BTN: Matt Limegrover Q&A: Mitch Leidner has 'it' factor

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per BTN:

Q: How do you feel about the quarterback situation?
A: I don’t think there is anything worse in football than trying to figure out who will be your quarterback. But we have had the quarterback battle playing out on the field recently. After Philip (Nelson) decided to leave, there wasn’t any doubt as to whose team this was with Mitch Leidner. That has given us some good direction. As a staff, we have been together a while and know what we want to do. But you still have to get it executed. You have to get kids in the right spot.

(Nelson and Leidner) each had their group of friends, neither wanted to step out and be that guy you need at QB … and they were friends. Neither took that step forward to be that guy you need as a leader at quarterback. Once Philip decided to leave, Coach Kill got up at a team meeting and said “here is your guy (Leidner). If he tells you to do something, you do it.”

It really has been fun to watch Mitch take off. You feel excited about the leadership at the position. There is an “it” factor to being a quarterback. Mitch has got that. The road will be rocky at times, he’s still going through development. But we have established an offensive identity. We aren’t gonna fool anybody—we are gonna run the football. That will allow Mitch to not have to win games week in and week.

http://btn.com/2014/07/21/matt-limegrover-qa-mitch-leidner-has-it-factor/

Go Gophers!!
 

I'm glad Mitch has got "it." He's going to need it. ;)

But seriously, I've gotten that feeling from watching facebook at Twitter and from news reports. His teammates seem to have bought into his leadership.
 

As I've said before, I hope Leidner has a big year. But, if he is the unquestioned team leader and #1 QB, then he has to be on the field - and that means he has to stay healthy. Kill and Limegrover are going to have to be very careful with Leidner's work-load. If it was up to me - in the non-conference games, if the Gophers are up by 20pts or more, Leidner would be out of the game, and I would get Streveler as many reps as possible in game conditions, to help get him ready just in case.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
As I've said before, I hope Leidner has a big year. But, if he is the unquestioned team leader and #1 QB, then he has to be on the field - and that means he has to stay healthy. Kill and Limegrover are going to have to be very careful with Leidner's work-load. If it was up to me - in the non-conference games, if the Gophers are up by 20pts or more, Leidner would be out of the game, and I would get Streveler as many reps as possible in game conditions, to help get him ready just in case.
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That whole comment goes without saying.
 




I hope "it" is some consistently completed passes. :cool:
 







beavergopher said:
Yes. I believe we heard the same thing last year about the QB who shall no longer be mentioned.
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Was it said pre season or when they recruited him? In any event, for anyone who attended practice, Phil was not accurate and didn't look good. You had to just hope that he would figure it out and he never did consistently. Mitch in practice this year was sharp and accurate. Didn't look great in the spring game so you have to hope that was an aberration. Still plenty of reason for more hope than in the past at the position. Plus first time well have had a qb with 3 years in the system.
 

Interesting.

A: We have a young receiving crew, which makes it a little tougher on your quarterback. Four of our top five receivers are probably gonna be true sophomores or true freshmen. But we feel like we can run the ball and not have to throw it 45 times to win.

It sounds like Woli, Jones, "Frechte", and most likely Holland are locks to get a lot of time. That leaves one of Gentry or Krizancic as the other true Freshman. Carter, Maye odd men out. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holland overtake Jones sooner rather than later.

Interesting nugget on Nelson's lack of chemistry with the locker room and coaching dissatisfaction. Further evidence he was on the glide path to the bench.

When discussing RBs no mention of Jones. Ominous or he just doesn't want to get ahead of things. My boy kirkwood on the outs. Oh well. This is going to be a fun group to watch.

Limegrover downplaying expectations for leidner-expected since he started only what, 4 games? I think we'll see more than a few Leidner to Williams. Again, going to be fun to watch.
 



Pompous Elitist said:
Interesting.

A: We have a young receiving crew, which makes it a little tougher on your quarterback. Four of our top five receivers are probably gonna be true sophomores or true freshmen. But we feel like we can run the ball and not have to throw it 45 times to win.

It sounds like Woli, Jones, "Frechte", and most likely Holland are locks to get a lot of time. That leaves one of Gentry or Krizancic as the other true Freshman. Carter, Maye odd men out. I wouldn't be surprised to see Holland overtake Jones sooner rather than later.

Interesting nugget on Nelson's lack of chemistry with the locker room and coaching dissatisfaction. Further evidence he was on the glide path to the bench.

When discussing RBs no mention of Jones. Ominous or he just doesn't want to get ahead of things. My boy kirkwood on the outs. Oh well. This is going to be a fun group to watch.

Limegrover downplaying expectations for leidner-expected since he started only what, 4 games? I think we'll see more than a few Leidner to Williams. Again, going to be fun to watch.
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Nice to read a post that sees the possibilities. I also like it that you are going to enjoy the journey. But even better there was no whining! Is this the GopherHole?
 

He won't be a leading receiver for stats, but I bet Logan Hutton gets a lot of PT again. And if holland overtakes jones that means he's gonna be a star, jones might be our best player on offense.
 

Based on stats Wolitarski was better than Jones. Jones has the athleticism, eg the leaping ability but as Coach L. Pointed out he's still figuring things out. He needs to get a nose for the ball. Don't get me wrong, I hope like hell that happens! He could be great.

I like Jones potential but I will bet you an ice cold foaming Summit IPA (can't get it here in CA) that Holland will overtake Jones sometime over the next 15 months.

The real question is probably who will be the best blocker for the running game? There's a reason Frechte ( I can't remember the proper spelling either) is still playing.
 

I believe ,that when RBs were discussed there was no mention of Jones because, even if he qualifies, he's will most likely red shirt. I could be wrong but I just think that by not being on campus in June has put him behind.
 


Section2 said:
Was it said pre season or when they recruited him?
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It is pretty much said about every QB on every team at every level, every preseason. Yawn. It means nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch.
 

nsmike said:
I believe ,that when RBs were discussed there was no mention of Jones because, even if he qualifies, he's will most likely red shirt. I could be wrong but I just think that by not being on campus in June has put him behind.
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I believe Jones has been involved in captain practices this Summer. I still think he plays this year if he gets in.
 

I like Mitch. He wants the ball.

Hope he improves this year. Like, a lot.
 

"We need to scratch off the lottery ticket rather than working the 80 hour week."

Love that quote.
 

Pompous Elitist said:
Based on stats Wolitarski was better than Jones. Jones has the athleticism, eg the leaping ability but as Coach L. Pointed out he's still figuring things out. He needs to get a nose for the ball. Don't get me wrong, I hope like hell that happens! He could be great.

I like Jones potential but I will bet you an ice cold foaming Summit IPA (can't get it here in CA) that Holland will overtake Jones sometime over the next 15 months.

The real question is probably who will be the best blocker for the running game? There's a reason Frechte ( I can't remember the proper spelling either) is still playing.
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I take that bet, excluding injury, were just talking about out playing. Love Woli too, he's great. There's just something about jones with the ball in his hands, he's special.

Best blocker is Hutton, that's the only reason he gets so much PT.
 

Pompous Elitist said:
Interesting.

........

Interesting nugget on Nelson's lack of chemistry with the locker room and coaching dissatisfaction. Further evidence he was on the glide path to the bench.

......
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I caught that too. It gives you an interesting insight into what was going on behind the scenes. It almost seemed like each quarterback had their own "factions". It's bound to happen in a two quarterback system, but I agree with you regarding the glide path.
 

Rescooter said:
I caught that too. It gives you an interesting insight into what was going on behind the scenes. It almost seemed like each quarterback had their own "factions". It's bound to happen in a two quarterback system, but I agree with you regarding the glide path.
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Sounded more like sour grapes to me.
 

Rescooter said:
I caught that too. It gives you an interesting insight into what was going on behind the scenes. It almost seemed like each quarterback had their own "factions". It's bound to happen in a two quarterback system, but I agree with you regarding the glide path.
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I believe, if I remember correctly, it had been written that Nelson was living with most of the starting offensive line (at the time) like Campion, Bak, Epping, Lienkewicz (sp?) and Freuchte (sp?). Leidner was living with the Olson boys and Maxx Williams. Do not recall where I read that, but it was somewhere. Probably pre-season at some point last year.
 

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