We got Coach Kingsbury as a group after practice today, and then I spoke with both Keland McElrath and Micah Awe individually. I'll save most of what the two players had to say for my story in the morning.
Here's what Coach Kingsbury had to say...
*Update on the quarterback competition:
"Both playing well. Nic Shimonek's playing really well, so it's been good. Lots of ball security, and that's been our emphasis. They've been moving the football. Second, third year in the system, so I'm excited about that group."
*The team will have their first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, and then they'll plan a second one after that. Kliff noted that all three QB's will get a lot of reps.
"I think this group is hungry. It's a senior-laden group with a lot of seniors that have played a lot of football. They're pushing the pace, pushing the tempo. They did all summer in the workouts, and it's showing out here. I've been very pleased."
"All of them can run, all of them very athletic. KeKe, Quan, Donta, and Tony has done a great job. it's been a fun group, and they're really pushing the older guys. That's what we've wanted."
*The team had their first two-a-day on Tuesday, will have their second one on Thursday. Going through the first week of padded practice is usually the hardest time of the fall, but Kingsbury has been happy with how the players have pushed through so far.
*Ball security, ball security, ball security. That's what Kliff wants in the first scrimmage on Saturday.
*Right now, the team is doing something very interesting: They're having every player, regardless of position group, go through receiving drills during warmups a the beginning of practice. They're doing it for two reasons: First to help with turnovers and ball security once defenders or linemen might get the ball, and secondly it's just to have some fun to start things off, get the guys loose.
*One receiver has really stuck out to the head coach so far in camp, too.
"I'd say Dylan Cantrell's been a real bright spot. He was solid last year, but he's really taken that next step and will make a bunch of big plays, so we've been very pleased with him."
*Kingsbury said that Justin Stockton is good enough right now to be the guy at running back if they wanted him to be, and they're excited to have two players of that quality in the backfield now.
*Kliff also said the running backs were as good of a group as he's been around. That's high praise, especially considering the Texas A&M running backs corps from 2012 that included Ben Malena, Christine Michael, and Trey Williams.
*Rika Levi is the player that Kliff said has made the most improvement from last year to this year, has been "disruptive" this fall.
*When asked about Mike Mitchell's move to defensive end, taking an athlete like that into a backup role, the head coach noted that it will really be a good way to help Pete Robertson fresh throughout the game.
"We're not going to play Pete 80 or 90 snaps this year. Last year it was kind of on a had to basis, and we're going to try to help Pete not play the entire game so he can be at his best when he does go in. So, it'll be a good mix for Mike (Mitchell). He'll get a bunch of special teams plays, and when he can go, he'll go."
*And as for the turnovers, things have been fairly balanced so far, and that's a good thing in Coach Kingsbury's mind.
"It's tough, because I want them (the defense) to get a bunch, but I don't want to be the one doing it. I'd say there's a happy medium going on. They're doing a great job trying to strip the ball, get their hands on balls, and for the most part offensively we've been very conscious of protecting it."
*Two quick notes from Micah Awe: First, Kris Williams is getting the most reps at will linebacker, and he's getting the most reps overall at LB behind Awe. He had a great summer, and it seems to be paying off. Also, JJ Gaines has been playing some corner, nickel so far in camp. Coach Gibbs told me they might experiment with that on media day, and it sounds like they're going to see what comes of it.
Here's what Coach Kingsbury had to say...
*Update on the quarterback competition:
"Both playing well. Nic Shimonek's playing really well, so it's been good. Lots of ball security, and that's been our emphasis. They've been moving the football. Second, third year in the system, so I'm excited about that group."
*The team will have their first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, and then they'll plan a second one after that. Kliff noted that all three QB's will get a lot of reps.
"I think this group is hungry. It's a senior-laden group with a lot of seniors that have played a lot of football. They're pushing the pace, pushing the tempo. They did all summer in the workouts, and it's showing out here. I've been very pleased."
"All of them can run, all of them very athletic. KeKe, Quan, Donta, and Tony has done a great job. it's been a fun group, and they're really pushing the older guys. That's what we've wanted."
*The team had their first two-a-day on Tuesday, will have their second one on Thursday. Going through the first week of padded practice is usually the hardest time of the fall, but Kingsbury has been happy with how the players have pushed through so far.
*Ball security, ball security, ball security. That's what Kliff wants in the first scrimmage on Saturday.
*Right now, the team is doing something very interesting: They're having every player, regardless of position group, go through receiving drills during warmups a the beginning of practice. They're doing it for two reasons: First to help with turnovers and ball security once defenders or linemen might get the ball, and secondly it's just to have some fun to start things off, get the guys loose.
*One receiver has really stuck out to the head coach so far in camp, too.
"I'd say Dylan Cantrell's been a real bright spot. He was solid last year, but he's really taken that next step and will make a bunch of big plays, so we've been very pleased with him."
*Kingsbury said that Justin Stockton is good enough right now to be the guy at running back if they wanted him to be, and they're excited to have two players of that quality in the backfield now.
*Kliff also said the running backs were as good of a group as he's been around. That's high praise, especially considering the Texas A&M running backs corps from 2012 that included Ben Malena, Christine Michael, and Trey Williams.
*Rika Levi is the player that Kliff said has made the most improvement from last year to this year, has been "disruptive" this fall.
*When asked about Mike Mitchell's move to defensive end, taking an athlete like that into a backup role, the head coach noted that it will really be a good way to help Pete Robertson fresh throughout the game.
"We're not going to play Pete 80 or 90 snaps this year. Last year it was kind of on a had to basis, and we're going to try to help Pete not play the entire game so he can be at his best when he does go in. So, it'll be a good mix for Mike (Mitchell). He'll get a bunch of special teams plays, and when he can go, he'll go."
*And as for the turnovers, things have been fairly balanced so far, and that's a good thing in Coach Kingsbury's mind.
"It's tough, because I want them (the defense) to get a bunch, but I don't want to be the one doing it. I'd say there's a happy medium going on. They're doing a great job trying to strip the ball, get their hands on balls, and for the most part offensively we've been very conscious of protecting it."
*Two quick notes from Micah Awe: First, Kris Williams is getting the most reps at will linebacker, and he's getting the most reps overall at LB behind Awe. He had a great summer, and it seems to be paying off. Also, JJ Gaines has been playing some corner, nickel so far in camp. Coach Gibbs told me they might experiment with that on media day, and it sounds like they're going to see what comes of it.
