Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gundy, Cowboys Meet With Media After Practice No. 16
August 16, 2017 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football team wrapped up its 16th practice of fall camp Wednesday morning, practicing for approximately two hours at the Sherman E. Smith Center.
After the workout on the field, Coach Gundy and selected Cowboy players met with media to discuss practice thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're having a lot of competitive days. We're opening the guys up and letting them get to work. The team's attitude is great. We don't have bed check anymore and we just ask the guys to be committed to themselves and the team. Knock on wood, we haven't had any issues with that. As a coach, you always wish you had another 30 days to practice. You always feel that way, but I feel like we're making a few strides each day."
On the benefits he's seen from holding the team's first scrimmage:
"I think it told us a lot about where we were from an X's and O's standpoint. Most coaches feel like after the first scrimmage that you've done too much and need to cut back in some areas. That was true as well for this last scrimmage and we're going to do it again on Friday and then at that point we need to finalize everything. We need to make decisions on how we're going to handle reps and other things from here on out. When I watched the tape, I was pleased with what I saw. I think we only had four penalties across 130 plays and two of those were with the young players that haven't played at this level. For the most part, we were pretty sound and didn't make many mistakes."
On making a decision about the backup quarterback spot:
"We're close, but I don't think we're quite ready to say what we're going to do. We're adjusting reps. I think both guys are getting better, but Taylor Cornelius has made some strides through his maturity. He's done some things, but I haven't sat down with the offensive staff other than knowing that they've increased his reps over the past few days."
On preparing for Tulsa in the second half of fall camp:
"We have a game plan in, but we'll obviously make adjustments over the next week. We have a good offense. We have a lot of skill players that can make plays. That's not a secret and we knew that going in. Aaron Cochran is starting to settle in at left tackle. He's getting a feel for our offense and defensively, I've been on for the last three weeks about how we're very fast. Hopefully our speed will help protect some of the young guys that we'll have playing in the secondary and then we'll have to be diverse in our attack to keep offenses off balance."
On the cornerbacks:
"I know that they get a little better every day. I like the bodies that they have. That kind of fits what you're asking me. We've had to move guys around back there for several years, but I think now we've finally settled on some young players that can stay back there because they have the bodies to play that type of position for several years."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On fall camp:
"It's been great. I've enjoyed it and I think it's been the breeziest camp so far with these off days we've gotten. The walkthroughs have been fun, and no two-a-days, so that's cool. It's been a lot of mental reps practicing out here every morning. The mental reps are great. What's been different with this time is in years past, we'd get out here messing around and not watching their position when they're not in. That's different this year. Everyone is locked in and everyone wants to use every second of preparation to maximize their reps."
On the off days during camp:
"It's been great. No matter whether you have off days or not, it seems like it's forever. So when I have off days, it's been fun being able to rest our bodies and get some rehab and get in the training room to rehab our bodies."
On Calvin Bundage and Kenneth Edison-McGruder:
"Kenneth has added some weight and he's a very physical guy. Both him and Calvin love contact. They're always around the ball and they kind of bring that defensive chip and swag that we have and we bring to the table. They do a great job and they are always keeping the offense on its heels."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On being the only offensive unanimous selection to the CBS Sports Preseason All-America First Team:
"I didn't know that, but it's a huge honor. I guess it just shows that people are seeing the effort and the hard work that we put in in practice, and it shows in the game."
On if being named one of the top two receivers in the country means he's doing everything right:
"It gives that sense, but at the same time, I know there's still things I can work on."
On Mason saying he is the best receiver in the country and having Mason as his quarterback:
"It's good. I can remember the day that we came in together and finally met for the first time. I just knew then that we were due for something special around here."
Running Back Justice Hill
On what he looks to improve upon this season:
"Just being a better teammate and sacrificing more. I want to be a better pass blocker, and I worked on that this fall and have really improved on that, so that's really the biggest thing I wanted to focus on."
On what goes into being a better pass blocker:
"It's really just knowing your assignment and owning it, going full speed. Last year I was thinking a lot, and now it just comes natural, and I'm able to get where I need to be."
On how he helps the younger running backs since he was in their position last year:
"I just tell them to keep working when they come in and to work every day. We'll see how it turns out when the season comes around."
On what kind of running back J.D. King is:
"He's pretty much like me, except he's a little bit bigger. He runs hard, and he knows how to pass block."
Cornerback A.J. Green
On being serious before games:
"We all have our moments. We all laugh and play at certain times, but we all buckle down when it's time to."
On who keeps the secondary loose before games:
"I'd probably say myself. I keep all of us loose and have us joking around here and there, but we all know when we step on the field, it's no time for games."
On dealing with the national spotlight after last year's success:
"I say it's good, but that was last year, not this year. We have something more to prove and we're coming for more this year than we did last year. It's good and it's a stepping stone, but it's a block we need to step over."
Safety Ramon Richards
On who he likes facing in practice:
"I like facing guys like Landon (Wolf) and Chris (Lacy). They get me better every day and I compete with them."
On the transition from corner to safety:
"The transition was smooth. I don't really think it's too bad playing safety. Playing strong safety and free safety and cornerback is all the same position."
On whether he is going to change his hair color:
"Yeah I am. I'm going to change my hair color in the season. I'll change my hair color in a couple weeks, so I'm going to have to come up with something new."
After the workout on the field, Coach Gundy and selected Cowboy players met with media to discuss practice thus far. Some of their comments:
Coach Mike Gundy
Opening statement:
"We're having a lot of competitive days. We're opening the guys up and letting them get to work. The team's attitude is great. We don't have bed check anymore and we just ask the guys to be committed to themselves and the team. Knock on wood, we haven't had any issues with that. As a coach, you always wish you had another 30 days to practice. You always feel that way, but I feel like we're making a few strides each day."
On the benefits he's seen from holding the team's first scrimmage:
"I think it told us a lot about where we were from an X's and O's standpoint. Most coaches feel like after the first scrimmage that you've done too much and need to cut back in some areas. That was true as well for this last scrimmage and we're going to do it again on Friday and then at that point we need to finalize everything. We need to make decisions on how we're going to handle reps and other things from here on out. When I watched the tape, I was pleased with what I saw. I think we only had four penalties across 130 plays and two of those were with the young players that haven't played at this level. For the most part, we were pretty sound and didn't make many mistakes."
On making a decision about the backup quarterback spot:
"We're close, but I don't think we're quite ready to say what we're going to do. We're adjusting reps. I think both guys are getting better, but Taylor Cornelius has made some strides through his maturity. He's done some things, but I haven't sat down with the offensive staff other than knowing that they've increased his reps over the past few days."
On preparing for Tulsa in the second half of fall camp:
"We have a game plan in, but we'll obviously make adjustments over the next week. We have a good offense. We have a lot of skill players that can make plays. That's not a secret and we knew that going in. Aaron Cochran is starting to settle in at left tackle. He's getting a feel for our offense and defensively, I've been on for the last three weeks about how we're very fast. Hopefully our speed will help protect some of the young guys that we'll have playing in the secondary and then we'll have to be diverse in our attack to keep offenses off balance."
On the cornerbacks:
"I know that they get a little better every day. I like the bodies that they have. That kind of fits what you're asking me. We've had to move guys around back there for several years, but I think now we've finally settled on some young players that can stay back there because they have the bodies to play that type of position for several years."
Quarterback Mason Rudolph
On fall camp:
"It's been great. I've enjoyed it and I think it's been the breeziest camp so far with these off days we've gotten. The walkthroughs have been fun, and no two-a-days, so that's cool. It's been a lot of mental reps practicing out here every morning. The mental reps are great. What's been different with this time is in years past, we'd get out here messing around and not watching their position when they're not in. That's different this year. Everyone is locked in and everyone wants to use every second of preparation to maximize their reps."
On the off days during camp:
"It's been great. No matter whether you have off days or not, it seems like it's forever. So when I have off days, it's been fun being able to rest our bodies and get some rehab and get in the training room to rehab our bodies."
On Calvin Bundage and Kenneth Edison-McGruder:
"Kenneth has added some weight and he's a very physical guy. Both him and Calvin love contact. They're always around the ball and they kind of bring that defensive chip and swag that we have and we bring to the table. They do a great job and they are always keeping the offense on its heels."
Wide Receiver James Washington
On being the only offensive unanimous selection to the CBS Sports Preseason All-America First Team:
"I didn't know that, but it's a huge honor. I guess it just shows that people are seeing the effort and the hard work that we put in in practice, and it shows in the game."
On if being named one of the top two receivers in the country means he's doing everything right:
"It gives that sense, but at the same time, I know there's still things I can work on."
On Mason saying he is the best receiver in the country and having Mason as his quarterback:
"It's good. I can remember the day that we came in together and finally met for the first time. I just knew then that we were due for something special around here."
Running Back Justice Hill
On what he looks to improve upon this season:
"Just being a better teammate and sacrificing more. I want to be a better pass blocker, and I worked on that this fall and have really improved on that, so that's really the biggest thing I wanted to focus on."
On what goes into being a better pass blocker:
"It's really just knowing your assignment and owning it, going full speed. Last year I was thinking a lot, and now it just comes natural, and I'm able to get where I need to be."
On how he helps the younger running backs since he was in their position last year:
"I just tell them to keep working when they come in and to work every day. We'll see how it turns out when the season comes around."
On what kind of running back J.D. King is:
"He's pretty much like me, except he's a little bit bigger. He runs hard, and he knows how to pass block."
Cornerback A.J. Green
On being serious before games:
"We all have our moments. We all laugh and play at certain times, but we all buckle down when it's time to."
On who keeps the secondary loose before games:
"I'd probably say myself. I keep all of us loose and have us joking around here and there, but we all know when we step on the field, it's no time for games."
On dealing with the national spotlight after last year's success:
"I say it's good, but that was last year, not this year. We have something more to prove and we're coming for more this year than we did last year. It's good and it's a stepping stone, but it's a block we need to step over."
Safety Ramon Richards
On who he likes facing in practice:
"I like facing guys like Landon (Wolf) and Chris (Lacy). They get me better every day and I compete with them."
On the transition from corner to safety:
"The transition was smooth. I don't really think it's too bad playing safety. Playing strong safety and free safety and cornerback is all the same position."
On whether he is going to change his hair color:
"Yeah I am. I'm going to change my hair color in the season. I'll change my hair color in a couple weeks, so I'm going to have to come up with something new."
Players Mentioned
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