Coach Kill Tonight (4-16-2012) on KFAN

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highwayman

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Monday, April 16, 2012
Jerry Kill: 'Without Any Question We've Gotten Better"

Tune in tonight at 7:00 p.m. for Gophers Sports Weekly. Tonight's show features a full hour with Gophers football coach Jerry Kill. He talks with Mike Grimm and Mark Rosen about the unfortunate death of Gary Tinsley, what to expect during Saturday's spring game and why he believes the Gophers will be much-improved in 2012.

Sneak Peak At What Kill Had to Say

On QB MarQueis Gray: “He’s throwing the ball well and been on target.”

On freshman QB Philip Nelson: "He's got what I call, 'it'."

On Ed and Tommy Olson getting stronger/better: “They not only did what they were supposed to do, but they did twice as much.”

On the wide receiver position: “We need some people to step up.”

On the direction of the program: “We’re taking baby steps in the program, I’ve said that all along, but I definitely feel that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Plans for Saturday's Spring Game: "We're going to try and make an annoucment after tomorrow's practice" regarding how 'game like' Saturday will be. Has much to do with injury status for some key players.

Pleased with the Secondary so far: "We felt we had to improve the secondary as far as athleticism. They're young but haven't made a ton of mental mistakes.... I feel good about their progress....we tried to get more speed on the field."
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I spent lunch at Senser's today to see the taping live. Coach Kill really lit up talking about Nelson. Talked about how Big 10 defenses need to be flexible due to all the different offenses. Take a listen at 7:00.
 

Nice job Highwayman, I got to listen to a portion of it and you captured some of his main points well. He made some interesting comments on the offensive position groups, he said they feel "really good" about the quarterback position and made some statements about how far along Nelson is already. The question was asked if Nelson would play this year, and he didn't rule it out, said it will depend on how Shortell comes along. He sounded concerned about the WRs and indicated that some of the freshmen will need to step up.
 

John Galt said:
Nice job Highwayman, I got to listen to a portion of it and you captured some of his main points well. He made some interesting comments on the offensive position groups, he said they feel "really good" about the quarterback position and made some statements about how far along Nelson is already. The question was asked if Nelson would play this year, and he didn't rule it out, said it will depend on how Shortell comes along. He sounded concerned about the WRs and indicated that some of the freshmen will need to step up.
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I think most of us saw this coming. I would guess the big 2 see alot of playing time. I really believe we will see Nelson at some point in time this year, and probably Max Williams. I don't think there is anything to wait for.
 

I really want Nelson to red shirt. Give him the reigns after Gray plays out his senior season.
 

howieramone said:
I think most of us saw this coming. I would guess the big 2 see alot of playing time. I really believe we will see Nelson at some point in time this year, and probably Max Williams. I don't think there is anything to wait for.
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Agree 100%. Kill's not waiting for anything, the best players will get time and I think we'll see Harbison and McDonald get major minutes at WR by the end of the season and KJ Maye will get some situational carries as a RB.
 


I think its a bad thing if we see Nelson. That means either Gray is hurt or isn't playing very well.
 

GophersInIowa said:
I think its a bad thing if we see Nelson. That means either Gray is hurt or isn't playing very well.
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It's not very often that one QB takes every snap for an entire season, and it's even less likely with all the hits Gray takes. We all hope Nelson gets to redshirt, but at the same time, if Gray goes down and we're in a close game, the best guy needs to go in.
 

For those of you that want Nelson to play a few snaps this year rather than redshirt, how would you like to have McKnight lining up at reciever this year. He would be if he didn't play a few snaps as a freshman with one reception.

2008 • Dajon McKnight FRESHMAN SEASON:
Saw playing time in nine games • made the most of his lone reception of the regualr season, hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass • earned first letter.
 

CDH27 said:
For those of you that want Nelson to play a few snaps this year rather than redshirt, how would you like to have McKnight lining up at reciever this year. He would be if he didn't play a few snaps as a freshman with one reception.

2008 • Dajon McKnight FRESHMAN SEASON:
Saw playing time in nine games • made the most of his lone reception of the regualr season, hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass • earned first letter.
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I don't think anyone wants Nelson to get a few meaningless snaps, that would be a waste. What I'm talking about is if we're playing Iowa in the first B1G game, scored is tied in the 3rd quarter, and Gray gets injured and is likely out the rest of the game. If Nelson is the next best QB, he needs to go in the game. This team needs to start winning games and showing improvement this year.
 



I have zero interest in seeing Philip Nelson play this year regardless if he is #2 on the depth chart. Red Shirt him. End of debate. The only way he should see a single snap is if he beats out Gray and is the starter from day 1.
 

CDH27 said:
For those of you that want Nelson to play a few snaps this year rather than redshirt, how would you like to have McKnight lining up at reciever this year. He would be if he didn't play a few snaps as a freshman with one reception.

2008 • Dajon McKnight FRESHMAN SEASON:
Saw playing time in nine games • made the most of his lone reception of the regualr season, hauling in a 22-yard touchdown pass • earned first letter.
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TD was against Ohio State in a game where they played well until a BS fumble where Weber's forward progress was stopped for about a minute. Hindsight is 20/20. Gotta have your best guys in the two deep IMHO.
 

OK--since I was there and saw his face, I'll add this. Kill's VERY excited about Nelson. But unless he is already thinking of installing him as the starter in 2013, Nelson will not play in 2012. If he plays (other than because of injury to Gray and Shortell and Foreman), you can assume he is our 2013 starter. I think his early enrollment was part of this plan. I can't visualize any other path right now.

This could also be indicated by the recruitment of Alton Meeks (back up in 2014/15, starter 2016 as RSJunior). Not counting chickens, just sayin'.
 

If Nelson is the 2nd best QB on the team right now that means he'll likely be the best QB on the roster next year. I'd rather start a soph with a bit of experience than a RS frosh. That said I'd rather a great player play for 4 years than 3. Bottom line is I hope that Shortell is good enough to be the starter next year as a jr and plays well enough to hold off the young guns the year after and Nelson plays 2 years as well. There aren't many frosh or soph QBs good enough to win many games
 



Oleboy-

IMO right now Shortell is not good enough to be the starter in 2012 or 2013. The best scenario possible is for Gray to play in 2012 with Shortell as the backup. Preserve Philip Nelson's 4 years of eligibility and let it be a competition in 2013, which Nelson will win and he becomes a 4 year starter. I say this even if Nelson would be #2 on the depth chart this year. Save him. Again, this is the BEST case scenario IMO. Where the Gophers are at now, we do not have the luxury of worrying about Frosh or Soph QB's winning games, the best player should play. Nelson will have 1 1/2 years in the system prior to September of 2013. There have been plenty of Frosh and Soph QB's to have success the last handful of years.
 

From the posts here it sounds like Nelson is pretty much a lock to be a better QB than Shortell next year, and into the future...am I missing something or is this jumping the gun a little bit? I admittedly haven't seen Nelson play/practice, but less than a year ago more than a few people were talking up Shortell as the second coming of (Insert Great Gopher QB, if you can think of one). I'm excited about Nelson too, but from what little we've seen of Shortell, assuming he progresses at an average rate over the next season I wouldn't be at all worried about rolling into 2013 with him as our starting QB. Are the measurable differences between those two guys so dramatic that Nelson not starting 2013 as QB1 would be a big shocker to most people? (I'm asking this question earnestly, as someone who doesn't have that knowledge on hand.)
 

RedPoo said:
From the posts here it sounds like Nelson is pretty much a lock to be a better QB than Shortell next year, and into the future...am I missing something or is this jumping the gun a little bit? I admittedly haven't seen Nelson play/practice, but less than a year ago more than a few people were talking up Shortell as the second coming of (Insert Great Gopher QB, if you can think of one). I'm excited about Nelson too, but from what little we've seen of Shortell, assuming he progresses at an average rate over the next season I wouldn't be at all worried about rolling into 2013 with him as our starting QB. Are the measurable differences between those two guys so dramatic that Nelson not starting 2013 as QB1 would be a big shocker to most people? (I'm asking this question earnestly, as someone who doesn't have that knowledge on hand.)
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I was at practiced today and I now understand even more why Kill raves about Nelson. We have been asked not to comment about individual players performances at practices so all I am going to say is that Kill is right when he says Nelson has that special "it".
 

Coach Kill is laying the groundwork for a winning program and he will redshirt as many freshmen as possible. Given his long-term perspective, protecting Nelson's redshirt status is a no brainer. No doubt injuries and other unforeseen events will cause him to compromise his plans. Let's all hope this doesn't include the need to play Nelson.
 

Agree ^^^ Nelson's time will come. This is Gray's season with Shortell backing up.
 

John Galt said:
I don't think anyone wants Nelson to get a few meaningless snaps, that would be a waste. What I'm talking about is if we're playing Iowa in the first B1G game, scored is tied in the 3rd quarter, and Gray gets injured and is likely out the rest of the game. If Nelson is the next best QB, he needs to go in the game. This team needs to start winning games and showing improvement this year.
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+1
 

SARCASM ALERT! SARCASM ALERT! SARCASM ALERT!

The solution is obvious. Start Nelson at QB and move Gray to WR.
 

Nothing is guaranteed. Nelson might be so good he's off to the NFL after 3 years, or he might have a career ending injury on Saturday. Let's be more concerned with winning games in 2012 than anticipating what might happen in 2016. Assume these two options:

1. Red-shirt Nelson at all costs to give him 5 years at the U.
2. Play Nelson at Wisconsin because he gives us the best chance to win, and get the Axe back.

I defy anyone to tell me they would choose option 1.
 

Mngoph79 said:
Coach Kill is laying the groundwork for a winning program and he will redshirt as many freshmen as possible.
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That's what you're assuming, but the facts do not bear that out.
 

John, right now we're undefeated. Once the reality of the season starts, I have little doubt the Iowa example will make it obvious to most of us, we need Nelson if he clearly wins the back-up job. 2016 looks alot more important right now than it really is. I support Kill and staff and am by nature very patient with rebuilding jobs. That said, I question how patient the Gopher Faithful will be. Kill knows he has to win ASAP. As painful as burning a redshirt is, he knows he has to give his team every chance to win now, and worry about 2016 later. I like the direction our program is taking, this isn't Kill and staffs first rodeo, he's not waiting for anything.
 

FWIW - on other link his dad is quoted as saying Kill promised them all or nothing this year. I think he stays true to his word.
 

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