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PJ Fleck appeared live on Sports Huddle with Sid, Dave and Max on WCCO.
Sid: difference in this spring game compared to last year.
PJ: it was nice. definitely had more players. more OL available. had 2 teams. played in a game format - lot of people watching on BTN. players did great job. was competitive - treated it like a game. we were able to put QBs in game scenarios
Sid: evaluate the OL
PJ: they're growing. 4 more guys join us in June. still very young. part of growing up. future for this group is bright.
Sid: talk about how you walked into tough situation?
PJ: any coach knows what he's getting into. when you take a job, you're either prepared or you're not prepared. we've done a similar turnaround. get on the inside, rebuild the culture. lot of work to do. you have to take a few steps back in order to take a giant leap forward. others want to win right now - win yesterday. we have very young team, but I really like what we have. sometimes when you're really young, you can surprise yourself. all of our goals were met in spring. looking to see players take ownership. do the right things on and off the field.
Mona: assess QB's. RB-Ibrahim
PJ: with QBs, it was mission accomplished. put them in a game scenario under the lights. live scrimmage, QBs not protected. they haven't ever thrown a pass in college, and they won't till New Mexico St. so far, the QBs have been protected by the whistle. in the Spring Game, saw 3 fumbles by QBs, as a result of getting hit. got to take care of FB. in some cases, the protection broke down, but the defense also put pressure on QB. pleased overall. met the mission.
PJ: Ibrahim- one of toughest young men on team. last year was on the scout team, where you're constantly being hit. he didn't miss one rep. durable. not big, but quick, powerful. tough. glad he's only a RS FR. fans will enjoy what he brings. brings a different dynamic than Rodney or Shannon. and we have other FR coming in this summer.
Sid: what about Tyler Johnson?
PJ: had a great spring. when you start, you can make a big jump in development. as you begin to develop into a good receiver, it's more about making small improvements. working to improve technique, discipline, getting separation. working on break points. center of gravity. becoming elite.
Max: what can QBs do this summer to simulate game situations?
PJ: with HS players coming out, they're used to working with 7-on-7 with no pass rush, no deflections. no traffic in passing lanes. when we work in summer, need to have pass rushers - make them set up in pocket. hold broom sticks (to simulate pass rush). make them get ball out of their hand quicker. go thru progressions. if the 1st read isn't there, then have to scramble, start 2nd play. those are things they've got to improve on. try to simulate game-type feel in workouts.
Sid: Viramontes. Was he a disappointment?
PJ: No. have to improve Ball security. doesn't matter who you are. the ball is the program. Vic is working to adapt to a new culture, learn a new system. he's learned a lot about the value of the football. we might value the ball differently than some other places he's played. he'll continue to get better.
Mona: (asks about guys who didn't play in Spring Game - Winfield, Barber, Cashman, etc.)
PJ: they should all be back for summer workouts. Barber, Cashman had Off-season surgery. they'll be ready to go May 1st 100% Dunlap had leg injury, but he'll be fine in 2-3 weeks. Winfield, kept him out. He had a good spring. we're getting him back into the mix slowly.
Sid: what about Howard as WR?
PJ: he's still progressing. learning to play WR. he's a slot for us. good speed. worked thru injuries in Spring. lot of work to do. proud of his progress.
Max: signing date at end of season, does that change work schedule for coaches?
PJ: It's harder to lock up players with early official visits. have guys making official visits in April, June. lot of guys waiting for visits to make decision before season. in past, some guys committed and never went on visits. now, everyone says, "I can go on official visits before I commit." we'll see a flood of commitments at some point. maybe during the June period, or at the start of the season. Our 2019 class is off and running. doing well. hope to have more commitments soon. the coaches are on the road recruiting right now.
Mona: Autman-Bell. Reaction to how he played? Also, asks about KARE-11 video on how it's hard to field punts.
PJ: lot of fun on video. willing do to things like that- give fans perspective of how hard some things are. journalists and people on news try to catch punts. Bell, we're excited about his future. Our team is 77% made up of 1st or 2nd year players -those are facts. only have 9 scholarship SR's. We're working to develop the student-athletes we're bringing in. the future is bright. the fans will see these young players on the team for a long time. have to develop depth, have a rotation. watch the team develop over the next 4-5 years. Bell is one of best players at WR. good ball skills. he's learning to take D1 hits. proud of whole WR crew. Coach Simon does a great job.
Sid: how did team play defensively?
PJ: we're going to rely on a lot of young guys. Cashman, Barber need to be leaders. We'll see Rush at LB. Need to rely on Martin. Fans will see a new DL with a lot of young players. lot of RS FR, true Soph. DL is not where you want to be young, but we need be able to rotate guys. gain experience. OJ Smith granted 5th year. we'll have him this year and next year. Alabama worked with us on Smith. hats off to them. excited. lots of work to do. it's up to players in summer to take lead. become a players-led team.
Sid: great season ticket plans. Murray's.
PJ: RTB, Ski-U-Mah. enjoy beautiful spring weather.
Sid: difference in this spring game compared to last year.
PJ: it was nice. definitely had more players. more OL available. had 2 teams. played in a game format - lot of people watching on BTN. players did great job. was competitive - treated it like a game. we were able to put QBs in game scenarios
Sid: evaluate the OL
PJ: they're growing. 4 more guys join us in June. still very young. part of growing up. future for this group is bright.
Sid: talk about how you walked into tough situation?
PJ: any coach knows what he's getting into. when you take a job, you're either prepared or you're not prepared. we've done a similar turnaround. get on the inside, rebuild the culture. lot of work to do. you have to take a few steps back in order to take a giant leap forward. others want to win right now - win yesterday. we have very young team, but I really like what we have. sometimes when you're really young, you can surprise yourself. all of our goals were met in spring. looking to see players take ownership. do the right things on and off the field.
Mona: assess QB's. RB-Ibrahim
PJ: with QBs, it was mission accomplished. put them in a game scenario under the lights. live scrimmage, QBs not protected. they haven't ever thrown a pass in college, and they won't till New Mexico St. so far, the QBs have been protected by the whistle. in the Spring Game, saw 3 fumbles by QBs, as a result of getting hit. got to take care of FB. in some cases, the protection broke down, but the defense also put pressure on QB. pleased overall. met the mission.
PJ: Ibrahim- one of toughest young men on team. last year was on the scout team, where you're constantly being hit. he didn't miss one rep. durable. not big, but quick, powerful. tough. glad he's only a RS FR. fans will enjoy what he brings. brings a different dynamic than Rodney or Shannon. and we have other FR coming in this summer.
Sid: what about Tyler Johnson?
PJ: had a great spring. when you start, you can make a big jump in development. as you begin to develop into a good receiver, it's more about making small improvements. working to improve technique, discipline, getting separation. working on break points. center of gravity. becoming elite.
Max: what can QBs do this summer to simulate game situations?
PJ: with HS players coming out, they're used to working with 7-on-7 with no pass rush, no deflections. no traffic in passing lanes. when we work in summer, need to have pass rushers - make them set up in pocket. hold broom sticks (to simulate pass rush). make them get ball out of their hand quicker. go thru progressions. if the 1st read isn't there, then have to scramble, start 2nd play. those are things they've got to improve on. try to simulate game-type feel in workouts.
Sid: Viramontes. Was he a disappointment?
PJ: No. have to improve Ball security. doesn't matter who you are. the ball is the program. Vic is working to adapt to a new culture, learn a new system. he's learned a lot about the value of the football. we might value the ball differently than some other places he's played. he'll continue to get better.
Mona: (asks about guys who didn't play in Spring Game - Winfield, Barber, Cashman, etc.)
PJ: they should all be back for summer workouts. Barber, Cashman had Off-season surgery. they'll be ready to go May 1st 100% Dunlap had leg injury, but he'll be fine in 2-3 weeks. Winfield, kept him out. He had a good spring. we're getting him back into the mix slowly.
Sid: what about Howard as WR?
PJ: he's still progressing. learning to play WR. he's a slot for us. good speed. worked thru injuries in Spring. lot of work to do. proud of his progress.
Max: signing date at end of season, does that change work schedule for coaches?
PJ: It's harder to lock up players with early official visits. have guys making official visits in April, June. lot of guys waiting for visits to make decision before season. in past, some guys committed and never went on visits. now, everyone says, "I can go on official visits before I commit." we'll see a flood of commitments at some point. maybe during the June period, or at the start of the season. Our 2019 class is off and running. doing well. hope to have more commitments soon. the coaches are on the road recruiting right now.
Mona: Autman-Bell. Reaction to how he played? Also, asks about KARE-11 video on how it's hard to field punts.
PJ: lot of fun on video. willing do to things like that- give fans perspective of how hard some things are. journalists and people on news try to catch punts. Bell, we're excited about his future. Our team is 77% made up of 1st or 2nd year players -those are facts. only have 9 scholarship SR's. We're working to develop the student-athletes we're bringing in. the future is bright. the fans will see these young players on the team for a long time. have to develop depth, have a rotation. watch the team develop over the next 4-5 years. Bell is one of best players at WR. good ball skills. he's learning to take D1 hits. proud of whole WR crew. Coach Simon does a great job.
Sid: how did team play defensively?
PJ: we're going to rely on a lot of young guys. Cashman, Barber need to be leaders. We'll see Rush at LB. Need to rely on Martin. Fans will see a new DL with a lot of young players. lot of RS FR, true Soph. DL is not where you want to be young, but we need be able to rotate guys. gain experience. OJ Smith granted 5th year. we'll have him this year and next year. Alabama worked with us on Smith. hats off to them. excited. lots of work to do. it's up to players in summer to take lead. become a players-led team.
Sid: great season ticket plans. Murray's.
PJ: RTB, Ski-U-Mah. enjoy beautiful spring weather.