What's up, guys?
We're one day closer to kickoff. Get fired up.
We're supposed to get Norvell and a few players today starting at about 11:15 a.m.
So hang tight. We'll be back shortly.
It's 11:26. Still no Norvell, but I think we're getting close!
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"Today pretty solid Tuesday practice, just continuing to emphasize the little things and details ... still a lot of things to continue to clean up ... guys I think have a pretty good understanding of the game plan, but we've got to do a better job when it comes to our execution, trusting our fundamentals ... Excited that game week is here, excited for the opportunity ... we're pushing them extremely hard in practice as a coaching staff trying to hold them to the standard and expectation that we have ... had some good work today, but need to continue to get better."
"Guys that haven't played a lot of football, I try to make sure we were pushing every button that we could push to try to force a reaction, to see who can handle the pressure, the expectation that's thrown around ... for a newcomer I've seen it go a couple of different ways. Some guys get out there and it's too big for them ... and some guys they're able to have that immediate success ... we try to create an atmosphere that forces those guys to press a little bit ... we won't know until Saturday."
On DTs: Says he's been pleased with Malcolm Ray and Tru Thompson. "We need to see relentless effort in every aspect. ... We're pushing them hard in practice, want to see those fundamentals, want to see them finish ... it's probably the deepest position we have on the football team."
On crowd: "We don't control the things that are outside of the field, whether it's a sold out crowd or nobody in the stands ... we need to make sure that we focus on our own energy, our own passion, our own technique and our own fundamentals. ... anybody can go and post a highlight of one rep, of one play, but we're looking for consistent growth and improvement in every aspect we do."
"Every player that earns the right to play through how they practice ... we'll play as many guys that help us be successful." Says if they don't see the energy and running to the ball, a player will get pulled early. "Once you step on the field you have a standard that you need to live up to. ... That's going to be something that is evaluated extremely hard throughout the course of the game." Says it's not a charity. They don't just give playing time because somebody has been here a long time. They have to earn it. And then earn to stay on the field.
"I'm going to have nerves. The players are going to have nerves. ... To be able to run out of that tunnel, to understand the standard that has been set throughout our program's history ... that's something we embrace. ... If we run out of the tunnel we're saying yes to that standard. ... We continue to challenge the team to go out there and be your best. ... I'm excited about Game day, ... I'm honored to be able to lead this program. ... And Looking forward to the experience."
"It's all about preparation. Everything we do is building toward kickoff." Says he has a book that is made up of a bunch of scenarios that have happened in college football over the last few years ... "It's going to be exciting, but you can't allow emotion to affect your decisions."
He says he scripts a lot before the game, especially depending on certain situations, "and how I want to set things up." He says in Game 1 they're preparing for a lot of things they can see defensively ... "there's such a volume of what you can see ... for our quarterback, I think part of the growth of a quarterback is the willingness to say, "Coach, I don't really like that one." He says that sometimes, if he really likes the play, he'll re-explain it to the quarterback, but that sometimes if the quarterback isn't confident in the play he knows best and they'll take it out.
"There is no book on the best way to (prepare in practice). We've had some contact in scrimmages, we've had some physical practices," but he adds they've limited some contact unlike in years past. "It's definitely been a unique camp ... I feel good about where we are, but we won't know until Saturday."
"Special teams, I do believe, is one of the most overlooked things ... and so I've always believed in it, I think it's something that is critical to our success." Says the true backbone of his program is wanting to be great at special teams, wants players to tie in everything they do on special teams to what they do offensively and defensively and that should equal success.
"Kenny is remarkable in his understanding and approach to this game. ... As we've evolved years back at Arizona State to where we are today, he's played a huge role in that.... We've been around each other enough that we really think a lot alike. ... Through the course of a game it's great to have somebody with that type of perspective to be up in the box ... to have that kind of trust is something that I don't take for granted and I'm definitely very fortunate to have."
That's a wrap on Norvell.
La'Damian Webb will be next up.
He says he doesn't know a ton about Georgia Tech's defense, just that he knows what schemes they run.
"I Plan on helping my team as much as I can, any way I can, it doesn't really matter who gets the reps, just play when you can play and focus on the detail."
"He's big on special teams, and you have to really pay attention and be committed to it because he takes it serious." Said he'll do again whatever it takes to help the team.
"It's going to be very emotional, we're going to be very excited about it for sure." -- about getting on the field for the first time.
"My mom, my uncle and my coaches pushed me hard to keep me going and get me where I am today." Said he's very excited for the opportunity to play.
He says Norvell does a good job of making sure the players stay safe and healthy. "He cares as much as we care ... and not just about football."
"Jashaun can do anything, he can catch the ball, run the ball and block, he's like an all-around back." Says Corbin is bigger than he is, but they pride themselves on being all-around backs, that can play all three downs.
And that's it. That's a wrap for Webb.
Looks like OL coach Alex Atkins is up next.
On Maurice Smith: "The thing about it is we've been able to create competition at that position ... he's very athletic, he's able to recover in tight situations, he's done a good job with that ... but you've got to see the pictures in the game, ... it's hard to do, you've got to do that with experience. ... The more pictures you see, the more confidence you play with." Said he's done a good job with the mental part of the game.
On Washington: "Very similar to Maurice ... both redshirted, still have four years to play ... I like his athleticism," again, he says it's about seeing the picture. ... Can he recognize outside pressure ... can you athletically recover in bad distances, .... "and I've been pleased with both guys."
On Oline growth: "Every day is a new day. ... We've done all this work to improve, but if you don't show it it doesn't matter. Now it's a matter of seizing the opportunity." Says he's excited about training them to focus on every play, able to answer back, but they have to be ready on every snap. Because one or two bad plays can lose a game.
Atkins said he came here to learn. "It's the details, the fundamentals, ... you think you're going somewhere where they have a magic book of plays, no, it's just the fundamentals ... a lot of that gets lost in the game ...." says it's about details and fundamentals in Norvell's offense. Not just fancy plays. And that it surprised him just how dedicated to details and fundamentals.
On Scott: Said he could start at multiple positions. "He's been on the field, been in those moments .. been in those games ... he brings that much-needed experience that we need to have ..." He said Scott is coaching the young guys through those moments ... "you've got to have that set of eyes in there that wants to succeed" and can teach them how to be college athletes. Said Scott is invaluable on and off the field.
On number of guys in rotation: "We like to have a set plan. We don't like to surprise guys." Says if someone is going to get into the game that's not a starter they'll let him know exactly when they'll be in the game. What drive, etc. Said everywhere he's been he's had around a rotation of seven guys. "I've had some success when I've been able to roll a couple more in there."
He says athleticism "is really the ability to recover. ... do you have the ability to recover in bad situations?"
On Baveon to guard: "You try to put your best five out there regardless of position ... we have to work as a unit to defeat whats in front of us ... The more you can instill that mentality you have more success as a unit ...." He says it wasn't about asking Baveon to move, or waiting for him to volunteer, but that explaining how a move makes the starting 5 much stronger.
He said you have to prepare for what you've seen on film, so you know what to expect. At the same time, you have to be able to adjust when something unexpected happens, or when you get beat, etc.
"We try to put them in the best position possible. You do things that they can do and execute at a high level ..." Says when you make a change in a blocking scheme you explain to the player why you're doing it. "Hey, I'm doing this for you."
"We want to play fast but we don't want to play rushed .... it's more executing at a high level ... I'm still coaching the same whether we're going at a high tempo or a slow level ... as a coordinator I understand you can gain some advantages when the defense is not set, because they're not gap sound ..." Says as a position coach he likes to concentrate more on fundamentals and make sure his players are lined up, but he understands coordinators wanting to go fast and push it and take advantage of a defense that can't line up correctly.
That's it for Atkins.
Looks like Cam McDonald will be up next.
"the structure of game week, we start off with the intensity very high and very detail-oriented. ... we emphasize the details all week ...
"When you look at what's going on around the country ... that some conferences aren't playing ... a lot of people my age arent playing ... it's definitely surreal and a blessing that I have a game coming up on Saturday ... it's a great feeling."
"When you have two dominant players on the outside, Keyshawn too, because he can stretch the defense ... it's a great feeling ... we really play off each other ... I like this combination of guys we've got .. and I'm excited to see the product on Saturday."
On Thompson: "Since he's been back, Ive seen a commitment to have a great mindset ... it's easy to have that mindset in this program because that's the standard, ... and when he's in the right state of mind he's almost unstoppable, so I've definitely seen an improved mindset."
On blocking: "I feel like I'm more prepared than ever to be a dominant force in the run game." Says he's excited to show what he can do in the run game. And he thanks training staff for making him so much stronger.
On O-line: He says the way Atkins approaches every day, the Oline has to live up to the standard or they're going to hear about it. Says he's excited for them "to rewrite the narrative of the Florida State offensive line," says he thinks they're going to be one of the stronger positions on the team.
Says he has a lot of friends who play for Pac 12 teams ... says how much they're hurting that they don't get to play, and that he hears from all of them that he should take advantage of it ... "it's definitely a blessing."
Says he plans on doing community work for the rest of his life, because that's something he's passionate about. He has to take it a little slower during the season, but he will be trying to serve the community for as long as he can. He then thanks the questioner for asking it. This kid is different!
On Blackman: "I definitely feel James has progressed. Not just as a football player, but as a leader." Says Blackman has taken him under his wing, ... "I'm excited about really him rewriting his narrative, too, because a lot of people are asleep on Black." Says he's really stepped up as a leader off the field, but also has a good relationship with him on the field, too, they have good chemistry together.
That's it for McDonald. Always a treat to hear from that kid.
And Warren Thompson is next up.
"I wanted to be with my team, I wanted to be with my coach .. this is where I want to be ...
"It was pretty good, the work that I put in, it was like, it's been a long journey ...
"Just trying to create mismatches and taking advantage of defenses anyway we can....
"It's been good. I think we've built a lot of relationships on the team," says it's good to know that his teammates have his back.
"Me and coach, we talked, we came to an agreement, and I'm just ready to play ball."
"I was always kind of driven to be better ... coach Norvell brings that out of me all the time ... he brings the best out of me at all times."
"It's good, building a relationship and culture, I know he has my back. It's tough. That's my coach. It shows that has my back."
He says Jordan Young, Helton, McDonald are three of his closest teammates, "I love everybody, though. ... I'm just glad to be back home."
He says he has to know how to channel his emotions, the whole team does, "i'm trying to work on my body language at all times."
He says the white numbers are a big hit. "it gives them a little pop."
And that's that. Warren Thompson is done.
He is the last person of the day.
That's a wrap. We'll get defensive players tomorrow.
Love you. Peace.
Clark. Out.
We're one day closer to kickoff. Get fired up.
We're supposed to get Norvell and a few players today starting at about 11:15 a.m.
So hang tight. We'll be back shortly.
It's 11:26. Still no Norvell, but I think we're getting close!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Today pretty solid Tuesday practice, just continuing to emphasize the little things and details ... still a lot of things to continue to clean up ... guys I think have a pretty good understanding of the game plan, but we've got to do a better job when it comes to our execution, trusting our fundamentals ... Excited that game week is here, excited for the opportunity ... we're pushing them extremely hard in practice as a coaching staff trying to hold them to the standard and expectation that we have ... had some good work today, but need to continue to get better."
"Guys that haven't played a lot of football, I try to make sure we were pushing every button that we could push to try to force a reaction, to see who can handle the pressure, the expectation that's thrown around ... for a newcomer I've seen it go a couple of different ways. Some guys get out there and it's too big for them ... and some guys they're able to have that immediate success ... we try to create an atmosphere that forces those guys to press a little bit ... we won't know until Saturday."
On DTs: Says he's been pleased with Malcolm Ray and Tru Thompson. "We need to see relentless effort in every aspect. ... We're pushing them hard in practice, want to see those fundamentals, want to see them finish ... it's probably the deepest position we have on the football team."
On crowd: "We don't control the things that are outside of the field, whether it's a sold out crowd or nobody in the stands ... we need to make sure that we focus on our own energy, our own passion, our own technique and our own fundamentals. ... anybody can go and post a highlight of one rep, of one play, but we're looking for consistent growth and improvement in every aspect we do."
"Every player that earns the right to play through how they practice ... we'll play as many guys that help us be successful." Says if they don't see the energy and running to the ball, a player will get pulled early. "Once you step on the field you have a standard that you need to live up to. ... That's going to be something that is evaluated extremely hard throughout the course of the game." Says it's not a charity. They don't just give playing time because somebody has been here a long time. They have to earn it. And then earn to stay on the field.
"I'm going to have nerves. The players are going to have nerves. ... To be able to run out of that tunnel, to understand the standard that has been set throughout our program's history ... that's something we embrace. ... If we run out of the tunnel we're saying yes to that standard. ... We continue to challenge the team to go out there and be your best. ... I'm excited about Game day, ... I'm honored to be able to lead this program. ... And Looking forward to the experience."
"It's all about preparation. Everything we do is building toward kickoff." Says he has a book that is made up of a bunch of scenarios that have happened in college football over the last few years ... "It's going to be exciting, but you can't allow emotion to affect your decisions."
He says he scripts a lot before the game, especially depending on certain situations, "and how I want to set things up." He says in Game 1 they're preparing for a lot of things they can see defensively ... "there's such a volume of what you can see ... for our quarterback, I think part of the growth of a quarterback is the willingness to say, "Coach, I don't really like that one." He says that sometimes, if he really likes the play, he'll re-explain it to the quarterback, but that sometimes if the quarterback isn't confident in the play he knows best and they'll take it out.
"There is no book on the best way to (prepare in practice). We've had some contact in scrimmages, we've had some physical practices," but he adds they've limited some contact unlike in years past. "It's definitely been a unique camp ... I feel good about where we are, but we won't know until Saturday."
"Special teams, I do believe, is one of the most overlooked things ... and so I've always believed in it, I think it's something that is critical to our success." Says the true backbone of his program is wanting to be great at special teams, wants players to tie in everything they do on special teams to what they do offensively and defensively and that should equal success.
"Kenny is remarkable in his understanding and approach to this game. ... As we've evolved years back at Arizona State to where we are today, he's played a huge role in that.... We've been around each other enough that we really think a lot alike. ... Through the course of a game it's great to have somebody with that type of perspective to be up in the box ... to have that kind of trust is something that I don't take for granted and I'm definitely very fortunate to have."
That's a wrap on Norvell.
La'Damian Webb will be next up.
He says he doesn't know a ton about Georgia Tech's defense, just that he knows what schemes they run.
"I Plan on helping my team as much as I can, any way I can, it doesn't really matter who gets the reps, just play when you can play and focus on the detail."
"He's big on special teams, and you have to really pay attention and be committed to it because he takes it serious." Said he'll do again whatever it takes to help the team.
"It's going to be very emotional, we're going to be very excited about it for sure." -- about getting on the field for the first time.
"My mom, my uncle and my coaches pushed me hard to keep me going and get me where I am today." Said he's very excited for the opportunity to play.
He says Norvell does a good job of making sure the players stay safe and healthy. "He cares as much as we care ... and not just about football."
"Jashaun can do anything, he can catch the ball, run the ball and block, he's like an all-around back." Says Corbin is bigger than he is, but they pride themselves on being all-around backs, that can play all three downs.
And that's it. That's a wrap for Webb.
Looks like OL coach Alex Atkins is up next.
On Maurice Smith: "The thing about it is we've been able to create competition at that position ... he's very athletic, he's able to recover in tight situations, he's done a good job with that ... but you've got to see the pictures in the game, ... it's hard to do, you've got to do that with experience. ... The more pictures you see, the more confidence you play with." Said he's done a good job with the mental part of the game.
On Washington: "Very similar to Maurice ... both redshirted, still have four years to play ... I like his athleticism," again, he says it's about seeing the picture. ... Can he recognize outside pressure ... can you athletically recover in bad distances, .... "and I've been pleased with both guys."
On Oline growth: "Every day is a new day. ... We've done all this work to improve, but if you don't show it it doesn't matter. Now it's a matter of seizing the opportunity." Says he's excited about training them to focus on every play, able to answer back, but they have to be ready on every snap. Because one or two bad plays can lose a game.
Atkins said he came here to learn. "It's the details, the fundamentals, ... you think you're going somewhere where they have a magic book of plays, no, it's just the fundamentals ... a lot of that gets lost in the game ...." says it's about details and fundamentals in Norvell's offense. Not just fancy plays. And that it surprised him just how dedicated to details and fundamentals.
On Scott: Said he could start at multiple positions. "He's been on the field, been in those moments .. been in those games ... he brings that much-needed experience that we need to have ..." He said Scott is coaching the young guys through those moments ... "you've got to have that set of eyes in there that wants to succeed" and can teach them how to be college athletes. Said Scott is invaluable on and off the field.
On number of guys in rotation: "We like to have a set plan. We don't like to surprise guys." Says if someone is going to get into the game that's not a starter they'll let him know exactly when they'll be in the game. What drive, etc. Said everywhere he's been he's had around a rotation of seven guys. "I've had some success when I've been able to roll a couple more in there."
He says athleticism "is really the ability to recover. ... do you have the ability to recover in bad situations?"
On Baveon to guard: "You try to put your best five out there regardless of position ... we have to work as a unit to defeat whats in front of us ... The more you can instill that mentality you have more success as a unit ...." He says it wasn't about asking Baveon to move, or waiting for him to volunteer, but that explaining how a move makes the starting 5 much stronger.
He said you have to prepare for what you've seen on film, so you know what to expect. At the same time, you have to be able to adjust when something unexpected happens, or when you get beat, etc.
"We try to put them in the best position possible. You do things that they can do and execute at a high level ..." Says when you make a change in a blocking scheme you explain to the player why you're doing it. "Hey, I'm doing this for you."
"We want to play fast but we don't want to play rushed .... it's more executing at a high level ... I'm still coaching the same whether we're going at a high tempo or a slow level ... as a coordinator I understand you can gain some advantages when the defense is not set, because they're not gap sound ..." Says as a position coach he likes to concentrate more on fundamentals and make sure his players are lined up, but he understands coordinators wanting to go fast and push it and take advantage of a defense that can't line up correctly.
That's it for Atkins.
Looks like Cam McDonald will be up next.
"the structure of game week, we start off with the intensity very high and very detail-oriented. ... we emphasize the details all week ...
"When you look at what's going on around the country ... that some conferences aren't playing ... a lot of people my age arent playing ... it's definitely surreal and a blessing that I have a game coming up on Saturday ... it's a great feeling."
"When you have two dominant players on the outside, Keyshawn too, because he can stretch the defense ... it's a great feeling ... we really play off each other ... I like this combination of guys we've got .. and I'm excited to see the product on Saturday."
On Thompson: "Since he's been back, Ive seen a commitment to have a great mindset ... it's easy to have that mindset in this program because that's the standard, ... and when he's in the right state of mind he's almost unstoppable, so I've definitely seen an improved mindset."
On blocking: "I feel like I'm more prepared than ever to be a dominant force in the run game." Says he's excited to show what he can do in the run game. And he thanks training staff for making him so much stronger.
On O-line: He says the way Atkins approaches every day, the Oline has to live up to the standard or they're going to hear about it. Says he's excited for them "to rewrite the narrative of the Florida State offensive line," says he thinks they're going to be one of the stronger positions on the team.
Says he has a lot of friends who play for Pac 12 teams ... says how much they're hurting that they don't get to play, and that he hears from all of them that he should take advantage of it ... "it's definitely a blessing."
Says he plans on doing community work for the rest of his life, because that's something he's passionate about. He has to take it a little slower during the season, but he will be trying to serve the community for as long as he can. He then thanks the questioner for asking it. This kid is different!
On Blackman: "I definitely feel James has progressed. Not just as a football player, but as a leader." Says Blackman has taken him under his wing, ... "I'm excited about really him rewriting his narrative, too, because a lot of people are asleep on Black." Says he's really stepped up as a leader off the field, but also has a good relationship with him on the field, too, they have good chemistry together.
That's it for McDonald. Always a treat to hear from that kid.
And Warren Thompson is next up.
"I wanted to be with my team, I wanted to be with my coach .. this is where I want to be ...
"It was pretty good, the work that I put in, it was like, it's been a long journey ...
"Just trying to create mismatches and taking advantage of defenses anyway we can....
"It's been good. I think we've built a lot of relationships on the team," says it's good to know that his teammates have his back.
"Me and coach, we talked, we came to an agreement, and I'm just ready to play ball."
"I was always kind of driven to be better ... coach Norvell brings that out of me all the time ... he brings the best out of me at all times."
"It's good, building a relationship and culture, I know he has my back. It's tough. That's my coach. It shows that has my back."
He says Jordan Young, Helton, McDonald are three of his closest teammates, "I love everybody, though. ... I'm just glad to be back home."
He says he has to know how to channel his emotions, the whole team does, "i'm trying to work on my body language at all times."
He says the white numbers are a big hit. "it gives them a little pop."
And that's that. Warren Thompson is done.
He is the last person of the day.
That's a wrap. We'll get defensive players tomorrow.
Love you. Peace.
Clark. Out.
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