Fisher, Linebackers Meet with Media

Jimbo Fisher, along with the leaders of the linebacking corps--Anthony Hines and Buddy Johnson--visited with the press on Thursday during the Aggies' latest media conference. We've got notes from Coach Fisher's session below as well.

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Notes from Coach Fisher's media session:

• (decision to cancel practice and his speaking to team) Just social injustice issues and awareness. Constant learning curve for all of us, what we’re doing and things that are affecting our young men. Want them to know we support them 1000 percent in everything that’s going on. Some of our players brought some of those issues up and thought it was a time to take step back and reflect and discuss among our team the issues that were going on. Team leadership did great job in that regard. Reason I spoke was just to let them know to keep us aware and us staying aware and talking and keeping lines of communication open and trying and support them in anyway we can. Social injustice has no place in this world and we’ll do everything we can to support them and create things from ourselves toward change in future.
• (how handle things in this new era) Learning every day. I am very tough coach and tough love guy. Want practices to be tough and to push them so they do well when those situations occur out there. But have to make myself more aware and of these kids’ feelings at times. We’re continually learning as coaches to let them tell us some of the issues they see that we may not see ourselves. Educational for us each and every day. Want kids to know we love them, support them, and will do everything we can and try to work through it together each and every day. And we will communicate daily on how you feel, what you do and how we can get better as unit at same time.
• (biggest challenge with all this year’s thrown at you and what good comes out of it) Good is our awareness for things these young men face in world and things we don’t even know they face daily. Things they face when walk away from this building and being aware of that. Have to understand that processes of everything change. Everything changes. And we have to change with it to be open minded, to help these guys still learn and still get where you’re trying to get to and try and be successful on the field. But more importantly as a person and make them at ease and know that if you can do that your process has to gradually change. Each day trying to evaluate for myself and the players what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and communication levels we have to help them in every way, shape or form.
• (surprised by Blades' and Tucker’s opt outs, and depth now) Wouldn’t say surprised with that there but understand things are going on. Expressed their reasoning and that’s between us and them. Both great men and have outstanding future. Depth wise you lose two really good players. Doesn’t help depth but at same time lot of young players playing well and we’re pleased with what we have, but you hate losing two outstanding players like that. Open competition for starters. First scrimmage this weekend. We expect both those guys back. Nothing to contrary saying they won’t be back. We love those guys, love to have them back.
• (working players out at other positions to prevent possible depth issues with COVID) Aware of that at times, but that’s easier said than done. Players still have to master the positions they have. Have talked about all that as staff. For instance, moved guys around on o-line, guy snapping the ball is a unique spot. Still in first parts of camp and trying to get base things down. Don’t want move guys around before they’re established. Those things are talked about. Even then, what determines that you don’t play? What causes game cancellation? They’re still searching for those answers. Still being worked out I think.
• (worried about agents talking guys into opting out for NFL) Always aware of those things even if a guy plays all year. But we don’t feel that. Our players have done great job of that so far in my opinion. Something we’re aware of though and try and keep eye on.
• (what backup QB situation looks like) Numbers of reps they get is all the same. Way we practice on field, 1s vs 3s and 2s vs 4s, get same amount of reps as Kellen. Getting plenty of reps. Zack, Haynes have done great job. James opted out. Colton has done great job too. Always remember Blumrick is an option at that position too. 
• (has team been virus free since camp started) Basically have. Players have done outstanding job of keeping their precautions. For us to practice and not have guys missing, they’ve done outstanding job. Very mature and very disciplined in that regard.
• (what teaches discipline in camp) Experience. As each guy learns the game, it slows down, the world slows down, how you’re thinking and what you’re doing in those situations. Just takes experience sometimes. You think sometimes to play in a big game have to do something special. Usually big games are won by ordinary plays, and big plays happen within them. Part of maturing, growing and learning to play those situations. 
• (freshman class as impactful as last year’s) So far. Very happy we have these guys. Very pleased with all the ones we recruited. Feel like we got right guys that’s for sure. Very happy and optimistic about those things. 
• (program has been minimally affected by players opting out) Think these guys care for each other, know each other. Have a goal. Love being at A&M, but more importantly they love each other and want to be supportive of each other. Can’t answer that totally, maybe question better for them. But I think they do matter to each other. That’s a big thing, how players care for each other. 
• (freshman coming in to play offensive line) Say it all the time, it’s so tough to come in as offensive lineman as a freshman. Multitude of things you see. Not only is guy across from you biggest you’ve ever seen but all the twists, stunts, etc. Have to get those guys ready to play this year. Don’t know uncertainty of things that could happen this year. 
• (comfort level right now 3 weeks from kickoff) Never comfortable. But our players have done outstanding job. Two things. They’ve done great job with virus, so they’re out on practice field and getting reps. Energy level is good. Think too we’re progressing right where we should be. Leadership has done good job. Going into first scrimmage we’re about where we should be.
• (how Ainias came back to campus after summer working out with father) Came back in tip top shape. Dad did great job with him. Great shape, great condition both physically and mentally. 
• (talk about Big Ten coming back in fall) Don’t know how that will affect us, but if they do I’m happy for those kids and families who really want to play. Don’t think anyone makes decisions for wrong reasons, but happy for those guys if they do. If that’s what they decide, they decide. Doesn’t bother me one bit.

Video from Buddy Johnson will be posted shortly.