Gill Encouraged As The Jayhawks Reach The Half Way Mark Of Spring Football
April 11, 2011
Postpractice Interviews:Coach Gill | Webb | K. Terry
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas football completed its seventh practice session of the spring season, splitting time between the practice fields and Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium here Monday afternoon. With the completion of Monday’s practice KU is at the half way point of its allotted 15 spring practices.
“I’m pleased with our progress,” said Kansas head coach Turner Gill. “I think a lot of passion has been shown on our football team. We are also making sure our guys gain a lot of mental toughness and explosiveness. Those are the two things we talk about in phases.”
Following Monday’s practice under sunny, but windy conditions, Gill expressed his encouragement at seeing his players’ improvement.
“I thought after our first scrimmage on Saturday there was a lot of progress being made” said Gill, who is entering his second season at the helm of the KU program. “I think the offensive line definitely showed some good progress. I thought our secondary, safeties and corners as a group are definitely playing faster. That’s something that we always talk about, the explosiveness and playing fast.”
Now at the half way point of his second spring season on the KU campus, Gill discussed his comfort level as the leader of the Jayhawk team following Monday’s practice session.
“It’s a big difference,” said Gill, as he met with reporters following the two and half hour session. “I understand where our team is at. I understand some areas we need to improve in. I understand what our strengths are. Now you try to mesh that all together. Last year I really had no idea until I got into some football games to see where we were at. Then on the run I had to make those adjustments. It’s a lot easier to make those adjustments now because we know our personnel that can get it done.”
Kansas will resume spring practice on Wednesday, April 13. The Jayhawks will hold their annual Spring Game Saturday, April 30 at 1 p.m. Admission is free to the public.
Spring Practice Quotes
Kansas Football
April 11, 2011
Head Coach Turner Gill
Opening Statement:
“I’m pleased with our progress. I think a lot of passion has been shown on our football team. We are also making sure our guys gain a lot of mental toughness and explosiveness. Those are the two things we talk about in phases. I thought after our first scrimmage on Saturday there was a lot of progress being made. I think the offensive line definitely showed some good progress. I thought our secondary, safeties and corners as a group are definitely playing faster. That’s something that we always talk about, the explosiveness and playing fast. I think we’ve come together a lot better as a unit. We still have a lot of things to work on, but I think the offensive line and defensive secondary are really the two groups that have shown up the most.”
On quarterbacks Jordan Webb and Quinn Mecham splitting practice time:
“They split reps. One with the first group and one with the second group. We’ll continue to do that for the rest of spring ball and then we’ll see where we are at the end.”
On the quarterbacks’ performances thus far in practice:
“I thought they both did some good things. I’d maybe give a little bit of the edge to Jordan (Webb). They both executed some good things. I saw that they had a little bit better command of how they wanted to do some things. I thought that Jordan was just a little bit sharper in some of the things that he did.”
On comparing the quarterbacks at this point now to this point last year:
“When you have experience you are going to be a lot more comfortable. You know what the expectations of the coaches are. That makes the offense a lot easier to execute and to accomplish what they’re trying to accomplish.”
On Kale Pick’s transition from quarterback to wide receiver:
“He’s doing really well. He has probably had as good of a camp as anybody. Every day he’s making plays. He’s a very consistent hard worker. He’s got great hands. He understands what to do and how to do it. He’s had a pretty good chemistry between both quarterbacks.”
On his impression of the safeties so far:
“They’re playing fast. They’re getting from point `A’ to point `B’ very well. They’re showing that they’re physical, too. They can come up and make some hits on the run and also cover man-to-man. They’ve got some things to do, but I like what they’re showing so far.”
On the position movements on the offensive line:
“They’re pretty much where they are going to be. I never say I’m not going to change somebody, but things do happen when you’re trying to find what’s best for a group of guys. Right now, I’ll say we’re pretty well set, but I’m not going to say it couldn’t change somewhere in the future.”
On his comfort level now as opposed to last year at this time:
“It’s a big difference, because I understand where our team is at. I understand some areas we need to improve in. I understand what our strengths are. Now you try to mesh that all together. Last year I really had no idea until I got into some football games to see where we were at. Then on the run I had to make those adjustments. It’s a lot easier to make those adjustments now because we know our personnel that can get it done.”
Junior defensive end Toben Opurum
On the revamped offensive line:
“This is definitely one of the most experienced groups we have on the field right now. It’s a completely different offensive line than last year’s. They’re in better shape and they’re moving a lot better. I think overall they’re going to be a better offensive line than we had last year.”
On his progress so far this year on the defensive side:
“My teammates have really helped me get comfortable with it. They’ve helped me adjust to it. I really feel like I’m a part of the defense this year. I’m really working on fitting in with everybody.”
On how his attitude so far this spring season:
“We’ve got competition going on everyday so I can’t get comfortable. I can’t get complacent. So everyday I’m out here working hard with my teammates.”
Senior wide receiver Kale Pick
On the change from quarterback to wide receiver:
“It’s going really well so far. It’s been a smooth transition and I’m having a lot of fun. I’m out there making plays and starting to get good timing with both Jordan and Quinn. It’s been a blast out here.”
On how the notion of him switching positions came about:
“The coaches came to me the last couple weeks of the season last year and they thought I could excel at receiver so I decided to give it a try. I’m having a lot of fun and all the hard work is starting pay off.”
On if it was an easy decision to switch positions:
“I had to think about it for a couple days. Coach Gill gave me some time. I think it was a couple days. Then I came back to him and said I wanted to try it and I’m really happy I did.”
On if being a former quarterback helps with the transition to wide receiver:
“It’s helped a lot. I know what they’re seeing. I know what reads they’re going through with the different plays that we run. No other receiver has really experienced that like I have. It’s definitely a benefit for me. I’m on the same page as them so the timing thing is easier.”
