...posted by Patricia Traina...

It was a busy Tuesday at the stadium – it usually is when we get all of the assistant coaches. But with that said, there was a ton of great information shared by the coaches, some of which is below.

You can get the full flavor of what was said, my reflections of the place we beat writers refer to as “the dungeon” and a nice feel-good story about WR David Tyree, by visiting me over at Inside Football’s blog.

Don’t forget you can also follow my updates on Twitter. My ID is Inside_Football.

* * *

Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan

On possibly moving one or more of the excess corners to safety:

“One guy I thought about was Vince Anderson from Webber Int’l because he is so big.”

On his impressions of the draft picks after the mini camp:

“Clint Sintim definitely has a natural pass rushing ability.  He has some shake to him and he did a really nice job. He is going to be a very good outside linebacker as well because he is such a big, thick kid.  He is smart; he can pick the stuff up.  He will do a real good job up over the tight end as far as playing run defense.

“The two corners, Stoney Woodson and De’André Wright almost look like clones in uniform. They have the same kind of body types, 5-11ish, 195.  They are good size corners.” 

 * * *

Quarterbacks Coach Chris Palmer

On the noticeable difference in André Woodson:

“His mechanics were better.  A year ago he wound up and brought the ball and twisted it around his ear.  He completed 72% of his passes in the camp with receivers that he really hadn’t worked with.  So we were very, very pleased there.”

* * *

Defensive Line Coach Mike Waufle

On Penn State DE Maurice Evans:

“Maurice is a local kid who showed some pass rush ability at the point of attack. He’s going to be pretty strong against the run, so he’s promising.”

 

On the message he gave his players regarding earning playing time:

“If we can remain unselfish, then we can be more durable at the end of the season, and the plays you do play will be more productive.

* * *

Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn

On the challenges posed by the new rule eliminating the three-man wedge:

“It will be an adjustment on both sides of the ball, on kickoffs and kickoff returns. You have to adjust as to how they’re attacking you. It will be interesting to see how teams install kickoff returns and how they place their players, and you’ll have to adjust your fits to that.”

On whether the change to the wedge affects what qualities they will look or in a kickoff returner:

“It could because in the past you’d have four big guys and you’d have the returner run right behind them, so he was protected. Now you’re going to have two guys and another guy two yards apart, so there’s more seams so you might need a little more elusiveness back there.”

Quinn also did not rule out having Domenik Hixon or Ahmad Bradshaw as punt and kickoff returners despite their anticipated increased roles in the offense.  

 

* * *

Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride

On the state of the receiving corps: 

“Losing Plax was huge.  I don’t know if you replace a guy like that.  But hopefully, collectively, we have enough quality young players.”

Gilbride also confirmed that, as of right now, Domenik Hixon is the X receiver and Steve Smith will play the Z. In three-receiver sets, Smith will move inside with Sinorice Moss playing outside.

 

On the role for TE Travis Beckum, who will be used from the slot:

 “I don’t know that he is big enough to be an every-down point of attack tight end,” Gilbride said. “In fact I know he is not big enough to be an every down point of attack.  He has exceptional quicks and athleticism when you look at what he showed on film.  So he is more of a glorified slot.” 

* * *

Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty

On the plans for the backup center:

“Richie (Seubert) has played center, Chris Snee has snapped the ball – center/quarterback exchange.  Adam Koets is the candidate that we want to get a lot of work this spring in the OTAs and going into training camp at the center position.”  

On whether they would consider shuffling the line in the event of an injury in order to get the most experienced guys in there:

“It is always the old adage, ‘you want to replace one with one’  without shuffling everybody around. Sometimes you don’t have that luxury, depending on the chemistry that you have going into that particular week. You like to plug one for one when possible.” 

* * *

Running Backs coach Jerald Ingram

On the comparisons between rookie draft pick RB Andre Brown and former Giant Derrick Ward: 

“I just see Derrick has quicker feet. But it’s hard to compare right now. In the NFL you don’t want to compare anyone from that stand point because everyone has their own style.”

On whom the third down back will be:

“Ahmad (Bradshaw) will start in there, Danny (Ware) will be in there and we’ll go from there.”

* * *

Wide Receivers Coach Mike Sullivan

 

On whether Steve Smith can be an outside receiver:

“Steve has primarily had great success inside as a slot receiver in the sense that he’s been cast in that mold. In my opinion, he’s certainly one of the best in that role as a slot receiver. I think when you look at some of things he’s able to do outside – his patience in his route running, the quickness, being a very smart player, and being someone who has shown great commitment. However, one of the things he needs to work on is ball security.”