Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Fall Camp Practice #17
8/21/2019 6:28:00 PM | Football
Defensive Coordinator/LBs Kane Wommack
On if he's zeroed in on his defensive rotations…
"The depth makes you feel comfortable as a defensive staff when you are planning because you have guys who, if something happens, we can move this guy around. Starting to really get in to those personnel packages, who we want to get on the field at the right time. When you have some of these young, skill players that we have, that are talented guys, it's our job to find creative ways to get them on the field as opposed to just our base package. That's what this time of year is meant for."
On the benefits of going against a strong offense in camp…
"There's two parts to that – first, the personnel and the other is the scheme. Kalen (DeBoer), what he does schematically, has been phenomenal for us. Obviously for the season, we don't have to deal with it, other people do. But for us, to see all those looks and the multiplicity of what he's doing and the creative ways he gets to those things, has been phenomenal for us. It's changed us as a defense. Then, the skill level of our wide receivers, running backs. Tight ends are probably the most improved position on the team from my opinion, just looking from the outside in. Then, obviously, the quarterbacks and their dynamic arm talent. For us, that part has been really good, but cannot overlook the scheme and what that's done for us defensively."
On if having his father in camp last week helped confirm his thoughts on the defense…
"Certainly confirmed some of the things we already know with the improvement of some of these young players. He got to watch seven games last year, so getting to see them now, how their footwork is so much cleaner, their anticipation of things, they're playing fast. Obviously what David Ballou and (Dr.) Matt Rhea have done in the weight room, it just translates to a football field. You start looking back game planning at where some of those young guys were that were playing on the field against Ball State and you forget how far they've really come. You know they improved, but then when you actually take a step back, 'Wow', this is pretty exciting."
Safeties Coach Kasey Teegardin
On the talent at the other positions helping develop the safeties…
"We split up today 1-on-1s in the red zone. We took some tight ends and some safeties and we had Penix throwing to one group and Ramsey throwing to the other group. So, you've got Peyton Ramsey throwing to the tight ends, which is the group I was working with today and Coach Shelby went with the other group, but you got a guy that can drop the ball on a dime out there which is great, and I'm sure Mike is doing the same thing on the other side. So, it's great to have that with those two guys and the experience they have, and obviously Jack as well. He can come in and sling it out there. It makes us better every day in skelly, because balls are being thrown and our guys have to be able to react and make plays on those receivers. So that's helped a ton plus the experience at receiver is awesome. We get to go up against guys like Nick Westbrook, Donavan Hale, Whop Philyor, Ty Fryfogle is taking a step forward, and Miles Marshall. All of those guys can play and it's making us better. You hear Coach Allen say all the time, 'iron sharpens iron'. That's not just a saying to us. We fully believe that where each piece is a steel and it makes us all better."
DB Bryant Fitzgerald
On what's impressed him in his safeties group in camp…
"The ability to compete. Going out there and attacking the balls. Coach Teegardin has challenged us with being more aggressive toward the ball, toward the ball carrier. I feel like our aggressiveness and ball-hawking skills have gotten way better."
DB Devon Matthews
On the differences between this camp and last year's camp…
"I'm a lot more confident now. I know the playbook better. We're trying to help the younger guys out. Just feel more confident this year."
On if he's zeroed in on his defensive rotations…
"The depth makes you feel comfortable as a defensive staff when you are planning because you have guys who, if something happens, we can move this guy around. Starting to really get in to those personnel packages, who we want to get on the field at the right time. When you have some of these young, skill players that we have, that are talented guys, it's our job to find creative ways to get them on the field as opposed to just our base package. That's what this time of year is meant for."
On the benefits of going against a strong offense in camp…
"There's two parts to that – first, the personnel and the other is the scheme. Kalen (DeBoer), what he does schematically, has been phenomenal for us. Obviously for the season, we don't have to deal with it, other people do. But for us, to see all those looks and the multiplicity of what he's doing and the creative ways he gets to those things, has been phenomenal for us. It's changed us as a defense. Then, the skill level of our wide receivers, running backs. Tight ends are probably the most improved position on the team from my opinion, just looking from the outside in. Then, obviously, the quarterbacks and their dynamic arm talent. For us, that part has been really good, but cannot overlook the scheme and what that's done for us defensively."
On if having his father in camp last week helped confirm his thoughts on the defense…
"Certainly confirmed some of the things we already know with the improvement of some of these young players. He got to watch seven games last year, so getting to see them now, how their footwork is so much cleaner, their anticipation of things, they're playing fast. Obviously what David Ballou and (Dr.) Matt Rhea have done in the weight room, it just translates to a football field. You start looking back game planning at where some of those young guys were that were playing on the field against Ball State and you forget how far they've really come. You know they improved, but then when you actually take a step back, 'Wow', this is pretty exciting."
Safeties Coach Kasey Teegardin
On the talent at the other positions helping develop the safeties…
"We split up today 1-on-1s in the red zone. We took some tight ends and some safeties and we had Penix throwing to one group and Ramsey throwing to the other group. So, you've got Peyton Ramsey throwing to the tight ends, which is the group I was working with today and Coach Shelby went with the other group, but you got a guy that can drop the ball on a dime out there which is great, and I'm sure Mike is doing the same thing on the other side. So, it's great to have that with those two guys and the experience they have, and obviously Jack as well. He can come in and sling it out there. It makes us better every day in skelly, because balls are being thrown and our guys have to be able to react and make plays on those receivers. So that's helped a ton plus the experience at receiver is awesome. We get to go up against guys like Nick Westbrook, Donavan Hale, Whop Philyor, Ty Fryfogle is taking a step forward, and Miles Marshall. All of those guys can play and it's making us better. You hear Coach Allen say all the time, 'iron sharpens iron'. That's not just a saying to us. We fully believe that where each piece is a steel and it makes us all better."
DB Bryant Fitzgerald
On what's impressed him in his safeties group in camp…
"The ability to compete. Going out there and attacking the balls. Coach Teegardin has challenged us with being more aggressive toward the ball, toward the ball carrier. I feel like our aggressiveness and ball-hawking skills have gotten way better."
DB Devon Matthews
On the differences between this camp and last year's camp…
"I'm a lot more confident now. I know the playbook better. We're trying to help the younger guys out. Just feel more confident this year."
Players Mentioned
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