1) Sid opened the questioning by saying he understood Coach Kill was going to attend the Masters in Augusta, Georgia: Kill responded saying that, as he was speaking, he's enroute to New Prague for a function. He acknowledged, however, that he was going to Augusta for the Masters on Thursday. As a result, they'll have an evening practice Wednesday. He'll be back on Friday.
2) Sid said the weather hasn't been the best for spring drills: "The weather hasn't deterred us," Kill replied. He went onto say that the've been able to accomplish much of what they had set out to do by conducting the drills inside the practice facility. They've been able to conduct some scrimmages inside as well.
3) Sid asked if there were any specific players that have stood out or have made progress: Kill said, "Our team has made progress . . . indoor facility was packed yesterday . . . (team has shown) good intensity . . . working better together." (In the past, Kill has said having good crowds at the practices has been a plus. It keeps the players focused and sharp in their drills.) Kill also said the coaching staff has been making progress, too.
4) Sid asked Kill to comment about competition during spring drills: He said competiton has been good and then specifically mentioned the secondary and offensive line (no names given, however). He closed the question by saying they're trying to build depth: "To succeed in the Big 10 you need depth . . . have junior and seniors playing . . . we need to get older." He stressed the importance of team depth and maturity in the starting units.
5) Dave Mona asked about the rapid pace of the practices: Kill responded: "We meet as a team before practice and tell them what we're going to do and what we're going to focus on." He then said, "Kids are focused with good intensity." He's pleased with the team's response in practice and the progress that they're making.
6) Sid, once again, asked about the four recruits that reported early: Kill responded by saying he preferred to discuss positions; he then talked about the linebackers: Damien Wilson and Jack Lynn have had good practices and are athletic. Lamonte Edwards had a good practice yesterday . . . "showed up." Nick Rallis was mentioned as well.
Kill then turned to the secondary. He sounded very positive about Eric Murray. Kill said Murray is a tremendous athlete, has a good physique, and comes to every practice focused and ready to play. (Murray now weighs 195 pounds, which is a lot more than he weighed when he arrived on campus last summer.) Kill also mentioned Antonio Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio. Johnson "Has done a great job at safety."
Hendrick Ekpe, a true freshman, was cited for his growth and speed at DE. Ekpe now weighs 250 pounds. (Hendrick's brother, Scott, experienced a similar growth rate when he reported early last year.)
Kill closed out the question by saying "Tight ends are going to be good . . . receivers have progressed."
7) Sid then asked Kill to talk about the linebackers (final question): Kill replied, "Linebackers are getting a lot of reps . . . four more linebackers coming in (this summer) that will add depth."
Go Gophers!!
2) Sid said the weather hasn't been the best for spring drills: "The weather hasn't deterred us," Kill replied. He went onto say that the've been able to accomplish much of what they had set out to do by conducting the drills inside the practice facility. They've been able to conduct some scrimmages inside as well.
3) Sid asked if there were any specific players that have stood out or have made progress: Kill said, "Our team has made progress . . . indoor facility was packed yesterday . . . (team has shown) good intensity . . . working better together." (In the past, Kill has said having good crowds at the practices has been a plus. It keeps the players focused and sharp in their drills.) Kill also said the coaching staff has been making progress, too.
4) Sid asked Kill to comment about competition during spring drills: He said competiton has been good and then specifically mentioned the secondary and offensive line (no names given, however). He closed the question by saying they're trying to build depth: "To succeed in the Big 10 you need depth . . . have junior and seniors playing . . . we need to get older." He stressed the importance of team depth and maturity in the starting units.
5) Dave Mona asked about the rapid pace of the practices: Kill responded: "We meet as a team before practice and tell them what we're going to do and what we're going to focus on." He then said, "Kids are focused with good intensity." He's pleased with the team's response in practice and the progress that they're making.
6) Sid, once again, asked about the four recruits that reported early: Kill responded by saying he preferred to discuss positions; he then talked about the linebackers: Damien Wilson and Jack Lynn have had good practices and are athletic. Lamonte Edwards had a good practice yesterday . . . "showed up." Nick Rallis was mentioned as well.
Kill then turned to the secondary. He sounded very positive about Eric Murray. Kill said Murray is a tremendous athlete, has a good physique, and comes to every practice focused and ready to play. (Murray now weighs 195 pounds, which is a lot more than he weighed when he arrived on campus last summer.) Kill also mentioned Antonio Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio. Johnson "Has done a great job at safety."
Hendrick Ekpe, a true freshman, was cited for his growth and speed at DE. Ekpe now weighs 250 pounds. (Hendrick's brother, Scott, experienced a similar growth rate when he reported early last year.)
Kill closed out the question by saying "Tight ends are going to be good . . . receivers have progressed."
7) Sid then asked Kill to talk about the linebackers (final question): Kill replied, "Linebackers are getting a lot of reps . . . four more linebackers coming in (this summer) that will add depth."
Go Gophers!!
