A synopsis of what P.J. FLECK said during Monday's press conference.
On how the film session went and approach to short week:
- Went really well. A lot of learning to be done, especially with young defensive players. Few plays they really wanted back, but that's football. Two fumbles on the ground that they did not recover. Offensively, a lot of things to clean up. Penalty inside the five, led to a FG. The pass miss on 4th down in the third quarter. Gives Michigan credit and said a lot of their problems had to do with them, but problems they certainly can fix.
Is defense behind:
- Developmental program. Had four players drafted from last year's defense. Very talented football players, just need experience to get better. Step by step process, expecting them to get better as the year goes on. Says Lindenberg has a lot to learn, but will be a good player in this league.
On shoring up the run defense:
- Two back sets from Michigan was something they haven't seen and had to adjust on the fly. But, tackling wasn't good. Guys were hesitant. Have to coach them better. Everything starts with me. Guys need to mature quickly when they are in there and confident they will.
On wide receiver distribution:
- Says tight ends are a little bit more involved. As they continue to build up the wide receiver corp, things more guys will emerge. But, says tight ends are more involved than previous years.
On Maryland:
- Have a lot of athletes all over the field. #7 is as good of a wide receiver as they have in the league. Brought in a lot of transfers. Play a lot of players on the defensive side of the ball and they fly around.
On RB production behind Mo:
- Really good. Excited about Potts and Wiley. Hoping they can get more runs throughout the season. Getting down early, cause them to adjust their running game plan. Better when they are more balanced.
On preparation for Maryland and short week:
- Prepared for Maryland last week as well. Challenge of a Saturday night, then turning around to play a Friday night game. Accept the challenge of that. Has been in the MAC, so used to quick turnarounds. Thinks players have responded very well to that.
On 21-day protocol and if Big Ten would reconsider:
- Says will leave that up to the medical experts. Makes 2020 interesting. Don't really have an opinion on it. Knows every team will be affected by it in some way.
On players response from Saturday's game and coming back from it:
- One game season. Lost the Michigan season and we moved on. Loved how hard they played. Have to execute better. Energy was high at today's practice and they were ready to get back on the field.
On Winfield, Johnson, and Martin having big days Sunday:
- So proud of all their alumni in the NFL. Gets sheets every week on how his former players are doing in the NFL. Fun to watch their success on the professional level.
On trying out other players at punter:
- Have already tried that on their team. With COVID, it's more difficult to have open tryouts. Then it's a trust factor if you can rely on someone in a Big Ten environment. 2020 is bringing a lot of challenges in changing some of your philosophical approach. Unique and is something they've never seen in his life with all his key special teams guys being out of action.
On Keift getting involved:
- All the tight ends have gotten better. Expecting Spann-Ford to break out. Really like what Keift brings to the table. Simon has done a tremendous job of getting that group better.
On how the film session went and approach to short week:
- Went really well. A lot of learning to be done, especially with young defensive players. Few plays they really wanted back, but that's football. Two fumbles on the ground that they did not recover. Offensively, a lot of things to clean up. Penalty inside the five, led to a FG. The pass miss on 4th down in the third quarter. Gives Michigan credit and said a lot of their problems had to do with them, but problems they certainly can fix.
Is defense behind:
- Developmental program. Had four players drafted from last year's defense. Very talented football players, just need experience to get better. Step by step process, expecting them to get better as the year goes on. Says Lindenberg has a lot to learn, but will be a good player in this league.
On shoring up the run defense:
- Two back sets from Michigan was something they haven't seen and had to adjust on the fly. But, tackling wasn't good. Guys were hesitant. Have to coach them better. Everything starts with me. Guys need to mature quickly when they are in there and confident they will.
On wide receiver distribution:
- Says tight ends are a little bit more involved. As they continue to build up the wide receiver corp, things more guys will emerge. But, says tight ends are more involved than previous years.
On Maryland:
- Have a lot of athletes all over the field. #7 is as good of a wide receiver as they have in the league. Brought in a lot of transfers. Play a lot of players on the defensive side of the ball and they fly around.
On RB production behind Mo:
- Really good. Excited about Potts and Wiley. Hoping they can get more runs throughout the season. Getting down early, cause them to adjust their running game plan. Better when they are more balanced.
On preparation for Maryland and short week:
- Prepared for Maryland last week as well. Challenge of a Saturday night, then turning around to play a Friday night game. Accept the challenge of that. Has been in the MAC, so used to quick turnarounds. Thinks players have responded very well to that.
On 21-day protocol and if Big Ten would reconsider:
- Says will leave that up to the medical experts. Makes 2020 interesting. Don't really have an opinion on it. Knows every team will be affected by it in some way.
On players response from Saturday's game and coming back from it:
- One game season. Lost the Michigan season and we moved on. Loved how hard they played. Have to execute better. Energy was high at today's practice and they were ready to get back on the field.
On Winfield, Johnson, and Martin having big days Sunday:
- So proud of all their alumni in the NFL. Gets sheets every week on how his former players are doing in the NFL. Fun to watch their success on the professional level.
On trying out other players at punter:
- Have already tried that on their team. With COVID, it's more difficult to have open tryouts. Then it's a trust factor if you can rely on someone in a Big Ten environment. 2020 is bringing a lot of challenges in changing some of your philosophical approach. Unique and is something they've never seen in his life with all his key special teams guys being out of action.
On Keift getting involved:
- All the tight ends have gotten better. Expecting Spann-Ford to break out. Really like what Keift brings to the table. Simon has done a tremendous job of getting that group better.
