PROVO -- Following are a few, brief comments from BYU head football coach Gary Crowton following Monday's practice.
Comments on today's practice:
"It's a beautiful day today. It's great to have the opportunity to come out here in such beautiful weather and play football. I love it out here. I'm having a great time. The guys are doing great and things are coming along. It was a long off-season and I'm just glad we're out here playing football."
Comments on the current quarterback situation:
"I think the quarterbacks are doing much better. I've been happy with their ability to get rid of the ball quicker. When they get rid of the ball quicker, it keeps them from getting sacked. It also gets the ball into the receiver's hands quicker so they can have a chance to run after the catch. I thought last week was much better.
"I told the players I wasn't going to do anything with the depth chart at first. We'll do some scrimmages and then we'll start thinking about it. I really won't do much with the depth chart right until the end of spring. Until then, I will just rotate the guys. Matt (Berry) will take reps with the ones, then on the next series John (Beck) will take reps with the ones and so on.
"I'm hoping I'll have a starting quarterback by the end of spring. I'm hoping it's defined by then. But, I'm not going to be in a hurry to name a starter. Right now I'm just focusing on teaching and giving each guy reps, giving them all the chances they need to develop.
Comments on other positions where there is an increase in competition:
"Competition at receiver is pretty fierce because we've brought some guys in. That's going to be a real battle for spots right there.
"At tight end, Jeremy Gillespie and Aissac Aiono have each done a nice job competing with Daniel (Coats). Philip Niu is recovering from an injury and can't do anything during spring, but he should be good to go for Fall Camp. He'll be competing in there as well when he returns. We're going to have some experience and depth at tight end.
"Running backs is a very competitive position as well. We have a lot of guys doing some good things. Shoot, we've got a lot of competition at every position.
"As I'm looking at the offensive side, we have so many guys coming back that were young players last year. The experience is something that is really going to help those guys.
Comments on linebacker Cameron Jensen:
"I knew from his work ethic in Fall Camp last year that he was going to be a guy who would be competing for playing time as a red-shirt freshman. He came in here right as Fall Camp started and has really benefited from having a year to get ready. He's had a whole year to work with the scout team, sit in meetings, those kinds of things really help guys. He's going to be right out there competing play after play. I really like how hard he works."
Comments on Moa Peaua:
"I thought Moa did a real good job of iso-blocking in the JV game last year. That's basically the main reason we moved him. Last year we didn't have enough guys to play in the JV game, so we had him in there at fullback. He hit some guys. You could hear the hits on the sidelines. It was pretty loud. He's a physical player that gives us some power at that position. He just has to learn a lot of different formations. Before, he was a defensive lineman and he was just playing gap football. Now he has to recognize protections and formations. He's learning the other side of the ball and it takes some time. He's a long way away, but for what we want him to do, he'll be ready for that. We want him to be a physical lead blocker--run people over."
Comments on new offensive line coach Jeff Grimes:
"Jeff has his own style. I think we have a nice fit with Lance working with the running backs. He's been around those guys. He's got a nice feel for that position and can help out on the line as well. Jeff's style is aggressive. He's tough on the guys, but he's fair. I like his style. I thought he was one of the best Pac-10 line coaches out there when I was talking to guys. I'm glad to have him."
Comments on why K.C. Bills has not been practicing:
"K.C. hurt the outside of his foot. I'm not sure of the severity, but they will probably keep it in a cast for a couple weeks and then evaluate it. It's too early to know if he will need any kind of surgery, so I don't want to speculate on that. I don't think he'll do too much during spring ball.
Comments on why Ofa Mohetau has not been practicing:
"Ofa has a groin injury. He's trying to get that taken care of. He's also working on his academics while he's healing up. Being a true freshman, we want him to work on his academics while he's out. So he's been doing that during practice. Right now it just depends if he will be able to come back for spring practice. We'll just have to wait and see how things go."