Coach Kill’s responses and comments to Sid and Dave’s questions on today’s Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened today’s segment with Jerry Kill and asked for Kill’s assessment of the team now that they’ve had eight days of practice including yesterday’s scrimmage: “At this time defense is always ahead of offense,” replied Kill. Regarding yesterday’s scrimmage, “ Overall, some good things and some not so good things . . . need to build offensive line depth . . . made mistakes in the red zone – good conversations about that this morning.”
2) Sid asked if there have been any big surprises: Coach Kill proceeded to name several young players in his remarks. He cited running back Rod Smith: “Had a very good day.”
He spoke highly of the freshmen tight ends: Gaelin Elmore, Jerry Gibson and Brandon Lingen. He sounded quite pleased with their play and effort. He didn’t single out any freshmen receivers, however, he didn’t sound down about their play and said they’re young and learning the playbook - different formations.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kill sounded excited when mentioning the play of true freshman linebacker Jonathan Celestin and defensive tackle Steven Richardson.
3) Mona asked a follow-up question concerning Steven Richardson’s size and his apparent long arms: Kill replied, “He has a long way to go . . . strong young man . . . arms and legs look like the same thickness . . . will be in the starting rotation.” Again, Kill sounded excited when he was describing Richardson’s potential, strength and size.
4) Sid asked Kill to elaborate on the offense in yesterday’s scrimmage: “Not worried . . . disappointed and concerned about not scoring TDs in the red zone . . . Derrick Wells made a great play on his interception . . . feel good about the kicking game . . . a lot of things to clean up,” responded Kill. Kill’s biggest concern was the lack of offensive production in the red zone. He said they’ve spent 7-8 days trying to improve their production over last year and said they’ll have to spend another 7-8 days correcting the team’s flaws, “A lot of things to clean up.” His comments didn’t sound as though he’s overly concerned, however. He inferred that they’ve experienced this in years past during the first days of fall practice. He also mentioned the fatigue factor and playing against one another as part of the problem with some of the miscues yesterday (he said he would like to play/scrimmage against another team).
5) A question of the linebacking corps was raised: “De’Vondre Campbell has matured . . . feel good about the crew,” replied Kill. He also cited Damien Wilson, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Lynn, Ray Dixon. Kill sounded very positive when he was talking about this year’s linebackers.
6) Mona asked for an update on linebacker Cody Poock: Kill quickly responded, “Up in the air . . . he’s worked very hard . . . his (Poock’s) goal is to be ready for the Big 10 schedule.” Kill said Poock has been running; however, it’s a wait-and-see proposition of whether he’ll play this year. If he doesn’t play and is redshirted, it would not be because of Poock not working hard to get ready for this year’s campaign.
7) Mona asked for Kill’s assessment of freshman quarterback Jacques Perra of Roseville: Kill emphatically replied, “I like him! I like him! Hasn’t had a ton of reps . . . I like the way he composed himself (in yesterday’s scrimmage).”
8) Sid asked about freshman quarterback Dimonic McKinzy: Kill answered, “He’s learning . . . moves around well . . . he’s on a learning curve.”
9) Sid mentioned the enrollment of Jeff Jones: Kill said, “First step . . . (other step) NCAA clearing house . . . great that he’s in school . . . a good thing for us – a difference maker.” Kill sounded optimistic and said it’s good that Jeff is in school and that they’ll help him succeed in his college work.
10) Mona mentioned the field crew getting the playing surface (end zone) ready for yesterday’s scrimmage following Friday’s pre-season game between the Vikings and Raiders: Kill sounded positive and appreciative in his remarks, “They were working late.” He also said he’s sure the field crew is reviewing what went well and where they can improve in their preparations from one venue to the other.
11) Sid mentioned the size of the crowd at yesterday’s scrimmage: “People are excited . . . kids want to win . . . great to have fans out.” Kill sounded upbeat in his response to Sid’s query.
12) Sid asked about Jon Christenson’s playing status: “He’s playing right now . . . cautious with him – nothing but time . . . working on his comfort zone (coming back from his injury and surgery) . . . he’s chipping away on building his strength,” Kill answered.
13) Mona asked the last question and for Kill’s response to the shooting of a Viking player early Saturday morning at a downtown bar: Kill quickly replied, “Anytime you get someone in a situation like that, it tears you up . . . can happen anywhere . . . have to be smart – have to be careful with our young people and our adults.” He said it’s a big societal problem and he doesn’t have a solution. He said the problem is everywhere and mentioned the deaths of police by shootings. He continually mentions the potential hazards to his players and that he wants them to be smart and careful when there out in the public sphere.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened today’s segment with Jerry Kill and asked for Kill’s assessment of the team now that they’ve had eight days of practice including yesterday’s scrimmage: “At this time defense is always ahead of offense,” replied Kill. Regarding yesterday’s scrimmage, “ Overall, some good things and some not so good things . . . need to build offensive line depth . . . made mistakes in the red zone – good conversations about that this morning.”
2) Sid asked if there have been any big surprises: Coach Kill proceeded to name several young players in his remarks. He cited running back Rod Smith: “Had a very good day.”
He spoke highly of the freshmen tight ends: Gaelin Elmore, Jerry Gibson and Brandon Lingen. He sounded quite pleased with their play and effort. He didn’t single out any freshmen receivers, however, he didn’t sound down about their play and said they’re young and learning the playbook - different formations.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kill sounded excited when mentioning the play of true freshman linebacker Jonathan Celestin and defensive tackle Steven Richardson.
3) Mona asked a follow-up question concerning Steven Richardson’s size and his apparent long arms: Kill replied, “He has a long way to go . . . strong young man . . . arms and legs look like the same thickness . . . will be in the starting rotation.” Again, Kill sounded excited when he was describing Richardson’s potential, strength and size.
4) Sid asked Kill to elaborate on the offense in yesterday’s scrimmage: “Not worried . . . disappointed and concerned about not scoring TDs in the red zone . . . Derrick Wells made a great play on his interception . . . feel good about the kicking game . . . a lot of things to clean up,” responded Kill. Kill’s biggest concern was the lack of offensive production in the red zone. He said they’ve spent 7-8 days trying to improve their production over last year and said they’ll have to spend another 7-8 days correcting the team’s flaws, “A lot of things to clean up.” His comments didn’t sound as though he’s overly concerned, however. He inferred that they’ve experienced this in years past during the first days of fall practice. He also mentioned the fatigue factor and playing against one another as part of the problem with some of the miscues yesterday (he said he would like to play/scrimmage against another team).
5) A question of the linebacking corps was raised: “De’Vondre Campbell has matured . . . feel good about the crew,” replied Kill. He also cited Damien Wilson, Jonathan Celestin, Jack Lynn, Ray Dixon. Kill sounded very positive when he was talking about this year’s linebackers.
6) Mona asked for an update on linebacker Cody Poock: Kill quickly responded, “Up in the air . . . he’s worked very hard . . . his (Poock’s) goal is to be ready for the Big 10 schedule.” Kill said Poock has been running; however, it’s a wait-and-see proposition of whether he’ll play this year. If he doesn’t play and is redshirted, it would not be because of Poock not working hard to get ready for this year’s campaign.
7) Mona asked for Kill’s assessment of freshman quarterback Jacques Perra of Roseville: Kill emphatically replied, “I like him! I like him! Hasn’t had a ton of reps . . . I like the way he composed himself (in yesterday’s scrimmage).”
8) Sid asked about freshman quarterback Dimonic McKinzy: Kill answered, “He’s learning . . . moves around well . . . he’s on a learning curve.”
9) Sid mentioned the enrollment of Jeff Jones: Kill said, “First step . . . (other step) NCAA clearing house . . . great that he’s in school . . . a good thing for us – a difference maker.” Kill sounded optimistic and said it’s good that Jeff is in school and that they’ll help him succeed in his college work.
10) Mona mentioned the field crew getting the playing surface (end zone) ready for yesterday’s scrimmage following Friday’s pre-season game between the Vikings and Raiders: Kill sounded positive and appreciative in his remarks, “They were working late.” He also said he’s sure the field crew is reviewing what went well and where they can improve in their preparations from one venue to the other.
11) Sid mentioned the size of the crowd at yesterday’s scrimmage: “People are excited . . . kids want to win . . . great to have fans out.” Kill sounded upbeat in his response to Sid’s query.
12) Sid asked about Jon Christenson’s playing status: “He’s playing right now . . . cautious with him – nothing but time . . . working on his comfort zone (coming back from his injury and surgery) . . . he’s chipping away on building his strength,” Kill answered.
13) Mona asked the last question and for Kill’s response to the shooting of a Viking player early Saturday morning at a downtown bar: Kill quickly replied, “Anytime you get someone in a situation like that, it tears you up . . . can happen anywhere . . . have to be smart – have to be careful with our young people and our adults.” He said it’s a big societal problem and he doesn’t have a solution. He said the problem is everywhere and mentioned the deaths of police by shootings. He continually mentions the potential hazards to his players and that he wants them to be smart and careful when there out in the public sphere.
Go Gophers!!
