First day in pads. How much does that make a difference with you guys?
Doeren: That’s a good question. I don’t know, I think it’s the ability of the coach, technique, and fundamentals is different than the first two day when I met with you guys. You don’t really get to see a lot of the flaws in the play, you get to see guys finish, I mean you get to see the defense today knocking some balls out, and whether the ball security is the way it needs to be – you get to see whose tough you know, and that’s why we’re wearing the full pads just to get used to carrying the wait of the gear and having the heat helps.
Do you suppose the players look forward to that as much as the coaches do? Getting on pads, getting the heat, getting the realness of playing that way?
Doeren: Well players that you want definitely look forward to that. You know, if you don’t look forward to putting full gear on then why are you out here? You know, so I think the guys had a good spirit. We had a day off yesterday and it was good for them physically and mentally. We got a lot done.
What have you seen from Freddie Phillips back at practice and what has this process been like for him?
Doeren: It’s great having him back first of all. You know, all the stuff he’s been through with his achilles and just his spirit and how hard he worked. Everyone’s pulling for him, rooting for him, and he’s a try hard guy, he’s a tough guy, he cares a lot and just having those kind of guys helps you on special teams and on defense.
Doeren: Freshman lineman and defensive lineman?
Doeren: Some of them have gotten better. Alim was pretty out of football shape, I would say and he’s starting to come on – starting to see him. He’s explosive – just got to learn what he’s doing – play with better technique. We’re excited about what he can do. Ibrahim Kante, you know I mentioned him the other day – has continued to show out on the field. It’s good having Shug back in practice and seeing him running around but those are the guys that stand out.
Doeren: Do you see any leaders emerging from that group? Bryant, Roseboro? Any of those guys?
Doeren: Oh yea, absolutely. I mean Roseboro, James Smith-Williams. These guys have done a really good job leading at the end position and Eurndraus Bryant’s just kind of a quiet guy. He goes about his business every day. Deonte Holden’s trying to give the guys some spirit as well.
When you went back and looked at last season – I know you evaluate everything, what did you see defensively that you want your guys to do better this year?
Doeren: We want more interceptions. I think that’s the biggest area. You know, just to create more plays like that. We’ve done a nice job stopping the run and we’ve done a nice job creating fumbles. You know, just getting more interceptions. We’ve played in the backfield – I mean out tackle for loss and sacks and things like that have been above par. It’s just when we get more balls going the other direction and taking advantage of some of those opportunities and you don’t always get them, so we got to make our layups – I guess I should say as a DB when the ball hits us in the hands.
How’s Chris Ingram been doing?
Doeren: He’s doing well. I mean, you’re out here trying to cover Kelvin Harmon and Steph Louis so at times you’re in great position and they’re making plays and I know that can be frustrating. He made a great play today – punched the ball out. I like his attitude, I like how he’s going about his business and there’s good competition at corner right now.
You’ve been patiently waiting for CJ Riley to be healthy and put it all together. What have you seen from him this year and could he bust out?
Doeren: Yea. He’s more confident you know, I think when you’re a year away from that ACL – so know he’s two years away from it – you totally believe that you’re a hundred percent, and you’re seeing that. He’s the fastest guy on our team and he’s 6’5 and he really played well the first four days – he kind of hit the wall on day five and he was a little bit better today. But, we do expect him to be productive this season.
Do the elder receivers rub off on him?
Doeren: Oh, absolutely. I mean, you don’t have a choice. You’re with Kelvin and Steph – they are going to make you do things their way.
Expectations for your nickels this year?
Doeren: Yea and there’s good competition. We’re waiting for Griff to come back – he’s had a lingering ankle thing that’s frustrating so, I know he wants to be out there. When we have him and Freddie and Tanner Engle – we feel really good about the three guys and the depth there and Tanner Ingle’s really looked good – probably the best out of all the defensive freshman so far.
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