Hey, I asked this similar question
to some of the defensive guys yesterday
just about playing in a relatively empty stadium
when you don't have a lot of crowd noise.
How does that impact kind of the offensive
line-defensive line dynamic?
Have they been able to jump the snap a little more?
Do you guys get them with hard counts?
How does that kind of go?
I mean, we haven't really experimented too much
with a hard count but I think the main thing that helps us
is we're able to communicate a lot easier.
There's not as much noise, so when Ben makes his calls
and communicates with the other guys,
everyone's really on the same page now.
So we don't really have as many issues
with the crowd noise right now.
Neil, go ahead.
Hey, Nick, I was wondering how much further you feel
like the offense and the offensive line
is along as compared to
when we talked to you much earlier in the preseason?
Definitely, I think we've made a lot of improvements,
a lot of strides.
I think now we're kind of getting to a point, too,
where we're now starting to really come together
as one and kind of get the idea
here's who's going to play this week.
So, I think, you know, just a lot of communication things
have really picked up, too,
which has been really good for us.
We were told you'd clarify the quarterback situation
completely for us today; is that right?
I do not know, yeah, the quarterback situation, either.
Yeah, huh-uh.
Is it difficult at all for an offense
if you have multiple quarterbacks,
I mean, two guys getting snaps and that kind of thing?
I know you guys had experience with it last year,
but is that more difficult
than just one guy getting the lion's share?
Not really.
I mean, obviously, they are two different styles.
You know, John Rhys is more of your route runner
and Matt's more of your thrower,
but I think we're in a really good situation.
I mean, we're pretty fortunate
to have two very good quarterbacks,
two quarterbacks who have seen SEC football
and done really well with it.
So, I mean, at the end of the day,
it's a really good problem to have.
Thanks.
Yeah, Nick, you look like you've gotten bigger,
a little wider up top and everything.
Talk a little bit about your own personal development
from last year to where you are right now.
Yeah, definitely, I think that was my main thing
this offseason was getting stronger
and just putting on weight
the right way, putting on good weight.
I think that was just kind of my thing, you know,
last year, a couple times every game where,
if I would have felt bigger or stronger,
I think I would have been in a lot better position,
felt a lot easier.
So, I think just my personal development,
you know, on the field and off the field,
in the weight room has really helped me a lot this year.
Nick, who do you think is your third tackle?
If anything were to make you or Royce go out of a game,
who's that third guy?
I mean, I think that's kind of the thing
we're really trying to figure out, honestly.
We've had Hamilton Hall has taken some left tackle reps.
Jeremy James has taken tackle reps.
We've had a lot of other guys.
Eli Acker, Reese has taken tackle reps.
So I think we've got a lot of depth on the O line
if something were to happen.
We'll go to Parrish.
Hey, Nick, you got two guys
at the guards on this first depth chart
that are going to be starting for the first time.
What would be your advice to them as they are
getting ready to see substantial playing time for the first time?
I mean, at the end of the day, obviously, it is SEC football,
but it's still football.
You know, it's a game you grew up playing your whole life.
So, I mean, at the end of the day, you know,
just go out there and have fun.
I think that was just kind of the same thing --
advice I got last year, you know,
from the coaches, from all the other guys.
You know, whether or not you're nervous,
you're still going to play,
the ball's still going to be snapped.
So, I mean, just go out there and have fun.
At the end of the day, just do the right things
and everything will take care of itself.
What stands out to you about this Florida defensive line?
I think on the edge is their athletic ability.
They got a lot of quick bursts on the outside.
And on the interior they've got some big guys.
And I think they do a lot of movement,
especially towards the boundaries.
So I think that's just the kind of things
we're trying to get ready for.
We'll go back to Nate.
Hey, we saw your starting five, obviously, yesterday,
but how much rotation has there been when you guys scrimmage?
How many guys do you kind of expect
to play real snaps on Saturday?
You know, we have rotated a lot.
Obviously, we get Ben back, so I think having Bryce,
who's taken a lot of reps, too, and I think he --
we've got them on the interior definitely.
We've got Jalen, who's ready to play.
So I think we'll see a couple guys rotate in there.
John, go ahead with your question.
Hey, Nick.
I'm wondering what do you think kind of the main things --
you've got obviously a new coaching staff,
a guy with a really good offensive background.
What do you think kind of the main thing --
the difference that people are going to see in this team
that will kind of stand out to fans?
Yeah, I think we'll have a lot more balance
between running and passing than we did last year.
Last year, we had a lot more run oriented,
and this year we're kind of having
a little bit more of a balance to us.
We'll go back to David.
Yeah, Nick, curious what you think the mood of this team is.
Is it excitement?
Is there some anxiety with this first game coming up?
How are you guys feeling?
I think everyone's excited,
especially just given the circumstances now.
It's been a long time since we've really been able
to get out like this; you know?
We missed all spring.
Obviously things are just real different,
so I think this is a huge positive for all of us,
to be able to go out there on Saturday and get a game in.
We'll go back to Nate.
Lane's told us kind of the last two weeks
that the biggest issue at scrimmages
has been the turnovers from the quarterbacks.
From your opinion, is it more mental issues, is it accuracy?
Like, how do you guys kind of fix that up this last week?
You know, I think, obviously, there are things to improve,
and I think that's kind of the benefit
of having these scrimmages.
You know, we have things to work on.
So, I mean, obviously it starts with us.
We got to protect well and do all those things
so we don't put Matt or John Rhys
in a tough position to make tough throws.
So, I think as an offense as a whole,
the turnover thing really starts --
I mean, it's every one of us; you know?
Everyone's got to do their job and the rest will take care
of itself.