Mike Max was co-host with Sid Hartman on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid asked Tracy Claeys to comment on Thursday’s practice and it being open to the public:
Tracy Claeys sounded pleased with being able to practice outside before a good crowd. He said they played/ran some varied scrimmage situations.
2) Mike Max followed up Sid’s question with a comment about the nice weather that they’ve had before going on spring break:
Claeys quickly and happily replied, “Looks like we can get outside a lot.”
Claeys said they’ll practice outside as long as they can have good footing and can keep the footballs dry.
3) Sid asked about the early enrollees and what he likes about them in the early practices:
Garrison Wright has been slowed a bit by with a sore knee; however, with the spring break and rest he should be ready to go again when they return to the spring drills in eleven days, according to Claeys.
“Seth Green is getting more comfortable . . . intelligent kid . . . (with) more reps he’ll get better,” Claeys said.
“Vincent Calhoun did a good job . . . Thursday (his) best practice at right guard,” Claeys said. It looks as though that is where he’ll be playing in the offensive line.
Claeys sounded pleased with the play of defensive tackle and JUCO transfer Merrick Jackson. He said he’s been able to pressure the offense.
In his final comment to Sid’s question, Claeys said the “defensive tackles playing well.”
4) Sid asked if there were any surprises, thus far, in spring drills:
Claeys cited two players: Merrick Jackson and KiAnte Hardin. Hardin has been “extremely competitive.” He also has gained weight and runs well, according to Claeys. Claeys didn’t say anything more about Jackson since he talked about Jackson in the previous question.
5) Mike Max asked what he looks for “early on” when he evaluates a young quarterback:
“Not making huge mistakes . . . (how they) manage the game . . . looking for kids who make good decisions,” Claeys replied. He also looks at the player’s adjustment to the “up tempo” game of college ball; something that they’ve not experienced in high school.
6) Sid asked for Claeys appraisal of the team’s “two young quarterbacks:”
“Seth’s intelligence is great,” Claeys answered.
“Demry has adapted well to the offensive changes . . . throws the most catchable ball of everyone.”
Claeys also said Conor Rhoda “manages the game well.” He also said Conor Rhoda is close to being ready to go (imo, see the field).
7) Mike Max asked about the secondary and the replacement of some quality players. He also cited defensive backs coach Dan O’Brien’s comments about recruiting quality defensive backs:
Claeys said, “It has all come about because of spread offenses.” They look for tackling skills in their recruits and that they “put an emphasis on speed, including linebackers . . . Game evolves all the time.”
8) Sid asked specifically about replacements in the secondary:
Claeys sounded very happy that Damarius Travis is back for another year. He also mentioned redshirt freshman Ray Buford and sophomore KiAnte Hardin. “We’ll be okay.”
Linebackers mentioned in his comments were Jack Lynn, Jonathan Celestin, and Julian Huff.
Overall, Claeys sounded positive when discussing the defense: “defensive tackles playing well” and when he discussed the linebackers and defensive secondary.
Other than his brief comments about Garrison Wright and Vincent Calhoun and the young quarterback questions, there weren’t any questions or discussions about the offensive side of the ball.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked Tracy Claeys to comment on Thursday’s practice and it being open to the public:
Tracy Claeys sounded pleased with being able to practice outside before a good crowd. He said they played/ran some varied scrimmage situations.
2) Mike Max followed up Sid’s question with a comment about the nice weather that they’ve had before going on spring break:
Claeys quickly and happily replied, “Looks like we can get outside a lot.”
Claeys said they’ll practice outside as long as they can have good footing and can keep the footballs dry.
3) Sid asked about the early enrollees and what he likes about them in the early practices:
Garrison Wright has been slowed a bit by with a sore knee; however, with the spring break and rest he should be ready to go again when they return to the spring drills in eleven days, according to Claeys.
“Seth Green is getting more comfortable . . . intelligent kid . . . (with) more reps he’ll get better,” Claeys said.
“Vincent Calhoun did a good job . . . Thursday (his) best practice at right guard,” Claeys said. It looks as though that is where he’ll be playing in the offensive line.
Claeys sounded pleased with the play of defensive tackle and JUCO transfer Merrick Jackson. He said he’s been able to pressure the offense.
In his final comment to Sid’s question, Claeys said the “defensive tackles playing well.”
4) Sid asked if there were any surprises, thus far, in spring drills:
Claeys cited two players: Merrick Jackson and KiAnte Hardin. Hardin has been “extremely competitive.” He also has gained weight and runs well, according to Claeys. Claeys didn’t say anything more about Jackson since he talked about Jackson in the previous question.
5) Mike Max asked what he looks for “early on” when he evaluates a young quarterback:
“Not making huge mistakes . . . (how they) manage the game . . . looking for kids who make good decisions,” Claeys replied. He also looks at the player’s adjustment to the “up tempo” game of college ball; something that they’ve not experienced in high school.
6) Sid asked for Claeys appraisal of the team’s “two young quarterbacks:”
“Seth’s intelligence is great,” Claeys answered.
“Demry has adapted well to the offensive changes . . . throws the most catchable ball of everyone.”
Claeys also said Conor Rhoda “manages the game well.” He also said Conor Rhoda is close to being ready to go (imo, see the field).
7) Mike Max asked about the secondary and the replacement of some quality players. He also cited defensive backs coach Dan O’Brien’s comments about recruiting quality defensive backs:
Claeys said, “It has all come about because of spread offenses.” They look for tackling skills in their recruits and that they “put an emphasis on speed, including linebackers . . . Game evolves all the time.”
8) Sid asked specifically about replacements in the secondary:
Claeys sounded very happy that Damarius Travis is back for another year. He also mentioned redshirt freshman Ray Buford and sophomore KiAnte Hardin. “We’ll be okay.”
Linebackers mentioned in his comments were Jack Lynn, Jonathan Celestin, and Julian Huff.
Overall, Claeys sounded positive when discussing the defense: “defensive tackles playing well” and when he discussed the linebackers and defensive secondary.
Other than his brief comments about Garrison Wright and Vincent Calhoun and the young quarterback questions, there weren’t any questions or discussions about the offensive side of the ball.
Go Gophers!!
