Sports Huddle Summary: Coach Jerry Kill - 4/1/12

DL65

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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!!
 

DL65, thanks again for these reports. I usually listen to KFGO Fargo for Sports Huddle, and now that baseball season is here, KFGO goes with Soupcan and some other unknown for Ron Gardenhire Show, so I miss out on the Sid and Dave show until 10:00. Keep the reports coming, thanks again.
 

Very good, DL. I thought Sid said "Prior Lake," but I'll bet you're right.

I feel that coach is having to reign in his own exuberance. He's very fired up about this team, and he's still got a lot of probable contributors yet to come in (McDonald, Harbison, Maye, Roland Johnson, etc.).

I'm fired up that he's fired up.
 

Thanks DL excellent report as usual
 

Thanks for the writeup. Would be surprised to see Stoudermire at WR on a regular basis given how valuable he seems to be to the secondary. Doesn't seem like the coaches would want to wear him down running routes or run the risk of him getting injured on a big hit. Wouldn't shock me though if they used him as a decoy or drew up some trick plays to take advantage of his speed/quickness though.
 


Thanks for the summary DL.

5) I believe the other running back he was referring to (aside from roderick williams) was KJ Maye. I could be wrong though.

Also, ? for anyone whose been to practices. Has Moulton been improving as a WR? havent heard much about him. And is Beal Participating in non-contact drills? Thanks
 

Thanks for the writeup. Would be surprised to see Stoudermire at WR on a regular basis given how valuable he seems to be to the secondary. Doesn't seem like the coaches would want to wear him down running routes or run the risk of him getting injured on a big hit. Wouldn't shock me though if they used him as a decoy or drew up some trick plays to take advantage of his speed/quickness though.

I believe your take is correct. He did mention about spreading the field, but I would say, if he is used at that wide receiver position at all, it would be sparingly.

Go Gophers!!
 

Thanks for the writeup. Would be surprised to see Stoudermire at WR on a regular basis given how valuable he seems to be to the secondary. Doesn't seem like the coaches would want to wear him down running routes or run the risk of him getting injured on a big hit. Wouldn't shock me though if they used him as a decoy or drew up some trick plays to take advantage of his speed/quickness though.

I agree with your opinion on the potential over-use of Stoudermire. He also is practicing as a punt returner / kickoff returner.
There seems to be more depth at receiver this year than last year. Practicing this year are Isaac Fruechte and Derrick Engel, who are both very impressive, Devin Crawford-Tufts, with a year of experience who is also very impressive, a healthy Brandon Green, C.J. Cesario, A.J. Barker, Cameron Wilson, and others. In addition practicing this Fall will be Andre McDonald and Jamel Harbison.
I agree with Coach Kill that Stoudermire is a gifted athlete who has the ability to play offense also. However realistically, we need him to stay healthy .
 

comments about guys coming in

I think the coaches think Antonio Johnson and Damarius Travis may contribute, at least as a solid two or three deep, based on signing day comments. Murray, I think, may need to add some size.

I agree that Maye would be the other running back with Williams coming in the fall who they think might be able to help right away, in the two or three deeps, if not better.
 



comments about guys coming in

I think the coaches think Antonio Johnson and Damarius Travis may contribute as safety, at least as a solid two or three deep, based on signing day comments. Murray, I think, may need to add some size to be a safety, but could compete for a spot on the depth chart as a cb right away.

I agree that Maye would be the other running back with Williams coming in the fall who they think might be able to help right away, in the two or three deeps, if not better.
 

He also favorably mentioned Grayson Levine and Steve Montgomery (Montgomery is presently a green shirt).
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a green shirt?
 

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.
No reps for Dexter Foreman? Is he still at QB?
 

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a green shirt?

It's one of the "no-contact" colored jerseys. They also have orange. I forget which is which, but one is for guys held out of drills entirely, and the other is for guys who can do pass shells and stuff but not any hitting.
 




It's one of the "no-contact" colored jerseys. They also have orange. I forget which is which, but one is for guys held out of drills entirely, and the other is for guys who can do pass shells and stuff but not any hitting.

Orange is no contact and green is for guys who can do pass shells and stuff but not any hitting.
 

Jon Leverenz played during the Holtz and Gutey era.
 



Dexter is the 5th qb in brown and pink. He no longer has mono.
No one has menrtioned Oreske's punting this spring but it has been fantastic. Relax Sid.
Lamonte Edwards has been making huge hits along with Matilus and Carter. really standouts.
Mason, Griffith and DiNardo were there Thursl
 

A little off topic. ... Sid didn't sound well at all. Sounded out of it, moreso than usual, even for Sid.
 

Hope they don't go messing around with Troy at WR. He could be a solid CB maybe an NFL CB if they just let him concentrate on the one position now.
 

DL65, thanks again for these reports. I usually listen to KFGO Fargo for Sports Huddle, and now that baseball season is here, KFGO goes with Soupcan and some other unknown for Ron Gardenhire Show, so I miss out on the Sid and Dave show until 10:00. Keep the reports coming, thanks again.

Recently came across this website - radio stations from all over the world, including the good neighbor.
So if KFGO doesn't pick up SID you should be able to catch it here.

http://player.radio.com/player/RadioPlayer.php?station=82

This is the main website http://tunein.com/
 




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