Sports Huddle Summary: Coach Kill, 8/14/11

[DL65]

The coach Kill segment on the Sports Huddle started later than usual today . . . after the 10 a.m. news break.

Coach Kill's responses and comments to Dave Mona and Sid Hartman queries:

1) This past week coach Kill had two U.S. Navy Seals in camp to talk to the players about the importance of teamwork. Both servicemen have served for more than 30 years. Wanted his players to hear and learn from the best. Again, Kill stressed teamwork (a common refrain).

2) The first week of practice: "We have a lot of work to do." Players have gotten much better since spring ball; however, it remains a struggle for a few. Yesterday's afternoon practice went very well.

3) "We're a better conditioned team . . . movement is better." Credited coach Klein for the players improvement in strength and conditioning. Kill also credited the fans (about 175 that have shown up for the daily practices) for making the team better . . . players want to perform better when there are fans watching.

4) Some of the players that he cited for having good practices this past week: Victor Keise, Malcom Moulton, Marcus Jones, Todd Parish, John Raabe (Raabe was injured and not sure how long he'll be unable to practice at full strength), Ben Perry and D.L. Wilhite (sp?) have gotten better. Defensive secondary: Derrick Wells and Kim Royston . . . a leader that they'll depend on for leadership. Brock Vreen . . . "great kid," runs well and has a tremendous attitude. Troy Stoudermire . . . learning to play the cornerback position, Also singled out Shady Soloman (sp?) and Chase Haivland . . . cited their attitude and that they work hard everyday.

5) Ryan Wynn: "Could be a leader; we'll see." All seniors must be leaders and have a full-fledged commitment to change.

6) Shortell: Hard to recruit a 6-6 quartberback. Moves well and handles the heat of competition. Pleased with his progress . . . he has "gotta want to."

7) Adam Lueck (sp?): Quarterback down in the order . . . knows the offense inside and out, like having a coach on the field. A good youg man that is a good holder, which is extremely important.

8) Great week of practice and watching the kids improve. The next seven days will be a great test for the players . . . stepping it up.


Go Gophers!!

 

[mkAz]

4) Some of the players that he cited for having good practices this past week: Victor Keise, Malcom Moulton, Marcus Jones, Todd Parish, John Raabe (Raabe was injured and not sure how long he'll be unable to practice at full strength), Ben Perry and D.L. Wilhite (sp?) have gotten better. Defensive secondary: Derrick Wells and Kim Royston . . . a leader that they'll depend on for leadership. Brock Vreen . . . "great kid," runs well and has a tremendous attitude. Troy Stoudermire . . . learning to play the cornerback position, Also singled out Shady Soloman (sp?) and Chase Haivland . . . cited their attitude and that they work hard everyday.

I'm seeing Moulton and Wells getting mentioned quite a bit, good to see some under the radar guys stepping up.

Thanks for the update DL65.

 

[husker70]

5) Ryan Wynn: "Could be a leader; we'll see." All seniors must be leaders and have a full-fledged commitment to change.

They now have the best athlete on the offensive line at Center. Wynn has played every line posiiton in his career. He, Bunders, and Orton are the leaders. They have experience. Olson and Gjere are the future. They need to step up. This 3 senior, redshirt sophmore, redshirt Freshman ideally sets up a passing of the torch, provides experience for the future. This could be one of the best offensive lines at Minnesota.

 

[JackiO]

The now have the best athlete on the offensive line at Center. Wynn has played every line posiiton in his career. He, Bunders, and Orton are the leaders. They have experience. Olson and Gjere are the future. They need to step up. This 3 senior, redshirt sophmore, redshirt Freshman ideally sets up a passing of the torch, provides experience for the future. This could be one of the best offensive lines at Minnesota.

Ironically, rumor has it that Justin Ferguson has supplanted Gjere on the first team offense. I myself was shocked to hear the news, but apparently Ferguson is no laughing matter. He is the same size as Gjere and extremely athletic.

 

[mkAz]

Ironically, rumor has it that Justin Ferguson has supplanted Gjere on the first team offense. I myself was shocked to hear the news, but apparently Ferguson is no laughing matter. He is the same size as Gjere and extremely athletic.

I'm not so sure if he's supplanted Gjere just yet, he was getting first team reps because Gjere is a bit beat up. Sounds like they will both play though.

 

[Gopher028]

Rumor has it, it's Tom Parrish... otherwise very good post, thank you very much for the update! (I loved that he had SEALs there to light a fire under 'em)

 

[AuEGO4]

I have started to drink the Coach Kill Kool Aide by the gallon. Bringing in the SEALs??? That is just awesome. Is it September 3 yet??

 

[JackiO]

I'm not so sure if he's supplanted Gjere just yet, he was getting first team reps because Gjere is a bit beat up. Sounds like they will both play though.

I'm not sure if I can remember this correctly and do not have enough time to look it up, but was Gjere in the same boat as Pirsig as far as being extremely raw coming out of high school? That may explain why it might be taking a little while longer to put it all together even though he has done well in camp.

 

[husker70]

They inserted Ferguson to give an opportunity for his hard work. Gjere is still your starting right tackle.

This from Coach Limegrover, Sean Ferguson filled in for Jimmy Gjere at left tackle during the latter part of practice, mostly to see how he would respond to the pressure of playing with the first unit. The former defensive lineman, a redshirt freshman from Philadelphia, "has wonderful physical gifts, but there's a consistency factor with Sean," Limegrover said. "I wanted to give him some sugar and see what he could do."

 

[MaxyJR1]

I think Right Tackle is going to be a year long competition. Gjere has been off and on injured and Ferguson is very raw. Ferguson got most of the spring snaps at the position.

 

[highwayman]

My spin on his comment about Wynn (I heard it, didn't just read it here) is that Wynn has NOT shown leadership. Kill was very quick and abrupt about Sid's question. I think that Tommy Olson and Josh Campion will be starters, if not at the opener, then at a minimum by the Nebraska game...

 

[MaxyJR1]

If they are going to have "22 starters" and play a lot of guys, there is no chance that Tommy and Josh red-shirt.

 

[Word]

I'm not sure if I can remember this correctly and do not have enough time to look it up, but was Gjere in the same boat as Pirsig as far as being extremely raw coming out of high school? That may explain why it might be taking a little while longer to put it all together even though he has done well in camp.

I don't know if "raw" is the right word. He had excellent footwork in high school for a guy that is 6'7". I think his biggest issue was strength - didn't lift much in high school since he was playing hockey in the winter and baseball in the spring every year. He's a bright guy and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. If you saw him play hockey though, you'd know he has a mean streak.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Gjere had a real shot at starting his true freshman season but got mono & lost a ton of weight/strength. That basically set him back a year as even with the red-shirt year he spent much of it trying to get back up to playing weight/strength. It's also been rumored he's a "gentle giant", a big, nice Minnesota kid who needs to learn how to flip the switch & play angry, plus he's been dinged up seemingly since he got here.

The one thing people seem to be passing right over is that Sean Ferguson was the 3rd stringer a week ago at RT when Gjere was battling Campion. Campion quietly slipped over to #2 RG last week to fill in for Orton & doesn't seem to have returned to RT, so it's possible he will & Fergie is still the 3rd teamer.

 

[husker70]

Two things taken away on speculation and inuendo. First a few plays at the end of practice are neither a change in the depth chart or a slap at the starter. It merely was Ferguson getting a little practice with the starters. Nothing more, nothing less. And the idea the coach is sending messages to Wynn on the sports huddle is far fetched. If the coach is sending messages in public its the first thing he has done wrong. And if he is sending the message because Wynn missed practice, for a death in the family, then I really have a problem. Both should be handled between coach and player and not with Sid and Dave.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Two things taken away on speculation and inuendo. First a few plays at the end of practice are neither a change in the depth chart or a slap at the starter. It merely was Ferguson getting a little practice with the starters. Nothing more, nothing less. And the idea the coach is sending messages to Wynn on the sports huddle is far fetched. If the coach is sending messages in public its the first thing he has done wrong. And if he is sending the message because Wynn missed practice, for a death in the family, then I really have a problem. Both should be handled between coach and player and not with Sid and Dave.

are you a coach? because you are talking like you are sitting in on meetings. if you are not a coach, then i think that you need to remember that your comments are speculation and innuendo as much as anyone else's. nothing more and nothing less.

 

[dpodoll68]

And if he is sending the message because Wynn missed practice, for a death in the family, then I really have a problem.

I may not know much, but I know with 100% certainty that any fault Kill finds with Wynn has nothing to do with missed practices due to a funeral. Hell, Kill took a $20 k/yr pay cut and gave a job where he had been very successful to move across the country to be with his ailing father during his last few months. It's silly to even suggest such a motive.

 

[Section2]

I may not know much.

+1

 

[husker70]

are you a coach? because you are talking like you are sitting in on meetings. if you are not a coach, then i think that you need to remember that your comments are speculation and innuendo as much as anyone else's. nothing more and nothing less.

The tem in this thread was a rumor that Ferguson had replaced Gjere. It was not supporte by any known source and the comment in the Tribune by Limegrover should have ended that.

I posted what was in the Star Tribune, and the quote attributed to Coach Limegrover. As of tonight you can add another Coach, De Nardo who watched practice and announced his under the radar player.
None other than Jimmy Gjere. Howard Griffith responded at 6'7" and 300 pounds he is hardly under the radar.

.

Having listened to the pod cast of the Sports Huddle. Following a comment by Coach Kill that Kim Royston is a leader on defense and we need to keep him on the field. Sid asked if Wynn could be a leader on offense, the Coach was quick to say he could be. He went on to say he missed time at the beinging of practice due to the loss of his Grandfather. He went on to say the seniors must be leaders and be willing to give everything to the program.