Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet with Media at Spring Practice
March 22, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy and selected members of the Cowboy football team met with media Wednesday at the Sherman E. Smith Training Center to talk about spring practice. Their comments:
Mike Gundy
On how he plans to spread reps out during the spring:
"We have a certain number of players that you all are familiar with: Mason (Rudolph), James Washington, Jarrell Owens, Tre Flowers, Chris Lacy, (Jalen) McCleskey. Guys that, at our level, we would call 'veteran players'. They need to get some quality work and we need to get them out so the second wave of players, who could have been redshirted, that haven't had as much experience and need to give 30 to 40 plays a game, they need spring ball. There's a difference there. That's where I think most coaches and teams across the country have changed. When I was playing, we got all of the reps. Now we go back to if you're somewhat of a proven starter, we're going to lessen the load on your body and give the young guys some quality work. Then we'll try to simulate a game the best that we can, as we do at the end of practice every day for 50 plays."
On the offensive line:
"That's an interesting group, obviously with losing Victor (Salako) and Mike (Wilson), but we have a quality group back. (Larry) comes back as one of the veteran players because he played for about six games. Then we have that second wave that I was talking about who need to get some quality work. (Brad) Lundblade is back practicing full speed. He's an example of a guy that won't get a lot of work because we know what we're going to get out of him. The other guys have an advantage because we have terrific skill on the perimeter and that makes their lives a lot easier, from a physical standpoint. Mentally, they can get a lot of different things if people feel like they're backed into a corner and they've got to take chances to slow these guys down."
On wide receiver transfer Tyron Johnson:
"Tyron's done good...He has done great for us. He has bought into the OSU culture, the Cowboy culture. He's been really good. It's early, and my coach told me a long time ago to be careful about drinking the Kool-Aid too early, but to this point, he's been pretty impressive in practice with some of the plays he's made."
On how Dylan Galloway now compares to Marcus Keyes last year:
"All I can go on is the limited amount we've seen up to this point. If you ask me that in two weeks I can probably give you a more accurate answer, but I think his credentials, measurements, movement, cerebral capability to learn and understand, his toughness is all very good. He's showing some promise there, and we hope that he stays healthy because he's got some of the numbers of a guy that could play early. We'll need him to play early."
On how Ramon Richards' transition to safety is going:
"We can tell a little better because we do a lot of 7-on-7 where they don't have pads on and he seems to be doing fine. My personal opinion, I'm not a defensive guy, but he's better out there roaming around than he is locked into a certain area. He's like one of those people that you work with that you're talking to and they never look at you because they're thinking about something else and working over here on something. That's how Ramon is, so he's better roaming around and freelancing and seeing what's going on out there."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On how the team transitions to not having Vincent Taylor and others this season:
"It doesn't take long to get over that, and a lot of that is taken care of in the offseason. You start establishing your identity with those offseason workout programs and those guys start to see that those guys aren't around anymore and that they are the senior leaders now. That first time we get on the field and it's a new 11 on the field, it's the same every year, but you better get over that fast and I think we have. It's a new identity or trying to establish one at least. It's new guys in some new positions, but we obviously miss those guys that are gone now."
On his goals for the spring:
"You hear it a lot these days, but it's about the process of establishing our culture and exploring the dynamics of how we play and how fast and violent we are on our side of the ball. Learning how we chase the ball down is the first thing that has to happen. We always want to be a team that hawks the ball and finds ways to get turnovers and change the field. We also want to get the new guys involved so that we can establish some depth and find out who is ready to have a role in the fall. That's a work in process, but after 15 practices you're closer to that at least."
On the cornerback position:
"They've got some ability, but they need to be tested. They need to get thrown in the frying pan and Lord knows they are out here with the guys that they are practicing against. I'm very pleased with them though. We gave up way too many big plays a couple of practices ago, but we trimmed that down quite considerably the next day so they're learning. Like anything in life, you learn from failure and your mistakes, but that's why we practice. I'm very happy with their effort."
Offensive Line Coach Josh Henson
On how his first few practices have gone:
"Things are going well. The kids are working extremely hard and I like their passion and the way they're into learning and getting better. We've got a lot of work to do. A lot of technique work. We've also got to work on finishing and getting our intensity up, but I like the way they're working and that's all you can ask."
On how the talent at the skill positions helps the offensive line:
"When you're an offensive lineman and you only have to pass protect one time and it goes 80 yards for a touchdown, that's pretty nice, as opposed to having drop back 10 times. It's a pretty good deal for us to have so many great skill players, but it's our job to make it easier for them too."
On his thoughts about taking this position:
"I hated the timing of it just for the way things worked out, but this is my home and this is where I want to be. This is a dream come true for me to play on the offensive line here and to now be those guys' coach. Now it's about transition to getting those guys to work and making it the best that it can be."
Defensive Lineman Trey Carter
On moving from defensive end to defensive tackle:
"Yeah, we changed my position from defensive end to nose guard. Basically, it's just learning the plays and getting in the reps at the position. I talked to Vincent Taylor about the position a little bit because it's a new position for me going from outside to inside. Mostly it was about the physical part for me though."
On the extra physicality of playing inside:
"I like it because it's more contact and you're playing closer to the ball. It's more about just getting up to speed."
On what advice Vincent Taylor gave him:
"Just to go play every day. Play every day and just go out there, learn the position and have fun."
Cowboy Back Keenen Brown
On what adjustments he's made after switching positions:
"I had to learn more of the backfield stuff and be able to take on more plays. I'm going in and out always so I've been working on my stamina a lot as well."
On what he learned from last year's players at the position:
"I learned you've got to be tough to play the position and you have to have a chip on your shoulder. It's one of the hardest positions. I'm used to catching the ball a lot, but when you go into the trenches you have to really want it. It's a different mindset. It's easy to catch the ball, but you have to really want to get in the trenches to block."
On his growth from when he first arrived in Stillwater:
"My parents look at me completely different now. They're like, 'Wow you're getting bigger every time I see you,' so I'm a lot different. I came here at 206 pounds and now I'm 246."
Running Back Jeff Carr
On how he has noticed his physical growth in competition:
"I'm a little bit more physical when I'm running the ball now. I'm more physical when I starting running down hill and even when I don't get the ball."
On how critical this spring is for him to earn a spot in the rotation:
"I think it's real critical with it being my junior year. I obviously want to earn more playing time and I'm going to come out here and give it all I got just like last year."
On running backs coach John Wozniak:
"He's really cool. He knows our strengths and he tries to help us getter better every day in whatever way he can."
Mike Gundy
On how he plans to spread reps out during the spring:
"We have a certain number of players that you all are familiar with: Mason (Rudolph), James Washington, Jarrell Owens, Tre Flowers, Chris Lacy, (Jalen) McCleskey. Guys that, at our level, we would call 'veteran players'. They need to get some quality work and we need to get them out so the second wave of players, who could have been redshirted, that haven't had as much experience and need to give 30 to 40 plays a game, they need spring ball. There's a difference there. That's where I think most coaches and teams across the country have changed. When I was playing, we got all of the reps. Now we go back to if you're somewhat of a proven starter, we're going to lessen the load on your body and give the young guys some quality work. Then we'll try to simulate a game the best that we can, as we do at the end of practice every day for 50 plays."
On the offensive line:
"That's an interesting group, obviously with losing Victor (Salako) and Mike (Wilson), but we have a quality group back. (Larry) comes back as one of the veteran players because he played for about six games. Then we have that second wave that I was talking about who need to get some quality work. (Brad) Lundblade is back practicing full speed. He's an example of a guy that won't get a lot of work because we know what we're going to get out of him. The other guys have an advantage because we have terrific skill on the perimeter and that makes their lives a lot easier, from a physical standpoint. Mentally, they can get a lot of different things if people feel like they're backed into a corner and they've got to take chances to slow these guys down."
On wide receiver transfer Tyron Johnson:
"Tyron's done good...He has done great for us. He has bought into the OSU culture, the Cowboy culture. He's been really good. It's early, and my coach told me a long time ago to be careful about drinking the Kool-Aid too early, but to this point, he's been pretty impressive in practice with some of the plays he's made."
On how Dylan Galloway now compares to Marcus Keyes last year:
"All I can go on is the limited amount we've seen up to this point. If you ask me that in two weeks I can probably give you a more accurate answer, but I think his credentials, measurements, movement, cerebral capability to learn and understand, his toughness is all very good. He's showing some promise there, and we hope that he stays healthy because he's got some of the numbers of a guy that could play early. We'll need him to play early."
On how Ramon Richards' transition to safety is going:
"We can tell a little better because we do a lot of 7-on-7 where they don't have pads on and he seems to be doing fine. My personal opinion, I'm not a defensive guy, but he's better out there roaming around than he is locked into a certain area. He's like one of those people that you work with that you're talking to and they never look at you because they're thinking about something else and working over here on something. That's how Ramon is, so he's better roaming around and freelancing and seeing what's going on out there."
Defensive Coordinator Glenn Spencer
On how the team transitions to not having Vincent Taylor and others this season:
"It doesn't take long to get over that, and a lot of that is taken care of in the offseason. You start establishing your identity with those offseason workout programs and those guys start to see that those guys aren't around anymore and that they are the senior leaders now. That first time we get on the field and it's a new 11 on the field, it's the same every year, but you better get over that fast and I think we have. It's a new identity or trying to establish one at least. It's new guys in some new positions, but we obviously miss those guys that are gone now."
On his goals for the spring:
"You hear it a lot these days, but it's about the process of establishing our culture and exploring the dynamics of how we play and how fast and violent we are on our side of the ball. Learning how we chase the ball down is the first thing that has to happen. We always want to be a team that hawks the ball and finds ways to get turnovers and change the field. We also want to get the new guys involved so that we can establish some depth and find out who is ready to have a role in the fall. That's a work in process, but after 15 practices you're closer to that at least."
On the cornerback position:
"They've got some ability, but they need to be tested. They need to get thrown in the frying pan and Lord knows they are out here with the guys that they are practicing against. I'm very pleased with them though. We gave up way too many big plays a couple of practices ago, but we trimmed that down quite considerably the next day so they're learning. Like anything in life, you learn from failure and your mistakes, but that's why we practice. I'm very happy with their effort."
Offensive Line Coach Josh Henson
On how his first few practices have gone:
"Things are going well. The kids are working extremely hard and I like their passion and the way they're into learning and getting better. We've got a lot of work to do. A lot of technique work. We've also got to work on finishing and getting our intensity up, but I like the way they're working and that's all you can ask."
On how the talent at the skill positions helps the offensive line:
"When you're an offensive lineman and you only have to pass protect one time and it goes 80 yards for a touchdown, that's pretty nice, as opposed to having drop back 10 times. It's a pretty good deal for us to have so many great skill players, but it's our job to make it easier for them too."
On his thoughts about taking this position:
"I hated the timing of it just for the way things worked out, but this is my home and this is where I want to be. This is a dream come true for me to play on the offensive line here and to now be those guys' coach. Now it's about transition to getting those guys to work and making it the best that it can be."
Defensive Lineman Trey Carter
On moving from defensive end to defensive tackle:
"Yeah, we changed my position from defensive end to nose guard. Basically, it's just learning the plays and getting in the reps at the position. I talked to Vincent Taylor about the position a little bit because it's a new position for me going from outside to inside. Mostly it was about the physical part for me though."
On the extra physicality of playing inside:
"I like it because it's more contact and you're playing closer to the ball. It's more about just getting up to speed."
On what advice Vincent Taylor gave him:
"Just to go play every day. Play every day and just go out there, learn the position and have fun."
Cowboy Back Keenen Brown
On what adjustments he's made after switching positions:
"I had to learn more of the backfield stuff and be able to take on more plays. I'm going in and out always so I've been working on my stamina a lot as well."
On what he learned from last year's players at the position:
"I learned you've got to be tough to play the position and you have to have a chip on your shoulder. It's one of the hardest positions. I'm used to catching the ball a lot, but when you go into the trenches you have to really want it. It's a different mindset. It's easy to catch the ball, but you have to really want to get in the trenches to block."
On his growth from when he first arrived in Stillwater:
"My parents look at me completely different now. They're like, 'Wow you're getting bigger every time I see you,' so I'm a lot different. I came here at 206 pounds and now I'm 246."
Running Back Jeff Carr
On how he has noticed his physical growth in competition:
"I'm a little bit more physical when I'm running the ball now. I'm more physical when I starting running down hill and even when I don't get the ball."
On how critical this spring is for him to earn a spot in the rotation:
"I think it's real critical with it being my junior year. I obviously want to earn more playing time and I'm going to come out here and give it all I got just like last year."
On running backs coach John Wozniak:
"He's really cool. He knows our strengths and he tries to help us getter better every day in whatever way he can."
Players Mentioned
CW
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RB
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DE
/ Cowboy Football
S
/ Cowboy Football
OL
/ Cowboy Football
WR
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OL
/ Cowboy Football
WR
/ Cowboy Football
DE
/ Cowboy Football
S
/ Cowboy Football
DT
/ Cowboy Football
WR
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