Sorry to report, I missed the first part of today's Jerry Kill segment. Just as the intro music started I lost my internet connection with WCCO. I'm looking forward to Killjoy's podcast thread and I'll add what I missed ( approximately seven minutes).
In any case, Kill's comments and responses to Dave Mona and Sid Hartman's questions are as follows:
1) The first words that I heard when I was reconnected were those of Coach Kill: "Need to continue improve the program."
2) Sid then made a comment about spring ball saying it has to be different from the previous two because of known personnel: Kill acknowledged they know the personalities of the players. Additionally, the players know what's expected of them, and having the coaching staff remain intact is a big plus.
Kill also credited the players of the past two years that were present when he arrived at Minnesota. He said they've played a big part in the team's progress and becoming bowl eligible last year.
3) Mona asked about players that would be withheld from spring drills: Kill said Ed Olson, Zach Mottla, Roland Johnson will be busy with their rehab and will not participate in spring drills. Additionally, he said they'll be cautious with anyone with knee-related problems.
Marcus Jones will see limited action in this year's spring drills. Jones is also moving to the cornerback position. Kill said Jones played in the secondary in high school.
4) Mona then asked if there will be additional position changes: Kill replied, "None now."
But Kill did say that Derrick Wells will be playing some corner, too.
Kill said Nick Rallis will play as an outside linebacker. Rallis had been recruited as a safety/linebacker; however, he has bulked upto 227 pounds - good size for an outside linebacker. Kill acknowledged being thin at the linebacker position; however, he mentioned Lamonte Edwards and Damien Wilson and the redshirted linebackers will be getting a lot of reps in spring drills, which they need. He also said they're looking forward to incoming linebackers (recruits) that'll be joining the team this summer.
Kill said they have more depth in the secondary, defensive line and offensive line, and that's what they want to achieve - depth at all positions.
Go Gophers!!
In any case, Kill's comments and responses to Dave Mona and Sid Hartman's questions are as follows:
1) The first words that I heard when I was reconnected were those of Coach Kill: "Need to continue improve the program."
2) Sid then made a comment about spring ball saying it has to be different from the previous two because of known personnel: Kill acknowledged they know the personalities of the players. Additionally, the players know what's expected of them, and having the coaching staff remain intact is a big plus.
Kill also credited the players of the past two years that were present when he arrived at Minnesota. He said they've played a big part in the team's progress and becoming bowl eligible last year.
3) Mona asked about players that would be withheld from spring drills: Kill said Ed Olson, Zach Mottla, Roland Johnson will be busy with their rehab and will not participate in spring drills. Additionally, he said they'll be cautious with anyone with knee-related problems.
Marcus Jones will see limited action in this year's spring drills. Jones is also moving to the cornerback position. Kill said Jones played in the secondary in high school.
4) Mona then asked if there will be additional position changes: Kill replied, "None now."
But Kill did say that Derrick Wells will be playing some corner, too.
Kill said Nick Rallis will play as an outside linebacker. Rallis had been recruited as a safety/linebacker; however, he has bulked upto 227 pounds - good size for an outside linebacker. Kill acknowledged being thin at the linebacker position; however, he mentioned Lamonte Edwards and Damien Wilson and the redshirted linebackers will be getting a lot of reps in spring drills, which they need. He also said they're looking forward to incoming linebackers (recruits) that'll be joining the team this summer.
Kill said they have more depth in the secondary, defensive line and offensive line, and that's what they want to achieve - depth at all positions.
Go Gophers!!