Weis 10/6 Press Conference

[BGIF]

CBS College Sports All-Access

From notes, no transcript as yet. Tread lightly as this is my recollection of Charlie's words - NOT verbatim.

Q. Brandon Walker?
A. He has a back strain. Right now he wouldn't be able to kick well enough to suit up.

Q. Aldridge
A. He practiced today and showed no signs of shoulder injury. Jimmy was given Wednesday off but he asked to be allowed to practice. He will

Q. What is team practicing
A. Stressing aggressiveness and physicality. Lots of banging out there today.

Q. Manti 10 Tackles
A. He likes contact. Today was his best practice. Arrow is pointing UP!

Q. Will other frosh get to play
A. Couple guys close to being needed. Eifert has back issue like Walker. Eifert needs a procedure. He'll have the procedure after Fall Break. Even though he played he should be eligible for a Medical Redshirt.

Q. Shaq Evans
A. "He's been fast tracked with Michael's injury. Like Manti, the more he plays the better he gets.

Q. Golden always runs with ball in left arm.
A. Like Napoleon Kaufmann did. Kaufmann gave up the stiff arm on the left side for ball security. I'll trade Ball Security for (over) a Stiff Arm!

Q. McDonald
A. He and Poz were both groggy. We have a cognitive test groggy players have to take. They don't play until they pass.

Q. Frosh Specialists
A. Cowart - You don't notice him on the field. That's good. Tausch - He's' on a roll with FGs. KOs could be longer. Turk - will continue to progress. Big leg.

Q. Shaq as fast as Golden
A. Speedwise, close to Golden. Shaq more polished receiver than Golden at same stage of development. (I read that loud and clear as Floyd replacement designee)

Q. Clausen & Allen Foot Injuries. Could they ride to class in golf carts
A. Jimmy likes his boot to walk in. Plus when he wears it he gets a lot of sympathy. Oooh, Jimmy. We've had guys in the past ride in those carts you see at grocery stores. But at this point those two would only use them to race not because they need them.

Q. Frosh Class Report Compared To Your Other Frosh Classes
A. Fewer negative academic reports. It's taken 4 or 5 games to get them ready to play where they help you win rather than help you lose.

Q. Riddick on Kick Returns
A. Really nice kick returner - He'll be a very, very nice running back! Coach Alford thinks he's really special!

-30-​

 

[Irishlew]

i like Riddicks speed, still waiting on that elusiveness i heard about. i think they should give Wood a try, but i won't complain about that extra year of eligibility.

 

[BGIF]

... i think they should give Wood a try, but i won't complain about that extra year of eligibility.

Hughes resurgence may have sealed Woods shot for '09 particularly if Aldridge is ready for prime time. Picture Aldridge and Hughes in two back sets now that the OLine has discovered the concept of creating a hole.

 

[BGIF]

Another Player

Another Player

There was a question about another player but I couldn't discern the name with my laptop speakers despite replaying the clip 4 or 5 times. The questioner noted the player has done well on Special Teams. From that I believe it's Zeke Motta. Weis noted he's a hitter. Charlie mentioned him as a DropDown Safety.

 

[BGIF]

Another Player

Another Player

There was a question about another player but I couldn't discern the name with my laptop speakers despite replaying the clip 4 or 5 times. The questioner noted the player has done well on Special Teams. From that I believe it's Zeke Motta. Weis noted he's a hitter. Charlie mentioned him as a DropDown Safety.

 

[BillyIrish]

There was a question about another player but I couldn't discern the name with my laptop speakers despite replaying the clip 4 or 5 times. The questioner noted the player has done well on Special Teams. From that I believe it's Zeke Motta. Weis noted he's a hitter. Charlie mentioned him as a DropDown Safety.

I have noticed Zeke on the field more and more. I think with Harrison's struggles we will continue to see that trend. A total evaluation of the D is much needed. It would not shock me at all to see a couple of new starters on the defensive side of the ball.

As for the O, Shaq starting opposite of Golden?

 

[BGIF]

Harrison Smith's tackling is getting worked on during the next 10 days or so. Motta's positive review may serve as a further motivator. The "DropDown" Safety comment didn't strike me as he was being declared "ready" to compete for Smith's job at this point.

Whether starting or not the message was there that Shaq will get increasing PT and USC is being told ND has 2 WRs that can stretch the field.

With Hughes running with purpose and Aldridge supposedly ready to hit, ND could run heavy with 2 backs, 2 TEs, and Golden. If Crist comes in as QB that's a lot of bulk in the backfield and makes the QB another running threat. Allen was supposedly able to come back and play against UW late in the game but Charlie said in the post game interview he stayed with the guy that was hot, Hughes. If so, Allen should be back to normal by the 17th giving the running game more capable bodies. Hughes could go at HB or FB. He could follow Aldridge or lead block for him, Allen, or Riddick. Even without Floyd the offense could have a lot of versatility. Sit Ragone, split Rudolph and Shaq with Golden in the slot as a double threat ala Rocket. Tate is not Rocket but he can force defenses to have to think run and pass.

 

[jason_h537]

Aldridge was full go at practice and is expected to suit up. The staff said that they will stress tackling and fundamentals this week. Hopefully Brian and Hayseed pick it up, we need both those guys to perform