Tracy Claeys sounded very positive and upbeat as he discussed the first week of spring practices, which was the focus of questioning on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid asked Claeys if he was happy with the first workouts:
Claeys replied emphatically, “Yes! . . . went after it yesterday on both sides of the ball in pads.”
2) Sid asked about the offensive line and how they’ve looked in spring drills, thus far:
Claeys answered, “Those guys did a good job – first time in pads – creating seams for the running backs and time for the quarterbacks!”
3) Sid asked, as he did last week, specifically about the center position:
“Tyler Moore is still there,” Claeys said. However, he didn’t mention any other players for the center position; rather, he stressed the importance of improving and finding the right guys.
4) Sid then asked about JUCO offensive linemen – Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright – and if they’ve looked good in practice:
“They sure did,” exclaimed Claeys. He added, “Coach Miller moved them around a bit at tackle . . . It’s all about finding our best five.” Claeys said. In talking specifically about the JUCO transfers, “(they’re) very good.”
5) Sid asked for Claeys assessment of the wide receiving corps:
Players mentioned in Claeys quick response were: “Isaiah Gentry is finally healthy, caught a couple balls (yesterday); Melvin Holland, and Hunter Register who was redshirted last year.”
Again, Claeys sounded confident about the wide receivers, especially being teamed with the squad’s tight ends. They want to keep the opposing defenses honest and not allowing them to focus solely on the Gophers rushing game.
6) Dave Mona asked for Claeys thoughts about contact in spring drills, which he said is a topic across the country:
They’re allotted fifteen practices in spring drills and eight are with full contact. Claeys said the primary importance of spring drills, in addition to coaching fundamentals, is of evaluation and finding the right positions for the players. So, according to Claeys, contact drills and scrimmages are an important component of the spring practices. He thinks the eight practices allotted is the right number, especially with limited contact in fall drills. “We won’t hit as much in fall practices.”
7) Dave Mona asked about finding offensive linemen that are “nasty:”
“We’re working on it . . . get after each other,” Claeys said. He cited JUCO players Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright as showing a “nasty” trait and he expects others will follow their lead.
8) Sid brought up the speed of three players participating the NFL Combines; DeVondre Campbell, Brien Calhoun and Eric Murray:
Claeys quickly replied, “It’s all about recruiting.”
Claeys spoke at length about DeVondre Campbell – who recently received his degree - saying it’s hard to find players with his physical stature and speed. He also spoke highly of Calhoun and Murray.
As far as current players, Claeys cited linebackers Cody Poock, Jack Lynn, Jonathan Celestin, Nick Rallis, and redshirt freshman, Jaylen Waters. Defensive backs mentioned were redshirt freshman Ray Buford and sophomore KiAnte Hardin.
9) Dave Mona spoke of the spring-like weather of the past week and the advantage of practicing outdoors:
“Gives us more space,” Claeys said, practicing outside.
He then said the open practices to the public will begin this coming Thursday, which will be a controlled/situational scrimmage. It also is the last practice before spring break. When they return, the remaining three scrimmages will take place on Saturdays.
10) Sid asked about freshman quarterback Seth Green:
The first thing that Claeys cited about Green was his intelligence, “Made some great checks . . . (need) to smooth out his passing.” As to his passing needing to be smoothed out, Claeys didn’t see it as a problem. Seth Green did not participate in the first practice because of illness. Claeys also hastened to mention sophomore quarterback Demry Croft. He sounded pleased with their abilities and the first practices, “Get better as we can.”
11) Dave Mona mentioned national (two) recent ratings of senior quarterback Mitch Leidner:
“He deserving of it (national rankings and recognition) . . . We didn’t protect him well in the first half of last season,” Claeys remarked. He also mentioned Leidners playing hurt last year and his off-season surgery. “We feel good about his recovery.” He hastened to add that they'll be careful with Leidners return and when they practice.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked Claeys if he was happy with the first workouts:
Claeys replied emphatically, “Yes! . . . went after it yesterday on both sides of the ball in pads.”
2) Sid asked about the offensive line and how they’ve looked in spring drills, thus far:
Claeys answered, “Those guys did a good job – first time in pads – creating seams for the running backs and time for the quarterbacks!”
3) Sid asked, as he did last week, specifically about the center position:
“Tyler Moore is still there,” Claeys said. However, he didn’t mention any other players for the center position; rather, he stressed the importance of improving and finding the right guys.
4) Sid then asked about JUCO offensive linemen – Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright – and if they’ve looked good in practice:
“They sure did,” exclaimed Claeys. He added, “Coach Miller moved them around a bit at tackle . . . It’s all about finding our best five.” Claeys said. In talking specifically about the JUCO transfers, “(they’re) very good.”
5) Sid asked for Claeys assessment of the wide receiving corps:
Players mentioned in Claeys quick response were: “Isaiah Gentry is finally healthy, caught a couple balls (yesterday); Melvin Holland, and Hunter Register who was redshirted last year.”
Again, Claeys sounded confident about the wide receivers, especially being teamed with the squad’s tight ends. They want to keep the opposing defenses honest and not allowing them to focus solely on the Gophers rushing game.
6) Dave Mona asked for Claeys thoughts about contact in spring drills, which he said is a topic across the country:
They’re allotted fifteen practices in spring drills and eight are with full contact. Claeys said the primary importance of spring drills, in addition to coaching fundamentals, is of evaluation and finding the right positions for the players. So, according to Claeys, contact drills and scrimmages are an important component of the spring practices. He thinks the eight practices allotted is the right number, especially with limited contact in fall drills. “We won’t hit as much in fall practices.”
7) Dave Mona asked about finding offensive linemen that are “nasty:”
“We’re working on it . . . get after each other,” Claeys said. He cited JUCO players Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright as showing a “nasty” trait and he expects others will follow their lead.
8) Sid brought up the speed of three players participating the NFL Combines; DeVondre Campbell, Brien Calhoun and Eric Murray:
Claeys quickly replied, “It’s all about recruiting.”
Claeys spoke at length about DeVondre Campbell – who recently received his degree - saying it’s hard to find players with his physical stature and speed. He also spoke highly of Calhoun and Murray.
As far as current players, Claeys cited linebackers Cody Poock, Jack Lynn, Jonathan Celestin, Nick Rallis, and redshirt freshman, Jaylen Waters. Defensive backs mentioned were redshirt freshman Ray Buford and sophomore KiAnte Hardin.
9) Dave Mona spoke of the spring-like weather of the past week and the advantage of practicing outdoors:
“Gives us more space,” Claeys said, practicing outside.
He then said the open practices to the public will begin this coming Thursday, which will be a controlled/situational scrimmage. It also is the last practice before spring break. When they return, the remaining three scrimmages will take place on Saturdays.
10) Sid asked about freshman quarterback Seth Green:
The first thing that Claeys cited about Green was his intelligence, “Made some great checks . . . (need) to smooth out his passing.” As to his passing needing to be smoothed out, Claeys didn’t see it as a problem. Seth Green did not participate in the first practice because of illness. Claeys also hastened to mention sophomore quarterback Demry Croft. He sounded pleased with their abilities and the first practices, “Get better as we can.”
11) Dave Mona mentioned national (two) recent ratings of senior quarterback Mitch Leidner:
“He deserving of it (national rankings and recognition) . . . We didn’t protect him well in the first half of last season,” Claeys remarked. He also mentioned Leidners playing hurt last year and his off-season surgery. “We feel good about his recovery.” He hastened to add that they'll be careful with Leidners return and when they practice.
Go Gophers!!
