Inside The Huddle With Stan

Inside The Huddle With Stan Chat Wrap

On Wednesday August 3, Stan Cotten - The Voice of the Deacs - hosted the first of a series of online chats leading up to the season opener against Vanderbilt.

Below is a complete transcript of the chat.

Moderator: Thanks for joining us today for the first installment of Inside the Huddle with Stan Cotten... The Voice of the Deacs will be joining us in a moment to take your questions.

Mission Viejo, Ca: Stan, Are the Deacs going to go with the no huddle offense this season? How much option will be incorporated into the offense? Thanks, Terry '77

Stan Cotten: I think the plan is to use a little less no-huddle. Whether or not that changes in fall camp, we'll see. But, it's my understanding that we will see the Deacs huddle up this year. Perhaps not always, but without question, more than they have in the past. With regard to the option, that will likely be dictated by whichever quarterback is in the game. Any type of offensive playcalling will be determined by the game situation, down and distance, etc.

Bryan in Winston Salem: Stan, What is the difference in Wake's ability to now successfully recruit against the big name schools?

Stan Cotten: I think it's getting better and better every year. I think Coach Grobe and his staff have developed great relationships with high school coaches not only in North Carolina, but across the South, Ohio Valley and other areas. That's the foundation they've laid for their recruiting strategy. Anytime our coaches get one-on-one with coaches, parents and players, they have a decent shot because they're such great representatives of Wake Forest.

KENTON,OH: DO YOU THINK BEN MAUK WILL REMAIN THE STARTER AND DO YOU THINK HE WILL GET TO PLAY IN ALL FOUR QUARTERS DURING THE YEAR OR WILL THEY ALTERNATE QB'S AGAIN

Stan Cotten: Going into camp, Benjamin Mauk has the edge in the quarterback race. Whether or not he starts and how much he plays is always going to be determined initially by what he does in practice and secondarily, by what he does in games. I would be shocked that, unless he gets hurt, if he doesn't play in all four quarters.

Winston-Salem: In looking ahead to the 2005 football season, my concerns are with the defensive line and cornerbacks. What is your assessment of these two areas of the Wake defense? Enjoy your work very much and looking forward to the 2005-06 year.

Stan Cotten: With respect to the corners, losing a player with Eric King's caliber has to hurt. However, I know that both Alphonso Smith and Johnny Edwards are potentially two very good players. And I'm excited to see how they develop this fall. Up front, guys like Jeremy Thompson and Matt Robinson are very solid players and are back. They'll need to have very good years. We're likely to see a freshman or two get some playing time along the interior, if they develop quickly.

Jeff Myers-Rock Hill, SC: Last year it looked as though we were reluctant to go to the tight end and the tight end did not seem to be involved with many of the patterns. Does the team plan on looking at getting the team TE more involved this year. Finally, will Freshman Ted Randolph be getting any playing time at that position. I had the opportunity to see him play last year several times at Davie County and was impressed with his skills.

Stan Cotten: I know that Coach Grobe has wanted to get more out of his tight ends since he's been here. Last season, Zac Selmon was slowed by injuries. Plus, both Selmon and John Tereshinski were very young. Randolph did some great things in high school and I'm sure like most freshmen, the staff would like to redshirt him, if possible.

DC KINSTON: DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE ANY SIGNIFIGANCE WE WILL BE FACING IN AN EX DEACON IN OUR GAME AGAINST NEBRASKA

Stan Cotten: If Zac Taylor ends up being the starter or playing a great deal, he'll have plenty to motivate him. I'm sure the Deacs will be preparing for the Cornhuskers as a team, not to play against any one player. It'll be difficult enough to play at Lincoln so I'm sure by kickoff, it'll be about the teams not about the individuals.

Winston-Salem: Which Freshmen are most likely to make the most positive impact??

Stan Cotten: That's a great question and one that almost every fan is asking. But, the jump from high school football to college football is so large that you just never know how a freshman is going to react to the transition. All we can do is wait to see which ones transition the best and go from there. But I know Coach Grobe is very excited about the freshmen class. Hopefully, he can redshirt them all.

Bill (Apex): Can Chris Barclay break the school rushing record in just 10 games?

Stan Cotten: Without question. He needs to average just over 90 yards per game because of having to sit out against Vanderbilt. That he can easily do if he gets enough carries and performs at a level equal to or greater than his previous three seasons. I expect him to break the record.

Joanna (Marietta): Which current Deacon has the best chance to have a great NFL career? Barclay, Abbate, Plackemeier, Vallos or somebody else?

Stan Cotten: My money is on Plackemeier. I think all of those guys can play at the next level, but Plackemeier, in my opinion, can be a special player. He already possesses the leg strength of an NFL punter.

Mark - Orlando, FL: Most pre-season publications forecast Wake Forest to be dead last in the Atlantic Division - are these guys wrong or are the Wake Forest insiders being overly optimistic? Give me a warm fuzzy here - I want Wake to have a good season. Thanks - Mark

Stan Cotten: When has Wake Forest not been picked last? It seems like that's just an annual ritual. However, sooner or later, these games that continue to go down to the wire will begin to tip more toward the Deacs' favor. What the Deacs need to get that done is more experience and that's exactly what Coach Grobe is trying to get done through redshirting the bulk of his freshmen.

Sp (Lexington): What's your favorite memory of covering Wake Forest football to date?

Stan Cotten: Obviously, both bowl games were high points for the simple fact that Wake Forest was in a bowl game. But on top of that, beat two solid programs in Arizona State and Oregon. The win at home against Georgia Tech to guarantee the Aloha Bowl berth was very exciting. The upset of NC State and Philip Rivers in 2003 when Willie Idlette broke the 50-yard punt return... those are moments that stand out.

Dave (Winston-Salem): What changes to Groves Stadium will be in place this fall? What additional changes are expected in the next few years?

Stan Cotten: I think the changes this season will be very subtle. There is brick going up on portions of the stadium. In the grand scheme of things, there are plans for a new pressbox and even some updates to Bridger Field House and perhaps, the playing surface. But those improvements are down the road a bit and the exact timetable isn't finalized.

Chris Nuckols (Rural Hall): Hey Stan, First, it was nice meeting you at this year's Brenner Children's Hospital celebrity golf tourney (I was the volunteer who is the Marshall grad). Anyway, I wanted to ask you that since Ben Mauk has been named the starting qb, do you believe the offense will "open things up a bit" this season? Thanks.

Stan Cotten: Benjamin is obviously a very talented player. I think has surprised most of us not with his arm, because we expected that to be very good, but with his ability to run. He has proven to be more elusive than advertised and so I think defenses will be forced to play him straight up and at least respect the fact that he can and will run, if need be. He has had some great moments already throwing the ball and if he's in the game, I think we'll see the ball in the air quite a bit.

Winston-Salem: Stan, What is the date of the first coaches radio show for the new year? Ray

Stan Cotten: Typically, Coach Grobe's show is on Wednesday nights. However, the first two shows this season will be on Tuesday nights, August 23rd and August 30th. The first show is to avoid a scheduled scrimmage the next night. The next week is on Tuesday because of the Thursday night Vanderbilt game. The final week of the regular season will also be on Tuesday night because of the Miami game on Thursday. All other shows will be on Wednesday night, even during the open date week. Every show will be at The Loop Pizza Grill in Winston from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hope to see you there.

James (Winston Salem): Kudos to the athletic department for scheduling teams with a national repuation in Nebraska, Mississippi, and Stanford. Will Coach Grobe and his staff use these games to target new areas of the country for recruiting?

Stan Cotten: That would be a good question for Coach Grobe on his radio show. If he beats those teams, the answer is definitely yes. I think Coach Grobe and his staff are to the point where they will recruit wherever he is, if they think that they have a legitimate shot at that player and believe he can fit in at Wake Forest.

Andy, Chevy Chase: Which game this season are you most looking forward to?

Stan Cotten: I have never been to Lincoln. I've had Nebraska on the brain for quite some time. That could be a great Saturday for Wake Forest football. Let's hope it is.

Moderator: We have time for one more question for the Voice of the Deacs...

Naz (W-S): Stan, do you dance? I need some pointers.

Stan Cotten: Since I am coming off a severly torn hamstring, I haven't been dancing much lately. However, when I am back up to speed, I might be able to help you with some disco (I'm aging myself), or some good old Smoky Mountain clogging. Call me in you're interested!

Moderator: On that note... thanks to everyone for submitting their questions and joining for today's first segment of Inside The Huddle With Stan Cotten. If we didn't get to your question today, make sure to try again for next Wednesday's session. Go Deacs!

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