up subtly referencing a Clark Griswold quote from the 1983 movie National Lampoons Vacation.I think theyre getting the idea that its a great time of the year, he said. Its the most fun theyll ever have. He stopped and laughed. Were on a quest, a quest for fun.He always used to say were on a quest for fun, like they are in the movie, said former Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, who played under Chryst when he was Wisconsins offensive coordinator. What he meant by that, along with getting a laugh out of us, was its about the process and its about the journey.Chrysts oldest daughter, Katy, said her dad likes to find the meaning in song lyrics and movie quotes before offering them to players. He has regularly applied lyrics to the song He Lives In You from The Lion King 2.He shared that with me, and then he shared that with the football players, Katy said. For the football players, hell tell the quarterbacks, Youre playing for the quarterbacks that have been playing for years here.If he was talking to Alex Hornibrook, hed be telling Alex, You have Russell Wilson, all these quarterbacks living in you that have the legacy of Wisconsin. Hell take a song thats completely random, like a Disney song, and hell make that a life lesson.Chryst might not be the hippest person to walk the earth. But his natural warmth, compassion and curiosity have allowed him to quickly build trust with players and attain a 20-5 record in two seasons with the Badgers. That in itself, players say, is pretty cool.He definitely tries to stay with the times, Ogunbowale said. Its kind of funny just the difference in taste in music. We dont have to try to keep him hip. He wants to be into the pop culture and stuff like that on his own. 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By going 10 of 13 for 112 yards, Weeden provided a performance that should help end any talk of a quarterback competition in Cleveland and silence some of his critics. Chudzinski has not yet chosen his starter, but Weeden did everything he needed to secure the job. "I thought he did a good job." Chudzinski said. "He looked calm. We had good drives and he was a good part of it." Weeden hooked up with running back Dion Lewis, starting for Trent Richardson, for a 2-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter. St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford threw a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Givens as Rams coach Jeff Fisher left his starting offence in after Benjamins runback made it 17-0. Bradford went 5 of 8 for 102 yards, including 59 on a deep ball over the middle to Givens. Greg Zuerlein kicked field goals of 54 and 55 yards for the Rams, one of the NFLs youngest teams still going through growing pains. "The first game is never an indication of where youre at, because theres so many different things going on," Fisher said. "We had one period to prepare for them, and thats certainly not enough considering what they were doing defensively." The Browns are counting on Weeden to take a major step following an up-and-down rookie year. Chudzinski and new co-ordinator Norv Turner have tailored Clevelands offence to better suit Weeden, who has won over his teammates with his work ethic during the off-season. Now, all the soon-to-be 30-year-old has to do is convince skeptical Cleveland fans that he can be the man. This was an ideal start. "I thought for the most I made good decisions tonight," Weeden said. "But Ive still got a long ways to go." Weeden was composed as he led the Browns to 10 points on their first two possessions. He went 5 of 8 on Clevelands first drive, which included wide receiver Greg Little -- a former basketball player -- making a leaping catch of a pass that deflected off tight end Jordan Camerons facemask. Brian Bogotays 25-yard field goal gave Cleveland a 3-0 lead. "I dont know if I scared Jordan or what, but I hit him right between the eyes," Weeden said. Weeden was even better the seccond time the Browns got the ball.dddddddddddd He completed all five passes, connecting on a 30-yard crossing route to Cameron before capping the drive with his TD strike to Lewis, who juked Rams rookie linebacker Alec Ogletree before hauling in Weedens throw. Clevelands revamped offence clicked even without Richardson, kept out as a precaution as he recovers from a shin injury. Weeden saw plenty of progress. "We manoeuvred well," he said. "We didnt have any penalties. We didnt do anything to move backwards. We were moving forward. For the first game out, I think we did some good things." Benjamin gave the Browns reason to believe they wont miss spectacular return specialist Josh Cribbs, who signed with Oakland. With Cleveland leading 10-0, Benjamin backpedaled and caught a punt at his 9. He broke toward the left sideline, picked up a couple blocks, one by rookie Barkevious Mingo, and went untouched to the end zone. "Freaky fast," Weeden said, describing Benjamin. "Hes got stupid speed." Fisher wasnt happy to see Benjamin streak by. "Its that classic out-kick-your-coverage type thing," Fisher said. "Im glad it happened in the preseason rather than the regular season." There were other moments Fisher doesnt hope to see repeated. Running back Isaiah Pead fumbled away St. Louis first possession at Clevelands 26, and the Rams defence did little to slow Weeden. St. Louis, though, did bounce back nicely after Benjamins return. Givens got behind reserve cornerback Trevin Wade to haul in Bradfords beautifully lofted throw. Two plays later, the pair connected again for a score that pleased Fisher -- even if it came against Browns backups. "A little frustrating on the first drive," Bradford said. "We put something together, had a nice third-down conversion and we were moving the ball, and to turn it over in scoring position is always a little bit frustrating. But, its nice to finish the night with a touchdown." NOTES: Mingo had a sack nullified by a tripping penalty, and the first-round pick showed his exceptional speed off the edge on several rushes. ... Rams RT Rodger Saffold injured his shoulder on St. Louis second play and did not return. X-rays were negative. ... Givens finished with three catches for 82 yards. ... Browns CB Chris Owens, competing with Buster Skrine for a starting job, was a late scratch with a foot injury. He is not expected to miss significant time. ... Rams rookie WR Tavon Austin did not have a catch, but dropped a third-down pass in the second quarter. ... Browns WR Josh Gordon, suspended for the first two regular-season games, had two catches for 27 yards. ' ' '