Q and A with BYU Players
13 July 2009
Markell Staffieri
51 Comments
I am going to work on getting some answers to your (The Readers) questions, straight from the players for this upcoming season. What I want is for you to think of come constructive and creative questions you want to ask.
I will select 20-30 questions, ask the players and give you their verbatim answers. Dig deep for some good ones!
I WILL BE ACCEPTING QUESTIONS THROUGH FRIDAY. So far Jan and Manase have agreed to answer questions. Max has not confirmed yet. If you have any other player requests let me know, and I’ll see what I can do to accomodate.
- Markell Staffieri
How is the team’s attitude going into Fall camp with Oklahoma looming in week one and how is the team’s attitude at this point different from the attitude at the beginning of last year?
How comfortable is Max with his new center? I hope they have been getting the timing down this summer so there arn’t too many dropped/mishandled snaps come game time.
I’ve heard some reports and rumors say that team didn’t spend enough time on film study last year. Would the current players agree or do they attribute the shortcomings to other areas?
The reason I ask is that it seems like last year’s squad might have even been more athletic than say the ‘06 team, but the ‘06 squad just got it done both on and off the field. I wonder if the team felt their preparation could have been a little better, specifically in regards to film study.
There will be several new or returning receivers to integrate into the program. What do they, Max, and the coaches do to get in sync? This seems important, since part of Max and Austin’s success last year (in addition to their talent) was they had worked together a lot, off season and on.
Many people saw the defensive secondary as one of the weak spots that caused us to have difficulty in stopping some teams from scoring. Will we see an improvement or shift in strategy this year? How has the defensive secondary been prepared to deal with very athletic teams this year like Oklahoma, Florida State, and TCU?
For Jan Jorgenson: What do you think is a bigger contributor to sacking the opposing QB, your own speed and performance or the performance of the pass coverage? That being said, what do you plan to do (or hope to see) to reach your goals this year.
Are there any players that actively look to help recruit younger players by either making them comfortable when they visit the campus or by talking to their old coaches/people they know on the high school level? Or is it just seen as a duty to be nice to younger players?
Are there plans to make the Offense less predictable and the Defense more aggressive?
I’d like to know what Max thought when he found out that he’d be facing OU instead of going home to play his former team. Excited? Disappointed? Both?
For the D Line, What factors that the other D positions bring make your job easier or harder. What does the rest of the D need to do to help the D line get the QB more often. How do we get more stops via sack or hurries. All the same question, just want a greater understanding.
What question do you wish we fans would ask you?
when the team runs stairs in the Spring/Summer is it awkward when students walk by? I feel like I should cheer, or something(but that’s because I’m a nerd). I get goosebumps watching the team working hard in the offseason, but every time I just play it off as if I’m not really excited that Max Hall and co. are running right next to me… If it were me, i might feel awkward.
~Who did the players think deserved more playing time last year than they got?
~Who got the worst rap from the fans last year undeservedly?
~Have any players asked the coaches for more padded and live-speed hitting practices?
~Why do the defensive linemen seem to outsiders to have more academic issues than the rest of the team combined?
~Quinn Gooch is a great blogger for the team. Which current player could be the next great blogger in a few years?
~Personal opinions… Should the Mountain West add Boise State? Would you be excited to play the Broncos for a conference football championship each year?
~BYU fans are a diverse group, and so are the players. What school do you follow/root for, outside of the Y? Besides Utah, who do you consider BYU’s biggest rival to be? What team do you WISH was on this year’s schedule that isn’t?
~Are there any players who WOULDN’T want a college football playoff, or is it universally wanted by everyone who plays the game full-time?
~What is the #1 game circled on all of the players’ calenders this year (”the next one” does not count as A game)?
~”Speed” has been the buzz-word all off-season. What has the team been doing to increase their focus on this aspect of the game?
~Who are the biggest vocal, outspoken team leaders who won’t be seniors this year, offense and defense?
~BYU missed having a slot receiver last season. Who would be the best guy to fill that role this year?
~Which current player will make the best future coach (or, Who will become the next Coach Doman)?
~Game film – Do you watch more as a team, or individually? Who is the most hardcore in using their own personal free time to prepare for that week’s game every week?
~Player creativity: Ala the Oregon Ducks, if you could design a special Cougar uniform to be unveiled in a big game, what would it look like (helmet or jersey)?
~The USC-UCLA game last year featured two teams wearing home jerseys. Wouldn’t this be great to see in the Holy War? Has anyone suggested this to the coaching staff?
~Who is the next Hans Olsen (radio talk show guy)? Who is the next Todd Christensen (gameday play by play guy)? Who is the next Fui Vakapuna (hard-working behind the scenes team-first player who will still end up making millions in the pros)?
~Do you yourself do the Haka before the game? Why or why not?
~Where is the most impressive stadium not in Provo you have played a game in? What was the most impressive fanbase aside from your home team?
~The Honor Code helps make BYU the place it is. But is there any small part that you would change about it (maybe even add)?
~BYU finished ranked #25 last year. The Cougars won 10 games, but none of the wins were over ranked opponents. Overrated or underrated? This year, BYU will likely start the season just outside the Top 25. Are the experts making a mistake, or does the team have to earn their way back in?
~How many of the guys play NCAA Football 2010? Who is the best gamer on the team?
~What is the one song you wish the school band would learn to help pump up the team on Saturdays this year?
I heard something happened right before the TCU game, that deflated the team, any info ?
Jessica Alba or Jessica Beal?
What was your reaction to the Jake Heaps, “3 Amigos” press conference? As a player do you get excited about things like this, or do you feel like you need to put these newbies in their place?
What is your favorite pre-game music to listen to?
Do you have any rituals/superstitious acts that must be done in a certain way before playing? i.e. putting pads on in certain order? Lucky Socks? etc…
What is your least favorite conditioning drill?
Mars cannot be topped, but…
What did the players think about the hoopla around Heaps/Stout/Apo’s press conference??? Are they already targeting those recruits for some “extra” freshman duties??? What are the worst things they had to do as a freshman?
Many teams have players who are so so in practice but who blow your socks off in games. It’s sometimes hard to know who they are until they play. Who are the likely gamers on BYU’s team?
For Any Player:
What is your favorite thing about playing football for BYU?
How much do the fans influence game play?
For Any Offensive Player:
Would you like to incorporate more “Trick” plays into the offense?
Is there anything unique we can expect to see play-wise this year on offense?
Rivaly game vs. Utah: would you rather you beat them on a last second touchdown (ie: Harline) or blow them out of the water by 50?
For Max Hall:
1st and 10. Would you rather run it or throw it?
For Any Defensive Player:
What can we expect from the defense this season? Any changes/wrinkles, being integrated into the overall scheme?
What is the most important lesson Bronco has taught you? Does he seem to be getting softer/easier on you? What is your pregame ritual? What did you do over the summer that helped to build team unity?
How much influence can the fans have on a game? Do players read the newspaper or chat rooms or blogs?
Do you think last years “Quest For Perfection” slogan, and all the early hype about BCS and a possible National Championship was too much too soon? Did the team have an false sense of security after the 2 shutouts and starting off so well? It seemed like they were overconfident going into TCU and really never recovered from that loss……….
Do the players appreciate Jake Heaps recruiting future players. How involved have current players been involved in the recruiting process?
Do you or do you know anyone on the team that reads BYU message boards (e.g. cougarblue.com, cougarboard.com, tbs, cougarfan.com)?
For Markell, what would be great is if there was a fancy way for you to put all the questions up and for us the fans to vote on the top 30 and then you widdle it down from those. I guess dumb people would just vote for theirs 100 times though…
To anybody, were you always a BYU fan? If so, who was your favorite BYU player growing up? If not, Who did you like growing up?
PS Gooch and Staff, feel free to answer my last question as well.
For Jan:
Do you feel that the preparation for Air Force’s cut blocks (i.e. rolling big balls at your legs) is adequate, or would something else be better?
Jeremy,
I am trying to get a few more guys to answer questions and then hopefully we will spread all the questions out over a couple interviews and everyone will get their answers.
So far there is only one question I have come across that I am not going to answer. A couple others I will re-word, but I believe it will be done in a way that you still get the answer you are looking for.
Petey,
I was a huge BYU fan. My dad played baseball at the Y and then later coached baseball, so while we were in UT I was always in the dugout helping the pitchers keep score or being the bat boy (my brothers and I would rotate).
During football season we always tailgated in the west parking lot with our neighbors, Seamons, jacksons and Roberts. And we always went to the bowl games!
In the back yard I always pretended to be Eric Drage. Then when I started playing tackle I was a full back and Kalani Sitake was my hero (but now he’s a Ute). When i got to high school and started playing LB Brad Martin became my new hero! I wore #10 because of him and would have worn it at BYU, but LBs can’t wear teens at BYU. My junior year I wore black wristbands that I had custom made with #10 and the y logo in honor of his death.
My biggest concern is with the Defense and the linebackers, what are the linebackers doing to imporove their pass coverage, especially against the spread offense?
At the begining of the off season I thought the defensive line was a real strength but after losing two to missions we are thin… does BYU have the talent to perform well at the NT possition?
Bottom line: What is the defense, as a whole, doing to address some of the weaknesses we saw against spread offeses, with the new head coaches hired in the MWC, BYU is only going to see more of it.
Are any of the 2nd string running backs good enough to be a reliable, solid, option when Unga is out for a rest?
What kind of shape is Manasse Tonga in after having a year off?
Is Covey working out well in his new position or has it been a bust so far (I hope he is doing well there, have the coaches ever tried Diluigi at this position)?
Go Cougars!
I loved watching Brad play too Staff. Thought he gave his all out on the field. When did BYU change the numbers rule for LB. That’s some great insight about who you rooted for as a kid.
I’d like to know how Russ leaving the program suddenly for a mission has affected the team when they’re already thin at the DT spot. I’m sure they’re supportive of his desire to serve, but the timing just seems odd to me.
Also, seems like several players are at academic risk on this team. How does it work with Jamal Willis as an academic advisor. Does he have knowledge of attendance issues with players? For Afutiti and Tonga to get booted out of school means they just weren’t going to classes if I assume correctly. If you’re going to class and trying to pass, you’ll pass if I’m not mistaken.
You’re take on that would be nice Staff or Gooch. I think both of you were high achievers as far as GPA goes.
Who is going to play DT this year? Why did RT and Dulan decide to go on missions at this stage of their career (seems atypical prior to their senior year)?
I’ve always wondered what is said in a pile of players fighting for the football after a fumble. Sometimes it takes several seconds to get to the bottom of it and I imagine there are some pretty cool exchanges. I’m wondering what Jan would say his most interesting/favorite “pile” experience is. And, Markell, what would you say is yours? What about Quinn’s?
I went to my first BYU football game in the 50’s; I’ve followed them my whole life. Whenever these big games (like OU) come along, with very few exceptions it seems like BYU plays scared. Even in that great Nat’l Championship season the team gave up six turnovers against Michigan.
Contrast this to the way Utah stuck it to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl or Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl. While I wouldn’t trade our tradition with Utah’s for anything, in recent years, at least, they seem to have a killer attitude in big games.
What do our players think needs to be done to get to the point where they go into a big game, tune out the hype, and play like they expect to win?
Have there been any problems with Jake Heaps recruiting players? For example, has he been pushing on players that BYU coaching staff didn’t necessarily want? What was the talk like in the locker room just after Heaps committed and brought Apo and Stout with him? Any players negative about it?
The common believe is that in 2007/2008 Max Hall locked onto a receiver and therefore, it was easy for DB’s to react and/or anticipate to which receiver Max was throwing. Although this might not be the case 100% of the time, my understanding is that Max is reading (keying) a spefic DB depending on the play call and based on his read of the specific defender, he either throws to player “A” or player “B”. In addition, my understanding is that often the receiver(s) are expected to make the same reads and if all goes according to script – a complete pass results. I would like to know more specifically what Max is reading when he keys on the defender and what percentage of the time the passing plays are key reads verses some other basis for throwing to a receiver. Or put another way, what percentage of passing plays are based on QB reads, what are some examples of what the QB is reading from the defense/defender, and how does that percentage compare to the average D1 football team.
Is the “missionary advantage” real or perceived? Being older and more mature could help in a lot of ways, are you better physically or worse off?
Do the players like that Coach Mendenhall puts so much emphasis on personel growth. I hope so I think there needs to be more coaches like him. Until they’re pros, its all about teaching and building men
To Manase:
>How do you feel about your grades now?
>What did you improve on during your year out (besides school)?
>How would you compare the shape you’re in now to a year ago? To two years ago?
>How has your game improved over a year ago? Two years ago?
>What are the best things about being back with the team?
>What did you miss least while away?
>What are your personal goals for the season?
To Jan:
>How concerned are you about the NT position?
>What attributes are important for an incoming Juco player to contribute to this Defense? >Which incoming Juco guys have that?
>You were double teamed all year last year. How frustrating or flattering was that for you?
>If you’re doubled again this year, who on the D-line will step up and take advantage of that?
>The defense allowed more than 30 points in 5 of the last 6 games after having two shutouts in the first half of the season. What changed? Just better competition? If not the competition, what have you done to address that?
To all:
>What did you accomplish today?
>Did Utah deserve to be ranked No 1? If BYU had been in that same position would they have deserved to be ranked No 1?
>Apart from schemes and tactics, what changes have the coaches, especially Coach Mendenhall, made from last year to this year? (e.g., principles, areas of focus)
>Observers have commented that the goals were set so high last year that after the TCU loss the team lost some of its willpower and after Utah disappointment was so high that the wheels fell off for Arizona. How true is that? How hard was it to regroup after that loss or did the team ever really get back to their pre-TCU mindset?
>What do you / the coaches do to avoid complacency?
Appleseed –
BYU didn’t change the number rule. Little known fact is that Brad Martin got a scholarship as a QB. Another BYU Great who got recruited as a QB and excelled elsewhere was Doug Jolley.
Batman,
Ian Dulan went on his mission now because he is finally old enough. He played his freshman year as a 17 yr old. Then 18 as a Soph and 19 as a Junior. This is his natural time to go.
Russell is another story, I will let the players answer that.
I can see why Ian left this year. This way he can get back and try to get back to where he was his senior year and hopefully get a crack at the NFL after that.
If he were to play this year and than serve a mission he would virtually have no chance at the NFL upon his return.
Will the Team play with more of the killer instinct every game this year?
For any team member:
While many cite the TCU defeat as the beginning of a meltdown for last season, I thought that things didn’t feel right starting with the Wyoming shutout. Utah State was also a scary game. What caused the difference between the UCLA domination and the games after? Was something going on that was interferring with team chemistry?
In regard to Oklahoma, what are your expectations from this game? I personally believe that you have to expect to win in order to win. Is this mindset common amongst the team, or is the focus more on just enjoying the game?
Who is the most underrated player on the team?
Who is the most underrated coach?
Do the players get excited about recruits as the fans do?
What is the difference between field corner and boundary corner and why is it not so simple to move a Brandon Bradley to one side when he backs up a Scott Johnson on the other. ( Using last year as an example to explain the difference)
Appleseed & ALL!
Everyone is a little mislead, I believe on the academic coach. Jamal is not solely responsible for the football players.
I think we are confused in that Jamal was a former player so “of course he is the man in charge.” Jamal is one of three staff members in charge of academics for the players.
For more on this there a post a couple weeks ago about the “special treatment” of players.
Are there any expectations of players at the games? For instance, I have noticed that many fans do not know when to cheer at the right times (or at least aren’t willing to give the effort to do so). Like on third downs. Many fans start cheering when the QB is in his cadence, but by then the home field advantage of noise is gone.
Is there anything in particular that players would like to see from the fans?
Both at games and at other times or places:
How could fans improve:
What things do fans do that you wish we wouldn’t?
What things don’t fans do that you wish they would?
What are fans doing well at:
What are some things fans do that you like?
What are some things fans don’t do that you’re glad they don’t
Both at games and at other times or places:
How could fans improve:
What things do fans do that you wish we wouldn’t?
What things don’t fans do that you wish they would?
What are fans doing well at:
What are some things fans do that you like?
What are some things fans don’t do that you’re glad they don’t
Staff and Gooch, you could probably answer those just as well as the other guys if your interview’s getting too long.
Leave your response!
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