[Rapai/MGoBlog]
Could you talk about Jabrill Peppers’ versatility and how you balance taking advantage of his many talents but not wearing him out?
“I always feel like there’s…in football it’s very common to be a two-way player. Normally that’s offense and special teams, playing two ways, or also a defensive player and special teams.
“Jabrill, and also there will be other candidates—Jourdan Lewis would be another—to be three-way players: offense, defense, and special teams. Feel like around that 90, 95 play—100 being really high—per game. But somewhere in there there’s a sweet spot, depending on the mental capability of the athlete. In terms of load, it’d be 95-100. {That’s] probably the max that we’re looking at right now. Did that answer your question?”
In terms of comparing this season to last year installation-wise, organization-wise, how much more control, how much more pull do you have on it or is it easier, less tedious?
“I don’t know about any of those words really come to mind as describing what it is. I think you’re doing something for the second time; there are advantages to that. Everything that we’re doing as a football program, with the exception of the new players coming to the team, we’re doing for a second time so there’s an advantage there.”
Heading into camp, do you like where your quarterback battle is or do you wish somebody had jumped out and seized command earlier?
“The last four months really they’ve been working with the team, working on their own, and we’ll see exactly where that’s at starting tomorrow. So, I’ll defer answering that question until down the road a little bit.”
Yo mentioned three-way player Jourdan Lewis. Are you thinking of giving him a look at receiver?
“Yeah, yeah. On offense I think there’s multiple ways that he could contribute offensively. We know that he can as a returner, hold-up person, gunner, kick and punt returner. He’s got those abilities and capabilities. Not going too far out on a limb to say that he can help us offensively as well.”
Some of the upperclassmen have mentioned how competitive these freshmen are, that they’ve really pushed the envelope. Talk about the personality of your freshman class.
“There’ve been very good reports with the whole team, and guys have commented on how quickly different players are picking things up and how they’re performing athletically, et cetera. They’ve just been passing comments. We’ll really look when we start practice to the freshmen, the incoming players, the new players and see if they’re tracking to be starters or backups, contributors, role players. We’ll start making all those determinations once practice starts.”
Is there any other guy you’d like to see if he can play two ways this year other than Jourdan and Jabrill? Is there anybody else that you’d like to see what they can do at a different spot?
“Yes, there are those that I’d like to see be able to do it. Those are the two that jump out right away, and have some thoughts on a few others.”
Can you share some names?
“Jourdan and Jabrill are the two that really jump off the roster sheet.”
What is the mentality, the psychology, that you want your team to take in your second year as head coach now that they know you, now that they know the staff, now that they know the expectations?
“Attitude, mentality? Set their goals high, dream big, and realize that all those can be accomplished once the work is realized, and if people aren’t making fun of you for what your dreams are, what your goals are, then you haven’t set your goals high enough.”
[After THE JUMP: “It’s where the team’s forged, under the sun in the August heat. Sun shaping the body, carving the mind. Very excited.”]
Can you talk about the offensive line and the development of Grant Newsome and the ability to close games out, maybe pick up a first down late in the game and how that’s going to develop for you?
“Feel good. Feel confident with the way Grant performed last year as a true freshman. Also his contribution and performance in spring ball. He gives great effort, has talent. We know him right now as a starting offensive lineman. We’ll go into preseason practices with him at left tackle and Mason Cole at center and we’ll eventually get to our five best. There’s others that may not be on the first string right now that have the license and ability to compete and maybe take one of the starting positions away from somebody that’s on the line. It’ll be a meritocracy of preseason fall camp.”
With the expectations for this team nationally, locally, seemingly rising by the day, do you feel compelled at all to address that with your team? To not get ahead of yourselves, that type of thing. Is that ever an issue between the coach and your players?
“Just as you said, those outside expectations [and] perceptions, they do rise and fall with the day. Sometimes by the hour. So, as I said before, our expectations are going to be very high. As a coach, my expectations are very high for tomorrow’s practice, the meetings, installations, the drills, and practice, scrimmaging, and competition. I have very high expectations for that tomorrow.”
I wanted to go back to last weekend. A lot of excitement about the Nike launch on State Street. Can you describe your view of that energy and that crowd from when you were up on stage, and also your view as a former athlete with Nike/Jordan’s staying power and its ability to stay relevant as a brand and as a pop culture figure so long beyond his playing days.
“Boy, did they do a tremendous job. Jordan Brand has knocked our socks off, blown us away. It’s just how good they are in all facets; the quality of the product and the hands-on approach that this is important to them, because they know that we’re pouring our heart and soul into being good and I feel great respect for what the Jordan brand has put into this in terms of their efforts.
“State Street was one of those things that, again, knocked our socks off. I was dazzled. It felt like a victory celebration. It felt like a championship celebration. It also motivated me personally, and other guys that I’ve talked to on the team and on the staff. You know, ‘Let’s win a championship and do one of these, shut down State Street’ and that’s what it’s all about. It’s Awesome with a capital A.”
What have you liked about John O’Korn since he’s been here and then the same individual question for Wilton Speight since you’ve had him under your teaching?
“Multiple things. They’re our two front runners coming out of spring practice competing for the job. Thing I like about both of them is how important it is to both those young men as players in the competitive situation that they’re in [and] they’re embracing it. Can say that about both Wilton and John.”
You were talking about the Nike thing feeling like a championship celebration. Are you worried at all about your team having too many championship-type celebrations before winning a championship? Do you feel like that has to be toned down at all or are you happy with that going on?
“To me, that was spur of the moment. I wasn’t expecting that. I was blown away by it. Wasn’t organized by our players. That I was aware of.”
How excited are you to get the season started? It’s like Christmas Day, or probably feels [like it].
“Yeah. It’s the beginning of the year. It’s one of the two special days, to me, in the entire calendar. I’ve said it before: a lot of people look at January 1st being the start of the new year. People look, those who espouse Christianity, Catholicism, look at Christmas as the start of the liturgical year, but us in football, first day of preseason training camp is the new year.
“It’s like being reborn into football. Coming out of the womb into the bright light, into the chaos, into everybody looking at you. It’s where the team’s forged, under the sun in the August heat. Sun shaping the body, carving the mind. Very excited.”
In terms of the captains, is that something you’re going to do early in camp or late in camp, and who do you expect to be the leaders of this team?
“That’ll be voted on by the players exclusively toward the end of camp.”
Are there certain guys you think will take a leadership role early in camp until then?
“I wouldn’t say that. I think anybody can take a leadership role from wherever they sit, any class that they’re in. But the seniors will be the ones that will be eligible to be the captains. Always interesting to me to see what the players think and who their vote is for the captain positions. I enjoy watching that.”
Defensively, with the addition of Don Brown and the track record, if you will, of Greg Mattison, can you assess the defense going into camp? How strong of a feeling is it, particularly the front four.
“We’re very excited about our coaches’ track record: Don Brown, Greg Mattison, Chris Partridge, Brian Smith, Mike Zordich, just to name those coaches. It’s been outstanding, and everybody has great confidence in our defensive staff, players and other coaches. Feel like it’s coming. Feel like it’s coming. Has a chance to be something really good. Can’t wait to get on the field and compete and watch the guys have at it.”