Typically, the jawing between camps is good-natured. However, in 2006, the gulf that separated the Weber State offensive and defensive players became personal.

Wildcat leaders on both sides of the ball are working to make sure that the friction, the amount of which varies on who is talking, doesn't return.

"There's been a different aura from day one," said senior offensive tackle Dave Hale of Plain City. "There are no locker room lawyers this year.

"We back each other."

The roots of this lack of chemistry came from a frustrated defense that expected more from an offense that averaged about 18 points as Weber State finished 4-7, 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference.

So during fall camp, both sides continue to bark at each other following scrimmage plays - Wednesday was WSU's first day in full pads - but the nature of the insults has a different tone.

"That's the way football has to be played," said senior nose guard Derek Johnson of Clearfield. "Off the field, we're all friends and buddies. If you can't compete [in practice], you won't get the best out of each other.

"Football is a game of trust."

Although the defense is ahead of the offense at this point of camp, coach Ron McBride expects the addition of transfer quarterback Jimmy Barnes from the University of Alabama, a strong running game and a veteran offense line should make the Wildcats more explosive.

"We've got to get more consistent on the offensive side of the ball," he said. "Those guys mix it up pretty well. They want to be good."

Johnson, who McBride calls "a little goofy," was among the main voices laying the verbal lumber to his offensive teammates. But, in the end, he says the chemistry between teammates is much better.

"It's hard to play for someone when you don't feel they're playing for you," explained Johnson about 2006. "We've got good leaders on defense and offense."

Johnson recalled the feeling of losing three straight games in the middle of the season by 12 total points.

"We don't want to feel that way this year," he said.

Briefly

Sophomore running back Trevyn Smith of Springville pulled a right hamstring during Wednesday's scrimmage. When asked the severity of the injury, Smith, the Big Sky Conference's leading rusher in 2006 with 1,129 yards, shrugged and said he expects to be out "a few days."

"We just have to be smart with it," McBride said.

martyr@sltrib.com