This week we have Phil Parker to talk to so should be good. Reminder, this post is a summary of his comments not an actual transcript.
Q: Asked about creating the turnovers and how they keep doing that?
Said more quarters and zone and maybe that helps and we try to get our kids in the right spots. Said the guys have been practicing very hard, studying film, and knowing what they are going to try and do to you.
Q: Asked about Saban influencing him?
Said he did as a player, GA, and then working for him at Toledo.
Q: Asked about teaching a freshman and how to get them prepared?
Says he starts with the basics and it takes a long time because the language is always different.
Q: Terry Roberts first INT..Said he is considered a starter...what about his development?
Said they put some good weight on him early on. He is full go and has a lot of energy that he delivers to our other players. Does that on D and on special teams as well.
Q: Asked about six INT's from six different guys and the depth?
Said he has high standards for all our guys and rep pretty equally between the first and second team. Said it was great to get some of those second team guys out there and they had success.
Q: What separates this year's defense from others?
He said you can see the connection the bond between the unit and the team. He said they had that in 2015 too and he thinks everyone really respects each other.
Q: Asked about recruiting defensive backs and what you tell them about how you will coach them to make an informed decision?
He said he wants to find guys who love football and if a kid has played a long time then you know he enjoys it. He tells them he will be demanding and that if they do it once then I know they can do it again. He said the kids have standards. He looks for kids who have a hunger and wants to be the best that they can be. He wants kids to reach their full potential and if they don't want this it might not be the right place.
Q: Most challenging thing with the PSU offense?
Said the quarterback is elusive and makes throws. Said the TE is really good and can catch the ball. Said the offensive line for PSU has really improved.
Q: Asked about Castro and his play at Maryland. Do you see as a future Cash or safety?
Thinks he can play both spots, Cash or SS. Did a great job the last two weeks. Said he has really done well on special teams. Said the energy level has gone up the last two weeks.
Q: Asked about benching the starting QB?
Said they don't keep that stat. Said it's about his guys preparing and doing their job. He said he's not sure his players even know about that.
Q: What goes through his mind when he sees teams with turnover chains and things like that?
Said honor and respect for the game has changed in the last few years. That's not what the game is about. Phil said he likes to get three or more turns in a game and also trying to get the ball on the good side of the 50 and also not give up more than 2 explosive plays, which are over 25 yards. Said when they do that teams tend to give up 14 points or less a game. More than that and you end up at 28 points or more.
Q: How much more can you ask from your secondary? Experience help them to make plays?
Lot of game experience and the good thing about it is that they know each other on the field and they do a great job of watching film together too. They put a lot of time and effort into preparing and the more information the better.
Q: How do you talk to a player after they have struggles early?
What you try and do is let them see more. Everyone gets beat and you have to minimize the risk. Have to teach space on the field and where the dividers are. Over time, now they know it and so it becomes second hand.
Q: Asked about Merriweather and his development?
When we recruited him he only played for a few years. Knew he was a raw athlete at the time. I knew he was a good kid that wanted to be good. Thought he had the ability to do it and lead.
Q: On pass rush so far?
Think Kelvin and Jay have done a great job. Said they guys are hard workers and the more we can roll guys in it helps keep them stay fresher and trying to keep them closer to around 30 snaps so they can get after the quarterback better.
That's it from Phil today.
Q: Asked about creating the turnovers and how they keep doing that?
Said more quarters and zone and maybe that helps and we try to get our kids in the right spots. Said the guys have been practicing very hard, studying film, and knowing what they are going to try and do to you.
Q: Asked about Saban influencing him?
Said he did as a player, GA, and then working for him at Toledo.
Q: Asked about teaching a freshman and how to get them prepared?
Says he starts with the basics and it takes a long time because the language is always different.
Q: Terry Roberts first INT..Said he is considered a starter...what about his development?
Said they put some good weight on him early on. He is full go and has a lot of energy that he delivers to our other players. Does that on D and on special teams as well.
Q: Asked about six INT's from six different guys and the depth?
Said he has high standards for all our guys and rep pretty equally between the first and second team. Said it was great to get some of those second team guys out there and they had success.
Q: What separates this year's defense from others?
He said you can see the connection the bond between the unit and the team. He said they had that in 2015 too and he thinks everyone really respects each other.
Q: Asked about recruiting defensive backs and what you tell them about how you will coach them to make an informed decision?
He said he wants to find guys who love football and if a kid has played a long time then you know he enjoys it. He tells them he will be demanding and that if they do it once then I know they can do it again. He said the kids have standards. He looks for kids who have a hunger and wants to be the best that they can be. He wants kids to reach their full potential and if they don't want this it might not be the right place.
Q: Most challenging thing with the PSU offense?
Said the quarterback is elusive and makes throws. Said the TE is really good and can catch the ball. Said the offensive line for PSU has really improved.
Q: Asked about Castro and his play at Maryland. Do you see as a future Cash or safety?
Thinks he can play both spots, Cash or SS. Did a great job the last two weeks. Said he has really done well on special teams. Said the energy level has gone up the last two weeks.
Q: Asked about benching the starting QB?
Said they don't keep that stat. Said it's about his guys preparing and doing their job. He said he's not sure his players even know about that.
Q: What goes through his mind when he sees teams with turnover chains and things like that?
Said honor and respect for the game has changed in the last few years. That's not what the game is about. Phil said he likes to get three or more turns in a game and also trying to get the ball on the good side of the 50 and also not give up more than 2 explosive plays, which are over 25 yards. Said when they do that teams tend to give up 14 points or less a game. More than that and you end up at 28 points or more.
Q: How much more can you ask from your secondary? Experience help them to make plays?
Lot of game experience and the good thing about it is that they know each other on the field and they do a great job of watching film together too. They put a lot of time and effort into preparing and the more information the better.
Q: How do you talk to a player after they have struggles early?
What you try and do is let them see more. Everyone gets beat and you have to minimize the risk. Have to teach space on the field and where the dividers are. Over time, now they know it and so it becomes second hand.
Q: Asked about Merriweather and his development?
When we recruited him he only played for a few years. Knew he was a raw athlete at the time. I knew he was a good kid that wanted to be good. Thought he had the ability to do it and lead.
Q: On pass rush so far?
Think Kelvin and Jay have done a great job. Said they guys are hard workers and the more we can roll guys in it helps keep them stay fresher and trying to keep them closer to around 30 snaps so they can get after the quarterback better.
That's it from Phil today.
