Fleck refuses to comment on Faalele and Oliver

[MplsGopher]

https://247sports.com/college/minne...an-Tanner-Morgan-Press-Conference--152494769/

Fleck said Monday "there's probably going to be a few" more players to opt out, but it's "a small, small number." Asked specifically about linebacker Braelen Oliver and offensive lineman Daniel Faalele, Fleck declined to comment.

"I'm going to wait to be specific on who we talk about, whether opt in, opt out, to give people the proper time ... so they can make the decision for themselves and not have added pressure," Fleck said. "It's a time where things are really sensitive. … I don't want to put that out there and have people calling them telling them what they should or should not do at this point."

Fleck said he is still waiting on a few more players to give their final answer, which they have less than three weeks to do before the Gophers face Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium. It appears the Gophers have not updated their online roster since spring football, since the freshmen enrollees from June are still not listed. Fleck said he will release an updated roster once all players know their playing status.

"I don't want to give you names, and all of a sudden they opt in tomorrow, but I told you they opted out today," Fleck said. " … I want them to do it for all the right reasons and the reasons that they have with their families."

 

[MplsGopher]

This is my thinking: it's difficult to see how there is much of anything to gain, by refusing to confirm that a starter is going to play, when you know they are going to play. Starters are generally assumed to be the best at that position, and so forcing your opponent to prepare for a backup at that position, that isn't likely to play? Not sure if I see the benefit to that.

Therefore, I think we need to prepare for the possibility that neither of these players will be playing, at the very least for a portion of this season.

 

[MennoSota]

Fleck, not gonna give Harbaugh any idea until necessary. Good for him. We live in a world that thinks they are entitled to know everything immediately. Just watch the folks in the MSM whine during the evening news.

 

[SJUgopher]

I missed the rumors, what’s up with those two?

 

[MplsGopher]

I missed the rumors, what’s up with those two?

I don't know if there are any.

Oliver did post a cryptic Tweet or IG message (can't remember which it was) some months ago. People speculated maybe it was a death in the family or maybe a serious injury. No one in the media has every followed up, until this.

Faalele I believe was rumored to have opted out, when there wasn't going to be a season. If he still isn't sure if he's gonna opt back in, at this point. That would be a big wow to me. Maybe he has serious concerns with covid because of his weight? The same could apply to Dunlap, to be honest (or really any of the OL).

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

PJ doesn't want to play a game of "I'm not going to who won't play ... but I will tell you who they aren't."

I'm usually really skeptical about the "should play more to improve" and more on the "go get paid" train.

But Faalele ... dude has the size but he still gets beat on stunts and etc / not consistent. He'll get draft money for sure but unless he gets a team who is willing to really work with him over time to develop... the NFL is not the place to "get better later"... and not that many games can end a dude's career if they don't see improvement.

I feel like he's one of those guys who maybe could benefit longer term if he stays and works.

 

[Sparlimb]

PJ doesn't want to play a game of "I'm not going to who won't play ... but I will tell you who they aren't."

I'm usually really skeptical about the "should play more to improve" and more on the "go get paid" train.

But Faalele ... dude has the size but he still gets beat on stunts and etc / not consistent. He'll get draft money for sure but unless he gets a team who is willing to really work with him over time to develop... the NFL is not the place to "get better later"... and not that many games can end a dude's career if they don't see improvement.

I feel like he's one of those guys who maybe could benefit longer term if he stays and works.

Or how about play this year and not lose a year of eligibility. He's very green and we had to start him too soon. But that all said, he does have a ton of potential. He could use a 4th year of playing here and would have an option for a 5th.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

College Football coaches, as a rule, are more secretive than your average CIA agent.

They hate to reveal any information that might have the slightest impact on a game. The depth charts that the Gophers announce before games are almost never accurate.

My best recollection is that Oliver has some type of injury issue.

No idea on Faalele, other than some poster claimed he was not taking part in off-season workouts for......reasons.

Bottom line - I suspect that most B1G teams will be dealing with similar issues.

This season is going to be all about depth. the outcome of games may be decided by which team has a better 2nd-string, or a smaller drop-off from 1st-string to 2nd-string.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

College Football coaches, as a rule, are more secretive than your average CIA agent.

They hate to reveal any information that might have the slightest impact on a game. The depth charts that the Gophers announce before games are almost never accurate.

My best recollection is that Oliver has some type of injury issue.

No idea on Faalele, other than some poster claimed he was not taking part in off-season workouts for......reasons.

Bottom line - I suspect that most B1G teams will be dealing with similar issues.

This season is going to be all about depth. the outcome of games may be decided by which team has a better 2nd-string, or a smaller drop-off from 1st-string to 2nd-string.

I like to think it will be more like this:

 

[Hates Monikers]

Oliver sustained a knee injury in spring ball. According to Ryan Burns (who is also going off of scant information), he probably won't be available -- at least early in the season. I wouldn't expect Fleck to let Michigan know which starters will and won't be playing on Oct. 24.