Check the comments on the Internet, #25, Young, linemen development, Walls & McNeil, Mattes, Travis, 4-3 (should end the 3-4 discussions), Hand out (Hand has foot!), Redshirts,
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Day 6 Coach Weis - After morning practice18 minute interview. No interview after second practice today[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]http://und.cstv.com[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Is that a typical practice[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I did more things in practice. I know a lot of guys videotape practice all this stuff so it ends up online. The opponent can see the stuff online as well. If you give em a little bit they can get that. But if you give them volumes they can't get all that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How do you determine where you put your focus[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. Today's new package was multiple TEs, pound it package. After the break it was review of passing game for multiple personnel groups, running play action with multiple receivers, introducing the goal line. It's the first time we been at the goal line and obviously it's not in sync yet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. No Burkhart today[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I found the first day we were doing kickoffs, we've done kickoffs everyday. I'm trying to rest one guy at least a day and kick the other two guys.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How you'd feel about kicking at the end of practice.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I thought it was a little shoddy. We've been kicking the ball very consistently after the first couple of days. Today was inconsistent. The field's pretty tore up. You can't say that's unrealistic. Our field get torn up too but it wasn't ideal conditions. We weren't great today. I'm not totally disappointed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Is there any danger with Samardzija holding for the kicking. Has anyone ever been kicked in the hand.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I don't know. Joe Montana used to hold. He went to the Hall of Fame. I'll risk Samardzija. It's an important position. A lot of times you don't notice a little bit of off direction on the snap. That holder it the guy that makes it look unnoticeable. Jeff has great hands.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Are you comfortable enough with what you've seen enough behind Walker to leave Travis Thomas at defense. Have you seen enough behind Walker to settle on [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I'm very encouraged behind Walker minus Travis. Remember James is waiting in the wings. He's not on the shelf for the whole year. I like what 25 looks like. He obviously has to learn some things about how this gameis played but I like how he looks. And obviously if I put in Luke and I've sprinkle in Asaph in a little bit in one back sets. It gives me a couple of big bodies that counters the small scatback type of guy so one team couldn't zone in on this is what they're doing.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. You don't have many two a days this fall[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. A lot it is mandated by schedule. The NCAA started with a string of deadly occurrences that happened. The first 5 days are called acclimatization days where you can go on the field for 3 hours practices. That's what I'm used to. I use the same schedule as I did at New England where it's not mandated.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Sam Young is playing a lot with the first team right now. What's your impression so far[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He's on the first team. Remember Ryan's not here. When Ryan's back he's the starter. Two things it provides, [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]a legitimate contender over at right tackle and a quality backup at left tackle and you can't have enough left tackles. When you have a righty QB the left tackle is the most important position other than center because he protects the blind side.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]
Q. What's he shown that's got him at that level so quickly[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He doesn't act like a freshman. That's a critical factor. Linemen even at the next level often take several years to develop into front line players. It's unusual when a guy comes in and you don't notice him. The best thing you can say about a lineman is when you don't notice them. You notice him when somebody going by or he's getting called for holding. So far so good. Remember we're only a week in I don't want to be premature in my judgment but I'm been very very excited by his play.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Do you see any freshman that can do Special Teams[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. The other day we ran kickoff team. We like the power and speed of Toryan. We put him inside and he didn't understand the tempo that we do these things and he was 5 yards behind everybody else. Today he was the guy I was gonna ride and see if I couldn't get him down there. It's always exciting to see the freshman step up to that level. He did it one time so lets not put him in the Hall of Fame yet. It gives you hope that he can do it more consistently.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How would you assess your defense.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I like the speed of the defense. I'm much more encouraged with the depth of the defense than at anytime last year. There's not one time last year that I was confident in more than one deep. At time we had 7 DBs in practice. We wouldn't play 7 DBs in an entire game last year. That brings a smile to my face that we can play 4. 5, 6. or 7. It gives you a lot of flexibility.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. You had several looks on defense still trying to settle on some things[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. We're well on our way. There's things we'll hold off on and never show. The only game you have any element of surprise is the first one. Because once you play your hand everybody has it on tape and it allows them the opportunity to prepare for it. The teams that play the best are the ones that can adjust to things you're not ready for in the game.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Do you monitor the Internet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I have people that monitor it all the time. You'd be ignorant not to. Although I don't read them when you tear me up I hear about me. You know who I hear it from? That blonde in my house.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Competition at LB[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. It's way too early to anoint anything in stone. Obviously we're encouraged with Travis. If it wasn't working we'd have pulled the plug and move on. Mo's settling in nicely. Good competition with Mitchell and Vernaglia. There are a lot of other guys moving up in our eyes. I can give you a deep chart 2 or 3 deep but who's going to play. Just because a guy's listed second doesn't mean that your confident that you can play him. I'm worrying about going to Atlanta with 2 full teams on defense. If you don't have enough guys to do that you can get worn out and end up losing because you don't have enough standby.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Does size of ILB concern you[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. In a 4 man front defense size in not the factor. Size is a factor in a 34 defense not a 4-3 defense. In a 34 defense when you have two guard bubbles, those guys getting blocked by guards, unblocked. Guards have clean runs right at them. They have to fend them off, knock down the guard to make the play. Here they're covered up when you have 4 down linemen. Let's them run to the ball.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Any other freshman not acting like freshman[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. You don't want to really anoint anyone but Darrin Walls it's tough not to like his coverage ability. Both those corners Walls and McNeil are playing at a high level for young guys. I can go down the positions there will be multiple freshman in the 2 Deep. It won't just be a couple but they'll have to earn that spot first. We expected the young corners to provide good depth and compete for playing time and there doing that.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. It was interesting to see the Irish Eyes Drill is that the one other people call Oklahoma.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. There's variations. Sometimes people do a Oklahoma drill where there's two guards and a center against two down linemen and a MLB. We do this drill too. Where it's 3 on 3 or an OLB and DE against a OT and TE. This one on one in a restricted area make people sustain blocks on offense and get off blocks on defense.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. I know you're not afraid to play freshman but with the numbers you have now is there any consideration to having him around for a 5<SUP>th</SUP> year.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. It's a bit of a touchy subject. Because we graduate everybody on a 4 year plan the 5<SUP>th</SUP> year is determined when the 5<SUP>th</SUP> year comes around. Because we don't talk about the term redshirt we talk 5<SUP>th</SUP> year or 5<SUP>th</SUP> year senior I think you go by what you see. If there's no reason to put him on the field you don't put him on the field to waste him. Parcells used to say “He needs a year in Joplin” But nobody here knows what that means. There's guys here that definitely need a year in Joplin[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Did Hand have a procedure based on the cast[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He's in a 3-4 week mode[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Why do you start practice and then do a team stretch[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. Doing a low tempo and then stretch is better because of teaching periods[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Why is Mattes working at #1 RT when he worked a lot at guard in the Spring[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. His experience gives him a edge. Last year with the 4 for 3 we played inside he was the 7<SUP>th</SUP> guy, our swing guy ready to play at any position. You don't see him much in games, mostly finish up time but last year he was being coached as a starter. Puts you mentally in a different frame of mind then somebody running on the Show Team or getting reps in practice. A couple of younger guys who are pretty good players like Duncan and Turkovich were more in the Finish The Game Mode where Mattes was going to be the first guy in and he had to prepare accordingly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Day 6 Coach Weis - After morning practice18 minute interview. No interview after second practice today[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]http://und.cstv.com[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Is that a typical practice[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I did more things in practice. I know a lot of guys videotape practice all this stuff so it ends up online. The opponent can see the stuff online as well. If you give em a little bit they can get that. But if you give them volumes they can't get all that. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How do you determine where you put your focus[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. Today's new package was multiple TEs, pound it package. After the break it was review of passing game for multiple personnel groups, running play action with multiple receivers, introducing the goal line. It's the first time we been at the goal line and obviously it's not in sync yet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. No Burkhart today[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I found the first day we were doing kickoffs, we've done kickoffs everyday. I'm trying to rest one guy at least a day and kick the other two guys.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How you'd feel about kicking at the end of practice.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I thought it was a little shoddy. We've been kicking the ball very consistently after the first couple of days. Today was inconsistent. The field's pretty tore up. You can't say that's unrealistic. Our field get torn up too but it wasn't ideal conditions. We weren't great today. I'm not totally disappointed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Is there any danger with Samardzija holding for the kicking. Has anyone ever been kicked in the hand.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I don't know. Joe Montana used to hold. He went to the Hall of Fame. I'll risk Samardzija. It's an important position. A lot of times you don't notice a little bit of off direction on the snap. That holder it the guy that makes it look unnoticeable. Jeff has great hands.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Are you comfortable enough with what you've seen enough behind Walker to leave Travis Thomas at defense. Have you seen enough behind Walker to settle on [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I'm very encouraged behind Walker minus Travis. Remember James is waiting in the wings. He's not on the shelf for the whole year. I like what 25 looks like. He obviously has to learn some things about how this gameis played but I like how he looks. And obviously if I put in Luke and I've sprinkle in Asaph in a little bit in one back sets. It gives me a couple of big bodies that counters the small scatback type of guy so one team couldn't zone in on this is what they're doing.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. You don't have many two a days this fall[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. A lot it is mandated by schedule. The NCAA started with a string of deadly occurrences that happened. The first 5 days are called acclimatization days where you can go on the field for 3 hours practices. That's what I'm used to. I use the same schedule as I did at New England where it's not mandated.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Sam Young is playing a lot with the first team right now. What's your impression so far[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He's on the first team. Remember Ryan's not here. When Ryan's back he's the starter. Two things it provides, [/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif]a legitimate contender over at right tackle and a quality backup at left tackle and you can't have enough left tackles. When you have a righty QB the left tackle is the most important position other than center because he protects the blind side.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]
Q. What's he shown that's got him at that level so quickly[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He doesn't act like a freshman. That's a critical factor. Linemen even at the next level often take several years to develop into front line players. It's unusual when a guy comes in and you don't notice him. The best thing you can say about a lineman is when you don't notice them. You notice him when somebody going by or he's getting called for holding. So far so good. Remember we're only a week in I don't want to be premature in my judgment but I'm been very very excited by his play.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Do you see any freshman that can do Special Teams[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. The other day we ran kickoff team. We like the power and speed of Toryan. We put him inside and he didn't understand the tempo that we do these things and he was 5 yards behind everybody else. Today he was the guy I was gonna ride and see if I couldn't get him down there. It's always exciting to see the freshman step up to that level. He did it one time so lets not put him in the Hall of Fame yet. It gives you hope that he can do it more consistently.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. How would you assess your defense.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I like the speed of the defense. I'm much more encouraged with the depth of the defense than at anytime last year. There's not one time last year that I was confident in more than one deep. At time we had 7 DBs in practice. We wouldn't play 7 DBs in an entire game last year. That brings a smile to my face that we can play 4. 5, 6. or 7. It gives you a lot of flexibility.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. You had several looks on defense still trying to settle on some things[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. We're well on our way. There's things we'll hold off on and never show. The only game you have any element of surprise is the first one. Because once you play your hand everybody has it on tape and it allows them the opportunity to prepare for it. The teams that play the best are the ones that can adjust to things you're not ready for in the game.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Do you monitor the Internet.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. I have people that monitor it all the time. You'd be ignorant not to. Although I don't read them when you tear me up I hear about me. You know who I hear it from? That blonde in my house.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Competition at LB[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. It's way too early to anoint anything in stone. Obviously we're encouraged with Travis. If it wasn't working we'd have pulled the plug and move on. Mo's settling in nicely. Good competition with Mitchell and Vernaglia. There are a lot of other guys moving up in our eyes. I can give you a deep chart 2 or 3 deep but who's going to play. Just because a guy's listed second doesn't mean that your confident that you can play him. I'm worrying about going to Atlanta with 2 full teams on defense. If you don't have enough guys to do that you can get worn out and end up losing because you don't have enough standby.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Does size of ILB concern you[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. In a 4 man front defense size in not the factor. Size is a factor in a 34 defense not a 4-3 defense. In a 34 defense when you have two guard bubbles, those guys getting blocked by guards, unblocked. Guards have clean runs right at them. They have to fend them off, knock down the guard to make the play. Here they're covered up when you have 4 down linemen. Let's them run to the ball.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Any other freshman not acting like freshman[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. You don't want to really anoint anyone but Darrin Walls it's tough not to like his coverage ability. Both those corners Walls and McNeil are playing at a high level for young guys. I can go down the positions there will be multiple freshman in the 2 Deep. It won't just be a couple but they'll have to earn that spot first. We expected the young corners to provide good depth and compete for playing time and there doing that.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. It was interesting to see the Irish Eyes Drill is that the one other people call Oklahoma.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. There's variations. Sometimes people do a Oklahoma drill where there's two guards and a center against two down linemen and a MLB. We do this drill too. Where it's 3 on 3 or an OLB and DE against a OT and TE. This one on one in a restricted area make people sustain blocks on offense and get off blocks on defense.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. I know you're not afraid to play freshman but with the numbers you have now is there any consideration to having him around for a 5<SUP>th</SUP> year.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. It's a bit of a touchy subject. Because we graduate everybody on a 4 year plan the 5<SUP>th</SUP> year is determined when the 5<SUP>th</SUP> year comes around. Because we don't talk about the term redshirt we talk 5<SUP>th</SUP> year or 5<SUP>th</SUP> year senior I think you go by what you see. If there's no reason to put him on the field you don't put him on the field to waste him. Parcells used to say “He needs a year in Joplin” But nobody here knows what that means. There's guys here that definitely need a year in Joplin[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Did Hand have a procedure based on the cast[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. He's in a 3-4 week mode[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Why do you start practice and then do a team stretch[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. Doing a low tempo and then stretch is better because of teaching periods[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Q. Why is Mattes working at #1 RT when he worked a lot at guard in the Spring[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]A. His experience gives him a edge. Last year with the 4 for 3 we played inside he was the 7<SUP>th</SUP> guy, our swing guy ready to play at any position. You don't see him much in games, mostly finish up time but last year he was being coached as a starter. Puts you mentally in a different frame of mind then somebody running on the Show Team or getting reps in practice. A couple of younger guys who are pretty good players like Duncan and Turkovich were more in the Finish The Game Mode where Mattes was going to be the first guy in and he had to prepare accordingly.[/FONT]
