Coach Kill's comments and responses to queries by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment by asking about the San Jose State quarterback and whether or not they've watched film related to his quarterback play:
Kill quickly responded, "Yes." Kill went onto say they have quality control people that have broken down film of the San Jose team and its quarterback. Additionally, Kill and his staff have visited with scouts of other teams and discussed the attributes of the highly-rated quarterback.
2) Sid asked if football coaches are doing anything to change the rules related to player-coach contact in the off-season. Sid cited the rules that the basketball coaches enjoy: "We're working on that as a coaching group," said Kill. Kill credited the basketball coaches with the off-season rules that they brought about as a group. He said the football coaches have not been as cohesive or effective in their efforts; however, he went onto say he expects some football rules and regulations related to off-season contact between players and coaches will come about ". . . as soon as next summer."
Kill said one big disadvantage the football coaches have (regarding rules of player-coach contact) is size of their squad; whereas, the numbers in basketball are much smaller. Drafting rules covering and implementing player-coach contacts for the large football squads (numbers game) is problematic.
3) Sid asked about the upcoming summer camps for high school youth: Kill said they'll have two camps this month - July 19 and 20th. (If interested, youth can contact the football office and/or football website for additional information.) Kill said he is pleased with the numbers for the two camps.
4) Dave Mona asked if they have a play called for the first play in the opening game with UNLV: Kill said coaches are always thinking; however, he inferred it was too early to have a set play . . . "Must get through fall camp . . . figure out what you're going to do with the personnel you have." He then started talking about the incoming freshman class and the importance of identifying the freshmen players that can make plays and contribute. He sounded excited to start working with the 2013 recruits, which he elaborated in succeeding questions.
5) Mona asked a two-part question. He first asked if Berkley Edwards would be used as a kick returner. His second question was about the status of Ohio State transfer Brian Bobek:
In responding to the first question about Berkley Edwards, Kill sounded very excited. He mentioned Edwards' speed as a runner and the burst (another gear) that he has in running. He concluded the question related to Edwards, saying, "Looking forward being able to work with him . . . can't wait to see his explosion."
As far as the second question, Kill started talking about Zach Mottla and the severe injury that he sustained late last season. Kill said Mottla is out for the season. Also, Kill said, "Had to redo his (Mottla) leg again."
Brian Bobek is a wait and see situation. After a station timeout, Kill said, upon his return, Bobek suffered a viral infection to a vital organ last spring. As a result, his recovery has been a slow process and they'll know much more, as far as his status, (being ready as a player) later this month.
Kill sounded more positive about Jonah Pirsig's status as a player. He didn't elaborate, however, it sounded (my take) as though Pirsig should be ready for fall drills that start on August 1st.
He also mentioned Peter Westerhaus, but didn't elaborate as to his condition; except Kill said they're due for some good luck after experiencing the string of injuries last year.
6) Sid asked if Kill had tendered offers to some of this year's campers. He also asked about out-of-state campers:
As to the first question, Kill said they issued several offers during the June camps and expects that to be the case in the upcoming camps.
Kill said they have had several out-of-state campers this year; however, the school's location (traveling costs) makes it difficult for many potential recruits since they pay their own expenses. The turnout of state recruits at the camps has been very good. Kill, once again, stressed the importance of high school players participating in the camps. It's an opportunity to be evaluated by the Gopher coaching staff.
7) Mona asked Kill about "gadget" plays in his playbook arsenal:
Kill said they have reels of gadget plays and their notebooks are full, "When I see something, I write it down." He then cited a tight-end screen that he saw last night on the Big Ten Network. He said the play was run by Ohio State fifteen years ago and he wrote the play down . . . "All coaches do that." He said coaches have drawn up plays on napkins and that coaches share their ideas with one another (he said this is especially true at clinics) . . . "All share ideas and then 1/2 lose their jobs."
8) Sid asked about competition within the team: Kill replied saying there's competition in all areas of the team. However, he said the biggest competition is in the offensive line (a lot of players saw playing time last year because of the injury bug) . . . "(offensive line) bigger and stronger."
Kill said there'll be good competition at the receiving positions as well. He's excited about the in-coming freshmen receivers, "Good, talented receivers coming in." One player (recruit) cited was Drew Wolitarsky. Kill said he's received a lot of good reports on Drew's receiving abilities from players that are participating in off-season workouts.
One big goal and challenge, according to Kill, is to increase depth at the linebacker and receiving positions.
He concluded his comments singing the praises of his captains - Nelson, Campion & Hill - holding people accountable in the off-season. Some players have said these have been the best off-season workouts since they've been at Minnesota.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the Jerry Kill segment by asking about the San Jose State quarterback and whether or not they've watched film related to his quarterback play:
Kill quickly responded, "Yes." Kill went onto say they have quality control people that have broken down film of the San Jose team and its quarterback. Additionally, Kill and his staff have visited with scouts of other teams and discussed the attributes of the highly-rated quarterback.
2) Sid asked if football coaches are doing anything to change the rules related to player-coach contact in the off-season. Sid cited the rules that the basketball coaches enjoy: "We're working on that as a coaching group," said Kill. Kill credited the basketball coaches with the off-season rules that they brought about as a group. He said the football coaches have not been as cohesive or effective in their efforts; however, he went onto say he expects some football rules and regulations related to off-season contact between players and coaches will come about ". . . as soon as next summer."
Kill said one big disadvantage the football coaches have (regarding rules of player-coach contact) is size of their squad; whereas, the numbers in basketball are much smaller. Drafting rules covering and implementing player-coach contacts for the large football squads (numbers game) is problematic.
3) Sid asked about the upcoming summer camps for high school youth: Kill said they'll have two camps this month - July 19 and 20th. (If interested, youth can contact the football office and/or football website for additional information.) Kill said he is pleased with the numbers for the two camps.
4) Dave Mona asked if they have a play called for the first play in the opening game with UNLV: Kill said coaches are always thinking; however, he inferred it was too early to have a set play . . . "Must get through fall camp . . . figure out what you're going to do with the personnel you have." He then started talking about the incoming freshman class and the importance of identifying the freshmen players that can make plays and contribute. He sounded excited to start working with the 2013 recruits, which he elaborated in succeeding questions.
5) Mona asked a two-part question. He first asked if Berkley Edwards would be used as a kick returner. His second question was about the status of Ohio State transfer Brian Bobek:
In responding to the first question about Berkley Edwards, Kill sounded very excited. He mentioned Edwards' speed as a runner and the burst (another gear) that he has in running. He concluded the question related to Edwards, saying, "Looking forward being able to work with him . . . can't wait to see his explosion."
As far as the second question, Kill started talking about Zach Mottla and the severe injury that he sustained late last season. Kill said Mottla is out for the season. Also, Kill said, "Had to redo his (Mottla) leg again."
Brian Bobek is a wait and see situation. After a station timeout, Kill said, upon his return, Bobek suffered a viral infection to a vital organ last spring. As a result, his recovery has been a slow process and they'll know much more, as far as his status, (being ready as a player) later this month.
Kill sounded more positive about Jonah Pirsig's status as a player. He didn't elaborate, however, it sounded (my take) as though Pirsig should be ready for fall drills that start on August 1st.
He also mentioned Peter Westerhaus, but didn't elaborate as to his condition; except Kill said they're due for some good luck after experiencing the string of injuries last year.
6) Sid asked if Kill had tendered offers to some of this year's campers. He also asked about out-of-state campers:
As to the first question, Kill said they issued several offers during the June camps and expects that to be the case in the upcoming camps.
Kill said they have had several out-of-state campers this year; however, the school's location (traveling costs) makes it difficult for many potential recruits since they pay their own expenses. The turnout of state recruits at the camps has been very good. Kill, once again, stressed the importance of high school players participating in the camps. It's an opportunity to be evaluated by the Gopher coaching staff.
7) Mona asked Kill about "gadget" plays in his playbook arsenal:
Kill said they have reels of gadget plays and their notebooks are full, "When I see something, I write it down." He then cited a tight-end screen that he saw last night on the Big Ten Network. He said the play was run by Ohio State fifteen years ago and he wrote the play down . . . "All coaches do that." He said coaches have drawn up plays on napkins and that coaches share their ideas with one another (he said this is especially true at clinics) . . . "All share ideas and then 1/2 lose their jobs."
8) Sid asked about competition within the team: Kill replied saying there's competition in all areas of the team. However, he said the biggest competition is in the offensive line (a lot of players saw playing time last year because of the injury bug) . . . "(offensive line) bigger and stronger."
Kill said there'll be good competition at the receiving positions as well. He's excited about the in-coming freshmen receivers, "Good, talented receivers coming in." One player (recruit) cited was Drew Wolitarsky. Kill said he's received a lot of good reports on Drew's receiving abilities from players that are participating in off-season workouts.
One big goal and challenge, according to Kill, is to increase depth at the linebacker and receiving positions.
He concluded his comments singing the praises of his captains - Nelson, Campion & Hill - holding people accountable in the off-season. Some players have said these have been the best off-season workouts since they've been at Minnesota.
Go Gophers!!
