Post-Training Camp, Day 2 Commentary from Coach Wannstedt.
On freshman running backs moving to defense:
I’ll sum it up this way — blue jerseys are defense and white jerseys are offense. Irvan Brown is now number 35 in blue. We need LaRod (Stephens) to stay on offense but we did move Irvan Brown over to defense for two reasons. One, I think he has the athletic ability to be a corner. The second reason is that I don’t really know how much he realistically could’ve been in the (offensive) mix as a freshman this year. But he could be in the mix on defense when we get into our nickel packages.
On the punt and kick returners:
Right now we’re trying to decide on the kicks and the punts. And LaRod Stephens is one guy we’re looking at seriously in both of those areas. What we’re going to do is have some kind of controlled scrimmage work for our special teams. I think we need to do that a couple of times so he’ll get some opportunities before we start for real.
According to the media guide (PDF, pp. 96 and 99), Stephens is 5′ 7″ 165 pounds and Brown is 6′ 0″ and 185. At Stephens size, he would have had to have shown some incredible instincts, not just speed (which he seems to have), for the secondary. Brown, physically, would appear to be a good fit to play in the secondary.
Stephens could be very good in returns. He’ll be fighting for time with Revis, Campbell and don’t forget about Marcus Furman. In some ways, this is already the kind of team Coach Wannstedt should want. Lots of speed in places that hopefully will yield a big impact, perhaps dare I say some game breaking spots.
Other topics covered in the press conference include the battle for Center and the overall state of the Offensive Line, when the coaching staff will get serious about preparing a depth chart, and more praise for Offensive Coordinator Matt Cavanaugh. Really, this press conference seemed mostly about the offense.
For those hoping he would comment on the announced commitment of Nate Byham, forget it. NCAA rules prohibit him from saying a public word until after he signs in February.
