Spartan Football Update: Offensive Coordinator Jay Johnson Media Teleconference Transcript
3/25/2020 7:35:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson answered questions from reporters on a media teleconference on Wednesday afternoon. Johnson shared his offensive philosophies, his initial thoughts on the Spartan quarterbacks, and how he's working with the new offensive staff.
The complete transcript from the call is below:
On what the offensive side of the ball will look like come fall…
The thing that we want to do is be very multiple; multiple in how we do things from all different things in the tempos we play with, the personnel we play with, the formations we play with. So we're trying to be very multiple. But at the same token, it all comes down you can do this and that, but at the end of the day, it's got to be a high level of execution. In the brief time in person that I had with the guys, that was my really focal point of that because at the end of the day, we've got to be able to do what we're asking them to do and those things.
But yeah I'm looking to be very multiple. You know some people would say, 'well, coach, do you want to be balanced?' Well sure, everybody wants to be balanced, but at the end of the day I think it's important that you do what you need to win the game. And so, you know, this day and age you got to run it extremely well and you have to throw it extremely well, and so we're going to do both. In some games we might lean a little bit more on the throw, and other games we might be a little more on the run, but open to be multiple and as balanced as we can and put some points on the board.
On unique situation of not being able to have traditional spring practice under these circumstances…
I would say it's very unique. Certainly, you know, I think this whole situation is kind of trying and unique for all of us. So it does have its challenges but at the end of the day, everybody's kind of in the same boat. Sure, we would love to be there with the kids, but the importance is getting everything under control and safe and healthy for all of us.
It has been a challenge, but I do really feel kind of good at where we're at actually because I really feel really strongly about our offensive staff. We've got a lot of veteran guys in there that have done some things and so I feel we're very much on the same page and I think that's being implemented to the guys; with the way we're approaching things and kind of this remote learning from school to tutors to the academic check-ins, to team meetings and all that I feel like we're kind of on task. Certainly, we can't get the feedback from the on-field things but I feel from a mental growth standpoint, we're still on task. There's challenges, certainly is, but we're all kind of in the same boat across the country and we're going to make the best of it.
On his philosophy of the offensive line, having a static group of five, and then backups interspersed or one with a rotation...
You know, I think it's a little bit hard for me to comment completely on that, I think that it's all dependent upon who we have and the depth there. If we have enough guys to play, I'm very much into getting more guys involved and kind of a rotation if that presents itself. And I think that we'll kind of have to see once we're able to kind of physically get with the guys more, but at the same token, that's a fine line because I know with Coach Kap (Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Chris Kapilovic) and particularly that position, you know the continuity is a huge piece. I think it's the best of both worlds for me would be to be able to be on a rotation, play as many guys as we can, but also we need to be able to do that and still have the continuity because so many things is communication and obviously having those guys be on the same page, so you know if we can do that with the rotation that's definitely the way I would like to proceed.
On the reason for coming to Michigan State and what it was like making the change…
Yeah it was very exciting for me. I grew up in Minnesota so I'm a Big Ten person at heart and to me, you know, I had an opportunity a few years ago to coach in this league and so to have an opportunity to come back to this league and particularly with Michigan State and what's been done here in the past was very exciting. You know, obviously for recruiting more in this area I think both some very positive things and just the tradition of this place in the league, to have a chance to play who you play every week, and to do with the tradition rich program of Michigan State was very enticing. I think that that was a big point, certainly. Another huge point for me was Coach Tucker. I was fortunate to be with him at Georgia and then he had me join him in Colorado and he's very, very real. That was important to me, with my family and all those things and to see the strides we had made in just a short time at Colorado; really was excited to see what he would do in this situation and so it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.
On the relationship between him and Coach Tucker that started at Georgia…
You know, it was kind of interesting. Mel was obviously on the defensive side and I was on the offensive side so I don't know that we saw each other a ton during the day except for on the practice field, but I think just the way we kind of both went about our business. There were a lot of similarities and I think he sensed that and I sensed that and so as we were there at the time and evolved, it just seemed to be a natural fit for his personality and how he approaches things. I think he saw how I operated in different situations and I think he was very comfortable with that and so that's how I think we got to be where we're at today.
On how not having on field moments will change fall camp in terms of evaluation and position battle and the depth chart…
Yeah, I think that will change a little bit. I think we're going to have to be very conscientious of the kids and where they're at, from both a mental and a physical capacity. In certain terms I think you might have to scale back. You know, generally now we would be kind of using that time to kind of introduce things and get everybody familiar with things and so since we're missing that I think we're going to have to be pretty cautious in how we approach it and kind of scale back so we can, as you mentioned, get a very good evaluation on the guys and the only way you can get a good evaluation is they've got to know what they're doing. And so we have to be… where's that fine line to have enough that we need to do to, obviously score points at the end of the day and put our program in a position to be successful, but then we also need to be able to evaluate kids, so I think it will probably be scaled back and maybe a little bit different approach and probably some different focuses as we move into fall camp.
On his early impressions of the quarterback position and with that position how difficult is it to structure what he want to do here moving forward…
I've had a little bit of an opportunity before obviously the current situation happened to be with those guys and around them and so far, I was very pleased with them. I think they have a good foundation to them; I think their football IQ's are good. And so that seems to keep coming out the more and more I'm around them and the more and more I get to meet with them and kind of visit with them, so I'm excited about that piece because my big challenge with those guys is what is your plan and having a plan and being prepared. We are missing the physical component, but so much of us offensively, particularly with the quarterback spot is that mental piece and so I still feel like we're able to drill that in a certain sense and so I'm excited about them. Obviously, we've got to kind of be able to put it all together and obviously we don't have a returning starter; I know Rocky's (Lombardi) had a few starts. The interesting piece which nobody knows this answer even if we had spring ball, is what's going to happen when the lights come on Saturday at Spartan Stadium, that's the end result. Can we take the mental approach with the physical approach to get it done when we need to on Saturday? We'll miss that a little bit but to date, I'm really excited about what they bring to the table and their backgrounds seem to be very strong and just football sense, and so we've had a lot of great discussions – I think that's very exciting and positive as we move forward.
On looking back at players from last season or having others do research on those things…
You know I've done just that; it's been a little bit of both. A little bit of a timing perspective, because of the timing of all this we're a little bit behind and we had new staff members. So kind of the most important thing was getting us all on board as far as where we were going collectively, so we could convey that to the players so I have done a little bit of that, yes. That's been helpful to do that and then obviously some of the folks that were around here in the past have some different information that they can help you with the players. I try to take all of that and kind of see where we're at the beginning but then also you have guys that have had injuries in the fall so you're waiting to see how they're going to come back. There's certainly a lot of unknowns. I did certainly look at some film and some game film to kind of give us a little bit of where we're at and where we're at moving forward.
On the homework he gave to the quarterbacks specifically and what's the communication like right now…
It's been really positive. Yeah it's a bunch of homework on the mental aspect of things, when we first were able to meet there briefly before the break, was a lot of defensive work really. That's where we're going to start in the quarterback room is really looking at what teams are doing defensively and learning that language. And so that's been a big piece of that and then just kind of my, I guess, approach will be very holistic with those guys and also if we're going to run inside zone, outside zone, counter, power, whatever you're going to run, I want them to know the why and what's all involved in that. A lot of our discussions have been on that. I mean, shoot they're making the O-line calls, they're doing it all because I feel that we can be very well-rounded in that capacity that they can have a plan, that they can go execute the plan. Maybe the plan might have been a little bit different than I would approach it, but if they know how to do it, they'll get all of us on the proper page offensively and we'll have a chance to have a successful play. It's been a lot of that defensive background work and it's really kind of learning all the ins and outs that we could possibly have offensively to help them be prepared.
On working in coordination with the run game and the running back position in particular and what have you seen from Connor Heyward…
Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, the run game is very important to me, Coach Kap and I work together. We've been together, a couple different times, but obviously we were together last year. And so we're pretty much on the same page of how we're going to approach that and very involved in the run game and so you know that's what where we need to start; you need to be a physical team and have that physicality and we're going to present that.
I like the running back position, you know, man what I've been able to see of those guys - very talented group. Right now my intent is Connor to be a running back, unless something would tell me different at a later date, but certainly going into this I anticipate him, we're glad that he's back and anticipate him to be a running back.
On what he's looking for on the offensive line recruiting wise, is it something like Wisconsin's or maybe more like Ohio State's...
Yeah, I think I would probably be more along the lines of an Ohio State, I mean obviously the strength and the girth to move people and so that will be certainly paramount. Obviously, particularly in this league but then also I'm also looking for athleticism. You know the guys that can have that athletic piece to protect the passer and do all those things so I think between Coach Kap and Coach Tuck (head coach Mel Tucker) and all of us, we'll be really looking for a pretty good mix of both, obviously we're looking for physicality, kind of the road-graters in the Wisconsin group but then also I think I have to have some athleticism, to be able to move and do some of the other things that we're going to ask them to do.
On if getting all new assistant coaches on offense will help and getting a whole reset for the team overall…
Yeah, I don't think it hurts you at all. You know, I think that as I kind of mentioned earlier, really excited about the staff that Coach Tucker has put together, who we have offensively, a wealth of knowledge of the room. And sometimes, you know, change can be positive. Change is hard and change is challenging, but sometimes it can be positive, it might be just a different voice or a different approach, things of that nature. So yeah I don't think it hurts you, obviously if it's done the right way and we're trying to be very detailed offensively and do a great job communicating with the guys and so I feel Coach Tucker's put a staff together that can do that and so with all that being said, I hope that puts us in a positive position to influence these guys in the right way.
On communicating with the players online…
Yeah, it's been positive. Again we're kind of going off the lead of the university who I think is really at the forefront with their approach to this whole situation. All our guys are, you know, with the academic piece doing several things online and online meetings and we're kind of following suit. To date it's been really positive and I think we're getting a lot accomplished. We're really kind of following the direction of the university and what we're doing online and to teach the academics to the tutors and everything so that's kind of how we're approaching it right now and it's been very good and I think we're having some good productive meetings.
On the tight end position and offering high-level tight ends in recruiting...
Yeah, absolutely. To me, sense of the word, the tight end position is the MVP of what we do offensively. They might not look like that as a stat line, but we're going to ask those guys to do a ton; they've got to be aggressive and physical from the blocking perspective, they're involved in protection and then they got to have the ability to run routes so they can open. That's definitely going to be a big focus for us and what we asked those guys to do so we have been pretty aggressive there and, you know, certainly excited about the guys we have on campus and obviously need to attract some top guys there to help us in that because it's kind of interesting, that tight end position, which those guys really, they've got to do a lot. They got to do a little bit of everything and so I really, really look for those guys to be an integral part of what we're trying to do offensively moving forward.
On how he goes about identifying and recruiting tight ends….
Yeah, that's a great question because it is kind of challenging, because even when you begin to watch it kind of varies of course. Obviously, even in high school football you don't see as many true tight ends anymore so I think sometimes it is projection, looking for the bigger, longer body type that can handle weight up but still has the athletic ability, so often times it's the bigger wide receivers but then you get a little nervous because they haven't been in there, in the trenches with those guys up front from a physicality standpoint. We're really looking at all different types, you know, I do think kind of have that athletic mold of type but then you have more of the more blocking perspective of it so you can define at least in my experience lately, it's been a lot more of the more the big, wide receiver types that are kind of filling those spots and when you see how these are being used and how they are using them at the NFL level. We're kind of approaching there but we certainly are taking, you know, a great stock and what they're doing in the run game. If they're in their high school being able to be put in that position, so it's a little combination of both and it is pretty challenging with that position, so that's how we're trying to approach it.
On wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins' wealth of experience and how to blend them into the staff and get him up to speed with coaching at the college level…
Yeah, you know Hawk is, you hit it right on the head; with a wealth of experience obviously coming from the Flint area, and so I think initially I really try to be very kind of detailed and slow in my approach and I think he's doing awesome. (He) really, really picked up on things immediately and I think he has good resolve with his receiving group and it seems like they're learning things very quickly from him. The transition I think for him has been very easy, very easy, but definitely trying to help him out with all the different facets of it and that. Obviously, we also do have a little bit more resources for him to help him and space, so I think with the combination of that with his past, he's been doing awesome, but certainly trying to help him along the way with all aspects of what we need to do from the football piece to the academic piece to the recruiting piece. Obviously a lot of things are involved but to date he's been doing very well and really excited about having him a part of our staff.
On his thoughts on Julian Barnett, who has a background at both wide receiver and cornerback…
Yeah I concur with you, I heard about Julian, he's a very talented athlete and so my approach on that is that's going to really probably come from Coach Tucker, but you know where does he make our team better? At the end of the day, based on our needs, based on our evaluations and that's where I think we plug Julian in. I could see that possibly being on either side of the ball because of his skill set, which is really exciting and the more marketable guys can be, that helps us be better as a team. I'm excited about his future, but right now, it's kind of a little bit challenging just because I don't know where everything else is at, but I know definitely with Coach Tucker we'll plug him in where we the best think he can help us as a team.
On his stance of what a quarterback needs from a first time coach....
Yeah, I think just like anything that anybody's involved in, I think there is an establishment of who we're going to be and how we're going to try to do it. And so, you know, the important thing to me and for our quarterbacks and, you know, the first time I met with the big guys here, is at the end of the day, they're the CEO of this team and that's how I look at them. When we have our position meetings, it's like having a board meeting and they're all involved equally and so I'm looking for someone that has that presence to them. But at the end of the day, their number one job is to get the 10 around them to play at a new level and to lead our team. That's what ultimately I'm looking for; obviously you need the skill set and the other things to go with it. But that's what I've really stressed with them and having that approach, having that plan, having that presence to you, where you're gonna raise up their game and play to new levels and so that really was kind of the message I sent to those guys when I first got with them.
Also at the same token, we're going to do it together. Our meetings are very much a discussion, it's a conversation. It's not just me up there talking, it's constant – Rocky (Lombardi), what's going on here; Theo (Day), what's happening here; Payton (Thorne), what's the coverage; Eli (McLean), what do you see? It's a constant conversation and a dialogue, but I'm looking for a CEO, and I've expressed that to them the first time I met with him and I hope we have one.
On his first impressions of Payton Thorne and watching film on him…
You know, I did, I went back and I looked at all the guys to kind of cut up of all of them and watched them all; obviously with Rocky and Theo, they had a little more game situations. Even some of those, I went back to spring ball from last spring and fall camp for Payton and so yeah I think Payton has a great skill set, you know seems to be very knowledgeable, seems to really understand the game. Obviously, with his dad and his dad's background, I mean, shoot, his dad was a great player in college. And so, you know, I think he's very well fit there and I think he's very marketable and I think he can do a lot of things. I think he shows some decent skill sets of movement capability, but then also appears to have a solid enough arm ability to make the throws that we need him to make so I'm excited about him. I mean obviously haven't really seen him physically be able to do anything live, but just on the tape, it looks like he brings a good skill set to the game.
On his first impressions of Theo Day...
Yeah, you know I tell you when I watch his tape, I mean the ball comes out of his hands now. Theo's a big kid, shows probably more athleticism than you might think. I think he's kind of sneaky in that way, but the thing I liked about Theo is I think the ball comes out really well. I'm excited to get with him more in person and obviously to get on the field and be able to do some things with them but that was my initial impressions.
On having to adjust to the new personnel last year in Colorado and how that is helping make the transition again a year later…
Yeah, it's not easy to make it again a year later but I think it did, it helps us all, I think it gives us a great plan and again it all comes from Coach Tucker, he's very realistic on where we're at and where we're going and how we need to get there. Being through it with him already for one year and the different things that we experienced in the past year is going to help us tremendously. I have a much more comfort level since just going through it and going through it with him, that I think will bode very well as we move forward.
On how long it took with the process to understand the players at Colorado…
You know, it's hard to know. I mean we had a little more of the offseason program which we put them into so that really gave you a good standpoint and then obviously the spring, but I mean it was probably through the most of the spring where you had a pretty good feel for things and obviously kids always change and are going through different things at different times and so it's always evolving and you always got to be aware of that as a coach I think but I would say probably through the greater parts of spring had a pretty good idea for the feel for it.
On the general challenge of recruiting right now and dealing with the unprecedented time as a new staff…
Yeah, it is a little bit challenging from the standpoint...a little bit of the timing piece and then we're in a different geographic region in the country. So I think that holds some challenges of where you were at and kind of the information you had prior so those are certain challenges. Obviously, a big part for me and for us is trying to get the kids to campus, on the campus and be able to spend time with them - well everybody's dealing with that now. So, that is what it is and we'll pick up, but I know everybody's working very diligently on the recruiting piece from our recruiting staff to Coach Tucker to all of us. I think we're kind of getting back in tune and where we need to be on who we're really looking at and having some pretty good solid evaluations. Now hopefully once we can kind of get back and we get things solved that we can kind of hit the ground running and hopefully get kids on campus and show them what a great place Michigan State is.
The complete transcript from the call is below:
On what the offensive side of the ball will look like come fall…
The thing that we want to do is be very multiple; multiple in how we do things from all different things in the tempos we play with, the personnel we play with, the formations we play with. So we're trying to be very multiple. But at the same token, it all comes down you can do this and that, but at the end of the day, it's got to be a high level of execution. In the brief time in person that I had with the guys, that was my really focal point of that because at the end of the day, we've got to be able to do what we're asking them to do and those things.
But yeah I'm looking to be very multiple. You know some people would say, 'well, coach, do you want to be balanced?' Well sure, everybody wants to be balanced, but at the end of the day I think it's important that you do what you need to win the game. And so, you know, this day and age you got to run it extremely well and you have to throw it extremely well, and so we're going to do both. In some games we might lean a little bit more on the throw, and other games we might be a little more on the run, but open to be multiple and as balanced as we can and put some points on the board.
On unique situation of not being able to have traditional spring practice under these circumstances…
I would say it's very unique. Certainly, you know, I think this whole situation is kind of trying and unique for all of us. So it does have its challenges but at the end of the day, everybody's kind of in the same boat. Sure, we would love to be there with the kids, but the importance is getting everything under control and safe and healthy for all of us.
It has been a challenge, but I do really feel kind of good at where we're at actually because I really feel really strongly about our offensive staff. We've got a lot of veteran guys in there that have done some things and so I feel we're very much on the same page and I think that's being implemented to the guys; with the way we're approaching things and kind of this remote learning from school to tutors to the academic check-ins, to team meetings and all that I feel like we're kind of on task. Certainly, we can't get the feedback from the on-field things but I feel from a mental growth standpoint, we're still on task. There's challenges, certainly is, but we're all kind of in the same boat across the country and we're going to make the best of it.
On his philosophy of the offensive line, having a static group of five, and then backups interspersed or one with a rotation...
You know, I think it's a little bit hard for me to comment completely on that, I think that it's all dependent upon who we have and the depth there. If we have enough guys to play, I'm very much into getting more guys involved and kind of a rotation if that presents itself. And I think that we'll kind of have to see once we're able to kind of physically get with the guys more, but at the same token, that's a fine line because I know with Coach Kap (Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Chris Kapilovic) and particularly that position, you know the continuity is a huge piece. I think it's the best of both worlds for me would be to be able to be on a rotation, play as many guys as we can, but also we need to be able to do that and still have the continuity because so many things is communication and obviously having those guys be on the same page, so you know if we can do that with the rotation that's definitely the way I would like to proceed.
On the reason for coming to Michigan State and what it was like making the change…
Yeah it was very exciting for me. I grew up in Minnesota so I'm a Big Ten person at heart and to me, you know, I had an opportunity a few years ago to coach in this league and so to have an opportunity to come back to this league and particularly with Michigan State and what's been done here in the past was very exciting. You know, obviously for recruiting more in this area I think both some very positive things and just the tradition of this place in the league, to have a chance to play who you play every week, and to do with the tradition rich program of Michigan State was very enticing. I think that that was a big point, certainly. Another huge point for me was Coach Tucker. I was fortunate to be with him at Georgia and then he had me join him in Colorado and he's very, very real. That was important to me, with my family and all those things and to see the strides we had made in just a short time at Colorado; really was excited to see what he would do in this situation and so it was pretty much a no-brainer for me.
On the relationship between him and Coach Tucker that started at Georgia…
You know, it was kind of interesting. Mel was obviously on the defensive side and I was on the offensive side so I don't know that we saw each other a ton during the day except for on the practice field, but I think just the way we kind of both went about our business. There were a lot of similarities and I think he sensed that and I sensed that and so as we were there at the time and evolved, it just seemed to be a natural fit for his personality and how he approaches things. I think he saw how I operated in different situations and I think he was very comfortable with that and so that's how I think we got to be where we're at today.
On how not having on field moments will change fall camp in terms of evaluation and position battle and the depth chart…
Yeah, I think that will change a little bit. I think we're going to have to be very conscientious of the kids and where they're at, from both a mental and a physical capacity. In certain terms I think you might have to scale back. You know, generally now we would be kind of using that time to kind of introduce things and get everybody familiar with things and so since we're missing that I think we're going to have to be pretty cautious in how we approach it and kind of scale back so we can, as you mentioned, get a very good evaluation on the guys and the only way you can get a good evaluation is they've got to know what they're doing. And so we have to be… where's that fine line to have enough that we need to do to, obviously score points at the end of the day and put our program in a position to be successful, but then we also need to be able to evaluate kids, so I think it will probably be scaled back and maybe a little bit different approach and probably some different focuses as we move into fall camp.
On his early impressions of the quarterback position and with that position how difficult is it to structure what he want to do here moving forward…
I've had a little bit of an opportunity before obviously the current situation happened to be with those guys and around them and so far, I was very pleased with them. I think they have a good foundation to them; I think their football IQ's are good. And so that seems to keep coming out the more and more I'm around them and the more and more I get to meet with them and kind of visit with them, so I'm excited about that piece because my big challenge with those guys is what is your plan and having a plan and being prepared. We are missing the physical component, but so much of us offensively, particularly with the quarterback spot is that mental piece and so I still feel like we're able to drill that in a certain sense and so I'm excited about them. Obviously, we've got to kind of be able to put it all together and obviously we don't have a returning starter; I know Rocky's (Lombardi) had a few starts. The interesting piece which nobody knows this answer even if we had spring ball, is what's going to happen when the lights come on Saturday at Spartan Stadium, that's the end result. Can we take the mental approach with the physical approach to get it done when we need to on Saturday? We'll miss that a little bit but to date, I'm really excited about what they bring to the table and their backgrounds seem to be very strong and just football sense, and so we've had a lot of great discussions – I think that's very exciting and positive as we move forward.
On looking back at players from last season or having others do research on those things…
You know I've done just that; it's been a little bit of both. A little bit of a timing perspective, because of the timing of all this we're a little bit behind and we had new staff members. So kind of the most important thing was getting us all on board as far as where we were going collectively, so we could convey that to the players so I have done a little bit of that, yes. That's been helpful to do that and then obviously some of the folks that were around here in the past have some different information that they can help you with the players. I try to take all of that and kind of see where we're at the beginning but then also you have guys that have had injuries in the fall so you're waiting to see how they're going to come back. There's certainly a lot of unknowns. I did certainly look at some film and some game film to kind of give us a little bit of where we're at and where we're at moving forward.
On the homework he gave to the quarterbacks specifically and what's the communication like right now…
It's been really positive. Yeah it's a bunch of homework on the mental aspect of things, when we first were able to meet there briefly before the break, was a lot of defensive work really. That's where we're going to start in the quarterback room is really looking at what teams are doing defensively and learning that language. And so that's been a big piece of that and then just kind of my, I guess, approach will be very holistic with those guys and also if we're going to run inside zone, outside zone, counter, power, whatever you're going to run, I want them to know the why and what's all involved in that. A lot of our discussions have been on that. I mean, shoot they're making the O-line calls, they're doing it all because I feel that we can be very well-rounded in that capacity that they can have a plan, that they can go execute the plan. Maybe the plan might have been a little bit different than I would approach it, but if they know how to do it, they'll get all of us on the proper page offensively and we'll have a chance to have a successful play. It's been a lot of that defensive background work and it's really kind of learning all the ins and outs that we could possibly have offensively to help them be prepared.
On working in coordination with the run game and the running back position in particular and what have you seen from Connor Heyward…
Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, the run game is very important to me, Coach Kap and I work together. We've been together, a couple different times, but obviously we were together last year. And so we're pretty much on the same page of how we're going to approach that and very involved in the run game and so you know that's what where we need to start; you need to be a physical team and have that physicality and we're going to present that.
I like the running back position, you know, man what I've been able to see of those guys - very talented group. Right now my intent is Connor to be a running back, unless something would tell me different at a later date, but certainly going into this I anticipate him, we're glad that he's back and anticipate him to be a running back.
On what he's looking for on the offensive line recruiting wise, is it something like Wisconsin's or maybe more like Ohio State's...
Yeah, I think I would probably be more along the lines of an Ohio State, I mean obviously the strength and the girth to move people and so that will be certainly paramount. Obviously, particularly in this league but then also I'm also looking for athleticism. You know the guys that can have that athletic piece to protect the passer and do all those things so I think between Coach Kap and Coach Tuck (head coach Mel Tucker) and all of us, we'll be really looking for a pretty good mix of both, obviously we're looking for physicality, kind of the road-graters in the Wisconsin group but then also I think I have to have some athleticism, to be able to move and do some of the other things that we're going to ask them to do.
On if getting all new assistant coaches on offense will help and getting a whole reset for the team overall…
Yeah, I don't think it hurts you at all. You know, I think that as I kind of mentioned earlier, really excited about the staff that Coach Tucker has put together, who we have offensively, a wealth of knowledge of the room. And sometimes, you know, change can be positive. Change is hard and change is challenging, but sometimes it can be positive, it might be just a different voice or a different approach, things of that nature. So yeah I don't think it hurts you, obviously if it's done the right way and we're trying to be very detailed offensively and do a great job communicating with the guys and so I feel Coach Tucker's put a staff together that can do that and so with all that being said, I hope that puts us in a positive position to influence these guys in the right way.
On communicating with the players online…
Yeah, it's been positive. Again we're kind of going off the lead of the university who I think is really at the forefront with their approach to this whole situation. All our guys are, you know, with the academic piece doing several things online and online meetings and we're kind of following suit. To date it's been really positive and I think we're getting a lot accomplished. We're really kind of following the direction of the university and what we're doing online and to teach the academics to the tutors and everything so that's kind of how we're approaching it right now and it's been very good and I think we're having some good productive meetings.
On the tight end position and offering high-level tight ends in recruiting...
Yeah, absolutely. To me, sense of the word, the tight end position is the MVP of what we do offensively. They might not look like that as a stat line, but we're going to ask those guys to do a ton; they've got to be aggressive and physical from the blocking perspective, they're involved in protection and then they got to have the ability to run routes so they can open. That's definitely going to be a big focus for us and what we asked those guys to do so we have been pretty aggressive there and, you know, certainly excited about the guys we have on campus and obviously need to attract some top guys there to help us in that because it's kind of interesting, that tight end position, which those guys really, they've got to do a lot. They got to do a little bit of everything and so I really, really look for those guys to be an integral part of what we're trying to do offensively moving forward.
On how he goes about identifying and recruiting tight ends….
Yeah, that's a great question because it is kind of challenging, because even when you begin to watch it kind of varies of course. Obviously, even in high school football you don't see as many true tight ends anymore so I think sometimes it is projection, looking for the bigger, longer body type that can handle weight up but still has the athletic ability, so often times it's the bigger wide receivers but then you get a little nervous because they haven't been in there, in the trenches with those guys up front from a physicality standpoint. We're really looking at all different types, you know, I do think kind of have that athletic mold of type but then you have more of the more blocking perspective of it so you can define at least in my experience lately, it's been a lot more of the more the big, wide receiver types that are kind of filling those spots and when you see how these are being used and how they are using them at the NFL level. We're kind of approaching there but we certainly are taking, you know, a great stock and what they're doing in the run game. If they're in their high school being able to be put in that position, so it's a little combination of both and it is pretty challenging with that position, so that's how we're trying to approach it.
On wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins' wealth of experience and how to blend them into the staff and get him up to speed with coaching at the college level…
Yeah, you know Hawk is, you hit it right on the head; with a wealth of experience obviously coming from the Flint area, and so I think initially I really try to be very kind of detailed and slow in my approach and I think he's doing awesome. (He) really, really picked up on things immediately and I think he has good resolve with his receiving group and it seems like they're learning things very quickly from him. The transition I think for him has been very easy, very easy, but definitely trying to help him out with all the different facets of it and that. Obviously, we also do have a little bit more resources for him to help him and space, so I think with the combination of that with his past, he's been doing awesome, but certainly trying to help him along the way with all aspects of what we need to do from the football piece to the academic piece to the recruiting piece. Obviously a lot of things are involved but to date he's been doing very well and really excited about having him a part of our staff.
On his thoughts on Julian Barnett, who has a background at both wide receiver and cornerback…
Yeah I concur with you, I heard about Julian, he's a very talented athlete and so my approach on that is that's going to really probably come from Coach Tucker, but you know where does he make our team better? At the end of the day, based on our needs, based on our evaluations and that's where I think we plug Julian in. I could see that possibly being on either side of the ball because of his skill set, which is really exciting and the more marketable guys can be, that helps us be better as a team. I'm excited about his future, but right now, it's kind of a little bit challenging just because I don't know where everything else is at, but I know definitely with Coach Tucker we'll plug him in where we the best think he can help us as a team.
On his stance of what a quarterback needs from a first time coach....
Yeah, I think just like anything that anybody's involved in, I think there is an establishment of who we're going to be and how we're going to try to do it. And so, you know, the important thing to me and for our quarterbacks and, you know, the first time I met with the big guys here, is at the end of the day, they're the CEO of this team and that's how I look at them. When we have our position meetings, it's like having a board meeting and they're all involved equally and so I'm looking for someone that has that presence to them. But at the end of the day, their number one job is to get the 10 around them to play at a new level and to lead our team. That's what ultimately I'm looking for; obviously you need the skill set and the other things to go with it. But that's what I've really stressed with them and having that approach, having that plan, having that presence to you, where you're gonna raise up their game and play to new levels and so that really was kind of the message I sent to those guys when I first got with them.
Also at the same token, we're going to do it together. Our meetings are very much a discussion, it's a conversation. It's not just me up there talking, it's constant – Rocky (Lombardi), what's going on here; Theo (Day), what's happening here; Payton (Thorne), what's the coverage; Eli (McLean), what do you see? It's a constant conversation and a dialogue, but I'm looking for a CEO, and I've expressed that to them the first time I met with him and I hope we have one.
On his first impressions of Payton Thorne and watching film on him…
You know, I did, I went back and I looked at all the guys to kind of cut up of all of them and watched them all; obviously with Rocky and Theo, they had a little more game situations. Even some of those, I went back to spring ball from last spring and fall camp for Payton and so yeah I think Payton has a great skill set, you know seems to be very knowledgeable, seems to really understand the game. Obviously, with his dad and his dad's background, I mean, shoot, his dad was a great player in college. And so, you know, I think he's very well fit there and I think he's very marketable and I think he can do a lot of things. I think he shows some decent skill sets of movement capability, but then also appears to have a solid enough arm ability to make the throws that we need him to make so I'm excited about him. I mean obviously haven't really seen him physically be able to do anything live, but just on the tape, it looks like he brings a good skill set to the game.
On his first impressions of Theo Day...
Yeah, you know I tell you when I watch his tape, I mean the ball comes out of his hands now. Theo's a big kid, shows probably more athleticism than you might think. I think he's kind of sneaky in that way, but the thing I liked about Theo is I think the ball comes out really well. I'm excited to get with him more in person and obviously to get on the field and be able to do some things with them but that was my initial impressions.
On having to adjust to the new personnel last year in Colorado and how that is helping make the transition again a year later…
Yeah, it's not easy to make it again a year later but I think it did, it helps us all, I think it gives us a great plan and again it all comes from Coach Tucker, he's very realistic on where we're at and where we're going and how we need to get there. Being through it with him already for one year and the different things that we experienced in the past year is going to help us tremendously. I have a much more comfort level since just going through it and going through it with him, that I think will bode very well as we move forward.
On how long it took with the process to understand the players at Colorado…
You know, it's hard to know. I mean we had a little more of the offseason program which we put them into so that really gave you a good standpoint and then obviously the spring, but I mean it was probably through the most of the spring where you had a pretty good feel for things and obviously kids always change and are going through different things at different times and so it's always evolving and you always got to be aware of that as a coach I think but I would say probably through the greater parts of spring had a pretty good idea for the feel for it.
On the general challenge of recruiting right now and dealing with the unprecedented time as a new staff…
Yeah, it is a little bit challenging from the standpoint...a little bit of the timing piece and then we're in a different geographic region in the country. So I think that holds some challenges of where you were at and kind of the information you had prior so those are certain challenges. Obviously, a big part for me and for us is trying to get the kids to campus, on the campus and be able to spend time with them - well everybody's dealing with that now. So, that is what it is and we'll pick up, but I know everybody's working very diligently on the recruiting piece from our recruiting staff to Coach Tucker to all of us. I think we're kind of getting back in tune and where we need to be on who we're really looking at and having some pretty good solid evaluations. Now hopefully once we can kind of get back and we get things solved that we can kind of hit the ground running and hopefully get kids on campus and show them what a great place Michigan State is.
Players Mentioned
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