Coach Kill's comments and responses to queries by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona - some of which were questions raised by GopherHolers in a thread earlier this week:
1) Sid opened the show by asking coach Kill his thoughts on the "geniuses" (scribes) picking the Gophers to finish last in their division: Kill responded, saying, it's pretty much what you expect when a team is in the building stages. He went on, "I've never, every paid attention (to the prognosticators) . . . usually turns out differently . . . at the end of the day you have to win on the field."
2) Sid, once again, referenced the Texas Tech game, as to the team's improvement: Kill acknowledged the team's play and momentum from the December bowl game; however, he focused on the new season, saying: "This is a different team . . . (our) second recruiting class . . . kids have done a great job with (replacing) the graduation of great seniors . . . starting to get where we want to be . . . started from scratch (when we got here)."
3) (Halsey Hall question) Sid wanted to know, quote, "about the number one punter:" Kill quickly responded by saying he hasn't been able to work out with the players. He also said the kickers and punters have been spending time working on their kicking with their personal coaches this summer. Although no names were given, I believed Kill was referring to Ryan Santoso with the following comments: "He arrived early in May for summer school . . . has been with his kicking instructor . . . strength is his kick-offs."
4) (Another Halsey Hall question) Sid asked about Chris Streveler and Donavahn Jones moving to wide receiver: Kill, once again, said the duo are quarterbacks that will get some reps at wide receiver. He said Streveler has been catching balls during the summer workouts. Donavahn Jones is focusing on the quarterback position, learning the terminology of the quarterbacks.
Kill then said, "Freshmen are going to have to catch up where we're at now . . . get best players on the field." Again, Kill was alluding to, IMO, not wanting to have talented, athletic players standing next to him on the sidelines.
The team's official press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, and fall drills commence on Friday.
5) Mona asked Killjoy's question related to open practices: Kill said the first three practices and the first scrimmage will be open to the public.
6) (defirma question) Dave asked about the 105 squad limit for fall drills and what goes into the selection of the players to practice: Kill quickly responded saying players being redshirted and those injured are major factors as are the positions of need. Kill said linebackers and kickers are examples of positions of need this year; therefore, there'll be more linebackers and kickers in the camp competing. He added, the selection process "is not personal."
The rules say only 105 players can dress for fall drills, which apparently is for cost saving reasons. However, coach Kill said he'd like to see the fall roster be allowed to be increased by at least ten players. (He didn't think the increase would be a big increase in expenses.)
When a roster player is injured in fall drills, he is replaced by a player that was not selected for the opening drills.
7) Dave Mona asked about incoming recruit (JC transfer) De'Vondre Campbell: Kill sounded excited about Campbell's potential and upside; however, he tempered his remarks by saying he needs to get bigger. (Campbell is presently 6-4 or 6-5 and weighs about 215 pounds.) Campbell originally committed to Tennessee, but switched his commitment because of a coaching change. Campbell was a signing day surprise . . . it was thought he was going to Texas or Kansas State. Campbell has three years of eligibility (a prime reason for his selection) . . . "In time he'll be a really good player . . . great personality."
8) Sid asked about position changes that we might see when fall drills begin: Kill mentioned Derrick Wells' move to the corner; however, he said the positions are pretty well set as they were last spring.
Kill did say, however, he was speaking off the top of his head (no other position changes come to mind) and if there is any information related to Sid's query, they'll be answered at Tuesday press conference.
9) (gopherdudepart2 question) Dave Mona asked about offensive linemen Isaac Hayes, Foster Bush, Joe Bjorkland, Ben Lauer, and Johan Pirsig: Kill replied, "it's a talented group of kids . . . most will be here 3-4 years."
a) Jonah Pirsig: They're going to decide this week how they'll handle him in fall drills. They want to get him ready for the season - possibly the second game.
b) Kill lumped Lauer, Hayes, Bjorkland, Bush together in his comments. All four players weigh 300 pounds or better . . . "(They're) bigger and stronger . . . not near where they need to be."
10) Dave Mona asked the last question, which was about running back Cole Banham (RS junior) from Lakeville, Minnesota. Mona said he was impressed with Banham's play in the bowl game and last spring: Kill sounded very positive, upbeat when describing Banham. Kill said Banham's father brought Cole to his office and said he believed he could play at Minnesota. Kill gave him the chance to play, saying, Cole worked hard in bowl preps and last spring . . . "Coachable kid, 190 pounds with speed and quickness . . . you don't count kids out like that." Kill went onto say Banham does good work in practice and he's pleased with his progress.
Kill is looking forward to see Cole Banham in fall drills and what progress he has made.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the show by asking coach Kill his thoughts on the "geniuses" (scribes) picking the Gophers to finish last in their division: Kill responded, saying, it's pretty much what you expect when a team is in the building stages. He went on, "I've never, every paid attention (to the prognosticators) . . . usually turns out differently . . . at the end of the day you have to win on the field."
2) Sid, once again, referenced the Texas Tech game, as to the team's improvement: Kill acknowledged the team's play and momentum from the December bowl game; however, he focused on the new season, saying: "This is a different team . . . (our) second recruiting class . . . kids have done a great job with (replacing) the graduation of great seniors . . . starting to get where we want to be . . . started from scratch (when we got here)."
3) (Halsey Hall question) Sid wanted to know, quote, "about the number one punter:" Kill quickly responded by saying he hasn't been able to work out with the players. He also said the kickers and punters have been spending time working on their kicking with their personal coaches this summer. Although no names were given, I believed Kill was referring to Ryan Santoso with the following comments: "He arrived early in May for summer school . . . has been with his kicking instructor . . . strength is his kick-offs."
4) (Another Halsey Hall question) Sid asked about Chris Streveler and Donavahn Jones moving to wide receiver: Kill, once again, said the duo are quarterbacks that will get some reps at wide receiver. He said Streveler has been catching balls during the summer workouts. Donavahn Jones is focusing on the quarterback position, learning the terminology of the quarterbacks.
Kill then said, "Freshmen are going to have to catch up where we're at now . . . get best players on the field." Again, Kill was alluding to, IMO, not wanting to have talented, athletic players standing next to him on the sidelines.
The team's official press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, and fall drills commence on Friday.
5) Mona asked Killjoy's question related to open practices: Kill said the first three practices and the first scrimmage will be open to the public.
6) (defirma question) Dave asked about the 105 squad limit for fall drills and what goes into the selection of the players to practice: Kill quickly responded saying players being redshirted and those injured are major factors as are the positions of need. Kill said linebackers and kickers are examples of positions of need this year; therefore, there'll be more linebackers and kickers in the camp competing. He added, the selection process "is not personal."
The rules say only 105 players can dress for fall drills, which apparently is for cost saving reasons. However, coach Kill said he'd like to see the fall roster be allowed to be increased by at least ten players. (He didn't think the increase would be a big increase in expenses.)
When a roster player is injured in fall drills, he is replaced by a player that was not selected for the opening drills.
7) Dave Mona asked about incoming recruit (JC transfer) De'Vondre Campbell: Kill sounded excited about Campbell's potential and upside; however, he tempered his remarks by saying he needs to get bigger. (Campbell is presently 6-4 or 6-5 and weighs about 215 pounds.) Campbell originally committed to Tennessee, but switched his commitment because of a coaching change. Campbell was a signing day surprise . . . it was thought he was going to Texas or Kansas State. Campbell has three years of eligibility (a prime reason for his selection) . . . "In time he'll be a really good player . . . great personality."
8) Sid asked about position changes that we might see when fall drills begin: Kill mentioned Derrick Wells' move to the corner; however, he said the positions are pretty well set as they were last spring.
Kill did say, however, he was speaking off the top of his head (no other position changes come to mind) and if there is any information related to Sid's query, they'll be answered at Tuesday press conference.
9) (gopherdudepart2 question) Dave Mona asked about offensive linemen Isaac Hayes, Foster Bush, Joe Bjorkland, Ben Lauer, and Johan Pirsig: Kill replied, "it's a talented group of kids . . . most will be here 3-4 years."
a) Jonah Pirsig: They're going to decide this week how they'll handle him in fall drills. They want to get him ready for the season - possibly the second game.
b) Kill lumped Lauer, Hayes, Bjorkland, Bush together in his comments. All four players weigh 300 pounds or better . . . "(They're) bigger and stronger . . . not near where they need to be."
10) Dave Mona asked the last question, which was about running back Cole Banham (RS junior) from Lakeville, Minnesota. Mona said he was impressed with Banham's play in the bowl game and last spring: Kill sounded very positive, upbeat when describing Banham. Kill said Banham's father brought Cole to his office and said he believed he could play at Minnesota. Kill gave him the chance to play, saying, Cole worked hard in bowl preps and last spring . . . "Coachable kid, 190 pounds with speed and quickness . . . you don't count kids out like that." Kill went onto say Banham does good work in practice and he's pleased with his progress.
Kill is looking forward to see Cole Banham in fall drills and what progress he has made.
Go Gophers!!
