Football Meets Press at Annual Fall Camp Media Day
Aug 11, 2016 | Football
Coaches and players met with the press on Thursday at Texas A&M's annual Fall Camp media availabity inside the Kyle Field Media Center.
A summary of Coach Sumlin's comments is available below.
Video: John Chavis, Noel Mazzone, players
On the staple of running backs…
Happy to get Rakeem Boyd in other day. Been in practice last few days. Been good. Obviously James White is experienced. Really been leader of group. Keith Ford has done good things last few days after missing end of spring. He's getting back into it. Kwame Etwi has some real tools. Real fortunate to get him. Came here as walk-on. (Kendall) Bussey had excellent spring too. After an injury in high school he's where he should be as a redshirt freshman. Getting his strength back. Got some depth there, talented players. Trayveon Williams has really showed some things. All a little bit different. James is 220-something pounds. Looks great. Keith is big guy too. Some of others have got some real top-end speed. Got depth there, something we haven't had. Coach McKinney is doing a great job of rotating those guys and getting young guys in there. Today is our last day of shoulder pads. Full pads tomorrow. Saturday is first major scrimmage. Chance for those guys to really see where they are with a whole week of install, and with everything going on with coaches and classroom and teaching technique pieces. Ability Saturday night to get coaches off field and see what they really know and how they'll react in live situations.
On who at this point would lead team in carries…
Don't know.
In a game situation, how many would you want in rotation?
We don't play till September 3. Everyone has chance right now. Basically that's why we practice. Evaluation process. Situation is one where they all can't play. Were able to redshirt guys last year we could have used. Bussey probably could have helped us, knee wasn't 100%, but Tra (Carson) was able to get us through year. We don't want to do that. Haven't done that in past. Move of Brandon Williams helped our team and helped Brandon obviously. Selfishly could have kept Brandon there and really helped our (running game) but we didn't do that. That's ended up being best thing for him, since he's starting this weekend (Arizona Cardinals). Going to do what's best for our team and all that comes through practice. When you're in shorts and shoulder pads a lot of guys look good and some don't look as good. As soon as we start hitting, tackling and doing other things some guys come to forefront and others disappear. Not just at running back, at a lot of positions. Doesn't mean for their whole career. Means it may take them a little while. Have to put young guys in positions to see how they're going to handle pass protection, which is hardest part for a young guy. Are they going to hang on to ball and limit mistakes? So in those situations in game, can we count on them to do the right thing? That all comes through in the next few weeks. Scrimmages next two Saturdays and a mini-scrimmage next Wednesday. Three really critical situations for a lot of players. Will be able to talk a lot more about it in a few more weeks.
Christian Kirk said his role could get even bigger this year, do you see that as well?
Yeah. Guy we have to keep an eye on in practice. Logs lot of yards. Takes care of himself. Talented, talented player. More comfortable. Understands what he can do and we have better understanding of him. A lot of his yards last year came after catch, whether return yards or us getting him ball on screens and such. Weren't necessarily down-field throws. Christian was a running back in high school more than a receiver. Played both. Comfy with ball in hands. Ability to get it to him, he's proven what he can do with ball in hands from the line of scrimmage or screen game. But he's become a better route runner. We'd like to get him more involved in down-the-field throws.
Has Coach Chavis' addition been everything you anticipated?
Yeah. We made big strides last year defensively statistically. Those have been well documented. He will be first to tell you we can get a lot better. Run defense has got to get better. Goes without saying we have improved on defense. Look to improve more this year. He's done great job along with whole defensive staff. Chemistry is part of it too, some guys come in it can be difficult. He's come in and been a great, great team guy. Knows what he wants to do. We have conversations on everything around football every day. Been as advertised. Had a real impact on not just defensive part of our program but our (entire) program. Guy I have respected for long time. Ability to have conversations on all aspects of what's going on is big. Lot of experience and lot of real good experience. Guy whose come in here and has done great job but continues to get better. I look for us to improve.
On Otaro Alaka today compared to last year at this time…
At this point last year he wasn't even here. Had a separated elbow, that's an injury that's very, very painful but also stuns your team when arm goes other way. Guys don't really want to practice anymore after that during that day. Go thru that and his dad's on business in a different country, a long ways away, and has a near fatal stroke. Physically it was devastating, but mental aspect for him with his father in intensive care halfway across the world, we just got him out of there and to his family as quickly as we could. He needed that time. Lot of things going on at once. Took time coming back. Loves to play game. Was having a great offseason. We know he's a really good player. For all that to happen right at start of fall camp was a lot for young guy. Was able to step back, take a deep breath, particularly after his father got better. That was process of him first of all surviving and then being able to recover from that, communicate, move, walk, all that stuff. A lot going on in his life. To come back in spring after that injury, the shoulder, to really trust that mentally, think he had to break through that. Now he's ready to go. 240 pounds, looks great. Running around, got his sleeves rolled up. Pretty proud of how he looks. Guy we know can play. He and Shaan Washington have been around here a long time. Know each other and are interchangeable parts at those linebacker spots, feed off each other. Got some confidence. Otaro is confident. Feels good. Strong. Ready to go.
On bringing all the new pieces together offensively, new quarterback, new coordinator, young offensive linemen, running backs…
Just where it is. Thing is, these guys have been around. Trevor and those guys were here in January. Is nobody up there that didn't practice in spring, including Erik McCoy. Had 15 (practices) there, and really a month with the offensive line and some interchangeable parts in there. As I've said before are we inexperienced from a start standpoint? Yes. But only guy who hasn't played in major college football game is Erik McCoy. (Jermaine) Eluemunor played and started. Avery (Gennesy) started. Keaton (Sutherland), all those guys really rotated last year as true freshmen. Koda Martin was running around with different numbers as a tight end or heavy-set guy. Been pleased, when Erik has to face who he faces every day we get a pretty good evaluation of him trying to handle Daylon (Mack). He can develop some confidence from that. Those pieces are important but there's also the piece that all these guys came in at same time. From coordinator standpoint, quarterback standpoint, communication…everyone learning at same time. Growth isn't staggered if that makes sense. In some ways that is helpful.
What about Coach Mazzone's new offensive system fits your personnel best?
That's what he does. Personnel that we have, what Noel's done wherever he's been is move the offense towards the personnel. Didn't matter who was here. Done really fine job wherever he's been of having base plan but being able to fit that to whoever you have. Have good pieces here. QB is experienced. Getting feel for what he likes and doesn't like after these first few weeks. We'll sit down and talk with him, with a guy who's more mature that will just tell you, hey, I don't like that, I really like this. Try to play to his strengths and strengths of offense. What we can and can't do well instead of trying to force something. We've got some pieces here that are pretty good. Key will be how we utilize those pieces. I think I know he's proven he's been able to do that wherever he's been.
Feeling any pressure this year after a few 8-5 seasons, and with the talent here are people sleeping on this team?
To answer first question, no. And I don't know if people are sleeping on us or not.
A summary of Coach Sumlin's comments is available below.
Video: John Chavis, Noel Mazzone, players
KEVIN SUMLIN PRESS CONFERENCE SUMMARY
On the staple of running backs…
Happy to get Rakeem Boyd in other day. Been in practice last few days. Been good. Obviously James White is experienced. Really been leader of group. Keith Ford has done good things last few days after missing end of spring. He's getting back into it. Kwame Etwi has some real tools. Real fortunate to get him. Came here as walk-on. (Kendall) Bussey had excellent spring too. After an injury in high school he's where he should be as a redshirt freshman. Getting his strength back. Got some depth there, talented players. Trayveon Williams has really showed some things. All a little bit different. James is 220-something pounds. Looks great. Keith is big guy too. Some of others have got some real top-end speed. Got depth there, something we haven't had. Coach McKinney is doing a great job of rotating those guys and getting young guys in there. Today is our last day of shoulder pads. Full pads tomorrow. Saturday is first major scrimmage. Chance for those guys to really see where they are with a whole week of install, and with everything going on with coaches and classroom and teaching technique pieces. Ability Saturday night to get coaches off field and see what they really know and how they'll react in live situations.
On who at this point would lead team in carries…
Don't know.
In a game situation, how many would you want in rotation?
We don't play till September 3. Everyone has chance right now. Basically that's why we practice. Evaluation process. Situation is one where they all can't play. Were able to redshirt guys last year we could have used. Bussey probably could have helped us, knee wasn't 100%, but Tra (Carson) was able to get us through year. We don't want to do that. Haven't done that in past. Move of Brandon Williams helped our team and helped Brandon obviously. Selfishly could have kept Brandon there and really helped our (running game) but we didn't do that. That's ended up being best thing for him, since he's starting this weekend (Arizona Cardinals). Going to do what's best for our team and all that comes through practice. When you're in shorts and shoulder pads a lot of guys look good and some don't look as good. As soon as we start hitting, tackling and doing other things some guys come to forefront and others disappear. Not just at running back, at a lot of positions. Doesn't mean for their whole career. Means it may take them a little while. Have to put young guys in positions to see how they're going to handle pass protection, which is hardest part for a young guy. Are they going to hang on to ball and limit mistakes? So in those situations in game, can we count on them to do the right thing? That all comes through in the next few weeks. Scrimmages next two Saturdays and a mini-scrimmage next Wednesday. Three really critical situations for a lot of players. Will be able to talk a lot more about it in a few more weeks.
Christian Kirk said his role could get even bigger this year, do you see that as well?
Yeah. Guy we have to keep an eye on in practice. Logs lot of yards. Takes care of himself. Talented, talented player. More comfortable. Understands what he can do and we have better understanding of him. A lot of his yards last year came after catch, whether return yards or us getting him ball on screens and such. Weren't necessarily down-field throws. Christian was a running back in high school more than a receiver. Played both. Comfy with ball in hands. Ability to get it to him, he's proven what he can do with ball in hands from the line of scrimmage or screen game. But he's become a better route runner. We'd like to get him more involved in down-the-field throws.
Has Coach Chavis' addition been everything you anticipated?
Yeah. We made big strides last year defensively statistically. Those have been well documented. He will be first to tell you we can get a lot better. Run defense has got to get better. Goes without saying we have improved on defense. Look to improve more this year. He's done great job along with whole defensive staff. Chemistry is part of it too, some guys come in it can be difficult. He's come in and been a great, great team guy. Knows what he wants to do. We have conversations on everything around football every day. Been as advertised. Had a real impact on not just defensive part of our program but our (entire) program. Guy I have respected for long time. Ability to have conversations on all aspects of what's going on is big. Lot of experience and lot of real good experience. Guy whose come in here and has done great job but continues to get better. I look for us to improve.
On Otaro Alaka today compared to last year at this time…
At this point last year he wasn't even here. Had a separated elbow, that's an injury that's very, very painful but also stuns your team when arm goes other way. Guys don't really want to practice anymore after that during that day. Go thru that and his dad's on business in a different country, a long ways away, and has a near fatal stroke. Physically it was devastating, but mental aspect for him with his father in intensive care halfway across the world, we just got him out of there and to his family as quickly as we could. He needed that time. Lot of things going on at once. Took time coming back. Loves to play game. Was having a great offseason. We know he's a really good player. For all that to happen right at start of fall camp was a lot for young guy. Was able to step back, take a deep breath, particularly after his father got better. That was process of him first of all surviving and then being able to recover from that, communicate, move, walk, all that stuff. A lot going on in his life. To come back in spring after that injury, the shoulder, to really trust that mentally, think he had to break through that. Now he's ready to go. 240 pounds, looks great. Running around, got his sleeves rolled up. Pretty proud of how he looks. Guy we know can play. He and Shaan Washington have been around here a long time. Know each other and are interchangeable parts at those linebacker spots, feed off each other. Got some confidence. Otaro is confident. Feels good. Strong. Ready to go.
On bringing all the new pieces together offensively, new quarterback, new coordinator, young offensive linemen, running backs…
Just where it is. Thing is, these guys have been around. Trevor and those guys were here in January. Is nobody up there that didn't practice in spring, including Erik McCoy. Had 15 (practices) there, and really a month with the offensive line and some interchangeable parts in there. As I've said before are we inexperienced from a start standpoint? Yes. But only guy who hasn't played in major college football game is Erik McCoy. (Jermaine) Eluemunor played and started. Avery (Gennesy) started. Keaton (Sutherland), all those guys really rotated last year as true freshmen. Koda Martin was running around with different numbers as a tight end or heavy-set guy. Been pleased, when Erik has to face who he faces every day we get a pretty good evaluation of him trying to handle Daylon (Mack). He can develop some confidence from that. Those pieces are important but there's also the piece that all these guys came in at same time. From coordinator standpoint, quarterback standpoint, communication…everyone learning at same time. Growth isn't staggered if that makes sense. In some ways that is helpful.
What about Coach Mazzone's new offensive system fits your personnel best?
That's what he does. Personnel that we have, what Noel's done wherever he's been is move the offense towards the personnel. Didn't matter who was here. Done really fine job wherever he's been of having base plan but being able to fit that to whoever you have. Have good pieces here. QB is experienced. Getting feel for what he likes and doesn't like after these first few weeks. We'll sit down and talk with him, with a guy who's more mature that will just tell you, hey, I don't like that, I really like this. Try to play to his strengths and strengths of offense. What we can and can't do well instead of trying to force something. We've got some pieces here that are pretty good. Key will be how we utilize those pieces. I think I know he's proven he's been able to do that wherever he's been.
Feeling any pressure this year after a few 8-5 seasons, and with the talent here are people sleeping on this team?
To answer first question, no. And I don't know if people are sleeping on us or not.
Players Mentioned
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