Coach P.J. Fleck preaches high tempo at Gophers practice
The Gophers coach goes for tempo, quick reactions under pressure.
By Randy Johnson Star Tribune
AUGUST 4, 2017 — 10:39PM
ELIZABETH FLORES – STAR TRIBUNE
ELIZABETH FLORES
“The speed is unbelievable here,” said sophomore Carter Coughlin, who has moved from linebacker to defensive end. “The speed has really kept us on our toes and allowed us to progress extremely fast. We get in 90 plays a day within an hour and 20 minutes. That tempo is honestly faster than a game tempo, so it’s preparing us for a game. It’s gonna slow things down for us in a game.”
Much of that tempo change comes from the Gophers’ new offense, under Fleck and coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Using a no-huddle approach will be an adjustment from what Minnesota ran under former coach Tracy Claeys.
“It’s definitely an adjustment,” said senior tight end Brandon Lingen, who was limited to three games last year because of shoulder, collarbone and foot injuries. “I’ve been part of a huddle team for the past couple of years. To see signals coming in rather than just getting it in the huddle is something you just have to learn.”
Learning will be of utmost importance at quarterback, where senior Conor Rhoda and sophomore Demry Croft split the snaps with the first-team offense Friday.
“I like that we have some consistency in some areas [at quarterback], but we don’t have a lot of consistency in a lot of areas. I do like that they’re communicating more and connecting more with their teammates,” Fleck said. “Part of being the quarterback is the ultimate leader of the football team. When things go right, you’re gonna get a lot of the credit. When things go wrong, people are gonna point the finger at you. You’ve got to be able to handle that and take accountability for other people’s actions on the offense.”
Lingen sees growth in both Rhoda and Croft.
“It’s fun to see those two guys compete — but not compete against each other but with each other,” he said. “They’re helping each other out.”
Fleck has stressed how much his team must improve before it opens the season Aug. 31 against Buffalo. What he’s seen through four practices has him cautiously optimistic.
“It’s hard to judge when we’ve only been in pads twice, but I’m really proud of the way they’re working, how they’re working,” Fleck said. “… We’re getting better. We just have a long way to go.”
http://www.startribune.com/coach-p-j-fleck-preaches-high-tempo-at-gophers-practice/438652713/#1
The Gophers coach goes for tempo, quick reactions under pressure.
By Randy Johnson Star Tribune
AUGUST 4, 2017 — 10:39PM
ELIZABETH FLORES – STAR TRIBUNE
ELIZABETH FLORES
“The speed is unbelievable here,” said sophomore Carter Coughlin, who has moved from linebacker to defensive end. “The speed has really kept us on our toes and allowed us to progress extremely fast. We get in 90 plays a day within an hour and 20 minutes. That tempo is honestly faster than a game tempo, so it’s preparing us for a game. It’s gonna slow things down for us in a game.”
Much of that tempo change comes from the Gophers’ new offense, under Fleck and coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Using a no-huddle approach will be an adjustment from what Minnesota ran under former coach Tracy Claeys.
“It’s definitely an adjustment,” said senior tight end Brandon Lingen, who was limited to three games last year because of shoulder, collarbone and foot injuries. “I’ve been part of a huddle team for the past couple of years. To see signals coming in rather than just getting it in the huddle is something you just have to learn.”
Learning will be of utmost importance at quarterback, where senior Conor Rhoda and sophomore Demry Croft split the snaps with the first-team offense Friday.
“I like that we have some consistency in some areas [at quarterback], but we don’t have a lot of consistency in a lot of areas. I do like that they’re communicating more and connecting more with their teammates,” Fleck said. “Part of being the quarterback is the ultimate leader of the football team. When things go right, you’re gonna get a lot of the credit. When things go wrong, people are gonna point the finger at you. You’ve got to be able to handle that and take accountability for other people’s actions on the offense.”
Lingen sees growth in both Rhoda and Croft.
“It’s fun to see those two guys compete — but not compete against each other but with each other,” he said. “They’re helping each other out.”
Fleck has stressed how much his team must improve before it opens the season Aug. 31 against Buffalo. What he’s seen through four practices has him cautiously optimistic.
“It’s hard to judge when we’ve only been in pads twice, but I’m really proud of the way they’re working, how they’re working,” Fleck said. “… We’re getting better. We just have a long way to go.”
http://www.startribune.com/coach-p-j-fleck-preaches-high-tempo-at-gophers-practice/438652713/#1
