Today we got time with not only coach Fisher, but coach Elko and coach Dickey as well -- and a bunch of players. I'll write all of it up, but I wanted to get you some of the bigger points quickly:
- Dickey said there will be competition at QB all year long. Fisher will make the call on, as he put it, "taking the first snap," but they're nowhere near deciding on whether it'll be Starkel or Mond.
- When asked about facilities, Jimbo said you can never stop improving or you'll get behind, but his current areas of emphasis are adding support staff and placing an emphasis on mental health. He was very impassioned about that.
- Dickey said they're going to run a lot more than they have in past years
- The group that has improved the most since the spring, in Dickey's estimation? The offensive line. Says they like run blocking, getting their hand on the ground and attacking opponents instead of sitting back and letting the defenders attack them.
- Jimbo said nearly everyone has improved but they're just now getting "the nuances" of different looks and schematic changes
- Jimbo said he's comfortable with either Mond or Starkel and both are pushing each other's game to a higher level.
- Elko said the plan to move Kingsley Keke to DE began in the offseason, in an effort to have more big guys on the field to counter the size of the SEC West.
- Elko said he was a big college football fan growing up and remembers the days of R.C. Slocum and the Wrecking Crew. But he said this group needs to establish its own identity and if they do, the fans will embrace them.
- Elko said the seniors or defense are aware of the reputation the group has nationally and have worked hard to get in a position to change that.
- The Kwame Etwi question came up and both Fisher and Dickey made it clear he's going to play. Fisher said he doesn't see him as a walk-on, but a good football player. Dickey said he's a smart back who makes quick cuts and is strong enough he doesn't go down at first contact -- and he'll be a big part of things this year.
- One guy who may be the most relieved to get into a new system? Daylon Mack. He talked a lot about the changes he's made physically, how they're going to use him differently and they want him to get back to the player he was in high school. The fact he didn't progress in three seasons does not say good things about the coaches.
