Kingsbury talks QBs, offensive system & Jenn Brown joins in
Texas A&M assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury joined Billy Liucci to discuss the Aggie football team heading into spring practice. Also joining in on the fun was ESPN's Jenn Brown. All from the Tap.
* There's a lot of talent at QB here and the coaches will go with the guy that picks it up quickest. The effort is going to be there and there's plenty of talent there. Whoever can move the ball and score points, that's the bottom line in our business. It's always been that simple in this offense. We've had guys without the biggest arms, not the tallest, not the most athletic, but if you can pick it up and score, that's what they're looking for.
* The coaches put a lot on the QBs every week and some can take that and some can't. The ones that do take off. There's a lot on them in the run game, the pass game, and they've got to work at it.
* To have this O-line and receiving crew for a young receiver coming in will be huge for whoever steps in there. There's lots of talent at running back, Brandon Williams just transferred in, and we've got to find ways to get them all the ball.
* In the SEC, nobody else does this. On a week-to-week basis nobody gives you what this offense will. On a talent basis, the guys fit this system. The talent is there, they've just got to get out there and get fitted into the system.
* Hasn't stopped to think about his rise in the coaching ranks. Put in a lot of hours bouncing from team to team as a QB in the pros and he picked up a lot and now it's time to teach it to these kids. Says he got a Ph.D in the job from that experience.
* Mike Leach is almost arrogant. He'll run his offense just the way he wants it. Dana Holgorsen just finds the right pieces and makes them go. Kevin Sumlin is a players' coach and they love him; when he speaks, they all listen to what he says. He makes things go.
* That extreme confidence is pretty essential to be a QB, he thinks, and to win. The coaches are trying to instill that in everyone here. A&M has been good on offense recently, but now it's just a matter of tailoring it to this system. If you throw a couple interceptions, they're going to keep throwing it. You have to be tough and just bounce back.
* He knew it was Case Keenum's last game and he's statistically the best passer in the history of college football, so they were going to put the ball in his hands against Penn State and let him win it because UH didn't match up well up front. Getting guys in space neutralized the matchups and they attacked the Nittany Lions' weakness.
* A big part of the system is to soften things up with the passing game and let it open up the running game. It's the opposite of most people's philosophy, but it works. They'll run it 50 times if they have to. In the end, it's just about what is going to score points. Mike Leach stuck to what he stuck to and he succeeded, and he's going to succeed up at Washington State. He enjoyed coaching at Kyle Field and the tradition and pageantry. That really was a great rivalry, there were some great games.
* It would be great for A&M to continue a rivalry with Tech. He doesn't think Tech would want to do that (laughs). With what A&M's getting into in the SEC, Tech wouldn't be able to handle the jump in talent (more laughs).
* Players care about the SEC. They see that it's the best conference. The kids that want to play against the best have embraced it and they're on board. If not, you can go to Texas or Baylor or Oklahoma. The coaches have embraced the kids that want to play against the best.
* It varies how long a QB takes to pick up this offense. You see what Brandon Weeden and Keenum did. A lot of times it has to do with the talent around the guys. A lot of the concepts mesh with what was going on here under Coach Sherman. He doesn't think it's going to be that tough of a transition. The quarterbacks are all young and they'll grow together and everything will get straightened out.
* He's gotten a few emails since he's been here with plays in them (mass laughter). But they've mostly been kind and helpful.
* A lot of it is just having belief in the players. Let them be the playmakers they are, that's why they were brought here. Let them have fun, and they'll be players and it'll be clear the talent that was brought in here. They're all thrilled about Ryan Swope coming back. He wants to make it a special senior season. He's a great, tough player and they'll try to get him the ball as many ways as they can.
* There've been a couple months now since this staff started so late, and it's time to just get the kids out on the field and see their progresssion leading up into fall camp.
* This was her first pro day and it was a great turnout. Tannehill looked great. Aggies should be really excited about their quarterback and where he might go. Top ten pick possibility. That's pretty exciting and he looked good. She's covered Pete Carroll a couple times, so the shout out from him was pretty exciting as well.
* Remembers chatting with Liucci after the A&M-Texas game and was blown away by her first experience at Kyle Field. There's not a school like that with that atmosphere. She's a Florida grad and proud of it but the tradition was like nothing she's ever seen before. Found herself looking into the stands, especially at the student section. It's one of the better student sections she's ever seen. She's been to Wisconsin and similar places, but she was blown away here. Just thought, 'That was awesome.' Has to walk up and down the sidelines in her job, and the Yell Leaders are running up and down. They must get a great workout.
* She was an athlete at Florida and has been around sports her whole life. Favorite aspect of doing what she does: Every four years, getting to see athletes cycle in and out and see their journey. To see them make it to the draft and in the pros. Feels very blessed to have that opportunity.
* Doesn't wager money on games, but as a Florida Gator and first as an ESPN reporter and analyst, doesn't take sides. Looking forward to a great game between A&M and Florida. Very excited about the Aggies in the SEC. They're a great addition. Obviously the SEC is known for great football, but the experience at those games, Georgia, Florida, LSU, the fans are so passionate. Every school's fans are, but there's something different about the SEC and how they feel about their football. Texas A&M fans feel the very same way and it's very evident when you're at a game.
* Loves sports, and that's what she wants to be doing. It doesn't get much better than ESPN. Being a sideline reporter is great. What's great about ESPN is the amount of opportunities to sit down and do Sunday conversations and other things. Also fills in for SportsCenter as a reporter. Could be sent to cover anything from golf to the NFL. High ceiling.
Kliff Kingsbury
* He's enjoyed the transition to Aggieland. Everyone's hungry, and excited to get started on Saturday.* There's a lot of talent at QB here and the coaches will go with the guy that picks it up quickest. The effort is going to be there and there's plenty of talent there. Whoever can move the ball and score points, that's the bottom line in our business. It's always been that simple in this offense. We've had guys without the biggest arms, not the tallest, not the most athletic, but if you can pick it up and score, that's what they're looking for.
* The coaches put a lot on the QBs every week and some can take that and some can't. The ones that do take off. There's a lot on them in the run game, the pass game, and they've got to work at it.
* To have this O-line and receiving crew for a young receiver coming in will be huge for whoever steps in there. There's lots of talent at running back, Brandon Williams just transferred in, and we've got to find ways to get them all the ball.
* In the SEC, nobody else does this. On a week-to-week basis nobody gives you what this offense will. On a talent basis, the guys fit this system. The talent is there, they've just got to get out there and get fitted into the system.
* Hasn't stopped to think about his rise in the coaching ranks. Put in a lot of hours bouncing from team to team as a QB in the pros and he picked up a lot and now it's time to teach it to these kids. Says he got a Ph.D in the job from that experience.
* Mike Leach is almost arrogant. He'll run his offense just the way he wants it. Dana Holgorsen just finds the right pieces and makes them go. Kevin Sumlin is a players' coach and they love him; when he speaks, they all listen to what he says. He makes things go.
* That extreme confidence is pretty essential to be a QB, he thinks, and to win. The coaches are trying to instill that in everyone here. A&M has been good on offense recently, but now it's just a matter of tailoring it to this system. If you throw a couple interceptions, they're going to keep throwing it. You have to be tough and just bounce back.
* He knew it was Case Keenum's last game and he's statistically the best passer in the history of college football, so they were going to put the ball in his hands against Penn State and let him win it because UH didn't match up well up front. Getting guys in space neutralized the matchups and they attacked the Nittany Lions' weakness.
* A big part of the system is to soften things up with the passing game and let it open up the running game. It's the opposite of most people's philosophy, but it works. They'll run it 50 times if they have to. In the end, it's just about what is going to score points. Mike Leach stuck to what he stuck to and he succeeded, and he's going to succeed up at Washington State. He enjoyed coaching at Kyle Field and the tradition and pageantry. That really was a great rivalry, there were some great games.
* It would be great for A&M to continue a rivalry with Tech. He doesn't think Tech would want to do that (laughs). With what A&M's getting into in the SEC, Tech wouldn't be able to handle the jump in talent (more laughs).
* Players care about the SEC. They see that it's the best conference. The kids that want to play against the best have embraced it and they're on board. If not, you can go to Texas or Baylor or Oklahoma. The coaches have embraced the kids that want to play against the best.
* It varies how long a QB takes to pick up this offense. You see what Brandon Weeden and Keenum did. A lot of times it has to do with the talent around the guys. A lot of the concepts mesh with what was going on here under Coach Sherman. He doesn't think it's going to be that tough of a transition. The quarterbacks are all young and they'll grow together and everything will get straightened out.
* He's gotten a few emails since he's been here with plays in them (mass laughter). But they've mostly been kind and helpful.
* A lot of it is just having belief in the players. Let them be the playmakers they are, that's why they were brought here. Let them have fun, and they'll be players and it'll be clear the talent that was brought in here. They're all thrilled about Ryan Swope coming back. He wants to make it a special senior season. He's a great, tough player and they'll try to get him the ball as many ways as they can.
* There've been a couple months now since this staff started so late, and it's time to just get the kids out on the field and see their progresssion leading up into fall camp.
Jenn Brown
* Larry Dierker will be at the sports forum, along with others, and it's a great group. It's open, students are free and others can come for a small free. Wants everyone to come out.* This was her first pro day and it was a great turnout. Tannehill looked great. Aggies should be really excited about their quarterback and where he might go. Top ten pick possibility. That's pretty exciting and he looked good. She's covered Pete Carroll a couple times, so the shout out from him was pretty exciting as well.
* Remembers chatting with Liucci after the A&M-Texas game and was blown away by her first experience at Kyle Field. There's not a school like that with that atmosphere. She's a Florida grad and proud of it but the tradition was like nothing she's ever seen before. Found herself looking into the stands, especially at the student section. It's one of the better student sections she's ever seen. She's been to Wisconsin and similar places, but she was blown away here. Just thought, 'That was awesome.' Has to walk up and down the sidelines in her job, and the Yell Leaders are running up and down. They must get a great workout.
* She was an athlete at Florida and has been around sports her whole life. Favorite aspect of doing what she does: Every four years, getting to see athletes cycle in and out and see their journey. To see them make it to the draft and in the pros. Feels very blessed to have that opportunity.
* Doesn't wager money on games, but as a Florida Gator and first as an ESPN reporter and analyst, doesn't take sides. Looking forward to a great game between A&M and Florida. Very excited about the Aggies in the SEC. They're a great addition. Obviously the SEC is known for great football, but the experience at those games, Georgia, Florida, LSU, the fans are so passionate. Every school's fans are, but there's something different about the SEC and how they feel about their football. Texas A&M fans feel the very same way and it's very evident when you're at a game.
* Loves sports, and that's what she wants to be doing. It doesn't get much better than ESPN. Being a sideline reporter is great. What's great about ESPN is the amount of opportunities to sit down and do Sunday conversations and other things. Also fills in for SportsCenter as a reporter. Could be sent to cover anything from golf to the NFL. High ceiling.
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