Indiana University Athletics
Ricky Jones and Mitchell Paige Quotes - August 18th
8/18/2016 2:04:00 PM | Football
WR Ricky Jones
On wide receiver focus...
Jones: Just being able to bring the swag and the confidence to the offense and keeping the energy up. We have a lot of dudes returning this year, so we have to be the leaders of the offense this year. Usually that comes from the quarterbacks, but we know what it takes to win and the determination we need. So our focus is keeping the swag up.
On the quarterbacks...
Jones: It is going great. I am loving the competition they are bringing. We are getting reps with each guy, so whoever it is will be great and I will have confidence in them."
On camp accomplishments...
Jones: We are trying to get together with the quarterbacks, trying to get on the same level and complete balls. We are trying to build the chemistry between the quarterback and wide receiver. That would make camp successful for me.
On competition level...
Jones: The competition has picked up in the last couple of years. Each year gets better and better with the guys that Coach Wilson is bringing in. This year has been awesome seeing what the defense has been able to do. I am loving it. It is making me a better player and making the team a better team.
WR Mitchell Paige
Camp update...
Paige: Really well. We are bringing some younger guys along and learning the players. We moved Kiante [Enis] and Ricky Brookins back out to slot, so we are getting them caught up. They have been learning running back since the summer. We are getting them into a different position to add some more depth. We will need some guys to step up. I think, for the most part, we have been doing that.
On young guys stepping up...
Paige: It has really helped me that they are eager to learn. That is probably the biggest thing that they can be right now. I told that to get as much information each day that they can. I tried to tell them to learn one thing per period. I do not care if it is playing faster, learning a play or learning an alignment. Just pick up something every period of every practice and try to put that away. If they try to learn it all at once, obviously you cannot do that. They have done a really good job of trying to take bits and pieces of each concept and putting it all together. They have come a long way and I am really excited about it.
On special teams...
Paige: We have done a lot of return stuff. We have put a lot of guys back there. I think they are still trying to figure out who really wants that spot, who will hit the holes. On punts, it is just about who is going to catch it. That is the most important thing, getting the ball back on punts. I have done decent. We have Cole [Gest] back there and he is coming along. I am excited to see how the young guys are going to embrace those important roles. Those are really important roles.
On quarterbacks...
Paige: They are all doing a lot better each day. They are getting better, more confident. Richard [Lagow] had a really good day today. Austin King made some good throws, Danny Cameron and Zander [Diamont] just keep chugging along. It has been nice that they are working together. That is the best thing about that group. They all want each other to succeed and there is no division. When Rich makes a good play we have all the quarterbacks running after him and chasing him. The comradery they have has been cool to see over camp.
On wide receiver focus...
Jones: Just being able to bring the swag and the confidence to the offense and keeping the energy up. We have a lot of dudes returning this year, so we have to be the leaders of the offense this year. Usually that comes from the quarterbacks, but we know what it takes to win and the determination we need. So our focus is keeping the swag up.
On the quarterbacks...
Jones: It is going great. I am loving the competition they are bringing. We are getting reps with each guy, so whoever it is will be great and I will have confidence in them."
On camp accomplishments...
Jones: We are trying to get together with the quarterbacks, trying to get on the same level and complete balls. We are trying to build the chemistry between the quarterback and wide receiver. That would make camp successful for me.
On competition level...
Jones: The competition has picked up in the last couple of years. Each year gets better and better with the guys that Coach Wilson is bringing in. This year has been awesome seeing what the defense has been able to do. I am loving it. It is making me a better player and making the team a better team.
WR Mitchell Paige
Camp update...
Paige: Really well. We are bringing some younger guys along and learning the players. We moved Kiante [Enis] and Ricky Brookins back out to slot, so we are getting them caught up. They have been learning running back since the summer. We are getting them into a different position to add some more depth. We will need some guys to step up. I think, for the most part, we have been doing that.
On young guys stepping up...
Paige: It has really helped me that they are eager to learn. That is probably the biggest thing that they can be right now. I told that to get as much information each day that they can. I tried to tell them to learn one thing per period. I do not care if it is playing faster, learning a play or learning an alignment. Just pick up something every period of every practice and try to put that away. If they try to learn it all at once, obviously you cannot do that. They have done a really good job of trying to take bits and pieces of each concept and putting it all together. They have come a long way and I am really excited about it.
On special teams...
Paige: We have done a lot of return stuff. We have put a lot of guys back there. I think they are still trying to figure out who really wants that spot, who will hit the holes. On punts, it is just about who is going to catch it. That is the most important thing, getting the ball back on punts. I have done decent. We have Cole [Gest] back there and he is coming along. I am excited to see how the young guys are going to embrace those important roles. Those are really important roles.
On quarterbacks...
Paige: They are all doing a lot better each day. They are getting better, more confident. Richard [Lagow] had a really good day today. Austin King made some good throws, Danny Cameron and Zander [Diamont] just keep chugging along. It has been nice that they are working together. That is the best thing about that group. They all want each other to succeed and there is no division. When Rich makes a good play we have all the quarterbacks running after him and chasing him. The comradery they have has been cool to see over camp.
Players Mentioned
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