It's Game Week, folks!
Can you believe it?
Anyway, we're getting Norvell and all three coordinators today. So hold onto your butts.
Supposed to start around noon. We'll see how close to that we get. Hang tight!
----------------------------------------------------------------
"We have made it. We have made it to Game Week. I'm so very excited about the opportunity ... it's a great opportunity for our football team, and I'm really excited for our players and all the work that has gone into this offseason. ... To be able to get this point, to go out there and play the game they love to play ... We were able to get a mock game Saturday that I thought went really well. .... Our continued focus is ourself, getting better each and every day,"
Norvell says Hamsah is out for this week. "He's doing a great job in his rehabilitation, we feel he's very, very close, but he won't be available this week."
"In this year, you're going to have to adapt and adjust to a lot of different factors. ... The course of a normal week it looks different." Says there are lot of sacrifices players have to make that aren't normal, to the social distanced meetings, to how they're operating, "this will be a unique year in a lot of different ways." ... "It's going to come down to the team that plays smart, plays fast, plays physical and finishes everything they do."
"Some of the first games in college football are staffs I'm very familiar with ... we all understand it's going to be a little bit different. ... There have been times we've funneled in crowd noise .. I like that just to create adversity ..." But he says there are also times where they've been completely silent in practice, because it shouldn't matter if there are a ton of fans or zero fans. Effort and intensity should be the same.
On Maurice Smith: "Has great athleticism, has really shown a physicality at that position ... I'm really pleased with his development." And Norvell says Baveon has really challenged himself. "We're going to play more than five. Brady Scott is a young man that has played a lot of football here and he provides great versatility where he can play four different positions. ... I've been pleased with that group, and where we are, but now we need to go play a game and handle the immediate adjustments ... we need to show our growth at that position."
On DeLoach and Gainer: "I think both of those guys have been extremely active and bring the right mindset to the game. And I tell you what, DeCalon Brooks is right there with him ... when you look at Kalen, "sideline to sideline," and says he can cover out in the perimeter as well. Norvell also says all three will make an impact on special teams as well.
"I really considered just putting 'or" on everybody on the depth chart (We're ALL happy he did not).
"Georgia Tech, you can see a lot of growth just by looking at the roster and seeing the physical growth. ... You saw the steps through the course of the season last year, they played a lot of competitive games. ... You see the way they play, they play extremely hard, they've got a lot of versatility ... the defensive front they've been able to add a couple of new additions ... their receiving corps has a lot of explosiveness. .. They can stretch the field vertically, they've added some guys on the offensive front that has helped add size." Says they know they're still working on the QB position."
On Travis Jay: "He's been a young man that has probably been one of the stars of preseason camp. ... There's a lot of things he can do with or without the ball in his hands ... but just the versatility at safety ... now come Saturday it's time to go put it on the field. ... We're very excited about the growth of Travis."
"On Sunday night we focus on our corrections and improvement. Yesterday we got some good work continuing our prep for Georgia Tech." Said they took some younger guys and gave them more of a fundamental workout on Sunday night. Today was a day off. But Tuesday and Wednesday are tough workdays. Physical. Thursday and Friday would be a little less physical, but it's all in an effort to ramp up heading into Saturday.
"I think those guys can play at any of the 3 positions. This is an offense that is built for playmakers, to be able to showcase their skillset. ... We want them to be able to move, to create matchups ... I think Terry and Warren, they're both big, great speed ... but (in other ways) they also do everything they can to create advantages for this team. ... I'm excited about that receiving corps, and I know they're excited about embracing that challenge."
On Thompson: "Obviously as we went through that situation, we had some real conversations. That's part of life. ... I love Warren. I really do. The type of young man he is, the heart that he has. This is an unprecedented time that we've had to go through. ... It's so unique ... we were able to work through that process, and Warren has just continued to develop and put himself in that position. But he's got to continue to grow."
Norvell says they are going to use a hotel the night before games. Says there will be some adjustments as far as rooms booked, and who comes, because they want to be fiscally responsible, but he says that night before the game is "something that's very important."
A plan on if a coach has to quarantine: "We've got a Plan B,C,D, E. ... We have thoughts on how we would adjust to every situation, whether it's me or someone else. I think that's something that every program is doing at this time ... we're trying to do everything we can to make sure things go as smooth as possible."
That's it for Norvell.
Kenny Dillingham is up next (video courtesy of FSU Sports Information)
On operations during mock game: "I thought it went really well. I think Coach Norvell does a good job of putting everybody in different situations...." Says it varies from a guy getting a back cramp, to two guys cramping at the same time, who is the next person up, to the team getting a 10-second runoff, every situation is covered.
On Thompson: "I think he's done a great job. Ball skills. He goes and attacks the football. Big body. Explosive. ... He's an explosive playmaker that we're going to try to get the ball to vertically ... that is going to be physical in the blocking game ..."
Dillingham says he will be in the pressbox on Game day. Says his dynamic with Norvell on Game Day is "super unique ... we're on the same page, our communication is completely fluid and it's just a unique and special dynamic on game days."
On Ga Tech defense: "I think Game 1s there are so many unknowns, yeah you can see what a player was nine months ago ... but there are so many unknowns ... the key is to worry about yourself ... you really have to evaluate what you do well, and I think going into Week 1 that's what successful teams do ..."
On Maurice Smith: "Super athletic, super powerful for his size, his athleticism and strength allows him to be extremely flexible up there ... his versatility up front is essential for us, and he's done a really good job mentally, Coach Atkins has done a really good job with him on IDing fronts ... quarterback protections, he's done a really nice job."
On the starting 5: "I think last week, the last week and a half, we kind of explored with it. ... That's really been one of many moving pieces on our football team ... trying to find what combination is the best ... and I think that five was the most productive combination we had."
"Kids are smart. Adults, coaches, fans, media, they don't understand how smart kids are. Players understand when you're organized, players understand when you have a plan, players understand that you believe in what you're talking about ... and that's something that Coach Norvell has done an incredible job of. ... so when we actually teach it, and explain the plan, our guys understand that we believe it, and they see it and they believe it ... and then the time he puts in to sit down and put time into details ... we've discussed rain delays, I don't know how many teams in the country have discussed the new rain delay rule." But he says that kind of attention to detail is what makes Norvell the head coach that he is.
That's it for Dillingham.
Adam Fuller is up next.
On DeLoach: "Consistency, athleticism, making plays that came to him in those scrimmages and throughout practice. It's an ongoing thing, but right now both of those guys are going to play at that position." Also says Brooks has really come on and will play, too. Also added that Gainer might be on the field with one of the other two, but in a different capacity (likely as a pass rusher).
On getting backups PT: "We want to win the game and play the best we can. ... We're trying to play every guy that earns the right." But he doesn't want the starters to play so much that they're tired and can't help at the end of the game. "It's all got a plan, but you've got to be fluid enough to adapt ... but all these names that are on this depth chart are going to play in some way. ... There's a lot of different things that are going to happen with these guys."
On GT QB position: "I try not to get too caught up in it all. They're going to put somebody back there ... he's going to run the ball or throw the ball... there's going to be a quarterback back there and these are the plays we're probably going to get ... just try to talk about it in broad terms and give specifics in how it's going to affect them. ... Whoever it is we've just got to be ready to defend it."
On Renardo Green: "There's nothing about Renardo that is level. He's done a great job. You go watch him from that third spring practice we finished until now ... he's grown as much as anybody in our defense, just showing up, playing with great energy and effort ... becoming a blitzer, man coverage, zone coverage, Renardo has done a great job, and he's going to be on the football feild a lot on Saturday. We have high expectations."
Jarrian Jones: "He's played a lot of football. ... Jarrian has shown good consistency. He's going to go out there and hopefully battle his tail off like he has the past couple of months since he's been here. ... He's coachable, he's made one on plays .... we're happy where he is." Says a lot of guys will likely play, but he likes where Jones is.
On DTs: "It's huge. When you put these names in bold ... it's such a high effort, contact position. You're only going to put guys on the field that you think can help you win the game. Obviously the fifth guy won't be as good as the first guy at certain things .... but to have six guys that can play ... is huge ... I think it gives us a solid depth up the middle that we've got to make sure shows up for all four quarters."
"Travis is listed at two spots, but Ray Woodie can play both spots. Renardo. Even Jaiden. ... How we coach it, we try to create flexibility. ... You try to get your best players on the field as often as you can ... Travis is not perfect yet, there's still a lot of football that has to happen, ... Travis has shown a lot of flexibility and he does a lot of good things ... Trav will play both safety spots, will return kicks and punts ... you might see him at nickel too, but Travis is a football player.
Says Hamsah is doing everything he can. "Ham has been a great teammate. ... He's always there, he's there for support and energy and he's a smart football player. ... And I know he's champing at the bit, he'll be back." Says Hamsah is upset that he won't be able to play in the opener, but understands it.
"Hopefully (Norvell's approach) exudes confidence. ... It's about getting them back in the lane of focus ... Mike is as good as there is in the business at redirecting focus" Says he's good at communicating, and Norvell gets them to focus on what matters, focus on the work, details ... but he's also open-minded enough to have the discussions about race, covid ... "as educators we can't be afraid to talk about those things ... that's the balance we're all trying to have and there's no better leader in this country than Mike Norvell."
And that's it for Fuller.
John Papuchis is up next.
"I didn't feel like there was a reason to rush and put anything out there too early" on the depth chart. So, that's why there are so many "or's" on the special teams depth chart.
On Travis: "He's a natural ball-catcher. He just kind of has a knack .. in terms of judging the ball, and depth, and he catches the ball really well with his hands ... we just feel like as a team if we can find ways to get in the return game that would be big for us ... Trav is one of the guys that has really stood out up to this point." He says there are other guys that will definitely be involved in the return game.
"From a program philosophy standpoint, we're going to put the best guys out there that give us the best opportunity." But says they're going to be smart, too. He says if Corbin is getting a lot of touches on offense, then maybe Jay does become the kick returner. Or if Webb is getting a ton of touches then maybe Corbin is the main returner. Wants to get to point where we don't see a drop off.
On balancing DE and special teams duties: "That can be a little challenging throughout the course of a game." Says most challenging is probably the punt return unit, because he'll be coaching defense, but then as third down is going, he has to have his thoughts on what the punt pressure will be. "It's something that I have a lot of experience doing, but it does take the ability to switch gears really fast."
On placekickers: "Ideally you'd like it to be one guy. You don't want to have guys guessing" on if they're going to be going in depending on field position. Says Grothaus has a really strong leg, but so does Fitzgerald, and that if Fitz wins the job he thinks he'll have the leg to handle every kick.
"The way Coach Norvell approaches everything I think he brings confidence to the entire organization ... we have a plan for everything that could happen during a game ... coach has a plan, and it appears that every plan is really well thought-out. ... So, that should breed confidence ... and we should be able to adjust and adapt on the fly."
On long snappers: "One thing I think we're blessed with two really capable guys ... our mindset from the day we came in until now is that we were going to let guys compete ... the numbers are going to be the numbers ... we feel like if a guy has earned the right to play ... Garrett has done a really good job and I think he's put himself in position where he deserves the "or" on the depth chart.
Papuchis said that being a new staff, giving everyone a clean slate, he didn't have a problem with putting an "Or" next to someone who was a returning starter if the competition had been tough. Felt like it was a reward for the backup and also let starter know that nothing was being handed out.
Anyway, we'll all find out on Saturday who the long snapper is!
That's it for Papuchis. That's it for today.
Thanks so much for stopping by. You guys are the best. We have made it to Game Week. Glory, glory! We have done it.
Thank you for being here, thank you for being you, and thank you for sticking with Warchant even when there was no guarantee a college football season was going to be played. You guys are the best.
Clark. Out.
Can you believe it?
Anyway, we're getting Norvell and all three coordinators today. So hold onto your butts.
Supposed to start around noon. We'll see how close to that we get. Hang tight!
----------------------------------------------------------------
"We have made it. We have made it to Game Week. I'm so very excited about the opportunity ... it's a great opportunity for our football team, and I'm really excited for our players and all the work that has gone into this offseason. ... To be able to get this point, to go out there and play the game they love to play ... We were able to get a mock game Saturday that I thought went really well. .... Our continued focus is ourself, getting better each and every day,"
Norvell says Hamsah is out for this week. "He's doing a great job in his rehabilitation, we feel he's very, very close, but he won't be available this week."
"In this year, you're going to have to adapt and adjust to a lot of different factors. ... The course of a normal week it looks different." Says there are lot of sacrifices players have to make that aren't normal, to the social distanced meetings, to how they're operating, "this will be a unique year in a lot of different ways." ... "It's going to come down to the team that plays smart, plays fast, plays physical and finishes everything they do."
"Some of the first games in college football are staffs I'm very familiar with ... we all understand it's going to be a little bit different. ... There have been times we've funneled in crowd noise .. I like that just to create adversity ..." But he says there are also times where they've been completely silent in practice, because it shouldn't matter if there are a ton of fans or zero fans. Effort and intensity should be the same.
On Maurice Smith: "Has great athleticism, has really shown a physicality at that position ... I'm really pleased with his development." And Norvell says Baveon has really challenged himself. "We're going to play more than five. Brady Scott is a young man that has played a lot of football here and he provides great versatility where he can play four different positions. ... I've been pleased with that group, and where we are, but now we need to go play a game and handle the immediate adjustments ... we need to show our growth at that position."
On DeLoach and Gainer: "I think both of those guys have been extremely active and bring the right mindset to the game. And I tell you what, DeCalon Brooks is right there with him ... when you look at Kalen, "sideline to sideline," and says he can cover out in the perimeter as well. Norvell also says all three will make an impact on special teams as well.
"I really considered just putting 'or" on everybody on the depth chart (We're ALL happy he did not).
"Georgia Tech, you can see a lot of growth just by looking at the roster and seeing the physical growth. ... You saw the steps through the course of the season last year, they played a lot of competitive games. ... You see the way they play, they play extremely hard, they've got a lot of versatility ... the defensive front they've been able to add a couple of new additions ... their receiving corps has a lot of explosiveness. .. They can stretch the field vertically, they've added some guys on the offensive front that has helped add size." Says they know they're still working on the QB position."
On Travis Jay: "He's been a young man that has probably been one of the stars of preseason camp. ... There's a lot of things he can do with or without the ball in his hands ... but just the versatility at safety ... now come Saturday it's time to go put it on the field. ... We're very excited about the growth of Travis."
"On Sunday night we focus on our corrections and improvement. Yesterday we got some good work continuing our prep for Georgia Tech." Said they took some younger guys and gave them more of a fundamental workout on Sunday night. Today was a day off. But Tuesday and Wednesday are tough workdays. Physical. Thursday and Friday would be a little less physical, but it's all in an effort to ramp up heading into Saturday.
"I think those guys can play at any of the 3 positions. This is an offense that is built for playmakers, to be able to showcase their skillset. ... We want them to be able to move, to create matchups ... I think Terry and Warren, they're both big, great speed ... but (in other ways) they also do everything they can to create advantages for this team. ... I'm excited about that receiving corps, and I know they're excited about embracing that challenge."
On Thompson: "Obviously as we went through that situation, we had some real conversations. That's part of life. ... I love Warren. I really do. The type of young man he is, the heart that he has. This is an unprecedented time that we've had to go through. ... It's so unique ... we were able to work through that process, and Warren has just continued to develop and put himself in that position. But he's got to continue to grow."
Norvell says they are going to use a hotel the night before games. Says there will be some adjustments as far as rooms booked, and who comes, because they want to be fiscally responsible, but he says that night before the game is "something that's very important."
A plan on if a coach has to quarantine: "We've got a Plan B,C,D, E. ... We have thoughts on how we would adjust to every situation, whether it's me or someone else. I think that's something that every program is doing at this time ... we're trying to do everything we can to make sure things go as smooth as possible."
That's it for Norvell.
Kenny Dillingham is up next (video courtesy of FSU Sports Information)
On operations during mock game: "I thought it went really well. I think Coach Norvell does a good job of putting everybody in different situations...." Says it varies from a guy getting a back cramp, to two guys cramping at the same time, who is the next person up, to the team getting a 10-second runoff, every situation is covered.
On Thompson: "I think he's done a great job. Ball skills. He goes and attacks the football. Big body. Explosive. ... He's an explosive playmaker that we're going to try to get the ball to vertically ... that is going to be physical in the blocking game ..."
Dillingham says he will be in the pressbox on Game day. Says his dynamic with Norvell on Game Day is "super unique ... we're on the same page, our communication is completely fluid and it's just a unique and special dynamic on game days."
On Ga Tech defense: "I think Game 1s there are so many unknowns, yeah you can see what a player was nine months ago ... but there are so many unknowns ... the key is to worry about yourself ... you really have to evaluate what you do well, and I think going into Week 1 that's what successful teams do ..."
On Maurice Smith: "Super athletic, super powerful for his size, his athleticism and strength allows him to be extremely flexible up there ... his versatility up front is essential for us, and he's done a really good job mentally, Coach Atkins has done a really good job with him on IDing fronts ... quarterback protections, he's done a really nice job."
On the starting 5: "I think last week, the last week and a half, we kind of explored with it. ... That's really been one of many moving pieces on our football team ... trying to find what combination is the best ... and I think that five was the most productive combination we had."
"Kids are smart. Adults, coaches, fans, media, they don't understand how smart kids are. Players understand when you're organized, players understand when you have a plan, players understand that you believe in what you're talking about ... and that's something that Coach Norvell has done an incredible job of. ... so when we actually teach it, and explain the plan, our guys understand that we believe it, and they see it and they believe it ... and then the time he puts in to sit down and put time into details ... we've discussed rain delays, I don't know how many teams in the country have discussed the new rain delay rule." But he says that kind of attention to detail is what makes Norvell the head coach that he is.
That's it for Dillingham.
Adam Fuller is up next.
On DeLoach: "Consistency, athleticism, making plays that came to him in those scrimmages and throughout practice. It's an ongoing thing, but right now both of those guys are going to play at that position." Also says Brooks has really come on and will play, too. Also added that Gainer might be on the field with one of the other two, but in a different capacity (likely as a pass rusher).
On getting backups PT: "We want to win the game and play the best we can. ... We're trying to play every guy that earns the right." But he doesn't want the starters to play so much that they're tired and can't help at the end of the game. "It's all got a plan, but you've got to be fluid enough to adapt ... but all these names that are on this depth chart are going to play in some way. ... There's a lot of different things that are going to happen with these guys."
On GT QB position: "I try not to get too caught up in it all. They're going to put somebody back there ... he's going to run the ball or throw the ball... there's going to be a quarterback back there and these are the plays we're probably going to get ... just try to talk about it in broad terms and give specifics in how it's going to affect them. ... Whoever it is we've just got to be ready to defend it."
On Renardo Green: "There's nothing about Renardo that is level. He's done a great job. You go watch him from that third spring practice we finished until now ... he's grown as much as anybody in our defense, just showing up, playing with great energy and effort ... becoming a blitzer, man coverage, zone coverage, Renardo has done a great job, and he's going to be on the football feild a lot on Saturday. We have high expectations."
Jarrian Jones: "He's played a lot of football. ... Jarrian has shown good consistency. He's going to go out there and hopefully battle his tail off like he has the past couple of months since he's been here. ... He's coachable, he's made one on plays .... we're happy where he is." Says a lot of guys will likely play, but he likes where Jones is.
On DTs: "It's huge. When you put these names in bold ... it's such a high effort, contact position. You're only going to put guys on the field that you think can help you win the game. Obviously the fifth guy won't be as good as the first guy at certain things .... but to have six guys that can play ... is huge ... I think it gives us a solid depth up the middle that we've got to make sure shows up for all four quarters."
"Travis is listed at two spots, but Ray Woodie can play both spots. Renardo. Even Jaiden. ... How we coach it, we try to create flexibility. ... You try to get your best players on the field as often as you can ... Travis is not perfect yet, there's still a lot of football that has to happen, ... Travis has shown a lot of flexibility and he does a lot of good things ... Trav will play both safety spots, will return kicks and punts ... you might see him at nickel too, but Travis is a football player.
Says Hamsah is doing everything he can. "Ham has been a great teammate. ... He's always there, he's there for support and energy and he's a smart football player. ... And I know he's champing at the bit, he'll be back." Says Hamsah is upset that he won't be able to play in the opener, but understands it.
"Hopefully (Norvell's approach) exudes confidence. ... It's about getting them back in the lane of focus ... Mike is as good as there is in the business at redirecting focus" Says he's good at communicating, and Norvell gets them to focus on what matters, focus on the work, details ... but he's also open-minded enough to have the discussions about race, covid ... "as educators we can't be afraid to talk about those things ... that's the balance we're all trying to have and there's no better leader in this country than Mike Norvell."
And that's it for Fuller.
John Papuchis is up next.
"I didn't feel like there was a reason to rush and put anything out there too early" on the depth chart. So, that's why there are so many "or's" on the special teams depth chart.
On Travis: "He's a natural ball-catcher. He just kind of has a knack .. in terms of judging the ball, and depth, and he catches the ball really well with his hands ... we just feel like as a team if we can find ways to get in the return game that would be big for us ... Trav is one of the guys that has really stood out up to this point." He says there are other guys that will definitely be involved in the return game.
"From a program philosophy standpoint, we're going to put the best guys out there that give us the best opportunity." But says they're going to be smart, too. He says if Corbin is getting a lot of touches on offense, then maybe Jay does become the kick returner. Or if Webb is getting a ton of touches then maybe Corbin is the main returner. Wants to get to point where we don't see a drop off.
On balancing DE and special teams duties: "That can be a little challenging throughout the course of a game." Says most challenging is probably the punt return unit, because he'll be coaching defense, but then as third down is going, he has to have his thoughts on what the punt pressure will be. "It's something that I have a lot of experience doing, but it does take the ability to switch gears really fast."
On placekickers: "Ideally you'd like it to be one guy. You don't want to have guys guessing" on if they're going to be going in depending on field position. Says Grothaus has a really strong leg, but so does Fitzgerald, and that if Fitz wins the job he thinks he'll have the leg to handle every kick.
"The way Coach Norvell approaches everything I think he brings confidence to the entire organization ... we have a plan for everything that could happen during a game ... coach has a plan, and it appears that every plan is really well thought-out. ... So, that should breed confidence ... and we should be able to adjust and adapt on the fly."
On long snappers: "One thing I think we're blessed with two really capable guys ... our mindset from the day we came in until now is that we were going to let guys compete ... the numbers are going to be the numbers ... we feel like if a guy has earned the right to play ... Garrett has done a really good job and I think he's put himself in position where he deserves the "or" on the depth chart.
Papuchis said that being a new staff, giving everyone a clean slate, he didn't have a problem with putting an "Or" next to someone who was a returning starter if the competition had been tough. Felt like it was a reward for the backup and also let starter know that nothing was being handed out.
Anyway, we'll all find out on Saturday who the long snapper is!
That's it for Papuchis. That's it for today.
Thanks so much for stopping by. You guys are the best. We have made it to Game Week. Glory, glory! We have done it.
Thank you for being here, thank you for being you, and thank you for sticking with Warchant even when there was no guarantee a college football season was going to be played. You guys are the best.
Clark. Out.
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