The first year of the PJ Fleck show opened. This is a rough transcript obviously not verbatim.
Hobie opened the show asking about PJ at the fair.
PJ: Important to get out let fans know where the program stand.
Fans like to talk and ask about QB.
Ron J asked about the QB situation. Why Zack.
PJ:Zack had a little better edge. It was going to be a freshman either way.
JG - Followed up on the QB's.
PJ: They were both making mistakes, 400 level, not 100 level. Giving both opportunity to lead, and do it with nothing backing them up. If there were two guys who could do it, it's those two. Zack has experience from IMG which is like a college atmosphere where they play top teams every week.
Hobie: How do you keep QB confidence high?
PJ: Keep reminding them failure = growth. Young team. Let them know what mistakes are catastrophic, which are small. How to get better.
Hobie showed video of Zack and Brock - scholarship.
What can you tell us about the two?
PJ: They are very close. Dad played at U of M and NFL. Both work hard. All Brock does is catch football. Brock needs to continue to grow.
Brock was freaking out about the idea of a tattoo.
Talked about Rashad Bateman got a RTB tattoo after signing day. PJ would have liked if he got it before signing day so he wasn't as worried.
Ron J: What can Tanner do to get better?
PJ: HE was only one play away from being starter. Just keep working. Will want to get him experience some way some how.
JG: Asked about Rodney Smith growing as a leader.
PJ: All freshman after Rodney and Shannon. They have to show the way and lead the way. Freshman want to be like him. He is being held accountable by players and coaches.
Ron J: Asked about Cashman. NFL prospect. Box Safety, Nickle LB.
PJ: One of our best NFL prospects. Blake has to run run. Not just run. Has to use speed to our advantage. We have a ton of speed. Freshman speed. Everyone is in store for a big year from Blake.
Hobie: NMSU has offense. What do you expect to see defensively.
PJ: Recruited 5 DB's. 4 will play. two might start. We needed depth. Last year had to blitz with a DB leaving single coverage. More talented this year with AW and Huff back. Did different things with Shenault. Terrell Smith. Can do more with front seven which should help DB's. Hinted will be more creative defensively this year. Gotta let em loose.
BREAK
Hobie: Have some guys who can score.
Ron J: Excited to see WR core.
PJ: TJ has taken game to next level. Become student of the game. He bought in 100%. More of a technician. Understands his body. Then throw three freshman around him. Bateman. Had SEC offers. Douglas is a legacy here. And Chris Bell who just makes plays.
Gopher fans have something they haven't had for a very long time. Group of WR's who are very young and very talents who get to grow up together and it's not just one guy. 2019 we will add more (PJ said this with a smile like he's really excited about one of those guys).
JG asked more about Bateman.
PJ: Bateman just arrived in June, not January. Incredibly explosive. Huge intangibles. Great body control. Can really fly. He feels like a Junior Senior in how he manages himself maturity wise.
Hobie: Mentioned RB. Rodney Smith. Mentioned Ibrahim.
PJ: Not the biggest or fastest. Can find the hole. Good compliment. Toughest RB. Bryce Williams, true Freshman, separated. 2019 class has some talent as well. 2018 is first real big class for us. 2019 will come in.
Ron J: Asked about Shannon Brooks
PJ: #1 thing we talk about is player health. Shannon already taking non-contact reps. "When can we get him in there? he looks great? What's the problem???" He's still a ways away from game ready. Maybe middle end of season. Do we play him a game, skip a week, or wait to the end? That's the options of the redshirt rule.
Ron replied. I'll tell you: Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin.
BREAK
Talked about food. Rootbeer and olives
Olive lady is so passionate about olives. She's more passionate about olives than PJ about football.
Talked about playing game at state fair.
Hobie mentioned concert, asked reasons for bringing them to the fair:
PJ: Millennials always want to know why. Concert, see other side of performance. Here, have them engage with the state. Have fans meet players without shirts. Have fans interact and talk.
Ron J and JG:
Are the players on to you about State Fair.
PJ: They expect it. Know I will be here. Ask about per diem.
Random talk about other food.
Ron J asked about Gopher football own food or booth.
PJ said there is something in the works for the right time down the road.
