Big STrib profile: 'Boss' Leidner grabs hold of No. 1 quarterback spot at U

[BleedGopher]

per the STrib:

So for six months, Leidner has run with Kill’s instructions, leading strength and conditioning workouts, film study and captains’ practices. Often, he rose at 5 a.m., and hunkered down at the football complex for 12-hour days.

During film sessions with freshmen receivers, Leidner would take away their cellphones if they got distracted. He could be heard bellowing at teammates during conditioning drills from 100 yards away.

Leidner, 21, is still a redshirt sophomore, but teammates refer to him as “the Boss.”

“I’m more comfortable in this leadership position,” Leidner said. “I’m not scared to get after guys and rip them if I have to. But they’ve all done a really good job. Coach Kill has told us, ‘I’ve never seen a group work like this.’ ”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/269694051.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Pioneer Press with their own profile:

QB Mitch Leidner at home in leading role

The Gophers know Leidner needs time to develop as a passer. That will come with more reps this season, which he'll get plenty of since he's not splitting time on the first-team offense with Nelson, who transferred.

"It feels good," Leidner said Friday. "Guys look up to me, and it feels a lot different from last year, that's for sure. I got a little bit of breathing room."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_26262063/gophers-football-qb-mitch-leidner-at-home-leading

Go Gophers!!

 

[husker70]

I think the time he has put in with the receivers will yield a better percentage. Not from repetition, but rather how the route is run and where and when the ball needs to be there. If a route is run too shallow or too deep it can throw off a what should be a simple toss. And the freshman receivers have been here for the summer. This is not rocket science. If the safety or safeties are up. You need to hit the tight end on a seam. A wide receiver on a post. Do we have the receiver who can take the top off the defense? Can all this work result in the two maybe three big plays a game that will compliment pounding the rock?

 

[diehard]

We will see a large increase in YAC this year. Big boys with an attitude. Factor in 250 pounds of aggression putting helmets on CBs and safeties from the LOS to the goal line. They will hurt a lot of LBs too. We will see 2 and more TEs on the field most plays. They can block, run, catch, and have built relationships with Leidner. Our WRs are going to have to work their butts off to get on the field.

 

[hungan1]

I think the time he has put in with the receivers will yield a better percentage. Not from repetition, but rather how the route is run and where and when the ball needs to be there. If a route is run too shallow or too deep it can throw off a what should be a simple toss. And the freshman receivers have been here for the summer. This is not rocket science. If the safety or safeties are up. You need to hit the tight end on a seam. A wide receiver on a post. Do we have the receiver who can take the top off the defense? Can all this work result in the two maybe three big plays a game that will compliment pounding the rock?

Putting in all this voluntary off season reps will be the difference maker three or four close games.

Streveler and the next backup better be getting plenty of reps too. Twelve games makes for a long season. If Leidner is injured, using Kill's on words the "next man up" better be ready.

Expect the passing & running attacks to improve over the previous season. Going 9-3 versus 5-7 sounds better!

Go Gophers!

 

[station19]

I think the time he has put in with the receivers will yield a better percentage. Not from repetition, but rather how the route is run and where and when the ball needs to be there. If a route is run too shallow or too deep it can throw off a what should be a simple toss. And the freshman receivers have been here for the summer. This is not rocket science. If the safety or safeties are up. You need to hit the tight end on a seam. A wide receiver on a post. Do we have the receiver who can take the top off the defense? Can all this work result in the two maybe three big plays a game that will compliment pounding the rock?

Just like Unitas and Berry.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Putting in all this voluntary off season reps will be the difference maker three or four close games.

Streveler and the next backup better be getting plenty of reps too. Twelve games makes for a long season. If Leidner is injured, using Kill's on words the "next man up" better be ready.

Expect the passing & running attacks to improve over the previous season. Going 9-3 versus 5-7 sounds better!

Go Gophers!

Good points. I anticipate we'll get up big on E. I'll. and hopefully a couple of other non-conference opponents thereby allowing Streveler and other back-ups to get some important playing time.

 

[DoubleB]

Good points. I anticipate we'll get up big on E[/B]. I'll. and hopefully a couple of other non-conference opponents thereby allowing Streveler and other back-ups to get some important playing time.

Can anyone tell me if Kill and Co. ever got up big on anyone when they were at UNI? They should and hopefully they will this season so that they do give the 2's some time on the the field.

I anticipate that we will run more than we should in the the NC and then not be ready for a passing game when the Big's come.

I hope I'm wrong and we light up our first two putz's and get down to TCU and then put a real hurt on them too

 

[Unregistered User]

Can anyone tell me if Kill and Co. ever got up big on anyone when they were at UNI? They should and hopefully they will this season so that they do give the 2's some time on the the field.

Well...he never coached at UNI.

I didn't look at the game splits, but the last 2 seasons at NIU indicated that his team was up big early in many games.

Final score/opponent
41-7/Western Ill.
50-6/Eastern Michigan
50-14/Akron
45-14/Buffalo
65-30/Toledo
59-21/Ball St
71-3/Eastern Michigan

 

[Spoofin]

Don't be fooled by that E.Michigan score. That was a tough/close game until the very end.

 

[vaporboy]

This is very encouraging.

I try and temper my expectation as the season approaches like any sane MN fan, but this is exciting. There isn't a replacement for good leadership. Just like you can't teach height/size, leadership is often something someone does innately or it will appear forced. And even if Leidner does get injured, he can still be a leader from the sidelines and it won't seem contrived. IMHO, outspoken leaders are something we've been missing for a few years on the offensive end.