PJ wished Sid an early happy birthday to start off the interview. The team has had two spring practices last week and PJ said they installed about 40-50% of the offense. The first two practices were no contact, mostly mental days. Next week they’ll start getting into contact.
Whoever starts at quarterback this fall will not have thrown a collegiate D1 pass. There are two ways to look at it, but Fleck likes to think of it as a positive since they can build them from the ground up. He gave credit to coach Kirk Ciarrocca for developing them and said the leadership is really high in the QB room.
Last year during spring practice the team only had four healthy offensive linemen, this year they have 13. Now they can have a full first group, full second group, and then mix/match. Mentioned that this year they have depth, and after next year's recruiting class they will have competitive depth. They will have to make decisions later regarding who to redshirt, who to play, etc.
After last year there were quite a few changes on the roster regarding graduation, players transferring, etc. which can happen when there is a change of coaching staff. “Year two there is depth since you can get your recruiting class in. It’s youthful depth, but it’s depth. We now have numbers. After next year's recruiting class we’ll have competitive depth.”
Coach gave credit to Antoine Winfield Jr. for getting himself ready and really understanding his role in the defensive scheme. PJ said that he’s had a great offseason and is excited for him this upcoming season. Demetrious Douglas and Blaise Andries were also two players that Fleck mentioned that he’s happy they were able to redshirt. Thomas Rush is another incoming freshman that is on campus early and will have to play next year.
Rodney Smith is going through spring practice, but even Coach admits that he’s treating him a bit “fragile” since they need to get him to the season. Mo Ibrahim, Domink London, Jonathan Femi-Cole, then also incoming freshmen Bryce Williams and Nolan Edmonds will all have to be ready to play. The team will need to find out who the pair and spare will be. Shannon Brooks will have to be Coach Brooks until 2019.
Cheryl Reeve asked what PJ focused on when he first took the Minnesota coaching job: “Year one at Western Michigan we were one of the worst offensive teams in the nation. By year four, we were top 15. First year is really installing the culture: how to win games, how we practice, etc.”
Additionally, Fleck went on to talk about how in football especially, the quarterback position is the biggest thing. The coaching staff will need to make sure the quarterbacks are able to handle what the offense is throwing at them. Then, the offense is built around them based upon their strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Dave questioned if Seth Green will be a quarterback, or if he will be moved to another position. “Seth Green is a phenomenal athlete, done nothing but embrace this culture. He’s in the competition like everyone else. If he doesn’t win the job, I’ve talked to him about moving to a different position: TE, WR, LB, etc. He’s been very mature about it all. He’s also got a great opportunity to win the job. He’s a great athlete.”
PJ prefers a controlled tackling/physical environment in practice. The team has seven different tempos that they go at (no contact, thud, full tackle) that the players will have to adjust to. Tough to control it in the trenches, but the downfield hits you especially have to be careful of.”
The seven players that have come in early have earned the respect of their teammates, PJ commented. The way to do that is to sometimes be quiet and work, which they’ve done. He’s excited for the rest of the class to get here in June.
Whoever starts at quarterback this fall will not have thrown a collegiate D1 pass. There are two ways to look at it, but Fleck likes to think of it as a positive since they can build them from the ground up. He gave credit to coach Kirk Ciarrocca for developing them and said the leadership is really high in the QB room.
Last year during spring practice the team only had four healthy offensive linemen, this year they have 13. Now they can have a full first group, full second group, and then mix/match. Mentioned that this year they have depth, and after next year's recruiting class they will have competitive depth. They will have to make decisions later regarding who to redshirt, who to play, etc.
After last year there were quite a few changes on the roster regarding graduation, players transferring, etc. which can happen when there is a change of coaching staff. “Year two there is depth since you can get your recruiting class in. It’s youthful depth, but it’s depth. We now have numbers. After next year's recruiting class we’ll have competitive depth.”
Coach gave credit to Antoine Winfield Jr. for getting himself ready and really understanding his role in the defensive scheme. PJ said that he’s had a great offseason and is excited for him this upcoming season. Demetrious Douglas and Blaise Andries were also two players that Fleck mentioned that he’s happy they were able to redshirt. Thomas Rush is another incoming freshman that is on campus early and will have to play next year.
Rodney Smith is going through spring practice, but even Coach admits that he’s treating him a bit “fragile” since they need to get him to the season. Mo Ibrahim, Domink London, Jonathan Femi-Cole, then also incoming freshmen Bryce Williams and Nolan Edmonds will all have to be ready to play. The team will need to find out who the pair and spare will be. Shannon Brooks will have to be Coach Brooks until 2019.
Cheryl Reeve asked what PJ focused on when he first took the Minnesota coaching job: “Year one at Western Michigan we were one of the worst offensive teams in the nation. By year four, we were top 15. First year is really installing the culture: how to win games, how we practice, etc.”
Additionally, Fleck went on to talk about how in football especially, the quarterback position is the biggest thing. The coaching staff will need to make sure the quarterbacks are able to handle what the offense is throwing at them. Then, the offense is built around them based upon their strengths, weaknesses, etc.
Dave questioned if Seth Green will be a quarterback, or if he will be moved to another position. “Seth Green is a phenomenal athlete, done nothing but embrace this culture. He’s in the competition like everyone else. If he doesn’t win the job, I’ve talked to him about moving to a different position: TE, WR, LB, etc. He’s been very mature about it all. He’s also got a great opportunity to win the job. He’s a great athlete.”
PJ prefers a controlled tackling/physical environment in practice. The team has seven different tempos that they go at (no contact, thud, full tackle) that the players will have to adjust to. Tough to control it in the trenches, but the downfield hits you especially have to be careful of.”
The seven players that have come in early have earned the respect of their teammates, PJ commented. The way to do that is to sometimes be quiet and work, which they’ve done. He’s excited for the rest of the class to get here in June.
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