After a couple weeks away from the WCCO radio microphones, Dave Mona joined Mike Max and Sid Hartman for the Sports Huddle and the P.J. Fleck segment. Topics covered: implementing a new culture, personnel at WMU and Minnesota, lack of depth in the offensive and defensive lines, quarterback competition, running backs, players that have stood out in spring ball, surgeries, and the spring game next Saturday.
1) Sid asked if his goals for spring practices have changed:
Coach Fleck said because of the lack of numbers at certain positions and players being out because of surgeries and rehab they’ve not accomplished a lot of what they had hoped to achieve. However, he went on to say they’ve spent a lot of time on the change of culture at the practices. They’ve also have some “clarity of who can play and help us.”
On a positive note, Fleck they had “five healthy linemen” at yesterday’s practice, and (as a team) “we’re getting better.”
2) Sid asked about team personnel at WMU when he took over as the Broncos head coach:
“At Western Michigan, we didn’t have the numbers,” Fleck answered. However, because of the veteran players sticking with the team and "sacrificing" they were able to capture the MAC Championship. Of course, he said they recruited players to fit the culture that he and his coaching staff were implementing.
Turning to the Gophers, he sounded upbeat, “we have the talent here . . . biggest thing, sticking to the process . . . we have to do (implement) the culture.”
3) Sid asked the shortages in the offensive and defensive lines:
Fleck said it’s going take time to correct the problem and have adequate depth in the two lines, “We’re not going to fix it this year . . . (only) one underclassmen at defensive tackle (at this time).” Because of the shortages, it has created some opportunities for those that have been able to practice with a lot of reps. He said this year’s shortages and the inherent problems created will be even more pronounced next year.
Recruiting offensive and defensive linemen in 2018 and 2019 will be extremely important, according to Fleck.
4) Sid raised the topic of quarterback competition, and if he knew who the starter will be this fall:
Fleck quickly responded, “The job will be won in training camp!” Once that determination has been made, “Starter will get a lot of reps before the first game.”
5) Sid asked Fleck for his assessment of the running back position:
Although he didn’t mention Rod Smith’s or Shannon Brooks’ names, Fleck spoke glowingly about the duo: “Both running backs are complete backs . . . offense fits the two well,” Fleck said.
6) Sid asked Fleck to compare the personnel in the offensive and defensive lines at this time:
Fleck said, “(There’s) more experience on defense.” (He said during yesterday’s practice, the defense won approximately 55% to 45% of the battles at the line of scrimmage.) Fleck said positively, “Did a lot of great things yesterday.”
7) Coach Fleck was asked what players have stood out this spring:
The following players were cited by Fleck for having a good spring of practices: “Jon Celestin – leadership; Demry Croft and Conor Rhoda – Seth Green and Tanner Morgan (were also cited); Tyler Johnson; play of linebackers; Duke McGhee; I really like Antoine Winfield!” When talking about Winfield you could hear excitement in Fleck’s voice.
8) Sid queried Fleck about 2017 recruits who have been practicing this spring:
Fleck said the first-year recruits from the class who are practicing”provide a little depth. Besides Morgan, mentioned earlier, Fleck cited two other freshmen. The only name that I’m certain of is linebacker Trenton Guthrie. I’m not sure of the second player named by Fleck.
Fleck also said the freshmen are getting acclimated to college life as well as the college game.
9) Dave Mona asked if the players that had surgeries this past winter will be available this fall:
“It looks that way, now . . . (being cautious with the injured players) decided to keep some out for rehab,” Fleck replied. IMO, he sounded positive with the players’ recovery from their surgeries and rehabs.
10) Sid asked if Blake Cashman has been practicing:
“Not now,” Fleck said. Fleck hastened to add that Cashman and other injured players who have had surgery and rehab have participated in walk-throughs so as to ‘get reps to learn the system.”
11) The final question was by Sid and was related to the next Saturday’s spring game:
Because the lack of depth in the offensive line, they will have a scrimmage for a limited time. However, the fans will be able to see the coaches working with the players individually, and tackling drills.
Fleck said he wants the abbreviated spring game to be a fun time for the fans. He wants the fans to bring an oar – no matter its size – for a wall of oars that will be a wall of oars that will be created at the stadium.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked if his goals for spring practices have changed:
Coach Fleck said because of the lack of numbers at certain positions and players being out because of surgeries and rehab they’ve not accomplished a lot of what they had hoped to achieve. However, he went on to say they’ve spent a lot of time on the change of culture at the practices. They’ve also have some “clarity of who can play and help us.”
On a positive note, Fleck they had “five healthy linemen” at yesterday’s practice, and (as a team) “we’re getting better.”
2) Sid asked about team personnel at WMU when he took over as the Broncos head coach:
“At Western Michigan, we didn’t have the numbers,” Fleck answered. However, because of the veteran players sticking with the team and "sacrificing" they were able to capture the MAC Championship. Of course, he said they recruited players to fit the culture that he and his coaching staff were implementing.
Turning to the Gophers, he sounded upbeat, “we have the talent here . . . biggest thing, sticking to the process . . . we have to do (implement) the culture.”
3) Sid asked the shortages in the offensive and defensive lines:
Fleck said it’s going take time to correct the problem and have adequate depth in the two lines, “We’re not going to fix it this year . . . (only) one underclassmen at defensive tackle (at this time).” Because of the shortages, it has created some opportunities for those that have been able to practice with a lot of reps. He said this year’s shortages and the inherent problems created will be even more pronounced next year.
Recruiting offensive and defensive linemen in 2018 and 2019 will be extremely important, according to Fleck.
4) Sid raised the topic of quarterback competition, and if he knew who the starter will be this fall:
Fleck quickly responded, “The job will be won in training camp!” Once that determination has been made, “Starter will get a lot of reps before the first game.”
5) Sid asked Fleck for his assessment of the running back position:
Although he didn’t mention Rod Smith’s or Shannon Brooks’ names, Fleck spoke glowingly about the duo: “Both running backs are complete backs . . . offense fits the two well,” Fleck said.
6) Sid asked Fleck to compare the personnel in the offensive and defensive lines at this time:
Fleck said, “(There’s) more experience on defense.” (He said during yesterday’s practice, the defense won approximately 55% to 45% of the battles at the line of scrimmage.) Fleck said positively, “Did a lot of great things yesterday.”
7) Coach Fleck was asked what players have stood out this spring:
The following players were cited by Fleck for having a good spring of practices: “Jon Celestin – leadership; Demry Croft and Conor Rhoda – Seth Green and Tanner Morgan (were also cited); Tyler Johnson; play of linebackers; Duke McGhee; I really like Antoine Winfield!” When talking about Winfield you could hear excitement in Fleck’s voice.
8) Sid queried Fleck about 2017 recruits who have been practicing this spring:
Fleck said the first-year recruits from the class who are practicing”provide a little depth. Besides Morgan, mentioned earlier, Fleck cited two other freshmen. The only name that I’m certain of is linebacker Trenton Guthrie. I’m not sure of the second player named by Fleck.
Fleck also said the freshmen are getting acclimated to college life as well as the college game.
9) Dave Mona asked if the players that had surgeries this past winter will be available this fall:
“It looks that way, now . . . (being cautious with the injured players) decided to keep some out for rehab,” Fleck replied. IMO, he sounded positive with the players’ recovery from their surgeries and rehabs.
10) Sid asked if Blake Cashman has been practicing:
“Not now,” Fleck said. Fleck hastened to add that Cashman and other injured players who have had surgery and rehab have participated in walk-throughs so as to ‘get reps to learn the system.”
11) The final question was by Sid and was related to the next Saturday’s spring game:
Because the lack of depth in the offensive line, they will have a scrimmage for a limited time. However, the fans will be able to see the coaches working with the players individually, and tackling drills.
Fleck said he wants the abbreviated spring game to be a fun time for the fans. He wants the fans to bring an oar – no matter its size – for a wall of oars that will be a wall of oars that will be created at the stadium.
Go Gophers!!
