Interview w/ Koger & Roundtree (plus Denard)

[Ed. As noted below, this interview took place after Thursday's practice]

Kevin Koger and Roy Roundtree were made available to the media after practice Thursday. Here's a transcript of the Q&A from the GoBlueWolverine (Scout) staff:

First, Koger:

Question: Is that confidence, is it technique, where do you see the biggest difference [in Denard Robinson's game]?

Kevin Koger: “Probably more technique. Denard is always confident, always smiling, confidence is never faded in him. Probably just more technique wise.”

Question: Can you sense a difference in the ball you’re getting than maybe the one you were getting last year or in the spring?

Kevin Koger: “Probably just more timing wise, just the time it gets there when I’m out of my break. That’s probably the main difference.”

Question: You guys had a prolific offense last year, you guys put up points like crazy, do you feel that this offense can get to that level or be that successful?

Kevin Koger: “It is hard to compare last year to this year, two different philosophies. We’re just going to try and manage the game and help the defense out as much as we can so we can win football games.”

Question: How important is time management, time of possession?

Kevin Koger: “It is definitely a big part. Coach Hoke always says that the best defense we play is when the defense is on the side line and we’re on the field managing the ball so they can get their rest.”

So Denard's timing is improved and yes, the philosophy is to control the game on offense with long possessions that rest the Michigan defense and wear out the opposition.

Second, Roundtree:

Question: I know Denard is always confident, but is he more confident as a passer than he was say even in the spring?

Roy Roundtree: “Yeah I feel like in seven on sevens we’ve been doing all summer he has been getting all the wide receivers out there and getting the timing down. I feel he is very comfortable from when he first started. That’s good on our heads because to see him poised that’s our leader on the offense and basically the team -- to see him poised, all of us poised. We just stay calm and he’s really working hard to be comfortable back there.”

Question: Are there times that you come out of your break and the ball is there and you’re just like the timing is dead on?

Roy Roundtree: “Yeah. Today, we got a pass off today and as soon as I came out of route, it was right there. It just shows that our timing is getting better and better day by day.”

Question: With this offense are there going to times that fans are going to say man that looks familiar and times it looks like old school Michigan?

Roy Roundtree: “Yeah. The offense is ridiculous. We got a lot of plays, different formations. It is a lot of everything. Every day we put in new plays and we’re just trying to get the best one.”

Question: Are there plays that look like…we haven’t seen much but sometimes things are a little spread out and Denard is running, are there plays that are spread?

Roy Roundtree: “Yeah there are some spread like plays, but Coach Borges is going to keep Denard safe. Just having him back there and Denard is going to read the defense and if it is for him to run, I’m pretty [confident] he’ll take off.”

Again, the improvement in the timing of Denard's passes is noted. The offense will be multiple. Different sets that include spread concepts.   

Denard was asked to comment on the offense and according to Jeff Arnold of CBSSports.com:

WR Roy Roundtree suggested Thursday there are aspects of OC Al Borges’ offensive game plan that may look familiar from last year’s spread. QB Denard Robinson wasn’t as forthcoming when asked about similarities. “Oh man, you’ll see,” Robinson said. “I can’t really say. It’s going to be a surprise.”

I'm sure he said that with a smile.

Via MGoVideo, Roy Roundtree's MGoBlue.com interview: