First an apology: I received a heads-up that Jerry Kill would be on at 9:30, which he was and I was prepared. Once again, however, the Gremlins struck. Just before the interview was to start, my internet connection went blank and then a message was sent, "Internet Explorer Cannot Display Page." After shutting down and rebooting, I was able to get the first segment's last questions and those after a commercial break.
Frustrating for couple reasons: a) I look forward to the show and transcribing; b) I've changed my schedule of activities to listen and transcribe the show, and then I lose my internet connection. Not sure what the solution is . . . end of my rant!
Comments and responses that I heard are as follows, when I got reconnected:
1) Coach Kill was talking about Berkley Edwards play in yesterday's scrimmage. Kill said Edwards, not surprising for a freshman running back, needs to work on his pass protection. He went onto say that Edwards is "Bigger than most people think (about 190 pounds and similar in size to a running back at NIU that ran successfully against the Gopher a few years back)." He also said Edwards is also stronger and it showed in some other runs (of 3 and 4 yards) that people may not have noticed in yesterday's scrimmage.
Sid than cited Donavahn Jones, Kill replied, "He's an athlete, no question . . . Berkley and Jones have been gifted." Kill sounded excited about their speed and quickness.
2) Sid turned his attention to the defense by asking if there was any one area that stood out: "Linebackers have really stepped up and recruiting has helped." He cited the size and play of De'Vondre Campbell (6-5, 215 pounds). Sounded pleased with his athleticism and being smart and that he is quickly picking up the defensive schemes.
Kill also mentioned the play of Nick Rallis, but didn't elaborate. He also mentioned Roland Johnson and his recovery from surgery, as well as a true freshman - "Hank Epke did some nice things."
Kill spoke highly of Ra'Shede Hageman saying he was a unique player . . . "tremendous future . . . tough to block."
3) Sid asked if the team is better than last year's group: "We've gotten better, bigger, stronger, but so has everyone else," he replied. He credited the strength and conditioning and academic staffs for the team's improvement.
He, again, said the team is very young and will probably only start 1 or 2 seniors on offense and 3 or 4 on defense. He expects to be playing a lot of redshirted freshmen and sophomores.
4) Mona asked two questions.
a) Center position: Jerry Kill sounded very pleased with the play and progress of Jon Christenson. He said Christenson has recovered from surgery that he underwent during the summer for a "high ankle sprain." He added, "Jon will keep getting better and better . . . works hard."
Tommy Olson has been looking good at center; however, he mentioned a bad snap in yesterday's scrimmage. He also said Olson can play guard.
He also mentioned Ernie Heifort as improving at the center position as well; however, he, as Olson did, had a bad snap when in the shotgun formation . . . "We can't have that."
He said Zac Epping could also play center, but that's not the plan - at least he hopes he doesn't have to use Epping at center.
Kill stressed the importance of the center position and the decisions that they need to make in calling out line signals. He called the centers "Quarterbacks up front."
He closed the topic by saying all three centers are doing a good job, however, they need to correct the problem of bad snaps.
b) Mona's second question was related to redshirting players: In many cases, according to Kill, they don't know until about the third game (he referenced Nelson last year). However, they try to ascertain and determine the year's redshirts by the first game.
5) Sid asked Kill if the Gophers are a Big 10 caliber team: Kill quickly responded, "We'll see . . . we'll have to prove it (Kill cited the team's lack of success in conference play in recent years) . . . moving forward with the program - step in the right direction - doesn't happen overnight . . . we have to recruit not select."
6) Kill was asked if any true freshmen would play this year: "There's a chance, we have some gifted kids." He then said they'd know more about the freshmen very soon, "We'll go in the "grind" this week." The upcoming, hard practices will tell a lot about the players (freshmen) readiness to see the field as true freshman.
7) Mona closed today's questioning by referencing an introduction of coach Kill by his wife, Rebecca, at a recent Dunkers gathering, which was praiseworthy, according to Dave: Kill, laughing, said it was "outstanding." He continued laughing saying she lied in her introduction. He referred his wife as a "Saint with a one-way ticket to heaven . . . I'll be working my way in."
I regret I missed the first part of today's show. I'll have an addendum to this summary after I listen to Killjoy's podcast thread.
Go Gophers!!
P.S. After Kill left the program, Dave asked Sid about yesterday's scrimmage. Sid said he was more impressed with the defense . . . he thought Isaac Fruechte looked good at receiver, however . . . Nelson had a good first series. Both agreed it's hard to gain too much information from the scrimmages - Sid's opinion, they'll know a lot more about the team after the first game. However, Sid did say, "A lot will depend on Nelson . . . has some good receivers (he'll have to get the ball to wide receivers)." Sid said the Gophers got three players this year that they didn't get in the past: Berkley Edwards, Alex Mayes, and Drew Wolitarsky.
Frustrating for couple reasons: a) I look forward to the show and transcribing; b) I've changed my schedule of activities to listen and transcribe the show, and then I lose my internet connection. Not sure what the solution is . . . end of my rant!
Comments and responses that I heard are as follows, when I got reconnected:
1) Coach Kill was talking about Berkley Edwards play in yesterday's scrimmage. Kill said Edwards, not surprising for a freshman running back, needs to work on his pass protection. He went onto say that Edwards is "Bigger than most people think (about 190 pounds and similar in size to a running back at NIU that ran successfully against the Gopher a few years back)." He also said Edwards is also stronger and it showed in some other runs (of 3 and 4 yards) that people may not have noticed in yesterday's scrimmage.
Sid than cited Donavahn Jones, Kill replied, "He's an athlete, no question . . . Berkley and Jones have been gifted." Kill sounded excited about their speed and quickness.
2) Sid turned his attention to the defense by asking if there was any one area that stood out: "Linebackers have really stepped up and recruiting has helped." He cited the size and play of De'Vondre Campbell (6-5, 215 pounds). Sounded pleased with his athleticism and being smart and that he is quickly picking up the defensive schemes.
Kill also mentioned the play of Nick Rallis, but didn't elaborate. He also mentioned Roland Johnson and his recovery from surgery, as well as a true freshman - "Hank Epke did some nice things."
Kill spoke highly of Ra'Shede Hageman saying he was a unique player . . . "tremendous future . . . tough to block."
3) Sid asked if the team is better than last year's group: "We've gotten better, bigger, stronger, but so has everyone else," he replied. He credited the strength and conditioning and academic staffs for the team's improvement.
He, again, said the team is very young and will probably only start 1 or 2 seniors on offense and 3 or 4 on defense. He expects to be playing a lot of redshirted freshmen and sophomores.
4) Mona asked two questions.
a) Center position: Jerry Kill sounded very pleased with the play and progress of Jon Christenson. He said Christenson has recovered from surgery that he underwent during the summer for a "high ankle sprain." He added, "Jon will keep getting better and better . . . works hard."
Tommy Olson has been looking good at center; however, he mentioned a bad snap in yesterday's scrimmage. He also said Olson can play guard.
He also mentioned Ernie Heifort as improving at the center position as well; however, he, as Olson did, had a bad snap when in the shotgun formation . . . "We can't have that."
He said Zac Epping could also play center, but that's not the plan - at least he hopes he doesn't have to use Epping at center.
Kill stressed the importance of the center position and the decisions that they need to make in calling out line signals. He called the centers "Quarterbacks up front."
He closed the topic by saying all three centers are doing a good job, however, they need to correct the problem of bad snaps.
b) Mona's second question was related to redshirting players: In many cases, according to Kill, they don't know until about the third game (he referenced Nelson last year). However, they try to ascertain and determine the year's redshirts by the first game.
5) Sid asked Kill if the Gophers are a Big 10 caliber team: Kill quickly responded, "We'll see . . . we'll have to prove it (Kill cited the team's lack of success in conference play in recent years) . . . moving forward with the program - step in the right direction - doesn't happen overnight . . . we have to recruit not select."
6) Kill was asked if any true freshmen would play this year: "There's a chance, we have some gifted kids." He then said they'd know more about the freshmen very soon, "We'll go in the "grind" this week." The upcoming, hard practices will tell a lot about the players (freshmen) readiness to see the field as true freshman.
7) Mona closed today's questioning by referencing an introduction of coach Kill by his wife, Rebecca, at a recent Dunkers gathering, which was praiseworthy, according to Dave: Kill, laughing, said it was "outstanding." He continued laughing saying she lied in her introduction. He referred his wife as a "Saint with a one-way ticket to heaven . . . I'll be working my way in."
I regret I missed the first part of today's show. I'll have an addendum to this summary after I listen to Killjoy's podcast thread.
Go Gophers!!
P.S. After Kill left the program, Dave asked Sid about yesterday's scrimmage. Sid said he was more impressed with the defense . . . he thought Isaac Fruechte looked good at receiver, however . . . Nelson had a good first series. Both agreed it's hard to gain too much information from the scrimmages - Sid's opinion, they'll know a lot more about the team after the first game. However, Sid did say, "A lot will depend on Nelson . . . has some good receivers (he'll have to get the ball to wide receivers)." Sid said the Gophers got three players this year that they didn't get in the past: Berkley Edwards, Alex Mayes, and Drew Wolitarsky.
