Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Report, April 15
April 15, 2015 | Cowboy Football
Gundy, Cowboys meet with media
STILLWATER -- The Oklahoma State football team held its 14th practice of spring ball Wednesday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Facility. After practice, coach Mike Gundy and several Cowboys met with media. Their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"Just finished the spring. Really excited about our football team. I can't remember a time over the last 14 practices that there was anything that I was disturbed about. Their attitude, enthusiasm and effort and their ability to accepting coaching, absorb information, is really good. I'm as excited now about our football team for as long as I've been here. We are looking forward to the game on Saturday. I know that you guys have rosters that we released. We split the teams as even as possible right down the middle like we did a few years ago. We're going to play a game. We're going to play fast and we're going to run our plays. For us, it's going to be a real game. Mason's going to get in there and play. J.W. will play and we'll have his package in. There's not anything that we are going to try and hold back. I'm guessing that it could be in excess of 75 plays. At one point we didn't know much to talk about that, because you really never know where you are going to be at that point in the spring. We're in a situation where everyone is going to play, and I'm looking forward to watching the guys. We'll play with tempo and there will be a couple guys we protect at times, but for the most part we are going to go out and play a game."
On the weather forecast for Saturday:
"We can't fit everybody in the indoor, so we will go with it, and there's so many other things around them, you've got to go with it. You can't change it. If there's not a threat of lightning, we'll go play, and these guys understand that. It may not be fan friendly, but there's not anything that we can do to control that. For the game, for the fans and for the team we're going to play a game. We hadn't been able to do that for the last couple years because we were just too young and we just didn't have the players to do it. Now we do. I'm excited to watch J.W. play. We've got all of our stuff in for him and let's run his plays and see what he can do. It should be a great day for us."
On if he will watch a certain position at the spring game:
"Not really because I've watched that all spring. We've had as physical of a spring that we've had in probably five or six years, and we had enough players that we could play hard with the last 14 practices and with guys tackling. We're just in a really good position right now. There's not really any position that I'm really interested in watching. I just want to watch the team compete and watch them play hard. They know it's important for their attitude and body language. They are going to make mistakes and get up and keep playing faster. Those are the things we are looking for as a coaching staff."
On the energy of the team:
"You can go back a year ago at this time and I was real concerned after spring, because there was a lot of guys that just didn't know where to go and what was going on. I don't feel that way right now. I feel the complete opposite. We were very fortunate. We were fortunate to win the Bedlam game. The players got excited and played really well in the bowl game. It's just night and day."
On Greg Adkins joining the staff:
"Well, he's very highly regarded. He's had tremendous success at two schools where they were running the ball and very physical. That's what we want here at Oklahoma State, and he comes from the Buffalo Bills. I've never coached in the NFL, but most of the guys that have an experience in the NFL -- I would think it's pretty hard to stay there unless you're really good at what you do. So far, it's worked out very well for our team."
On having different players speak to the team after practice:
"Well, the two most dangerous times for our team are when I'm driving in a car or when I'm jogging because it gives me a chance to think. I thought, `Why wouldn't we have players who understand the commitment and what it takes to win a Big 12 championship at Oklahoma State talk with the team.' And so we've asked two players -- one on offense and one on defense -- every day during the spring. Once we got through the guys that we felt like could be somewhat informative with that type of information, then we moved to today with the two new guys. (Jordan) Burton and Victor (Salako) both spoke to the team today, and just their experience of being here for just a couple months and being with the team for 14 practices and how they felt about our football team. They get 60 seconds and it benefits them in two ways: it teaches them how to get up and talk in front of other people when they are staring at you and we all know that is not easy. Two, it allows the team to hear certain players talk that they may never hear talk, because some guys are quiet. Like James Washington, when he spoke to the team a couple weeks ago I'll bet you half of them had never really heard him talk because he doesn't say much. You could get another player that they here talk every day. I think it really benefited our football team and I think it's helped bring us together as a group, and that chemistry and the cohesiveness of the team is very important to give your team a chance to win and that's what we are trying to do."
Safety Jordan Sterns:
On team moral from last season to now:
"I can already tell that there is a huge difference in how we are practicing with each other and how we are competing every play. People are looking forward to come to practice and that is going to play a big part into how next season goes. I think it's going to carry over into fall camp."
On contending for a Big 12 Championship:
"I'm convinced; I know what we can be. We have to keep pushing, keep moving forward. We can't get content. In my mind, I don't want to lose a game next year. I lost all the games as a starter. I hate losing. I'm ready to win. I came to OSU to win and that's what I'm going to continue to do. I'm going to push my teammates and my teammates are going to push me. I think we have a great chance to be extraordinary next year."
Running Back Rennie Childs:
On spring practice:
"This spring worked out pretty well for me. I took advantage of it every single day. I worked my butt off every single day. I'm ready to showcase my skills in this spring game in front of the fans and show them what I can do. I'm ready to show them that I can take on this role as a starting back."
On the importance of summer workouts:
"I'm going into the summer with a good work ethic and work my butt off every single day. I'm going in to work on my speed more, work on ladders and stuff like that. Just take advantage of being out here and getting conditioned for the season."
Linebacker Ryan Simmons
On what he said when it was his turn to speak to the team after practice:
"I said it was just being a dog, really. Not the one that's always barking so much to where they're talking over their actions, but the one that leads by example. Dogs fight to the end. Dogs protect their family. We just want to make sure we have that mentality of being a go-getter and always fighting for something."
On teammates who have impacted him in their post-practice talks:
"Jordan Burton. He just said practice doesn't make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. He was talking about preparation and making sure we're prepared for each and every practice and each and every game."
On Jordan Burton's role on the team:
"He's added a lot. He's got a lot of versatility. He's a great player that keeps a level head about him. You can tell he's an older guy when he's on the field because he really doesn't get phased by anything. He makes all over the field and he's a high-motor guy."
Linebacker Devante Averette
On spring practice:
"It's been going well. It's been very competitive at the linebacker position so I have to bring my lunch every day and just have fun. Everything is good. My knee is good. I'm 100 percent. I'm flying around. I feel good. The weather is good. It's better than Detroit."
On returning from knee injury:
"The most I learned from that was patience. My family and my faith just kept me going, just patient. I feel like every time I get injured or something doesn't go my way I just have to be patient. That was the most valuable thing I learned."
On the depth at the linebacker position:
"That is what makes this defense this year so exciting. We have depth. We have guys with different body types that can do various things. It's just exciting, I'm really excited to be a part of this group. I love it."
Receiver Jhajuan Seales:
On optimism for the team:
"Oh yes there is optimism. Our offensive line has been better since our new offensive line coach came in. We have Victor (Salako), who came in from UAB, Zach Crabtree, Paul Lewis and Brad Lundblade so things are coming along real well."
On competing:
"Everyone wants the ball so you have to do your job and block on the edges. You have to get the run game going first so you can get a pass. You have to read coverages for the quarterback to get you the ball."
Kicker Ben Grogan
On beating Oklahoma last season:
"Beating OU was a tremendous boost of confidence for the whole team and everyone was fired up after that, especially because we were going to Arizona. That was a fun trip, so that made it all worth it."
On last year's game-winning Bedlam field goal:
"At that point, I knew I was going to be kicking no matter what. I was either going to be close or where the ball started, so I was just getting ready because I knew I was going to be kicking a field goal."
On the Cactus Bowl victory feeding into spring practice:
"Since we've won that bowl game, the energy and the enthusiasm has been really good at practice every day. The weather has been nice so that helps too."
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"Just finished the spring. Really excited about our football team. I can't remember a time over the last 14 practices that there was anything that I was disturbed about. Their attitude, enthusiasm and effort and their ability to accepting coaching, absorb information, is really good. I'm as excited now about our football team for as long as I've been here. We are looking forward to the game on Saturday. I know that you guys have rosters that we released. We split the teams as even as possible right down the middle like we did a few years ago. We're going to play a game. We're going to play fast and we're going to run our plays. For us, it's going to be a real game. Mason's going to get in there and play. J.W. will play and we'll have his package in. There's not anything that we are going to try and hold back. I'm guessing that it could be in excess of 75 plays. At one point we didn't know much to talk about that, because you really never know where you are going to be at that point in the spring. We're in a situation where everyone is going to play, and I'm looking forward to watching the guys. We'll play with tempo and there will be a couple guys we protect at times, but for the most part we are going to go out and play a game."
On the weather forecast for Saturday:
"We can't fit everybody in the indoor, so we will go with it, and there's so many other things around them, you've got to go with it. You can't change it. If there's not a threat of lightning, we'll go play, and these guys understand that. It may not be fan friendly, but there's not anything that we can do to control that. For the game, for the fans and for the team we're going to play a game. We hadn't been able to do that for the last couple years because we were just too young and we just didn't have the players to do it. Now we do. I'm excited to watch J.W. play. We've got all of our stuff in for him and let's run his plays and see what he can do. It should be a great day for us."
On if he will watch a certain position at the spring game:
"Not really because I've watched that all spring. We've had as physical of a spring that we've had in probably five or six years, and we had enough players that we could play hard with the last 14 practices and with guys tackling. We're just in a really good position right now. There's not really any position that I'm really interested in watching. I just want to watch the team compete and watch them play hard. They know it's important for their attitude and body language. They are going to make mistakes and get up and keep playing faster. Those are the things we are looking for as a coaching staff."
On the energy of the team:
"You can go back a year ago at this time and I was real concerned after spring, because there was a lot of guys that just didn't know where to go and what was going on. I don't feel that way right now. I feel the complete opposite. We were very fortunate. We were fortunate to win the Bedlam game. The players got excited and played really well in the bowl game. It's just night and day."
On Greg Adkins joining the staff:
"Well, he's very highly regarded. He's had tremendous success at two schools where they were running the ball and very physical. That's what we want here at Oklahoma State, and he comes from the Buffalo Bills. I've never coached in the NFL, but most of the guys that have an experience in the NFL -- I would think it's pretty hard to stay there unless you're really good at what you do. So far, it's worked out very well for our team."
On having different players speak to the team after practice:
"Well, the two most dangerous times for our team are when I'm driving in a car or when I'm jogging because it gives me a chance to think. I thought, `Why wouldn't we have players who understand the commitment and what it takes to win a Big 12 championship at Oklahoma State talk with the team.' And so we've asked two players -- one on offense and one on defense -- every day during the spring. Once we got through the guys that we felt like could be somewhat informative with that type of information, then we moved to today with the two new guys. (Jordan) Burton and Victor (Salako) both spoke to the team today, and just their experience of being here for just a couple months and being with the team for 14 practices and how they felt about our football team. They get 60 seconds and it benefits them in two ways: it teaches them how to get up and talk in front of other people when they are staring at you and we all know that is not easy. Two, it allows the team to hear certain players talk that they may never hear talk, because some guys are quiet. Like James Washington, when he spoke to the team a couple weeks ago I'll bet you half of them had never really heard him talk because he doesn't say much. You could get another player that they here talk every day. I think it really benefited our football team and I think it's helped bring us together as a group, and that chemistry and the cohesiveness of the team is very important to give your team a chance to win and that's what we are trying to do."
Safety Jordan Sterns:
On team moral from last season to now:
"I can already tell that there is a huge difference in how we are practicing with each other and how we are competing every play. People are looking forward to come to practice and that is going to play a big part into how next season goes. I think it's going to carry over into fall camp."
On contending for a Big 12 Championship:
"I'm convinced; I know what we can be. We have to keep pushing, keep moving forward. We can't get content. In my mind, I don't want to lose a game next year. I lost all the games as a starter. I hate losing. I'm ready to win. I came to OSU to win and that's what I'm going to continue to do. I'm going to push my teammates and my teammates are going to push me. I think we have a great chance to be extraordinary next year."
Running Back Rennie Childs:
On spring practice:
"This spring worked out pretty well for me. I took advantage of it every single day. I worked my butt off every single day. I'm ready to showcase my skills in this spring game in front of the fans and show them what I can do. I'm ready to show them that I can take on this role as a starting back."
On the importance of summer workouts:
"I'm going into the summer with a good work ethic and work my butt off every single day. I'm going in to work on my speed more, work on ladders and stuff like that. Just take advantage of being out here and getting conditioned for the season."
Linebacker Ryan Simmons
On what he said when it was his turn to speak to the team after practice:
"I said it was just being a dog, really. Not the one that's always barking so much to where they're talking over their actions, but the one that leads by example. Dogs fight to the end. Dogs protect their family. We just want to make sure we have that mentality of being a go-getter and always fighting for something."
On teammates who have impacted him in their post-practice talks:
"Jordan Burton. He just said practice doesn't make perfect, but perfect practice makes perfect. He was talking about preparation and making sure we're prepared for each and every practice and each and every game."
On Jordan Burton's role on the team:
"He's added a lot. He's got a lot of versatility. He's a great player that keeps a level head about him. You can tell he's an older guy when he's on the field because he really doesn't get phased by anything. He makes all over the field and he's a high-motor guy."
Linebacker Devante Averette
On spring practice:
"It's been going well. It's been very competitive at the linebacker position so I have to bring my lunch every day and just have fun. Everything is good. My knee is good. I'm 100 percent. I'm flying around. I feel good. The weather is good. It's better than Detroit."
On returning from knee injury:
"The most I learned from that was patience. My family and my faith just kept me going, just patient. I feel like every time I get injured or something doesn't go my way I just have to be patient. That was the most valuable thing I learned."
On the depth at the linebacker position:
"That is what makes this defense this year so exciting. We have depth. We have guys with different body types that can do various things. It's just exciting, I'm really excited to be a part of this group. I love it."
Receiver Jhajuan Seales:
On optimism for the team:
"Oh yes there is optimism. Our offensive line has been better since our new offensive line coach came in. We have Victor (Salako), who came in from UAB, Zach Crabtree, Paul Lewis and Brad Lundblade so things are coming along real well."
On competing:
"Everyone wants the ball so you have to do your job and block on the edges. You have to get the run game going first so you can get a pass. You have to read coverages for the quarterback to get you the ball."
Kicker Ben Grogan
On beating Oklahoma last season:
"Beating OU was a tremendous boost of confidence for the whole team and everyone was fired up after that, especially because we were going to Arizona. That was a fun trip, so that made it all worth it."
On last year's game-winning Bedlam field goal:
"At that point, I knew I was going to be kicking no matter what. I was either going to be close or where the ball started, so I was just getting ready because I knew I was going to be kicking a field goal."
On the Cactus Bowl victory feeding into spring practice:
"Since we've won that bowl game, the energy and the enthusiasm has been really good at practice every day. The weather has been nice so that helps too."
Players Mentioned
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