Spring Practice Media Availability: Collin Klein

Intro Colin how much can of this offense do you think you can Implement during the Spring and how difficult is it to implement an offense period with a new group of players yes to to all the above I think um uh coming in here uh this spring we've been very aggressive um we've tried to push the envelope as as far as the the pace of of what we're trying to do and and just dive in and get after it uh been really proud of the guys of of how they've embraced that mentality um we're trying to build build the foundation um for the entire offense um expose them to as many things as as we can uh while being focused on the fundamental details and the skills needed uh to then to then make those X's and O's go because that that's truly the most important part uh it is a balance um being in in now going into the second full week here um you know through a lot of the big big uh install chunks um so I think I think we're going to really cover some ground this week and and have that familiarity level across the board I already felt it a little bit yesterday uh with that and and uh so yes it's a lot we're being aggressive with it right from the jump but uh making sure sure we don't uh push too hard too fast and make sure we're doing it fundamentally sound we'll go second row on the left side to Sam and then Travis when you touch on that are are you kind of talking about kind of different ways you get to different concepts like the motions and the shifts and the ways you guys Block in the Run game and things like that is that kind of what you guys are really sinking into right now yes I mean it's definitely a conceptually based system uh to be able to do a lot of the same things out of a lot of different presentations but but even though it's the same because you're in different formations or because there's nuances and and things that are changing the pictures for the defense that's also changing it for us and our guys as well so uh just trying to again get that familiarity with those with those Concepts and and with those pictures and and guys have been doing a great job you know and and and having fun with it and we have a lot of fun at practice yeah Biggest influences and I know obviously you have a extensive history successful history as a player but I'm C ious what who have been the biggest influences on you in coaching and your developing your offensive philosophy and your belief system who who have those influences been on you yeah no been been very fortunate to be around some really really good ones um you know during my career now as a coach but then even as a player I think um you know coach Snider when I played uh his influence and him being an offensive-minded coach um with the two coordinators Dana de and Del Miller at that point in time uh really laid a good foundation and then even uh going with Coach kimman a little bit um he really grateful to him he turned the game upside down for me being a defensive guy and then being able to learn and and see the game uh from the other side of the ball and then how that fits and how we build and how we do things on offense and um and Coach Elco being that same way already working with him is has been really good and uh truly understanding the game holistically I think too more than just this play that play uh whatever this style this offense it's like no this is this is football this is angles this is leverage this is numbers these are fundamentals and this is how we're going to package it for our guys uh to give them a chance to be successful we'll go front row on the Pros and cons right side to Travis and then Brent hi uh yeah the um what have been the pros and cons so far of the the helmet communicators with the quarterbacks and getting uh some reps with that in the spring uh it it's um it's been good I think I think we're still working through um the full functionality of being able to use it and and how we want to package that um you know it's it's good practice and it's it's really good for me and the quarterback um you know to help get on the same page especially in the learning phases of of some of the things that we're trying to do um I think it'll speed up our operation time as we go and we get more comfortable um you know as a unit and all together there um you know I think a con sometimes is uh for myself even just in practice is you kind of switch from okay you're calling a game mode to coach mode and sometimes switching in and out of that in in between a play is um has been different but uh I think it's a being able to use technology like that is is a huge plus we'll stay on that front row Early impressions of Conor Wegman to Brent Brent Orman Houston Chronicle what have been your early impressions of of Conor Wegman uh been really impressed with his grit I mean you know coming off an injury like he has and and pushing through it and push himself through the recovery um he's a very instinctual football player and so his he's got a great feel for space um has a great feel for for the pass game Concepts and and what we're trying to do and who are the key Defenders and uh does a nice job buying time in the pocket and still being able to deliver the ball under us when things aren't perfect around him um you know and he's naturally accurate so really have uh it's been fun getting to know him and getting to know each other through this process so I was going to Handling the foot injury ask you how do you handle that when you you have to be somewhat Ginger I take it with the foot but yet still get work done you know toward toward the season as well yeah no it's you know and again that's uh mostly in our training staff's hands to to to try to manage that and and help find that right line and uh he's trying to do as much as possible we're all trying to do as much as possible to accelerate that that growth curve and in every rep matters every day matters and so trying to maximize uh every one that we get we'll go second Getting a feel for the players row on the right side start with Olen and move our way across yeah coach um know it's early and everything but I wonder have you gotten enough time to get a feel for just a kind of guys you have kind of material you have to work with you know I think I it's getting better you know I mean through six practices now is is still not a huge sample size you know and it's uh because we're starting from scratch you know from the ground level there's a uh the it doesn't matter what physical abilities you have or don't have uh if your mind is if you're still feeling out what's what's going on around you schematically it's hard to play fast and so uh I think getting a better feel I'm getting to know a lot little better of how the guys tick and and how they learn probably more so in my room just cuz I'm I'm with them a little bit more of what type of Learners and and how to teach them uh and help them develop the the best um but it's it's still in process for sure and do you get the sense that what you're asking these guys to do that it's maybe they're finding out for the first time at something dramatically different you know I I don't don't know I think sometimes uh again good football is good football I mean I don't know there's uh there's different ways to package it there's a lot of different application teaching progressions and how we teach and ultimately are able to hold and and build the foundation for them to execute those plays but I mean everybody runs inside Zone everybody's going to run C like so it's some of it'll be new and and completely different for them some of it is things that they've been exposed to um but it's okay how are we going to do it you know and and I think it is fun when uh that light bulb come comes on for them when that clicks of hey this is what we're trying to accomplish this is how we're going to do it okay it works they see it they understand it and then creates that level of excitement and and uh satisfaction of of doing things the right way and then and then building off that to something else and building something else off of that and uh definitely felt that excitement build for all of us as we're getting to know each other and and put this thing together we'll stay on that second row On the backfield to David and then Carter what's your mindset when it comes to the Back Field do you like having a lead guy or when you have multiple guys that can do it do you like to rotate what's your philosophy there yeah no I I think I think anymore in in football period but college football and especially high level in in in this league it's it's going to take a stable I mean it's it's not the the days of just one true you know backer are probably not uh not there anymore you know it's going to have to be a shared load that that you know two or three guys are going to have to carry um and then us being smart to to use and and and find the the unique things and the strengths of each one of them uh to use them you know I think uh all three guys have done a really really good job this spring and shown flashes of of really uh really really good things I mean Ruben Owens his ball skills are are outstanding some of the plays he's been able to make in the passing game are are are really really uh really really good I I think you know you look at Le'Veon and his contact balance um you know and his ability to to stay on his feet and and uh then Amari you know I mean his ability to uh get yards after contact get north and south and and have that burst to uh to hit that hole at at the right time all three of those guys have shown really good things and and excited about all three of them we'll go one On center competition more on the second row to Carter and then back behind the lights hey Colin uh how do you balance I guess uh with Bryce Foster being uh with the track team this spring just kind of evaluating what he's done already thinking about what he could be this coming season and then what have you seen from uh the other guys that have worked at Center guys like Mark nabo Dorian hidon and TJ Shanahan yeah no doubt I you know I think it's uh it's really good that we have some competition there I think it's good that we're developing depth um you know been able to meet with Bryce a couple times and and uh obviously understand his situ ation but I think um I think all three have done some really really good things um at times and uh you know it's it's U with what we want to do in the Run game and and what we're able to do from a a Cadence and Tempo perspective there's a lot lot on those guys and they've done a really really good job getting up to speed pretty quickly early in in Spring bowl and On Connor going back to Connor I know uh Mike Elco mentioned I think a couple weeks ago that he might be not might not be running around as much but beyond that I mean are you guys able to basically do as much as you could with him and I don't know if there's like a percentage you can put on it but are there really that many restrictions yeah no I mean I I think it's uh it's definitely being actively managed but but at the same time like you said we're trying to just get get as much as we possibly can done um I think I've been able to definitely tell as we've even gotten to like the four five six turn um from just even getting back into shape throwing the football um collectively as a group and and getting that rep count up and and and getting those those reps throwing the football um kind of seeing all of my guys Conor included find a little bit more of a rhythm and a Groove uh spinning it as well so I think it's uh you know these next couple weeks going to be really big for us you know we've covered a lot of ground here in this first six but um really grinding through this middle section and building off what we've done and um I think it's that's going to be really important at the at the quarterback position for all all of them we'll go back behind the On Connors urgency lights on the left side to Nicole and then Ben hey coach just another follow up on Connor have you noticed um any kind of like urgency or excitement for I know it's only been six practices but him being able to get out on the field uh I think you could definitely see uh you know all my guys but but I mean Conor loves to compete you know he loves to compete and I think even as we get into more situational footb you know even over the last two days in those situations become more competitive uh you know you kind of see his his excitement a smile and and uh being able to kind of cut it loose and and and have some fun out there has been really good to see we'll go to the right On coaching changes side to Ben hey coach Ben peek NBC here in College Station um what's it how helpful is it to have a lot of you know relative to coaching changes it seems like y'all have a lot of the key pieces uh you know that were in place from last year you know Conor the running backs couple receivers how much does that help uh I guess teaching a new system to guys who have at least played together maybe they can tell you some things that worked well that they did play together yeah no I mean you can definitely tell um uh you know there's there's continuity and guys like being around each other I think there's um some reference that they can be like hey this is like this from from when we've done it before but um you know I think it's been a uh more of a process of of all of us starting from scratch you know and and uh I think them working through that has has been good and I think it's helped build relationships uh between them as well and then how do you as On calling plays especially as a play caller kind of find the balance between calling plays that are there so to speak and and maybe you know just the executions a little bit off I guess to use the basketball analogy eventually a three-point shooter can make a three-point shot if he's open all the time how how do you balance that with you know I guess getting a field for the capabilities of guys and and what they can and can't execute that's the art of it right there I mean truly and it's you know CU there's I tell our guys all the time I said you know how we play and how we do things is so much more important than than what we're doing you know and because there's times that there's going to be a bad play call like you said that all of a sudden bang someone makes a play breaks a tackle and bang it's it's a huge explosive play and then there's times where schematically you may have them dialed and and there's a break in the chain somewhere that that causes it not to work out and either way none of us can get discouraged you can't get down you can't get frustrated from any any direction or any party involved and it's like hey we're all in this together and we just got to keep pounding away and and whoever didn't make the the previous one is going to make the next one maybe I made a bad call well hey I'm going to make the the right one the next time and uh they're going to make the right play the next time whenever that that person or that that link in that chain has to you know is is called on and that's uh that's the art of coaching it's the art of play calling it's the art of of football is is getting everybody again on the same page and and in sync to uh to execute and find a way we'll go On using multiple quarterbacks second row on the left side to Sam and then the Battalion uh Colin at a case state it seemed like the last couple years there was lots of times where multiple quarterbacks were used uh I don't know obviously all the details with that but I'm curious how much of that was situation and dictated that and how much of that is part of your philosophy of maybe using multiple quarterbacks yeah no I most of it was definitely injury and and just uh circumstantial you know of doing what we had to do um you know there's times obviously always want to have great competition and and understanding that uh as a leader as as the quarterback of of the offense if if you're struggling you know that's a lot of that ownership goes on you um and and making sure that all of us and that person is is striving to get better and improve and and and do whatever it takes for that that unit to be successful and uh when that when that isn't happening there's going to be going to be natural competition there you know and that's that's just the way it is and that's at any place any level of football so um but you know for the most part it's um from from our from my standpoint as a as a as a play caller and and as their coach it's sometimes that stuff can happen in in a blink you know and and being able to um adjust and be flexible in the moment on the Fly I mean two years ago we had a prolific dual threat kid that got hurt in the first quarter and all of a sudden then you got a pro style kid come in and hey guess what you know we're going to find a way and and the game plan just changed in in a play and okay superimpose myself as them and now I'm quarterback X and this is what I know he likes and he does best in the frame te work of of what we're trying to do to attack them and and and let's freaking go you know and that's that's my mindset for them and and believe in every every one of those guys in my room and and there's a way that we can tailor things around each one of them to be successful if they've done the work and and position them themselves like they need to and and uh and we'll make it go how much quarterback run game do you want to be a part of this well I mean I I think again that is very very um dictated on on our Personnel you know solely you know I think um and using that young man's strengths to the best of his ability and then and then getting our team um uh what our team needs to be successful if that makes sense we'll go third row on On tight ends and wide receivers the left side to the Battalion Coach Connor spoke about his excitement with The Playmakers and the wide receiver in the tight ends room and I know it's a small sample size like you said but what have you seen out of those groups especially with the transfers you know I I think I've seen um uh seen even in six practices I think there's a level of trust building between the two rooms I think fundamentally in both rooms we're we're getting better um which is helping that execution look crisper um with with timing and things I think uh coach Wiggins is is doing an unbelievable job and seeing how those guys are are doing the fundamental things well to help create space and get open and how that builds into um the quarterback's ability to be confident and and anticipate I think is has been really fun to see even in a very very short window and and and all of us got to keep it up you know because there's there's a there's a lot more room out there and for all of us you know to to make Improvement here these next nine practices or whatever we have we'll go front row on the right On QB experience side to Travis and then wrap things up with Brent yeah Travis BR from the eagle here in town um the uh it's pretty rare for to have the amount of guys that you have in the quarterback with the experience they have what um has been your your take on on on the the experience those guys have had and what that brings to the group as a as a unit yeah no I mean there's uh you know it's like you said even in the age differences that that are in the room being able to have the have some of that real life playing time having felt those live bullets before I think as a as a quarterback that the live bullets are just different you know it's just different and and we get pretty dang close with with the intensity of practice on purpose and and uh you know creating that uh competitive environment in practice but them having experienced those live bullets before I think definitely um help their context of of how they're able to prepare um you know how they're able to uh to process things in in that practice implementation to to be able to visualize how that's going to actually feel you know in real time so I think it's been a good thing but um just like anything though you know you take a couple months off and all of a sudden you know hey we got to get back in the swing of things too and and continue to play faster mentally physically and and and play the game at the speed that uh that it happens at we stay on the front On Gary Kubek row to Brent to close things out so there's an old iconic Aggie quarterback who said some nice things about you about a decade ago so I was going to ask you what you took from your your short time with Gary kubak oh well I I kind of knew but then you then you said it well uh I'll tell you what coach kubak I was only there a very very brief brief minute down there but um uh just a unbelievable person I mean you could tell even just in the couple days of of the depth and the wisdom and perspective and and the things that he's seen and and done and and people he'd been around and impacted me in three days I think um still remember a couple coaching points of a midline glance on a three quick I almost threw a pick to a corner and he's like he's like you can't do that in this league so so we got to get that fixed so U but was so kind to me and and uh stayed in touch even with a text message and a voice message since then and so uh hoping I get a chance to to run into them down here and and spend some time with them I know it's a very short time but do you have kind of a favorite memory of that little time spent there in Houston at the camp Oh man besides the one you just shared yeah that was maybe not a positive one um no I think just to again the experience and getting around him and and Truth the level of of detail and and uh I mean he'd stand there in the back and and be able to coach us as the quarterbacks and and just by pointing you know you'd finish the rep and he'd point and I knew exactly what he meant or whether my eyes were in the wrong spot or I threw it to the wrong guy or protection adjustment he was he was uh running the show from back there and I remember that vividly so all right that's all we have thank you coach all right thank you guys