Coach kill's comments and responses to questions by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened by asking how they're preparing for the opener against UNLV: Kill replied, "We do things in off season - get as much information about every team we will play." He added, "Primary focus now on camps, recruiting, getting the players back and new players this week."
He did mention that UNLV has some new coordinators.
2) Sid followed up the first question by asking about the new coaches at UNLV: Kill said, "Through preparations (for UNLV) go back to their season and our game last year." They'll also learn as much as they can about the new coaches at UNLV: what they do, where they come from and what did at previous stops.
3) Sid asked about Michael Carter and his attempt to hook onto an NFL team: Kill said Carter turned his ankle ("severe") in a workout with the Vikings, which has hindered him since. Carter is presently working with the U's training staff, as he tries to get back and show his abilities to the NFL scouts.
4) Sid asked about this year's secondary: Kill responded, "Our secondary is very good . . . athletic, gifted, strength of our defense." He didn't name any specific players nor did he dwell on the secondary.
5) Sid followed the secondary question by asking about the linebackers: "Biggest thing, we lost five linebackers and recruited five," he replied. He said 1 or 2 of the recruits need to step up. He then mentioned Jack Lynn, Aaron Hill and Lamonte Edwards and that they need to step up as well. Overall, he sounded positive about the linebacking corps, IMO.
In other questions, Kill would come back to the linebackers and would say it's important that the players "step up."
6) Dave Mona said he's received queries and good responses concerning the coaches "Date Night" event: "Looking forward to it . . . try to do some things different (from last year's program)." The coaches and their spouses look forward to the evening event, which will be conducted on Thursday, July 18. (Contact information is in last week's summary.)
7) Sid said he thinks the Gophers will have a great pass rush this year: Kill responded, "Our whole team continues to improve." He continued, "Must play good defense . . . linebackers need to step up." He stressed the importance of defense in answering the question - winning teams are good on defense.
8) Sid then asked about the offensive line: "(We have) A lot of depth . . . need to get healed up . . . we proved we can play with physicality in our bowl game." He said fall camp will start in seven weeks and the players that have experienced and endured the injury bug need to get healed. Because of the many injuries on the offensive line that occurred last season, a lot of players got experience which has contributed to the team's depth.
9) Sid said he believes Philip Nelson is going to be pushed by Mitch Leidner: "Nelson had an outstanding spring, as did Mitch Leidner." Kill quickly turned the question to the recent recruiting class. Again, he mentioned three specific areas in their recruiting: linebacker, wide receiver, and the kicking game. He said they improved themselves; however, "Must perform on the field."
10) Sid asked the names of the players that will accompany coach Kill to Chicago for the Big 10 Kick Off Luncheon: The three players that'll go to Chicago are Ra'Shede Hageman, Brock Vereen, and Donnell Kirkwood.
11) Sid asked the final question. He wanted to know what question Kill is asked most frequently by players and fans: Laughing, Kill quickly replied, "How do you get along with Sid Hartman?" His response ended any further discussion. Mona, laughing, said they'd have to keep Kill's response for future audio play.
Kill was on for only a brief segment. His responses were quick and without elaboration. There weren't any new questions or information given on today's show.
My take: He sounded positive about the team and upcoming season. As I said earlier, he mentioned the linebacking corps most often. Although he sounded positive about the linebackers, he stressed it was critical for current and incoming recruits to "step up."
As Coach Kill did, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day!
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened by asking how they're preparing for the opener against UNLV: Kill replied, "We do things in off season - get as much information about every team we will play." He added, "Primary focus now on camps, recruiting, getting the players back and new players this week."
He did mention that UNLV has some new coordinators.
2) Sid followed up the first question by asking about the new coaches at UNLV: Kill said, "Through preparations (for UNLV) go back to their season and our game last year." They'll also learn as much as they can about the new coaches at UNLV: what they do, where they come from and what did at previous stops.
3) Sid asked about Michael Carter and his attempt to hook onto an NFL team: Kill said Carter turned his ankle ("severe") in a workout with the Vikings, which has hindered him since. Carter is presently working with the U's training staff, as he tries to get back and show his abilities to the NFL scouts.
4) Sid asked about this year's secondary: Kill responded, "Our secondary is very good . . . athletic, gifted, strength of our defense." He didn't name any specific players nor did he dwell on the secondary.
5) Sid followed the secondary question by asking about the linebackers: "Biggest thing, we lost five linebackers and recruited five," he replied. He said 1 or 2 of the recruits need to step up. He then mentioned Jack Lynn, Aaron Hill and Lamonte Edwards and that they need to step up as well. Overall, he sounded positive about the linebacking corps, IMO.
In other questions, Kill would come back to the linebackers and would say it's important that the players "step up."
6) Dave Mona said he's received queries and good responses concerning the coaches "Date Night" event: "Looking forward to it . . . try to do some things different (from last year's program)." The coaches and their spouses look forward to the evening event, which will be conducted on Thursday, July 18. (Contact information is in last week's summary.)
7) Sid said he thinks the Gophers will have a great pass rush this year: Kill responded, "Our whole team continues to improve." He continued, "Must play good defense . . . linebackers need to step up." He stressed the importance of defense in answering the question - winning teams are good on defense.
8) Sid then asked about the offensive line: "(We have) A lot of depth . . . need to get healed up . . . we proved we can play with physicality in our bowl game." He said fall camp will start in seven weeks and the players that have experienced and endured the injury bug need to get healed. Because of the many injuries on the offensive line that occurred last season, a lot of players got experience which has contributed to the team's depth.
9) Sid said he believes Philip Nelson is going to be pushed by Mitch Leidner: "Nelson had an outstanding spring, as did Mitch Leidner." Kill quickly turned the question to the recent recruiting class. Again, he mentioned three specific areas in their recruiting: linebacker, wide receiver, and the kicking game. He said they improved themselves; however, "Must perform on the field."
10) Sid asked the names of the players that will accompany coach Kill to Chicago for the Big 10 Kick Off Luncheon: The three players that'll go to Chicago are Ra'Shede Hageman, Brock Vereen, and Donnell Kirkwood.
11) Sid asked the final question. He wanted to know what question Kill is asked most frequently by players and fans: Laughing, Kill quickly replied, "How do you get along with Sid Hartman?" His response ended any further discussion. Mona, laughing, said they'd have to keep Kill's response for future audio play.
Kill was on for only a brief segment. His responses were quick and without elaboration. There weren't any new questions or information given on today's show.
My take: He sounded positive about the team and upcoming season. As I said earlier, he mentioned the linebacking corps most often. Although he sounded positive about the linebackers, he stressed it was critical for current and incoming recruits to "step up."
As Coach Kill did, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day!
Go Gophers!!
