On today’s P.J. Fleck segment on the Sports Huddle, Sid and Mike Max’s questions focused on this weekend’s state coaching convention, adjusting to shortages in the offensive and defensive lines, offensive line coach Ed Warinner, tackling drills during spring ball, goals this spring, and the team’s running and passing games.
1) Mike Max opened the show by asking about this weekend’s state high school coaching convention:
“We had 1500 coaches from Minnesota . . . . Shared incredible ideas . . . . (Coaches) enjoyed it,” Fleck said. He also said it’s important that the high school coaches and the college coaches get together. Again he emphasized the importance of sharing ideas.
2) In a follow-up question, Sid wanted to know how the practice on Friday with the high school coaches on the sidelines went:
“Worked out wonderful . . . They got to see creative things on four offensive linemen . . . They enjoyed individual drills – ten different drills at each position,” Fleck replied. He didn’t elaborate on his four offensive linemen statement.
3) Sid asked coach Fleck about offensive line coach Ed Warinner and how he got him from Ohio State University where he was the Buckeyes offensive coordinator last year:
“Ed Warriner is a remarkable man . . . wealth of knowledge . . . one of the best offensive line coaches in the country (Fleck hastened to add it wasn’t just his opinion but also by a lot of coaches across the country) . . . wonderful man who has passion for the game,” Fleck quickly replied. Fleck did mention Warinner as being the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at Ohio State University.
4) Sid asked about the shortages in the offensive and defensive lines:
P.J. Fleck responded, “Adapt . . . not much team activity . . . a lot of one-on-one (drills) . . . (and) seven on seven scrimmages (to test and challenge the secondary and offensive skill positions). As a result of the shortages, there’s been a lot if specialized drills and those on the offensive line have had all the reps, thus far.
5) Mike Max asked coach Fleck for his philosophy on tacking drills.
Fleck replied, he doesn’t believe in doing a lot of tacking in spring drills or in the fall He emphasized the importance of being in “the right position” to make the tackles and not rely on so much tackling during drills and the inherent risk or injuries – “We want to get to the game with (our) best players . . . It’s a violent game.”
6) Sid wanted to know if the team is reaching his goals that he mapped out:
Fleck said they are on their way to changing the culture, “We’re mastering the system . . . make our culture . . . It’s becoming our players culture.” By his tone, Fleck sounded very positive about spring drills and the players adapting to new coaches and a new system.
7) Sid asked about competition at quarterback and Conor Rhoda:
Fleck talked in general terms by saying, “Everybody is getting a lot of reps.” In addition to Rhoda, he mentioned two other quarterback candidates: Demry Croft and Tanner Morgan. He didn’t elaborate on how the trio are doing; however, in the next week or two the number of reps will be whittled down to 2-3 players with those players getting most of the reps.
8) Mike Max asked the final question which he opined that it must be a tremendous asset having the running backs that Minnesota has at this time:
Fleck responded saying, “If you don’t have a running game,” you have a drop back offense. “Running game always opens the passing game!” He also said a strong running game also opens up the run, pass option.