Completed chat with KU football beat writer Matt Tait

Here’s the transcript from this week’s edition of our “30 for Thursday” KU football chat, with beat writer Matt Tait.

cshjhawk

What is being done to improve recruiting in the Witchita area? We seem to be losing too many elite players from that area.

Bangkok_Jayhawk

How do you see the pass rush shaking out? Over/Under on 25.5 sacks this season?

Bangkok_Jayhawk

Who leads Kansas in tackles this season and how many will they get? I have Darius Willis with 112.

Bangkok_Jayhawk

Who leads Kansas in receiving yards this year and how many will they get? I have Kale Pick with 820.

Bangkok_Jayhawk

Who will the teams best freshman?

VaJay

Which newcomer does KU have the best chance of beating – TCU or WVU (and why of course!)?

VaJay

Which newcomer does KU have the best chance of beating – TCU or WVU (and why of course!)?

catsandwich

Is it just me, or did the new SEC/BigXII bowl deal throw gas on the expansion fire? Does that turn the heads of the Irish?

kustrong

Why does it seem that the Big XII is stalling on Louisville? Don’t they seem like a natural fit because of strength of athletics and location?

Rock Chalk

kustrong

Does the Big XII need to stress academics as much as athletics? According to the national media, the league doesn’t exactly add up to the Big 10 or the ACC. Will this hurt the Big XII with realignment, if so, what can institutions such as Kansas do to break the top 100 in academia?

Rock Chalk

kustrong

I’ll be in town for a football game this season, where is the best place to grab a burger and a beverage after the game? Is this a question better suited for Keegan; Okay I was just joking! I love you Keeg’s, you do great work, you’re my hero. You should know that I’m not into chain restaurants…thanks.

Rock Chalk

chuckberry32

can we get a conference realignment percentage wheel?

baldwinjhawk

Hey Matt, Did you notice Deloss Dodds has already opened his big mouth to speak for the conference on realignment? Is this Texas trying to outflank the new commish or is this just business as usual in the big 12. I think it’s frustrating. I remember when he was the freakin track coach at KState and now he’s the grand pooobah. Doesn’t anyone in the league have the cajones’s to tell him to shut up?

BigManU

Matt,
I have a couple of questions, but before I ask those, I wanted to say how improved the www.kusports.com site has been over the last 1.5. You guys have been right on top of the conference realignment stuff and you also have really increased your info on recruiting, especially with basketball. I think you guys are doing fantastic. Well done.
1) With all the latest talk about FSU, Clemson and possibly any combination of Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and Louisville…………………….what is your opinion on how the Big 12 will position itself with these schools? What is your prediction on the schools and the final number for the Big 12?
2) I’m a basketball guy first and I can honestly say the only years I’ve really followed KU football were in 94, 95, 96 and from about 2007 to present and it’s still been sporadic even in my more attentive years. For the first time ever, I am actually excited to see what Charlie Weis can do with the team. What is your realistic prediction record wise for this squad?

jaydee909

On my previous question about Sims, I should have added it will be interesting to see what he can do running the ball when opposing defenses actually have to be concerned about a legitimate passing game under Coach Weis.

F1J1_hawk

Matt, with the passing of Coach Fam and the elimination of the mizzou game, who would be your choice to be the pre-game motivator for the KSU game? I like David Lawrence or maybe Nolan Cromwell for the job.

matlockhawk

I know! I know! Football! But what is happening with Damantre Harris? Wasn’t he supposed to have made his pick last week?

jayhawk_lover

If the ACC is in as much trouble as it seems with conference expansion, what teams do the Big XII have a chance at grabbing outside of FSU and Clemson?

freudhawk

Matt, do you have any sense about how much Coach Holsopple’s training philosophy focuses on injury prevention? Also, how closely do he and head trainer, Murphy Grant, work together both during rehab workouts and when the player is “healthy”?

bradh

UT’s Dodds has indicated that Texas would prefer the Big 12 stay at 10 teams, unless we add Notre Dame. How much power does UT wield in the newer, more democratic Big 12? UT apparently is also championing ND for inclusion in the Big 12 for everything but football, with a ND scheduling a couple of Big 12 schools each year in football like they currently schedule Michigan. Presumably UT would be one of the Big 12 schools ND would schedule regularly. Would the other Big 12 schools be willing to allow ND into the Big 12 for non-revenue sports solely to get UT a game with ND each year?

dynamitehawk

Matt Tait!!

You have nearly 2,800 twitter followers. That’s almost like the entire city of Tonganoxie following your every move!! Has fame and fortune changed you? Do you ever say to Jesse, pshhhh… I’ve lost more followers than you have. Do you bring a smoke machine to events for a memorable entrance? Do you wear big cop sunglasses, and eat trendy vegetable dishes?

dynamitehawk

I mean seriously… 2,800 people… If you were to put all of your twitter followers in line at Worlds of Fun’s Mamba roller coaster it would taken them about an hour and a half to get through the line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamba_(roller_coaster)

300milestoGoodland

Matt,

How much of the progress for Big 12 is the new commish vs from what Chuck already worked on.

Also, how much fun is it for you to see Syracuse fans now feel pain that they just decided to join the ACC and now might see that fall apart?

Ichabodhawk

We are all interested to see how KU will are this upcoming season but what about WVU (10-3, 5-2 Big East) and TCU (11-2, 7-0 Mountain West)? Both coming from conferences ranked below the Big XII, how do you feel they will fare week in and week out in better competition?

Ichabodhawk

newtonhawk

Who is the best player to interview on the team? From most quotable, to most random to the comedic.

Ichabodhawk

Toto_the_great

Matt… I know you are tired and busy, but where is a Tale of the Tait Round Three with all the latest and greatest with conference realignment? I have hear up to 4 ACC schools might jump ship (plus ND) and that the Big 12 has naming rights to the Big 14 and Big 16. I don’t trust those news sources. In Matt I trust. Please don’t let me down.

jhawkjunkie

Thanks for the time guys, I know a lot of these answers can’t really be answered until the start of fall practice until the new guys come to school, but I’ve never liked the excuse when a first year coach comes in that they don’t have the players that fit ‘their system’ so they have to limit their play calling or defensive schemes, but do you think Coach Weis and Coach Campo will be limited to what they can and want to do this year?

Bangkok_Jayhawk

Who will lead Kansas in sacks this season and how many will they get? I have Toben Opurum with 6.5.

elvis44

If any of this expansion happens for the big 12 what do you think the divisons will look like?

elvis44

If the big 12 does expand what do you think the divisons will look like? North/South, East/West, a pod system? Your thoughts

kusayzone

Hardest part of the football season is injuries. What areas do think injuries would hurt the KU football team more and which ones have the depth to keep the season running?

ryanrael

Matt:

If expansion doesn’t happen this year does the BIGXII become the target again? How rock solid is the granting of rights?

catsandwich

Matt- after having been a Hawk football fan for many years, I will be yet another one to commend you for your coverage. You genuinely seem to enjoy the team, and that is refreshing. 2 question: 1) Given the sneaky nature of expansion talks with taken teams, if you were to play the part of “team thief”, who would you go after that has not been mentioned and why? 2) If you had a shot to choose between picking between 2 teams to expand with( FSU, CU) or Notre Dame by themselves, who would you pick and why?

ukanjhox

Quit shying away from the issue. Please address the “Kansas University” question. How do you guys get off making up a name for our university? It’s called The University of Kansas.

ukanjhox

Seriously, please address the “Kansas University” issue. Thank you.

The_Real_Hawkman

If FSU and Clemson come to the Big 12 do you think they may try and move 2 of these three OU OSU TT to the north to make it North and South again or would they keep OU OSU in the south to keep the UT/OU and OU/OSU games a yearly deal, maybe TCU to the north? And how does it feel not doing a % Wheel for where KU may end up with all this talk?

machinegun

Coach Weis will run a pro-style offense. We finished next to last in passing last year (ahead of K-State). Where will we finish this year?

texashawk10

How fast do you think Big 12 expansion talks will pick up once Bowlsby takes over as commissioner June 15?

STLJayhawk10

Hey Matt, do you think Coach Weis would every try to schedule a home and home with Notre Dame? Or just even 1 game at ND?

DrJHawk

FSU, Clemson, GT, and ND join the Big XII?

HotToddy69

Now that graduation is wrapping up around the country, when can we expect to hear about any more possible 5th year senior transfers?

judy_jayhawk

Any updates on realignment?

BPSkelly

As a Jayhawk since the Mason era, it’s always struck me that the seasons we’ve had at least a decent QB our teams have had reasonable success. I know its over simplifying things but it seems to ring true for the most part. Chip Hillary, Mike Williams, Bill Whittemore, Todd Reesing. Most of those seasons we were at least Bowl worthy or close. It seems the seasons in between those guys we’ve been bad or downright awful. Im presuming you’d put Dayne Crist in that group? I just think we’re underestimating this group for the sake of doing it. Bowl eligible doesn’t strike me as a pipe dream here.

Ichabodhawk

How will WVU and TCU fare in the Big XII this season playing stiffer competition?

Moderator

Hey everybody, welcome to this week’s “30 for Thursday” KU football chat with beat writer Matt Tait. It should be pointed out that this week features by far the most questions we’ve ever had submitted for this chat. It also should be pointed out that because of a meeting up at KU, Matt can only be here for the actual 30(ish) minutes today. Go figure. There really are a ton of good ones, though, so we’ll either get to all of the ones we miss next week or figure out another way to address them. Thanks for dropping so many killer questions on us. Let’s get to it.

Matt Tait

Great to hear. Sorry for the short one today. You know we’ll make up for it! Let’s rock.

STLJayhawk10

Now that Coach Weis is here at Kansas, do you think he’d every try to schedule a game at Notre Dame? They’re not exactly top competition but it’d put us on a major network.

Matt Tait

I don’t see it happening. He hasn’t come right out and said it, but I’ve heard that Coach Weis has no interest in playing Notre Dame and I can’t say I blame him. He’d really have nothing to gain and a lot to lose in that game. Plus, it would re-open some old wounds that I’m sure he’d just assume stay closed. KU-Notre Dame might happen someday (maybe as members of the same conference) but I doubt it will be with Weis as the head coach.

VaJay

Which newcomer does KU have the best chance of beating – TCU or WVU (and why of course!)?

Matt Tait

I think it’s TCU — by far. First, WVU’s a legit Top 20 team (maybe better) with a ton of weapons on both sides of the ball. TCU, though elite, is still trying to break in a new QB and also is dealing with the off-the-field stuff from the suspensions and what not. Beyond that, the game against the Horned Frogs is in Lawrence. I’m not expecting the trip to WVU to be very much fun for KU.

oldalum

Any recent news on Brock Berglund? He seemed to be trying for publicity by crying foul about KU not giving him an immediate release. Last I heard he had contacted just about every school that has a football team, but had no takers. Just curious to know if he had caught on anywhere.

Matt Tait

Last time I checked, Berglund still had not found a place to play ball. He will, but it will be very interesting to see where that is and at what level.

jhawk2003

Based on his production at Notre Dame, are expectations too high for Crist?

Matt Tait

I don’t.

For starters, Crist was injured at Notre Dame and spent a good chunk of the time he was there playing for a coach who didn’t know him and may not have even wanted him.

Coach Weis has said this and I whole-heartedly agree: You have to throw out everything Crist did at Notre Dame after Weis left. It just changed too much.

These two clearly are on the same page and have a great relationship and understanding of what the other wants and needs. I think expectations are right where they should be and I think they should be high. The guy can flat-out play.

georgeJhawk

Given the relative lack of success of KU’s non-revenue sports, which KU coaches are at risk for being fired before next season?

Matt Tait

In short – none. Having fired two coaches in his first year or so (Gill and Grove), KU AD Sheahon Zenger has made a statement that he expects things to change here department-wide. That said, he can’t just knock off coaches left and right because of the buyouts associated with each, but also because of the fact that he’s still very much in the evaluation mode.

Trust me, though, he is taking a long hard look at all programs and being very clear with his coaches about what is expected. I’d be shocked if there’s another change before next school year begins, though….

jaydee909

In a radio interview a few weeks ago, Coach Weis mentioned that Sims was our best natural runner and was a highlight of the spring game even though he didn’t receive much attention. Weis said he purposely had Sims run behind the second unit offensive line in the spring game to see how he would respond and that he (Weis) was very happy with the results. It just seems like each season people are always looking to put someone else ahead of Sims as the starting running back. The guy has been dependable and productive. What are your thoughts?

Matt Tait

I’ve felt this way about Sims since his freshman year. He’s a very solid and reliable back and it’s tough to take a guy like that out of the lineup.

The only thing that will hurt him is that three-game suspension. Had that not happened, Sims would easily be the favorite to start just because of all you mentioned. But it will be interesting to see just how much sitting out those three games will hurt him.

jayhawk_lover

Is the ACC is as much trouble as it seems concerning the conference expansion?

Matt Tait

Lots of realignment questions once again. Maybe I’ll try to have a realignment-only chat next Tuesday or Wednesday so we can get to a lot of these. I know there are questions and I do have some thoughts, insight and answers. So hang tough. Today, since our time is limited, I’ll stick to football, but to answer this question — Yes. Very much so. And I believe they’re all aware of this and scrambling as we type/read to figure out a way to survive it.

It’s going to be very interesting to follow, especially knowing what they’re going through having experienced it through the eyes of the Big 12 just last summer.

F1J1_hawk

I did not see Tim Grunhard on the sideline at the Spring Game and assumed he was in the box upstairs. Do you know which coaches will be in the press box and which will be on the sidelines on game day?

Matt Tait

I don’t know the answer to this yet, but will definitely find out as soon as I can. I’d expect Campo to be upstairs, though. That’s about the only one I can venture a guess on right now.

Overall, this seems like a hands-on group, though, and it would not surprise me at all if most of them prefer being on the field.

Altercations_with_a_shovel

First of all thanks to you Matt & all the hardworking staff at kusports!

I was wondering who you see as the biggest addition to the staff this year other than Campo? I know all members of the staff are valuable but what assistant do you see setting themselves apart from the rest.

Matt Tait

I might have answered this before, and if I did, I’m pretty sure I said Clint Bowen. It’s huge having him back because he knows the place so well, knows the league and also has experience in the Big 12 as a DC. He’s been huge in helping the other guys get comfortable here.

I also think the strength coach, Scott Holsopple, is a home run hire and one that will go down as one of the best moves Weis made during his time at KU, however long that ends up being.

lonestar_jayhawk

Will you wish my sister, Nancy (fancy80) ‘Happy Birthday’ today?

Matt Tait

Sure. Why not?!? Happy Birthday, fancy Nancy! Enjoy.

jhawkrulz

Trying again…
What has been your favorite quote by the coaching staff so far?

Matt Tait

I saw this last week and avoided it because it’s so difficult to answer. There have been so many.

I really liked the one from Weis about how interviewing Buddy Wyatt (D-Line coach) in the spring was the biggest waste of time in the history of mankind because of all the D-Linemen who are still coming.

I also really liked the one from Weis during his introduction about him just being an old ball coach. Here’s that one:

“I am not the greatest coach in the world; I am just an old ball coach. I was groomed under Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick and the way I figure it is, they are both going to the hall of fame, so why should I try and reinvent the wheel. Why not copy cat what they do? I am not the smartest person in the world, but I am not the dumbest either.”

Good stuff. And I think both of those jump out at me because they show who Weis is – a coach who is honest and always tells it like it is.

Good question. Maybe I’ll throw together a blog of my favorites so far so I can dive into this a little more. Keep an eye out.

NebraskaJayhawk

I know we’re still several months away from the beginning of football season, but I can’t help but think about a gaping hole we have on our offense. There is not a single receiver on our team that has proven consistent enough to be called a “go to guy”. Every good offense has one of these playmakers at receiver and I just don’t see it for us. We had three of them back in ’07 in Meier, Briscoe, & Henry. As good as Reesing was, it could be argued that without those three dependable receivers, he would have a pretty average career at Kansas. There’s been a lot of talk about Pick being that guy this year and I just don’t see it. I see Omigie as more of a guy who could have a breakout season. He’s got the size, but hasn’t proven he has the hands. Also this Ford coming in….who knows how good he will perform at the D1 level. But he appears to have the talent to come in and play and possibly fill a role like that. I want Pick to succeed, but I don’t know man. Any thoughts?

Matt Tait

I think you’re dead on and I think somebody — SOMEBODY — is going to have to step up to be that guy.

I like Pick’s chances at being Mr. Reliable and the type of security blanket that all QBs love. He’ll catch nearly everything thrown to him and should be good for lots of third-down conversions and putting the offense in favorable down-and-distance situations.

As for a go-to play-maker type, I think you have to look at Daymond Patterson right now. The guy’s electric and so talented. If he’s all the way back from his injury (which he appears to be) he could and should have a very nice season in this offense.

ukanjhox

Why do you guys refuse to call KU its proper name- The University of Kansas?

I don’t care what old guy around the office has been doing for years. Show some respect for our university. Quit shying away from this issue. I know you read the boards, and I know you see that it’s a big issue for some of us. Yet, you refuse to address it. Please give us a sound, logical reason for refusing to call KU by its proper name, or else fix it. Thanks Matt, keep up the good work.

Matt Tait

I get it. We all do. But you guys have to understand that we have a job to do and our bosses — at the highest levels of this company — ask that we do it the way we do it. As long as that’s the case, that’s what we’re going to do.

That said, here is the explanation handed down from the top that might help you understand a little more. Again, we really do get it, but we’re just doing what we’re asked to do and I hardly see it as something to get offended about. But to each his own. Here’s the explanation from our managing editor, Dennis Anderson:

Every week someone in the community asks: Why does the Journal-World call the University of Kansas Kansas University?

My answer has been: Because we’ve always called it Kansas University, which is true, but an answer that rarely satisfies. So, at Ann Gardner’s suggestion, I asked Ralph Gage, who said:

The style was established when I came here decades ago.
Everyone refers to the school as KU and Kansas University conversationally. It was not until sometime in the ’60s or ’70s when an edict came out of University Relations to refer to the school as The (note cap) University of Kansas… So for most of its history, folks have called it Kansas University.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk, University of Kansas? Won’t hunt!
Also, it is the Kansas University Alumni Association and the Kansas University Endowment Association.

I will fire up another blog soon with some new insight/info and, as I mentioned, I’ll try to do a realignment chat next week. We’ll also try to get a realignment Spodcast going, as well.

Lots to do!!! Should be fun.

jayhawkcole

I just saw a list of the expected top 10 players in the big 12 for the upcoming football season, here is the link to the story:
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/tag/_/name/100-days-top-players
I know KU always gets snubbed by ESPN, but I would just really like to know why you think we did not get Crist, or Pierson, or Sims on the list. I would have thought Oporum would have had a chance at it as well!

Matt Tait

The Big 12’s a really good conference with a ton of talented, upper-tier players. It’s hard to expect KU to have anyone listed in the Top 10 at least heading into this season.

It could get there eventually and I’d say KU has its share of Top 50 guys, but Top 10’s a tough list to crack.

You have to consider — talent aside — what those guys have all done in the past and how bad KU has been the past two years. That does not get anyone excited, especially the national media.

sokanhawk

Matt,

How big of an impact do you think LB Anthony McDonald will have next season? Will he start, or be a valuable backup?

Matt Tait

You have to think he’s going to play. I can’t see why he would come here if he didn’t feel very, very good about his odds of playing.

That said, I think his role will be determined 100 percent by how he does/looks in August.

If he’s healthy and far and away above the other guys in terms of talent/experience, he’ll start. No question. If not, he’ll be a back-up and add quality depth to the position.

No matter what happens, it’s a nice pick up for KU and should help the defense. The biggest thing with McDonald is he has to stay healthy.

hawk316

Will Coach Weis use a fullback/blocking back much in his offensive scheme? If so, who, in your opinion, will best fill that role, and is Nick Sizemore still in the picture?

Matt Tait

Coach Weis’ offense has a position called “F” which can be a fullback but can also be a wide receiver. There are three variations of the F position (F21, F11 and F12) and that has to do with the formation.

The F-12, for example, is out of the two-tight end set and in that case, the F player would be another tight end.

The F-21 is a one-tight end set and, in that case, the F would likely be a fullback.

It’s a very interesting wrinkle and will be very fun to see how many different ways that position is used and how much it impacts the offense. It’s all about match-ups with Weis and he’s always looking for a way to get a match-up that blatantly favors his offense. That’s what the F position is all about.

If you’re a Patriots fan or know the NFL, think Kevin Faulk. He’s the perfect example.

newtonhawk

Who is the most fun player to interview on this team? Whether it be most quotable, to most random to most comedic.

Matt Tait

Lots of great guys to talk to and a lot of really good guys, too. But Daymond Patterson has to be way up there for me. He’s always good, knows how to handle himself and likes to have fun.

Toben Opurum, Tyler Patmon, Dayne Crist, Brandon Bourbon, Darius Willis, Greg Brown…. Those are some other good ones.

It will be really interesting to see if any guys who weren’t good under Gill are now good under Weis. Or vice versa. Stay tuned for that.

Thanks again for the great questions, guys. Sorry I gotta run, but duty calls!

Talk to you all soon.

Moderator

And, with that, we’re done for the day. Thanks again for joining our chat and look for that realignment chat early next week as well as another edition of “30 for Thursday.” Have a great day and a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!