After a week's visit to my hometown - Detroit Lakes - it's time to transcribe today's Sports Huddle interview with Defensive Coordinator and Acting Head Coach Tracy Claeys:
1) Sid opened the program asking about the Gophers upcoming opponent, Northwestern, and if he watched their game with Wisconsin: Tracy said he's only watched the first quarter of the game film, thus far. He went onto say he flew out to Kansas and took in a couple junior college games yesterday. As a result, he didn't watch the Northwestern-Wisconsin game live.
2) Sid asked who would be the starting quarterback against Northwestern: Claeys replied, "We'll have one extra practice this afternoon . . . give both (QBs) a good workout." He plans to announce the starting quarterback on Tuesday.
3) Sid asked about team injuries: Claeys said he expects Martez Shabbaz to be back (possibly this afternoon; however, may rest him until Tuesday). He also mentioned another player, however, I didn't catch the name. Claeys said they had three good practice days last week and the team has spent time in the weight room. He closed saying he expects everybody to be back (those nicked up in the Michigan game) for Northwestern.
4) Sid asked if he watched the Northwestern-Ohio State game: Claeys said, "Northwestern played awfully well . . . Ohio State got on a roll late in the game . . . great college football game." He ended by saying he expects Northwestern to be ready for the Gophers and that he expects it'll be a great game.
5) Sid asked about Northwestern's play against the Badgers: Claeys: "Score yesterday surprised me . . . (Northwestern) didn't move the ball." He added, Northwestern has 2 losses and that's all you can afford, if you want to contend for a Big 10 Championship (winning your division and competing in the Championship Game). Claeys also mentioned the experience that Northwestern has this year (senior laden and they're tough).
6) Sid asked about Coach Kill: Claeys responded to the question saying, "Everything is going as planned." However, he also said he hasn't yet personally had a chance to talk with Coach Kill.
He concluded the question, "We'll be in touch." He'll have conversations about the upcoming game with Coach Kill.
7) Sid referenced Joe Christensen's article about Claeys getting into coaching: Tracy said he intended to walk on at Kansas University; however, when he saw how big and fast the players were he decided to be a student manager. While doing his managerial duties he would work with the position coaches and watch game films. When Glen Mason was hired to coach the Jayhawks he was named a student assistant coach and then eventually hooked on with Coach Kill.
8) Dave Mona asked if Tracy planned to coach on the sidelines during Kill's absence: "I will, if Coach Kill isn't back." He added, he didn't want to disrupt the routine/plan that they have in place when they played Michigan; however, with the week off they're making adjustments to game day practices with Kill's absence.
9) Sid asked if Tracy was happy with Ra'Shede Hageman's play at defensive tackle: Claeys responded: "He's playing better . . . Not displeased with Ra'Shede at all . . . Playing better with pad level and against the run."
10) Sid asked about the team's pass defense: Claey's said at Michigan they had their three top corners out because of injuries during parts of the game and that there's a drop-off without your best corners. He went onto say that they've spent the past week making some adjustments in their pass coverage . . . he was pleased with their (defense) effort; however, he admitted they had problems with third downs, which led to possession time for Michigan and field position that adversely affected the Gophers. They have to stop the opponents on third down.
11) Dave Mona asked for a status report on Mike Henry: Claey's said, "We'll see what he can do today." He also said they might hold him out until Tuesday to give him additional rest and a chance to recover from his injury.
12) Sid asked about this year's redshirts and who has impressed him, thus far: Tracy mentioned Rayfield Dixon at linebacker; defensive back Deletavious McGhee; and Berkley Edwards has looked good. He also mentioned Jalen Myrick. Myrick has been playing, he is not a redshirt. Claeys said he's pleased with the players development. He also said they were getting a lot of reps during practice. He concluded, "It's not easy to redshirt." Nevertheless, he sounded pleased with the redshirts development and attitudes.
13) Dave Mona asked about the play of Drew Wolitarsky, Jamel Harbison and Donavahn Jones as receivers: Claeys said, "They've been thrown into the fire . . . great week of practice . . . (they're) part of the rotation." In answering Mona's query, it sounded as though we'll be seeing more of the trio on the field. He also alluded to some injuries at the receiver position without specifics.
14) Sid, once again, asked about the defense: "I'm disappointed with our third downs," replied Tracy Claeys, "Need to get off the field." He added, "We've played more consistently . . . I'd be lying if I said I'm completely satisfied."
15) Mona asked two questions. The first was related to the Olson brothers and the second about being aggressive on offense at the end of the half: Claeys said Eddie Olson is still struggling with his ankle injury. He said Tommy Olson is getting a lot of reps at a new position (center). He added there's competition at the center position, which is a good thing; however, he added, "Getting the best people out on the field."
As to the second question, Claeys said field position, have they been able to move the ball, and if they get the ball to start the second half are factors that they consider at the close of the first half when they have the ball.
16) Sid asked how many seniors are starting on defense: Claey's said there are four seniors on defense that start fairly regularly. He said it's a sophomore-junior dominated team, "We're making progress developing our sophomores and juniors." He added, that they're trying to get in the position to compete for the Big !0 title. He referenced their experience in developing conference competitive teams.
17) Sid asked how the recruits perceive the team: Claeys said recruiting is going well and that they're honest with the players/recruits, their coaches and parents about the Gopher team and Coach Kill's medical condition, which is helpful in their recruiting efforts. He also said the high school coaches - relationships developed by Coach Kill - have been helpful as well.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the program asking about the Gophers upcoming opponent, Northwestern, and if he watched their game with Wisconsin: Tracy said he's only watched the first quarter of the game film, thus far. He went onto say he flew out to Kansas and took in a couple junior college games yesterday. As a result, he didn't watch the Northwestern-Wisconsin game live.
2) Sid asked who would be the starting quarterback against Northwestern: Claeys replied, "We'll have one extra practice this afternoon . . . give both (QBs) a good workout." He plans to announce the starting quarterback on Tuesday.
3) Sid asked about team injuries: Claeys said he expects Martez Shabbaz to be back (possibly this afternoon; however, may rest him until Tuesday). He also mentioned another player, however, I didn't catch the name. Claeys said they had three good practice days last week and the team has spent time in the weight room. He closed saying he expects everybody to be back (those nicked up in the Michigan game) for Northwestern.
4) Sid asked if he watched the Northwestern-Ohio State game: Claeys said, "Northwestern played awfully well . . . Ohio State got on a roll late in the game . . . great college football game." He ended by saying he expects Northwestern to be ready for the Gophers and that he expects it'll be a great game.
5) Sid asked about Northwestern's play against the Badgers: Claeys: "Score yesterday surprised me . . . (Northwestern) didn't move the ball." He added, Northwestern has 2 losses and that's all you can afford, if you want to contend for a Big 10 Championship (winning your division and competing in the Championship Game). Claeys also mentioned the experience that Northwestern has this year (senior laden and they're tough).
6) Sid asked about Coach Kill: Claeys responded to the question saying, "Everything is going as planned." However, he also said he hasn't yet personally had a chance to talk with Coach Kill.
He concluded the question, "We'll be in touch." He'll have conversations about the upcoming game with Coach Kill.
7) Sid referenced Joe Christensen's article about Claeys getting into coaching: Tracy said he intended to walk on at Kansas University; however, when he saw how big and fast the players were he decided to be a student manager. While doing his managerial duties he would work with the position coaches and watch game films. When Glen Mason was hired to coach the Jayhawks he was named a student assistant coach and then eventually hooked on with Coach Kill.
8) Dave Mona asked if Tracy planned to coach on the sidelines during Kill's absence: "I will, if Coach Kill isn't back." He added, he didn't want to disrupt the routine/plan that they have in place when they played Michigan; however, with the week off they're making adjustments to game day practices with Kill's absence.
9) Sid asked if Tracy was happy with Ra'Shede Hageman's play at defensive tackle: Claeys responded: "He's playing better . . . Not displeased with Ra'Shede at all . . . Playing better with pad level and against the run."
10) Sid asked about the team's pass defense: Claey's said at Michigan they had their three top corners out because of injuries during parts of the game and that there's a drop-off without your best corners. He went onto say that they've spent the past week making some adjustments in their pass coverage . . . he was pleased with their (defense) effort; however, he admitted they had problems with third downs, which led to possession time for Michigan and field position that adversely affected the Gophers. They have to stop the opponents on third down.
11) Dave Mona asked for a status report on Mike Henry: Claey's said, "We'll see what he can do today." He also said they might hold him out until Tuesday to give him additional rest and a chance to recover from his injury.
12) Sid asked about this year's redshirts and who has impressed him, thus far: Tracy mentioned Rayfield Dixon at linebacker; defensive back Deletavious McGhee; and Berkley Edwards has looked good. He also mentioned Jalen Myrick. Myrick has been playing, he is not a redshirt. Claeys said he's pleased with the players development. He also said they were getting a lot of reps during practice. He concluded, "It's not easy to redshirt." Nevertheless, he sounded pleased with the redshirts development and attitudes.
13) Dave Mona asked about the play of Drew Wolitarsky, Jamel Harbison and Donavahn Jones as receivers: Claeys said, "They've been thrown into the fire . . . great week of practice . . . (they're) part of the rotation." In answering Mona's query, it sounded as though we'll be seeing more of the trio on the field. He also alluded to some injuries at the receiver position without specifics.
14) Sid, once again, asked about the defense: "I'm disappointed with our third downs," replied Tracy Claeys, "Need to get off the field." He added, "We've played more consistently . . . I'd be lying if I said I'm completely satisfied."
15) Mona asked two questions. The first was related to the Olson brothers and the second about being aggressive on offense at the end of the half: Claeys said Eddie Olson is still struggling with his ankle injury. He said Tommy Olson is getting a lot of reps at a new position (center). He added there's competition at the center position, which is a good thing; however, he added, "Getting the best people out on the field."
As to the second question, Claeys said field position, have they been able to move the ball, and if they get the ball to start the second half are factors that they consider at the close of the first half when they have the ball.
16) Sid asked how many seniors are starting on defense: Claey's said there are four seniors on defense that start fairly regularly. He said it's a sophomore-junior dominated team, "We're making progress developing our sophomores and juniors." He added, that they're trying to get in the position to compete for the Big !0 title. He referenced their experience in developing conference competitive teams.
17) Sid asked how the recruits perceive the team: Claeys said recruiting is going well and that they're honest with the players/recruits, their coaches and parents about the Gopher team and Coach Kill's medical condition, which is helpful in their recruiting efforts. He also said the high school coaches - relationships developed by Coach Kill - have been helpful as well.
Go Gophers!!
