PJ Fleck Interview on Sports Huddle 4-15-18 (snow-nami edition)

short ornery norwegian

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
19,504
Reaction score
13,160
Points
113
PJ Fleck appeared live on Sports Huddle with Sid, Dave and Max on WCCO.

Sid: difference in this spring game compared to last year.
PJ: it was nice. definitely had more players. more OL available. had 2 teams. played in a game format - lot of people watching on BTN. players did great job. was competitive - treated it like a game. we were able to put QBs in game scenarios

Sid: evaluate the OL
PJ: they're growing. 4 more guys join us in June. still very young. part of growing up. future for this group is bright.

Sid: talk about how you walked into tough situation?
PJ: any coach knows what he's getting into. when you take a job, you're either prepared or you're not prepared. we've done a similar turnaround. get on the inside, rebuild the culture. lot of work to do. you have to take a few steps back in order to take a giant leap forward. others want to win right now - win yesterday. we have very young team, but I really like what we have. sometimes when you're really young, you can surprise yourself. all of our goals were met in spring. looking to see players take ownership. do the right things on and off the field.

Mona: assess QB's. RB-Ibrahim
PJ: with QBs, it was mission accomplished. put them in a game scenario under the lights. live scrimmage, QBs not protected. they haven't ever thrown a pass in college, and they won't till New Mexico St. so far, the QBs have been protected by the whistle. in the Spring Game, saw 3 fumbles by QBs, as a result of getting hit. got to take care of FB. in some cases, the protection broke down, but the defense also put pressure on QB. pleased overall. met the mission.

PJ: Ibrahim- one of toughest young men on team. last year was on the scout team, where you're constantly being hit. he didn't miss one rep. durable. not big, but quick, powerful. tough. glad he's only a RS FR. fans will enjoy what he brings. brings a different dynamic than Rodney or Shannon. and we have other FR coming in this summer.

Sid: what about Tyler Johnson?
PJ: had a great spring. when you start, you can make a big jump in development. as you begin to develop into a good receiver, it's more about making small improvements. working to improve technique, discipline, getting separation. working on break points. center of gravity. becoming elite.

Max: what can QBs do this summer to simulate game situations?
PJ: with HS players coming out, they're used to working with 7-on-7 with no pass rush, no deflections. no traffic in passing lanes. when we work in summer, need to have pass rushers - make them set up in pocket. hold broom sticks (to simulate pass rush). make them get ball out of their hand quicker. go thru progressions. if the 1st read isn't there, then have to scramble, start 2nd play. those are things they've got to improve on. try to simulate game-type feel in workouts.

Sid: Viramontes. Was he a disappointment?
PJ: No. have to improve Ball security. doesn't matter who you are. the ball is the program. Vic is working to adapt to a new culture, learn a new system. he's learned a lot about the value of the football. we might value the ball differently than some other places he's played. he'll continue to get better.

Mona: (asks about guys who didn't play in Spring Game - Winfield, Barber, Cashman, etc.)
PJ: they should all be back for summer workouts. Barber, Cashman had Off-season surgery. they'll be ready to go May 1st 100% Dunlap had leg injury, but he'll be fine in 2-3 weeks. Winfield, kept him out. He had a good spring. we're getting him back into the mix slowly.

Sid: what about Howard as WR?
PJ: he's still progressing. learning to play WR. he's a slot for us. good speed. worked thru injuries in Spring. lot of work to do. proud of his progress.

Max: signing date at end of season, does that change work schedule for coaches?
PJ: It's harder to lock up players with early official visits. have guys making official visits in April, June. lot of guys waiting for visits to make decision before season. in past, some guys committed and never went on visits. now, everyone says, "I can go on official visits before I commit." we'll see a flood of commitments at some point. maybe during the June period, or at the start of the season. Our 2019 class is off and running. doing well. hope to have more commitments soon. the coaches are on the road recruiting right now.

Mona: Autman-Bell. Reaction to how he played? Also, asks about KARE-11 video on how it's hard to field punts.
PJ: lot of fun on video. willing do to things like that- give fans perspective of how hard some things are. journalists and people on news try to catch punts. Bell, we're excited about his future. Our team is 77% made up of 1st or 2nd year players -those are facts. only have 9 scholarship SR's. We're working to develop the student-athletes we're bringing in. the future is bright. the fans will see these young players on the team for a long time. have to develop depth, have a rotation. watch the team develop over the next 4-5 years. Bell is one of best players at WR. good ball skills. he's learning to take D1 hits. proud of whole WR crew. Coach Simon does a great job.

Sid: how did team play defensively?
PJ: we're going to rely on a lot of young guys. Cashman, Barber need to be leaders. We'll see Rush at LB. Need to rely on Martin. Fans will see a new DL with a lot of young players. lot of RS FR, true Soph. DL is not where you want to be young, but we need be able to rotate guys. gain experience. OJ Smith granted 5th year. we'll have him this year and next year. Alabama worked with us on Smith. hats off to them. excited. lots of work to do. it's up to players in summer to take lead. become a players-led team.

Sid: great season ticket plans. Murray's.
PJ: RTB, Ski-U-Mah. enjoy beautiful spring weather.
 

Great update Son! Very much appreciated!
 

Odd that Winfield is being held out. Hopefully not the hamstring again.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Odd that Winfield is being held out. Hopefully not the hamstring again.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I think PJ said early on they would play it safe with AWjr11. They know what they have with him. No reason to risk anything with your best player.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Thank you SON! Question for the rules minded people...if we have only 9 scholarship seniors...will we be able to somehow sign 20 some incoming guys? I know guys get hurt, quit, flunk out, or get homesick and transfer but we can't be expecting 16 of those? And I wouldn't think we can have a class of 13-15 guys or something and continue to march towards titles. So, bottom line...will we still be able to sign 25 ish by rule? Or and I get the 85 limit...just curious how we are going to get 25 incoming or aren't we?

Part of that relates to recruiting class ranking which seems important to Mr Coyle and PJ. Without 20 some guys...say 13-15 guys...with 3 or 4 low ranking people already in place we'll be way over 50th, unless we have 20 some scholarships available after the season. Educate me.

I looked at the roster we have 13 seniors. I thought Jordahl was awarded a scholarship... I think the other people have scholarships? So, .... right? wrong it's not technically 9?
 


I looked at the roster we have 13 seniors. I thought Jordahl was awarded a scholarship... I think the other people have scholarships? So, .... right? wrong it's not technically 9?

If PJ said 9, it is 9. No reason for him to push a false narrative.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Thank you SON! Question for the rules minded people...if we have only 9 scholarship seniors...will we be able to somehow sign 20 some incoming guys? I know guys get hurt, quit, flunk out, or get homesick and transfer but we can't be expecting 16 of those? And I wouldn't think we can have a class of 13-15 guys or something and continue to march towards titles. So, bottom line...will we still be able to sign 25 ish by rule? Or and I get the 85 limit...just curious how we are going to get 25 incoming or aren't we?

Part of that relates to recruiting class ranking which seems important to Mr Coyle and PJ. Without 20 some guys...say 13-15 guys...with 3 or 4 low ranking people already in place we'll be way over 50th, unless we have 20 some scholarships available after the season. Educate me.

I looked at the roster we have 13 seniors. I thought Jordahl was awarded a scholarship... I think the other people have scholarships? So, .... right? wrong it's not technically 9?

I counted 10 scholarship SRs with Jordahl: https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/Season/2018-Football/ScholarshipDistribution
There are a few on this list that are not on scholarship. Looks like we are currently at 83 of 85 total.

OJ Smith is now considered a JR since he gained another year of eligibility. Schools can't and don't take 25 every year, there's not enough scholarships. This will likely be a small class, I think in the 16-18 range. There will always be a handful of players who transfer, graduate early, retire, etc.
 

If PJ said 9, it is 9. No reason for him to push a false narrative.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those numbers look very suspect. Agree it doesn’t add up after a brief review of the roster. Carpenter and Jordahl were awarded scholarships AFAIK.

28 upperclassmen scholarship players and 84 total scholarship players after deleting Handey Holley and Drew. H., Craighton from the scholarship grid and adding in the summer arrivals.

56/84= .666

Someone check my math I’m busy
 

I counted 10 scholarship SRs with Jordahl: https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/Season/2018-Football/ScholarshipDistribution
There are a few on this list that are not on scholarship. Looks like we are currently at 83 of 85 total.

OJ Smith is now considered a JR since he gained another year of eligibility. Schools can't and don't take 25 every year, there's not enough scholarships. This will likely be a small class, I think in the 16-18 range. There will always be a handful of players who transfer, graduate early, retire, etc.

Renner was awarded at the game so that should bring us to 84.
 




Those numbers look very suspect. Agree it doesn’t add up after a brief review of the roster. Carpenter and Jordahl were awarded scholarships AFAIK.

28 upperclassmen scholarship players and 84 total scholarship players after deleting Handey Holley and Drew. H., Craighton from the scholarship grid and adding in the summer arrivals.

56/84= .666

Someone check my math I’m busy

Why not include walk on players?
 

Why not include walk on players?

Because that makes the most sense as far as on field impact. Why discuss it (number of upperclassmen) at all if we’re not talking about impact players?

The number of upperclassmen will be very similar next season. I just don’t think it’s a great argument to make. Again, probably just me. I probably wouldn’t have commented if the numbers were correct to begin with.
 

There will be some RS Juniors that are encouraged to graduate and move on, some transfers, and possibly a medical or two. I have a hard time seeing more than about 18 scholarships available.
 





Nice to see them mix up the questions this week, the Spring game obviously gave them some new material. I love that Sid flat out asked if Vic was a disappointment, that's the type of question someone in their nineties can get away with, while a younger guy like Greder wouldn't feel comfortable asking it. Of course PJ would never call a player a disappointment (maybe in regards to off field behavior), but it's interesting to see the question asked as Vic's playing time/performance certainly raised eyebrows.

As for the scholarship discussion, maybe PJ was just talking offense/defense and not specialists? Other considerations? Could Weyler be getting another year due to injuries? Maybe Jerry Gibson is going to move on at the end of the semester? Whether it's 11 or 9 doesn't really matter to me.
 

Nice to see them mix up the questions this week, the Spring game obviously gave them some new material. I love that Sid flat out asked if Vic was a disappointment, that's the type of question someone in their nineties can get away with, while a younger guy like Greder wouldn't feel comfortable asking it. Of course PJ would never call a player a disappointment (maybe in regards to off field behavior), but it's interesting to see the question asked as Vic's playing time/performance certainly raised eyebrows.

As for the scholarship discussion, maybe PJ was just talking offense/defense and not specialists? Other considerations? Could Weyler be getting another year due to injuries? Maybe Jerry Gibson is going to move on at the end of the semester? Whether it's 11 or 9 doesn't really matter to me.

Just hoping we magically find a minimum of 20 scholarships available. Without eliminating/losing people who contribute on game day in 2018 and still have eligibility left.
 

Will we see some fallout from guys who see their playing time diminished who could possibly transfer out before the start of the season?
 

WTH? I was really interested in hearing how the early enrollees were doing...
 


Those numbers look very suspect. Agree it doesn’t add up after a brief review of the roster. Carpenter and Jordahl were awarded scholarships AFAIK.

28 upperclassmen scholarship players and 84 total scholarship players after deleting Handey Holley and Drew. H., Craighton from the scholarship grid and adding in the summer arrivals.

56/84= .666

Someone check my math I’m busy
Thankful and blessed for the decimal point.
 

Thankful and blessed for the decimal point.

I neglected significant figures. You are extremely honored, blessed and thankful to read the following:

With the deletion of Mark Williams we now have 55/83 = .66 = 66% underclassmen.
 

Those numbers look very suspect. Agree it doesn’t add up after a brief review of the roster. Carpenter and Jordahl were awarded scholarships AFAIK.

28 upperclassmen scholarship players and 84 total scholarship players after deleting Handey Holley and Drew. H., Craighton from the scholarship grid and adding in the summer arrivals.

56/84= .666

Someone check my math I’m busy

Rounded to three digits, should be .667.

You did ask!

:)
 

Rounded to three digits, should be .667.

You did ask!

:)

Actually with significant figures, there would be infinite digits on that calculation (counted numbers have infinite significant digits). But I don't have the time to type them all out.
 

Actually with significant figures, there would be infinite digits on that calculation (counted numbers have infinite significant digits). But I don't have the time to type them all out.
Repeating decimals don't seem rational to me, even though they are rational numbers.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 




Top Bottom