The Minnesota Golden Gophers victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, 29-12, and the upcoming game with rival Wisconsin Badgers were a few of the topics discussed on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid opened the segment congratulating Tracy Claeys on the season and opining that he should receive an extension:
“I appreciate your comments . . . We’re sitting at 8 and 3 . . . This week working for the axe,” Claeys replied.
2) Sid asked about sophomore Blake Cashman:
“’Cashy’ was a very good player in high school . . . (he’s a) walk-on . . . in between (“tweener”) – safety and linebacker . . . got a tremendous burst . . . get him in long (passing) situations – pass cover skills . . . a big plus on third downs,” Claeys said.
3) Sid asked about the Gopher defense in yesterday’s victory and the play of Steve Richardson:
Claeys answered, “Coach Sawvel (defensive coordinator) put in a great plan . . . the kids competed . . . senior class worked so hard (with younger players) . . . close football team.”
Claeys did cite Richardson’s outstanding effort in the win over Northwestern.
4) Sid then mentioned the play of senior linebacker Jack Lynn:
Claeys acknowledged Lynn’s play yesterday and said “Jack’s from Chicago like Steve (Richardson)."
5) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question about Steve Richardson. He mentioned the defensive lineman’s height. Dave said he’s 5,11 and he’s sure Steve is the same height, which many believe is too short for the position:
Claeys said, in response to Mona’s comment that although Richardson is short he makes up the supposed deficit with being "athletic, can run and is explosive." He added that Richardson caught the Minnesota coach’s eyes when “he came up here (for a) camp . . . a great fit for us.” H said they were looking at another defensive lineman in the same camp, but they offered Steve. Other schools considered his height to be a negative.
6) Sid thought all the linebackers played well in yesterday’s game:
“All got downhill . . . tackled a lot better . . . made sure we were aggressive,” Claeys said.
7) Sid questioned the Duke McGhee targeting call. Dave Mona, however, said it was a good call:
Tracy Claeys concurred with Mona’s assessment, “that was targeting . . . yesterday was called right.”
However, Claeys said he’s looking forward to the off-season, meeting with other coaches to look at targeting calls. There have been complaints about the consistency by referees in making the call.
8) Sid asked about injuries:
“None that I know of . . . meet with trainers and doctors at three,” said Claeys.
9) Dave Mona asked about the number of-out- of bounds kickoffs by Emitt Carpenter. Mona was puzzled because Carpenter has been so good and consistent in PATs and field goals:
Claeys said the weather may have played a part in the kick out-of-bounds; however, he likened the problem to a golf swing, trying too hard.
Claeys said, “He’s had a very good season for us.” He also appreciates Carpenter’s next play mentality after suffering a miscue in kicking.
10) Sid wanted to know if any of the seniors will be invited to post-season all-star games (workouts by NFL scouts):
“That’s a good question . . . I don’t know,” Claeys responded. He said Dominic Barber handles inquires by the scouts.
11) Dave Mona cited the on-side kick by Northwestern that was almost returned for a touchdown by Rashad Still:
“Great job on his part . . . great job heading up the sidelines,” Claeys aid.
12) Sid opined with the many freshmen playing this year, they’ll be better next year:
“We’ve got a lot of young people making plays . . . need more depth on the offensive line,” Claeys said.
Things they need to work on, according to Claeys: “Need to do a better job catching the ball . . . work to get a more dual quarterback,” Claeys said. He sounded positive about the future regarding dual-quarterbacks and cited Seth Green, Demry Croft (able to hold his redshirt) and Mark Williams. Claeys said Williams can play a number of positions as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, Claeys cited one player that they’ll miss next year, Damarius Travis.
He concluded the question by saying they need to prepare for Wisconsin.
13) Sid asked about the redshirt squad:
Claeys was very positive in his remarks, “there’s a good group – offensive line and secondary . . . up front we’ll get some depth . . . bowl games are important – fifteen practices, half are with the younger players.”
A receiver that he cited as being a good athlete is Phillip Howard.
14) Dave Mona asked the last question, which was about Wisconsin and the game trophy, the Axe:
“(Wisconsin) you watch offensively, don’t beat themselves . . . passing is efficient . . . we’ll have to find a way to stop their running . . . defensively at the top in rushing and passing,” Claeys said. Importance of the game, “bring (Axe) back to Minnesota.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment congratulating Tracy Claeys on the season and opining that he should receive an extension:
“I appreciate your comments . . . We’re sitting at 8 and 3 . . . This week working for the axe,” Claeys replied.
2) Sid asked about sophomore Blake Cashman:
“’Cashy’ was a very good player in high school . . . (he’s a) walk-on . . . in between (“tweener”) – safety and linebacker . . . got a tremendous burst . . . get him in long (passing) situations – pass cover skills . . . a big plus on third downs,” Claeys said.
3) Sid asked about the Gopher defense in yesterday’s victory and the play of Steve Richardson:
Claeys answered, “Coach Sawvel (defensive coordinator) put in a great plan . . . the kids competed . . . senior class worked so hard (with younger players) . . . close football team.”
Claeys did cite Richardson’s outstanding effort in the win over Northwestern.
4) Sid then mentioned the play of senior linebacker Jack Lynn:
Claeys acknowledged Lynn’s play yesterday and said “Jack’s from Chicago like Steve (Richardson)."
5) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question about Steve Richardson. He mentioned the defensive lineman’s height. Dave said he’s 5,11 and he’s sure Steve is the same height, which many believe is too short for the position:
Claeys said, in response to Mona’s comment that although Richardson is short he makes up the supposed deficit with being "athletic, can run and is explosive." He added that Richardson caught the Minnesota coach’s eyes when “he came up here (for a) camp . . . a great fit for us.” H said they were looking at another defensive lineman in the same camp, but they offered Steve. Other schools considered his height to be a negative.
6) Sid thought all the linebackers played well in yesterday’s game:
“All got downhill . . . tackled a lot better . . . made sure we were aggressive,” Claeys said.
7) Sid questioned the Duke McGhee targeting call. Dave Mona, however, said it was a good call:
Tracy Claeys concurred with Mona’s assessment, “that was targeting . . . yesterday was called right.”
However, Claeys said he’s looking forward to the off-season, meeting with other coaches to look at targeting calls. There have been complaints about the consistency by referees in making the call.
8) Sid asked about injuries:
“None that I know of . . . meet with trainers and doctors at three,” said Claeys.
9) Dave Mona asked about the number of-out- of bounds kickoffs by Emitt Carpenter. Mona was puzzled because Carpenter has been so good and consistent in PATs and field goals:
Claeys said the weather may have played a part in the kick out-of-bounds; however, he likened the problem to a golf swing, trying too hard.
Claeys said, “He’s had a very good season for us.” He also appreciates Carpenter’s next play mentality after suffering a miscue in kicking.
10) Sid wanted to know if any of the seniors will be invited to post-season all-star games (workouts by NFL scouts):
“That’s a good question . . . I don’t know,” Claeys responded. He said Dominic Barber handles inquires by the scouts.
11) Dave Mona cited the on-side kick by Northwestern that was almost returned for a touchdown by Rashad Still:
“Great job on his part . . . great job heading up the sidelines,” Claeys aid.
12) Sid opined with the many freshmen playing this year, they’ll be better next year:
“We’ve got a lot of young people making plays . . . need more depth on the offensive line,” Claeys said.
Things they need to work on, according to Claeys: “Need to do a better job catching the ball . . . work to get a more dual quarterback,” Claeys said. He sounded positive about the future regarding dual-quarterbacks and cited Seth Green, Demry Croft (able to hold his redshirt) and Mark Williams. Claeys said Williams can play a number of positions as well.
On the defensive side of the ball, Claeys cited one player that they’ll miss next year, Damarius Travis.
He concluded the question by saying they need to prepare for Wisconsin.
13) Sid asked about the redshirt squad:
Claeys was very positive in his remarks, “there’s a good group – offensive line and secondary . . . up front we’ll get some depth . . . bowl games are important – fifteen practices, half are with the younger players.”
A receiver that he cited as being a good athlete is Phillip Howard.
14) Dave Mona asked the last question, which was about Wisconsin and the game trophy, the Axe:
“(Wisconsin) you watch offensively, don’t beat themselves . . . passing is efficient . . . we’ll have to find a way to stop their running . . . defensively at the top in rushing and passing,” Claeys said. Importance of the game, “bring (Axe) back to Minnesota.”
Go Gophers!!
