It was the first somewhat "blah" day after Arizona's practice. There wasn't a ton to discuss and it was of course a closed practice. Things were pretty even Monday night and Rich Rodriguez is happy with the progress the team is making right now. Here is a rundown of the post-practice media session with coaches and players.
* We'll start with a more somber part of practice, but Tuesday marks one year since Arizona lost starting center Zach Hemmila and Rodriguez was asked about the death of his former player one year later and it is still something that impacts the team quite a bit and Rodriguez himself.
"Just about everyday," Rodriguez said. "We have reminders and I have one in my office. Without question it's the worst thing that's every happened to me in my coaching career. It was hard on all of us and I was proud of how our guys handled the adversity but it was a tough moment and his family will always be part of our family."
* I mentioned above that things have been pretty even in terms of who's winning practice and that is something that Rodriguez is pleased with so far through camp. It continues to go back and forth and after watching the film of Saturday's open practice there are things that he wants to see the team get better at but overall he likes where things are headed.
"I think we're more athletic in a lot of areas," Rodriguez said of what he's seen the first week plus. "Guys have an eagerness to learn. We've made a lot of mistakes and it almost goes back and forth – offense, defense – winning the plays but that's probably a good thing from a head coach's standpoint. All the mistakes I've seen are correctable. I've been pleased.
"It's been seven practices and we've made a lot of progress."
* We haven't talked a ton about the special teams so far but there are some changes with new players coming on board plus the addition of Brian Knorr as the special teams coordinator. Knorr is of course pulling double duty also being used to help with the team's pass rushers and so far Rodriguez has been pleased with things there. As we all know by now Rodriguez likes to have a hand in a little bit of everything on his team and he joked that Knorr's biggest "obstacle" in doing things exactly how he wants is the head coach himself.
"He's a very hard worker, and his biggest – I don't want to say obstacle – but thing to deal with is me," Rodriguez said. "I'll come in because I love to be involved with special teams and he'll work his tail off and I'll come in with 'well, what about this idea?' So we'll change up a few things, but he's got great energy and I think the guys have really bought into it. And we haven't put all the special teams in yet.
"He's a great addition to the staff."
* Tight end Trevor Wood was being used quite a bit Saturday night and Monday he had his chance to talk with the media. The topic of using the tight ends comes up every season and Rodriguez has not guaranteed but hinted that the team could start using them in more passing situations because of how talented the group is as a whole. Wood would be the biggest beneficiary of that and he understands that not everyone agrees with how he should be used but he doesn't mind doing the jobs he's been given. He does feel that the team will start using him in different situations in games and he's excited about the upcoming season.
"I think we're showing that we have the ability to play a bigger role in the offense," Wood said. "I think it comes down to experience and trust. The coaches have to trust us, but we're just playing our part in the offense. If that's what they need us to do then that's what we're gonna to do. If they need us to block we're gonna block. ... Coach (Calvin) Magee is working with us and he's the offensive coordinator and sees what we can do. He's real technical and so I think that helps a lot with our position."
Wood said in practice he feels like things are balanced and he has as many opportunities to catch passes as he does blocking. He said he knows it will come down to the game plan whether that happens during games or not.
* I had a chance to chat with current starting left guard Christian Boettcher after practice and he is certainly someone who is fun to talk to. He has a big personality and described himself as a "health nut" and he is in the midst of a battle with one of his good friends on the team Michael Eletise. Boettcher continues to be the first-unit left guard and he doesn't plan on relinquishing that any time soon. He does like what the battle has brought out of both himself and Eletise through seven practices. Overall he likes the direction of the group and he said he did see something different heading into this season than he has seen before.
One of the themes coming off last season was the attitude of the team and some players not feeling as passionate about the game as others. It is something that has felt different when talking about it with the players and the summer was going to be an important part of building that back up to where the team wants it to be. When it comes to the offensive linemen Boettcher said he noticed a difference this summer and he's seeing it even more in camp with the players putting in extra work.
"I think they're smart and I think they want to work their technique," Boettcher said about the new offensive linemen group. "That's the biggest thing. We're coming in and I don't know how long it's been since practice ended but the offensive line likes to stay out there and work after practice and get the stuff that they need to get done, done. That's something that's new to this group that's not been there in the past.
"... offensive line isn't natural, so all the time you can get playing it helps out."
* We'll start with a more somber part of practice, but Tuesday marks one year since Arizona lost starting center Zach Hemmila and Rodriguez was asked about the death of his former player one year later and it is still something that impacts the team quite a bit and Rodriguez himself.
"Just about everyday," Rodriguez said. "We have reminders and I have one in my office. Without question it's the worst thing that's every happened to me in my coaching career. It was hard on all of us and I was proud of how our guys handled the adversity but it was a tough moment and his family will always be part of our family."
* I mentioned above that things have been pretty even in terms of who's winning practice and that is something that Rodriguez is pleased with so far through camp. It continues to go back and forth and after watching the film of Saturday's open practice there are things that he wants to see the team get better at but overall he likes where things are headed.
"I think we're more athletic in a lot of areas," Rodriguez said of what he's seen the first week plus. "Guys have an eagerness to learn. We've made a lot of mistakes and it almost goes back and forth – offense, defense – winning the plays but that's probably a good thing from a head coach's standpoint. All the mistakes I've seen are correctable. I've been pleased.
"It's been seven practices and we've made a lot of progress."
* We haven't talked a ton about the special teams so far but there are some changes with new players coming on board plus the addition of Brian Knorr as the special teams coordinator. Knorr is of course pulling double duty also being used to help with the team's pass rushers and so far Rodriguez has been pleased with things there. As we all know by now Rodriguez likes to have a hand in a little bit of everything on his team and he joked that Knorr's biggest "obstacle" in doing things exactly how he wants is the head coach himself.
"He's a very hard worker, and his biggest – I don't want to say obstacle – but thing to deal with is me," Rodriguez said. "I'll come in because I love to be involved with special teams and he'll work his tail off and I'll come in with 'well, what about this idea?' So we'll change up a few things, but he's got great energy and I think the guys have really bought into it. And we haven't put all the special teams in yet.
"He's a great addition to the staff."
* Tight end Trevor Wood was being used quite a bit Saturday night and Monday he had his chance to talk with the media. The topic of using the tight ends comes up every season and Rodriguez has not guaranteed but hinted that the team could start using them in more passing situations because of how talented the group is as a whole. Wood would be the biggest beneficiary of that and he understands that not everyone agrees with how he should be used but he doesn't mind doing the jobs he's been given. He does feel that the team will start using him in different situations in games and he's excited about the upcoming season.
"I think we're showing that we have the ability to play a bigger role in the offense," Wood said. "I think it comes down to experience and trust. The coaches have to trust us, but we're just playing our part in the offense. If that's what they need us to do then that's what we're gonna to do. If they need us to block we're gonna block. ... Coach (Calvin) Magee is working with us and he's the offensive coordinator and sees what we can do. He's real technical and so I think that helps a lot with our position."
Wood said in practice he feels like things are balanced and he has as many opportunities to catch passes as he does blocking. He said he knows it will come down to the game plan whether that happens during games or not.
* I had a chance to chat with current starting left guard Christian Boettcher after practice and he is certainly someone who is fun to talk to. He has a big personality and described himself as a "health nut" and he is in the midst of a battle with one of his good friends on the team Michael Eletise. Boettcher continues to be the first-unit left guard and he doesn't plan on relinquishing that any time soon. He does like what the battle has brought out of both himself and Eletise through seven practices. Overall he likes the direction of the group and he said he did see something different heading into this season than he has seen before.
One of the themes coming off last season was the attitude of the team and some players not feeling as passionate about the game as others. It is something that has felt different when talking about it with the players and the summer was going to be an important part of building that back up to where the team wants it to be. When it comes to the offensive linemen Boettcher said he noticed a difference this summer and he's seeing it even more in camp with the players putting in extra work.
"I think they're smart and I think they want to work their technique," Boettcher said about the new offensive linemen group. "That's the biggest thing. We're coming in and I don't know how long it's been since practice ended but the offensive line likes to stay out there and work after practice and get the stuff that they need to get done, done. That's something that's new to this group that's not been there in the past.
"... offensive line isn't natural, so all the time you can get playing it helps out."
