Coach kill was on the Sports Huddle for about fifteen minutes, because Sid and Mike Max opened the show with an interview/report with a Twins player. Nevertheless, a lot of topics were covered with several names mentioned at multiple positions.
1) Sid asked a general question about yesterday's practice: Kill responded, "First, great to see all the people . . . tremendous crowd." He then mentioned the state high school convention/clinic being conducted with approximately 1,400 coaches in attendance. Many of the high school coaches attended yesterday's practice. Again, Kill said the crowd " . . . helps motivate the kids."
2) Sid asked about Michael Carter. He said he made a couple big tackles yesterday: Kill: "Michael has had a good spring to this point. He's gained confidence on and off the field."
3) Sid asked about Josh Campion (he said he's from Detroit Lakes, however, he's from Fergus Falls): Kill said, "He's done a good job . . . started at guard and has moved to right tackle . . . he's a good kid; lacks experience."
4) Quarterbacks: "Four repping right now." Marqueis Gray - sharp this spring (made a big mistake yesterday) and then Kill said the players/receivers have to help the QBs by catching the ball. He said, "Shortell is progressing." He mentioned Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner as well. They're the four in the mix/reps.
5) Sid asked about the runningbacks (interesting comment followed): He immediately referenced but did not name two freshmen that'll be in this summer: Roderick Williams and I believe Duke Anyanwu were the players he was referencing. He said Donnell Kirkwood pulled a hamstring at the start of spring drills. He then mentioned Gillum, Cobb, and Devon Wright . . . he likes their size and said they've done some good things . . . "As a group they're getting better." He mentioned Gillum saying, "Gillum has to learn what we're dong." There was a positive sound in his voice when he mentioned Gillum, IMO.
6) Max asked what adjustments are being made this spring: Kill responded saying, "A good coach tries to adjust to personnel." (Kill also said that's what spring drills are for - adjustments/experimentation.) Kill closed the question by Max by saying, "There's subtle changes."
7) Secondary: "A plus this spring." Kill then mentioned several players. Derrick Wells: "Wells can be All-Big Ten." He said he's been moved to safety as has Cedric Thompson. He spoke about their size and speed. He also favorably mentioned Grayson Levine and Steve Montgomery (Montgomery is presently a green shirt). Kill then turned the discussion to the cornerbacks. "(You) build a defense at cornerback." He then referenced the juco corners that are participating in spring drills: Jeremy Baltazar, Briean Boddy and Martez Shabazz. Baltazar now weighs 200 pounds. He then referenced two freshmen that will join the team this summer. (As he did with the runningbacks, he didn't name the freshmen in his comments; however, the players, I believe, would be Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray.)
8) Sid asked about Troy Stoudermire: "Stoudermire has great football instincts." He then threw a comment that caught my ear, if they want to they could play him at wide receiver. (He was talking about his speed and quickness, (football instincts)). Question that begs to be asked, will we see him on the offensive side of the ball on occasion this fall? When he made the wide receiver comment, Kill quickly said Stoudermire needs to focus on the corner position. He said Troy is approximately 200 pounds and can play at the next level.
9) Max asked what's the number one question of the Minnesota high school coaches? Kill said, "The coaches ask how are we doing? (Kill emphasized the pronoun "we".) He said more importantly than the questions they ask is the support they're showing the team. They're interested in Golden Gopher football. He briefly mentioned Houston coach and former Gopher Tony Levine and his time with visiting Minnesota coaches this past winter and at the convention (Kill also briefly discussed his time with Levine's parents). He also mentioned another former Gopher that he recently met with (I'm not sure of the name, but I thought I heard Jon Levernz's name, but probably mistaken). He spoke highly of the high school coaches and the growth of the state coaches convention/clinic. He said a few short years ago they drew about 400 coaches; however, it has grown to 1,400. And he cited Brainerd coach Stolski for his leadership and influencing the clinic's growth.
10) Speed at linebacker: He talked about the move of James Manuel to the Will Linebacker position. He said Manuel runs a 4.6 and then said, "Lamonte Edwards is faster and has learned how to play the position." He also said Keanon Cooper can really run; however, his wrist injury of last fall, which he played through, hindered him.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked a general question about yesterday's practice: Kill responded, "First, great to see all the people . . . tremendous crowd." He then mentioned the state high school convention/clinic being conducted with approximately 1,400 coaches in attendance. Many of the high school coaches attended yesterday's practice. Again, Kill said the crowd " . . . helps motivate the kids."
2) Sid asked about Michael Carter. He said he made a couple big tackles yesterday: Kill: "Michael has had a good spring to this point. He's gained confidence on and off the field."
3) Sid asked about Josh Campion (he said he's from Detroit Lakes, however, he's from Fergus Falls): Kill said, "He's done a good job . . . started at guard and has moved to right tackle . . . he's a good kid; lacks experience."
4) Quarterbacks: "Four repping right now." Marqueis Gray - sharp this spring (made a big mistake yesterday) and then Kill said the players/receivers have to help the QBs by catching the ball. He said, "Shortell is progressing." He mentioned Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner as well. They're the four in the mix/reps.
5) Sid asked about the runningbacks (interesting comment followed): He immediately referenced but did not name two freshmen that'll be in this summer: Roderick Williams and I believe Duke Anyanwu were the players he was referencing. He said Donnell Kirkwood pulled a hamstring at the start of spring drills. He then mentioned Gillum, Cobb, and Devon Wright . . . he likes their size and said they've done some good things . . . "As a group they're getting better." He mentioned Gillum saying, "Gillum has to learn what we're dong." There was a positive sound in his voice when he mentioned Gillum, IMO.
6) Max asked what adjustments are being made this spring: Kill responded saying, "A good coach tries to adjust to personnel." (Kill also said that's what spring drills are for - adjustments/experimentation.) Kill closed the question by Max by saying, "There's subtle changes."
7) Secondary: "A plus this spring." Kill then mentioned several players. Derrick Wells: "Wells can be All-Big Ten." He said he's been moved to safety as has Cedric Thompson. He spoke about their size and speed. He also favorably mentioned Grayson Levine and Steve Montgomery (Montgomery is presently a green shirt). Kill then turned the discussion to the cornerbacks. "(You) build a defense at cornerback." He then referenced the juco corners that are participating in spring drills: Jeremy Baltazar, Briean Boddy and Martez Shabazz. Baltazar now weighs 200 pounds. He then referenced two freshmen that will join the team this summer. (As he did with the runningbacks, he didn't name the freshmen in his comments; however, the players, I believe, would be Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray.)
8) Sid asked about Troy Stoudermire: "Stoudermire has great football instincts." He then threw a comment that caught my ear, if they want to they could play him at wide receiver. (He was talking about his speed and quickness, (football instincts)). Question that begs to be asked, will we see him on the offensive side of the ball on occasion this fall? When he made the wide receiver comment, Kill quickly said Stoudermire needs to focus on the corner position. He said Troy is approximately 200 pounds and can play at the next level.
9) Max asked what's the number one question of the Minnesota high school coaches? Kill said, "The coaches ask how are we doing? (Kill emphasized the pronoun "we".) He said more importantly than the questions they ask is the support they're showing the team. They're interested in Golden Gopher football. He briefly mentioned Houston coach and former Gopher Tony Levine and his time with visiting Minnesota coaches this past winter and at the convention (Kill also briefly discussed his time with Levine's parents). He also mentioned another former Gopher that he recently met with (I'm not sure of the name, but I thought I heard Jon Levernz's name, but probably mistaken). He spoke highly of the high school coaches and the growth of the state coaches convention/clinic. He said a few short years ago they drew about 400 coaches; however, it has grown to 1,400. And he cited Brainerd coach Stolski for his leadership and influencing the clinic's growth.
10) Speed at linebacker: He talked about the move of James Manuel to the Will Linebacker position. He said Manuel runs a 4.6 and then said, "Lamonte Edwards is faster and has learned how to play the position." He also said Keanon Cooper can really run; however, his wrist injury of last fall, which he played through, hindered him.
Go Gophers!!
