Lots of information!
Rick Minter Interview
http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html
Q. Sam Position
A. It's a tossup. They're giving good effort. It's the one position with Mo moving inside that we're totally raw at along with WILL. It's a two horse race. They haven't separated from each other.
Q. Was the move for Crum a natural fit for him.
Yes. We overreact to the names, SAM, MIKE, WILL. A good football player can play anywhere. He's doing a good job with leadership aspects.
Q. What aspects of LB play come easily to Travis. 2:15
A. When we say “Go” he goes. His speed and athleticism is a nice addition. You have a chance on defense when you can run. A lot's been made about our defense about what it can and can't do. When you can run on defense it gives you so many more opportunities to make plays both in the run and pass and matching up in space. His speed and athleticism, his toughness which was already well defined long before he moved to defense, as a RB and Special Teams play. He's a warrior.
Q. All indications are he's staying there.
A. Oh I think so. I'm going to keep coaching him till somebody tells me he's not there anymore. Right now it's going good. His learning curve is still a little steep. I'm very pleased. Everyday I look it at the tape there'll be corrections but it's more intensity about listening and learning. We should give him praise for unselfishness for doing this for the team. This has been a move for the betterment of the team.
Q. How about Leitko.
A. What you have with Travis is rust. When you miss football for a year you digress. He's in good shape and competing. He's gonna jump in the depth chart and play for us. How soon and when I don't know. He's been away for a year and he's back so good for us.
Q. Charlie talked about Multiple DB looks. Did you learn about those sets and about the reserves that didn't play last year.
A. We're trying to get more athletic. Keep in mind we didn't talk about it too much last year cause we only played 3 LBs and 4 DBs sometimes 5. Check the plays. The secondary is one of our strengths due to the experience factor and the growth of the reserves and the influx of freshman.
Q. Does that make it easier to go nickel and dime
A. Sure. Everybody does it but us.
Q. Were you uncomfortable last year not being able to employ that.
A. What's in the past is in the past. We coached what we had and we did what we could do. We grew into it as the year went on. Leo played more and more as the year went on. We reduced from 3 LBs to 2 LB more and more. Our team is deeper than it was last year. Kids have grown physically and mentally and grown in the system gives us a better chance on the field.
Q. What's your impression of the freshman
A. Generally you like to say I'll tell you in two years. That's when he really should be showing his true colors. In our situation we are pressed to get guys into roles as soon as possible. Here at ND we hope to to recruit a good quality student athlete not only physically gifted but mentally able to adjust. We're pleased with the group as a whole. Some will excel this year; some the next.
Q. Notice Maurice Richardson working with Dline is that permanent
A. No. I sent him down there for a couple days to see what he can do to help us be quicker in spaces. If it works it works. If not he was recruited as a LB and he'll play there.
Q. Will Leitko play inside
A. Travis needs to become a guy that do multiple things like Fromme. He can push the other guys. You have a bettter team when there's compeition. He's pushing people. It's a more positive situation having more bodies.
Q. Opposite Victor
A. Fromme and Talley. Last year we had injuries and 3 guys started at DE. Now we have experience. I want guys that want to play. The players set the depth chart then not the coaches.
Q. Charlie mentioned Duke losing weight. How is he different with the weight loss
A. Charlie was right. He made the suggestion to do it. Who's the last guy he did that to? Stovall, look at him. Charlie wasn't born yesterday. The guy (Duke) has done wonders. He's lost the body fat. He's doing a nice job. One of the positives of camp.
Rick Minter Interview
http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html
Q. Sam Position
A. It's a tossup. They're giving good effort. It's the one position with Mo moving inside that we're totally raw at along with WILL. It's a two horse race. They haven't separated from each other.
Q. Was the move for Crum a natural fit for him.
Yes. We overreact to the names, SAM, MIKE, WILL. A good football player can play anywhere. He's doing a good job with leadership aspects.
Q. What aspects of LB play come easily to Travis. 2:15
A. When we say “Go” he goes. His speed and athleticism is a nice addition. You have a chance on defense when you can run. A lot's been made about our defense about what it can and can't do. When you can run on defense it gives you so many more opportunities to make plays both in the run and pass and matching up in space. His speed and athleticism, his toughness which was already well defined long before he moved to defense, as a RB and Special Teams play. He's a warrior.
Q. All indications are he's staying there.
A. Oh I think so. I'm going to keep coaching him till somebody tells me he's not there anymore. Right now it's going good. His learning curve is still a little steep. I'm very pleased. Everyday I look it at the tape there'll be corrections but it's more intensity about listening and learning. We should give him praise for unselfishness for doing this for the team. This has been a move for the betterment of the team.
Q. How about Leitko.
A. What you have with Travis is rust. When you miss football for a year you digress. He's in good shape and competing. He's gonna jump in the depth chart and play for us. How soon and when I don't know. He's been away for a year and he's back so good for us.
Q. Charlie talked about Multiple DB looks. Did you learn about those sets and about the reserves that didn't play last year.
A. We're trying to get more athletic. Keep in mind we didn't talk about it too much last year cause we only played 3 LBs and 4 DBs sometimes 5. Check the plays. The secondary is one of our strengths due to the experience factor and the growth of the reserves and the influx of freshman.
Q. Does that make it easier to go nickel and dime
A. Sure. Everybody does it but us.
Q. Were you uncomfortable last year not being able to employ that.
A. What's in the past is in the past. We coached what we had and we did what we could do. We grew into it as the year went on. Leo played more and more as the year went on. We reduced from 3 LBs to 2 LB more and more. Our team is deeper than it was last year. Kids have grown physically and mentally and grown in the system gives us a better chance on the field.
Q. What's your impression of the freshman
A. Generally you like to say I'll tell you in two years. That's when he really should be showing his true colors. In our situation we are pressed to get guys into roles as soon as possible. Here at ND we hope to to recruit a good quality student athlete not only physically gifted but mentally able to adjust. We're pleased with the group as a whole. Some will excel this year; some the next.
Q. Notice Maurice Richardson working with Dline is that permanent
A. No. I sent him down there for a couple days to see what he can do to help us be quicker in spaces. If it works it works. If not he was recruited as a LB and he'll play there.
Q. Will Leitko play inside
A. Travis needs to become a guy that do multiple things like Fromme. He can push the other guys. You have a bettter team when there's compeition. He's pushing people. It's a more positive situation having more bodies.
Q. Opposite Victor
A. Fromme and Talley. Last year we had injuries and 3 guys started at DE. Now we have experience. I want guys that want to play. The players set the depth chart then not the coaches.
Q. Charlie mentioned Duke losing weight. How is he different with the weight loss
A. Charlie was right. He made the suggestion to do it. Who's the last guy he did that to? Stovall, look at him. Charlie wasn't born yesterday. The guy (Duke) has done wonders. He's lost the body fat. He's doing a nice job. One of the positives of camp.
