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Gopher FB coach PJ Fleck appeared on the Sports Huddle with Sid, Dave (and Max) on Sunday, July 9th. (Note - watch for "sideline" question.....)
Sid: (status of) 22 guys with injuries.
PJF: we'll get pretty much everybody back by 1st game. they've been rehabbing and are being cleared, but the drawback is they haven't had a lot of training. They'll have challenges ahead, but look forward to getting them back on the field
Sid: going to use remaining scholarships (for 2017)?
PJF: want to be cautious how we use them. once you use it, it's gone for next four years. might use 1 in '18 or bump back to '19. whatever we do, it has to be well thought out and the best decision for the program.
Sid: what are you looking for in QB fight?
PJF: don't know yet. Our QB's are very competitive. kirk (OC) does tremendous job. year 1 is more difficult - learning the system - tough to master new system in 1 year. that's what we're looking for - mastery of the offense, but don't know if that will happen in year one.
Sid: will any FR be ready to move in at OT or DT?
PJF: our problems with DT are next year. zero depth. got our work cut out in recruiting. next year might see 3-4 starters (on the DL) who are true FR - take your lumps. we're willing to do that. same thing on offensive side of ball. you've got to get younger before we get older. 2018 class might see some guys contribute right away next year on OL. might see (2017) guys redshirt this year and play next year.
Mona: change side of field for home team?
PJF: one of main things I hear from fans, admin, players - move to other sideline. I think we'll be on other sideline. gives you advantages. probably be on different sideline.
Max: how much power do you give to coordinators on game planing?
PJF: I manage situations. 4th downs - difficult calls - time management. I let coaches coach. they spend the most amount of time on FB. do all the game-planning ahead of time. they know what I want to do and they execute it. best coordinators in country. in certain situations, if we're going to do something unique, I'm probably the one calling that. But I let them coach.
Mona: do you take direct role in Substitutions?
PJF: prior to going into game, we talk about how many reps you want RB's to get. for our subs, (work that out) ahead of time. keep an eye on every player - injury? someone else better at that position? I'm willing to let my players fail. not one of those guys who will yank them if they have a bad quarter. they're not perfect - the more they fail, the more they learn. will help them for future. next year we will be incredibly young - year after that still young.
Sid: will Buffalo give you a challenge?
PJF: they have a phenomenal FB coach - won National Championships at Whitewater. He's a close personal friend. he'll be ready for us. It's all about us - how we play- we have to play our best. not going to worry too much about our opponents. need to play our best FB every Saturday or we can be beaten by anybody. all we worry about (is ourselves)
Mona: learning a New set of officials? How do you get along with officials?
PJF: I love communicating with officials. love when they communicate with me. all I ask for is communication. calls will go for us and against us - I just want game to be officiated fairly. Officials in B1G do elite job. had great relationship with MAC officials. part of the game - like umpires calling strike zone. proud of B1G officials.
Max: what do you look for in officials?
PJF: consistency and communication. not just making the call, but their energy - how you officiate 1st qtr to 4th qtr. do you get emotional? I look for consistency of people in general. look for consistency and communication in terms of hiring people. two qualities you look for. All I ask for in pre-game meeting with officials is consistency and communication. May have to adjust based on calls - if you see holding calls (on a certain play), then you're not going to run that scheme because (getting penalties) of way we're blocking. have to adjust.
Sid: number of commitments for 2018?
PJF: 19 - 2nd most in country. it's not a race. it shows how many people want to be Gophers. probably will get more commitments in next two weeks. not looking at stars -
we want the right kind of people who can handle doubters and handle criticism.
Sid - can't wait till start of season.
PJF: excited. RTB ski-u-mah.
Sid: (status of) 22 guys with injuries.
PJF: we'll get pretty much everybody back by 1st game. they've been rehabbing and are being cleared, but the drawback is they haven't had a lot of training. They'll have challenges ahead, but look forward to getting them back on the field
Sid: going to use remaining scholarships (for 2017)?
PJF: want to be cautious how we use them. once you use it, it's gone for next four years. might use 1 in '18 or bump back to '19. whatever we do, it has to be well thought out and the best decision for the program.
Sid: what are you looking for in QB fight?
PJF: don't know yet. Our QB's are very competitive. kirk (OC) does tremendous job. year 1 is more difficult - learning the system - tough to master new system in 1 year. that's what we're looking for - mastery of the offense, but don't know if that will happen in year one.
Sid: will any FR be ready to move in at OT or DT?
PJF: our problems with DT are next year. zero depth. got our work cut out in recruiting. next year might see 3-4 starters (on the DL) who are true FR - take your lumps. we're willing to do that. same thing on offensive side of ball. you've got to get younger before we get older. 2018 class might see some guys contribute right away next year on OL. might see (2017) guys redshirt this year and play next year.
Mona: change side of field for home team?
PJF: one of main things I hear from fans, admin, players - move to other sideline. I think we'll be on other sideline. gives you advantages. probably be on different sideline.
Max: how much power do you give to coordinators on game planing?
PJF: I manage situations. 4th downs - difficult calls - time management. I let coaches coach. they spend the most amount of time on FB. do all the game-planning ahead of time. they know what I want to do and they execute it. best coordinators in country. in certain situations, if we're going to do something unique, I'm probably the one calling that. But I let them coach.
Mona: do you take direct role in Substitutions?
PJF: prior to going into game, we talk about how many reps you want RB's to get. for our subs, (work that out) ahead of time. keep an eye on every player - injury? someone else better at that position? I'm willing to let my players fail. not one of those guys who will yank them if they have a bad quarter. they're not perfect - the more they fail, the more they learn. will help them for future. next year we will be incredibly young - year after that still young.
Sid: will Buffalo give you a challenge?
PJF: they have a phenomenal FB coach - won National Championships at Whitewater. He's a close personal friend. he'll be ready for us. It's all about us - how we play- we have to play our best. not going to worry too much about our opponents. need to play our best FB every Saturday or we can be beaten by anybody. all we worry about (is ourselves)
Mona: learning a New set of officials? How do you get along with officials?
PJF: I love communicating with officials. love when they communicate with me. all I ask for is communication. calls will go for us and against us - I just want game to be officiated fairly. Officials in B1G do elite job. had great relationship with MAC officials. part of the game - like umpires calling strike zone. proud of B1G officials.
Max: what do you look for in officials?
PJF: consistency and communication. not just making the call, but their energy - how you officiate 1st qtr to 4th qtr. do you get emotional? I look for consistency of people in general. look for consistency and communication in terms of hiring people. two qualities you look for. All I ask for in pre-game meeting with officials is consistency and communication. May have to adjust based on calls - if you see holding calls (on a certain play), then you're not going to run that scheme because (getting penalties) of way we're blocking. have to adjust.
Sid: number of commitments for 2018?
PJF: 19 - 2nd most in country. it's not a race. it shows how many people want to be Gophers. probably will get more commitments in next two weeks. not looking at stars -
we want the right kind of people who can handle doubters and handle criticism.
Sid - can't wait till start of season.
PJF: excited. RTB ski-u-mah.