Mike Leach held a teleconference with reporters on Wed. afternoon to preview spring practice. Here is a summary of what he said.
1. Quarterbacks: We want a fierce competition, develop skills and elevate their ability to play. Tinsley and Gordon have “been here.” We’ll have to see what Cammon Cooper can do. We’ll know a lot more about him in the next few days. Mentally, he’s fine. Also spring will allow us to “check in” on Bledsoe and Neville.
2. Offensive Line: Want to develop more depth and elevate the young guys. Never feel good about the depth. Andre Dillard, Abraham Lucas and Noah Osur-Meyers have stood out during midnight maneuvers. Josh Watson has “at times.”
3. Coaching Chemistry With 6 New Coaches: This was a unique year. The deep pocket programs will prey on other successful programs to get quality coaches. If we had won only 4 we wouldn’t have lost many coaches. 5 new head coaches in Pac-12. We got quality replacements and improved at several of the spots. We’re excited about that.
4. Defense: Just want Tracy Claey to run his package. That’s why we hired him. Biggest message is keep it simple and don’t reinvent the package. Hired him because his package was good. His package is similar to what we have run here before.
5. Receivers: Most receivers are coming back, which is exciting. WR is one of our deepest positions. Then we add some quality WRs in the fall. WR play in 2017 was ‘OK’ and has to get better. I wasn’t satisfied with it.
6. Early Signees: This has been our best class of early enrollees. Midnight maneuvers was a “baptism.” All have worked hard. Thrust into the middle of older college guys. All early signees have been focused.
7. Question marks: All positions have question marks. Need guys to step up in the secondary and D-Line. Need more depth in O-Line.
1. Quarterbacks: We want a fierce competition, develop skills and elevate their ability to play. Tinsley and Gordon have “been here.” We’ll have to see what Cammon Cooper can do. We’ll know a lot more about him in the next few days. Mentally, he’s fine. Also spring will allow us to “check in” on Bledsoe and Neville.
2. Offensive Line: Want to develop more depth and elevate the young guys. Never feel good about the depth. Andre Dillard, Abraham Lucas and Noah Osur-Meyers have stood out during midnight maneuvers. Josh Watson has “at times.”
3. Coaching Chemistry With 6 New Coaches: This was a unique year. The deep pocket programs will prey on other successful programs to get quality coaches. If we had won only 4 we wouldn’t have lost many coaches. 5 new head coaches in Pac-12. We got quality replacements and improved at several of the spots. We’re excited about that.
4. Defense: Just want Tracy Claey to run his package. That’s why we hired him. Biggest message is keep it simple and don’t reinvent the package. Hired him because his package was good. His package is similar to what we have run here before.
5. Receivers: Most receivers are coming back, which is exciting. WR is one of our deepest positions. Then we add some quality WRs in the fall. WR play in 2017 was ‘OK’ and has to get better. I wasn’t satisfied with it.
6. Early Signees: This has been our best class of early enrollees. Midnight maneuvers was a “baptism.” All have worked hard. Thrust into the middle of older college guys. All early signees have been focused.
7. Question marks: All positions have question marks. Need guys to step up in the secondary and D-Line. Need more depth in O-Line.
