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Inside The Huddle With Stan Chat Wrap

On Wednesday August 17, Stan Cotten - The Voice of the Deacs - hosted the third of a series of online chats leading up to the season opener against Vanderbilt.

Below is a complete transcript of the chat.

Moderator: Alright, folks, The Voice is here and we're ready to go.

Matt: Why are we not hearing anything about Chris Barclay in the practice reports?

Stan Cotten: Let's remember that Chris just got into full pads on Monday. To me, at least, he looks like the same old Chris Barclay. I've talked to Chris as late as yesterday morning and he feels great. He's optimistic about having his best year ever and looks forward to having the chance to break some all-time school records. Maybe there hasn't been a whole lot said about him because he hasn't skipped a beat.

Steve (Myrtle Beach): Stan, great work on College Flash Classics on FSN. Nice to beat the Heels again. Freshman Kevin Harris, who chose the Deacs over Alabama, Miami etc. How is he progressing in practice? Does coach see him as a blocking fullback or multi-carry per game halfback eventually.

Stan Cotten: You're right, it's always great to beat Carolina in anything. All I know is that yesterday when Kevin Harris ran by after a drill, one of the assistants I was chatting with said, "Freak" in describing Kevin Harris. I took that to mean they think he's got a great future. At least right now, that future is at tailback, not fullback. He's having a solid August and has been very impressive.

hall-pell city, al: what can you tell me about ESPNU? how do we tune in wake's first game? never heard of the "U" letter. thanks.

Stan Cotten: ESPN-U is a new venture run by ESPN that will be dedicated to college sports. You'll have to check with your local cable operator to see if you get it. Not everyone does. It's not in everyone's basic systems yet. If you don't get it, I'm sure there are several places around you, like a sports bar, who could find it on satellite.

jeremy tucker Dover,NJ: I was wondering how do you like Jyles at DT since he changed his position. This is his little brother wanting to know so if you get a chance to respond, please do. Well, thank you for your time and have a nice day

Stan Cotten: From what I've seen, Jyles is doing very well. If I get a chance, I'll tell him you participated today. I know the coaches are expecting a lot of out him and are pushing him very hard. But I think he is responding well and hopefully he will be able to perform at his new position as well as he did at defensive end. If he does, we'll be okay.

Rob (Minneapolis): Stan, I noticed we had three players on the media's preseason All-ACC Team -- only Miami, NC State and Wake Forest had three. Is that a sign that Wake Forest football is getting more respect from the media than ever?

Stan Cotten: I would think the answer has to be yes. In addition, it's very competitve out there with regard to schools pushing players to be on these types of teams. Our media relations staff does as good of a job as anybody. That being said, our players are better and looking to the future, I think Coach Grobe is as excited about this true freshman class as he has any of his previous classes here.

Jay in Nashville: Who is your pick for the "breakout player of the year" on both offense and defense?

Stan Cotten: Let me put it this way: I'm hopeful that on offense, we're talking a lot about one of our tight ends. Either John Tereshinski or Zac Selmon or one of the others. If that happens, that will be a very positive thing for our offense. On defense, I expect somebody at the cornerback spot to be talked a lot about. Simply because some young players there are going to get a whole lot of reps at a position that is in the spotlight quite a bit. Somebody like Alphonso Smith, Kevin Patterson or Johnny Edwards. I would also throw in Sam Swank, who obviously at his spot -- placekicker -- could have a huge impact.

Double Down Trent: Coach Grobe said in the paper today that his offensive line is looking much improved since the spring. Is he just saying that, or can you really tell the difference? Thanks for answering my question, you're so money.

Stan Cotten: I know he keeps saying it and he said it to me privately so I have to assume he believes it. It seems to me that there is really good competition going on with Coach Lobo's group. By all accounts, I think as a unit, the offensive line is having a really solid fall camp. Coach Grobe usually is not the kind to blow a lot of smoke so I'll take him at his word.

Art over here in Derm: I've been reading Josh Gattis' stuff in the preseason and he's pretty funny. You know the guys pretty well. Who's the funniest dude on the team?

Stan Cotten: Now that Fabian Davis is gone, I'm not sure that baton has completely been passed, but Chris Davis has his moments. At least he does with me. He always has something to say and it's usually pretty funny. Whether or not his teammates regard him as funny, I don't know.

Frank (Southern Pines): I gotta think that long snapper Nick Jarvis has the most unheralded job on the team. Thoughts?

Stan Cotten: You're probably right. He's got one of those jobs that never really gets mentioned until he does it wrong. Nick is very competitive by nature and I kid him a lot on the practice field when he spends a lot of time standing around waiting for the kickers to do their thing. He'd much rather be with the linemen, going through drills, but is kept away from that to concentrate solely on snapping. Nick was a great high school player and is a real good guy. I like him a lot.

Ovie in Baltimore: The quarterbacks and the offensive line took some heat last year. But man, you just can't get it done without a fullback! How are my boys looking this year -- Damon, Belton and Rinfrette?

Stan Cotten: Ovie, huh? I'm not sure any of them can block like a fairly recent player we had at that position who you might know. But all three of those players are having really good fall camps and I really like what I see from Belton. If we can keep those guys healthy, which I know was a problem for you, that will really help us open the playbook a whole lot more compared to a year ago. That has to help.

Johnny in Kentucky: How important will it be to get Brodie Overstreet back on the field this year? You gotta feel for the kid.

Stan Cotten: Without question, he gets the Comeback Player of the Year Award just for stepping back onto the field. Quite frankly, he's been a little tentative upon his return but understandably so. He definitely has the talent and the size to be a very good lineman in the ACC. We're all hopeful that he's able to return to the way he was playing when he started last year at Clemson.

Atlanta, Ga: How are the Defensive Tackles coming along for 2005? What is expected from Scales, Stukes, and Jyles?

Stan Cotten: All of those guys are capable of playing a lot of snaps. Scales is going to be counted on as the anchor. But we are thin there and can't afford injuries. Don't be surprised if that position sees a young player or two get a chance to play. That position and wide receiver, in my opinion, are the two positions where we are going to need good production for a positive year.

JFJ: How long a field goal do you think Sam Swank can kick in a game?

Stan Cotten: Sam's got good pop in his leg. He banged through a 52-yarder in Saturday's scrimmage from a high snap. I think he's got the leg to hit one in the mid-50's. I'm interested to see how he responds, though, in a game situation under Division I pressure. But he has great potential and is having a very solid fall.

Defensive coordinators everywhere: Stan, I'm having nightmares. Ben Mauk, Cory Randolph and Nate Morton can all throw it 60 yards in the air. Sounds like they're going to be on the field at the same time. Should I be afraid of some trick plays?

Stan Cotten: Don't forget Willie Idlette who was also a quarterback in high school! And yes, you should be very afraid.

Butch: Is it really true that Riley Swanson can drive a golf ball 350 yards?

Stan Cotten: Yes! Without a doubt, because I've played with him. The first time he hit the driver, I literally almost passed out. He had on an old dirty cap, long baggy shorts and shoes that looked like they'd been sitting in somebody's garage for a number of years. But let me tell you, when that kid hits the golf ball, it stays in the air a long, long time. I heard a rumor that he 3-putted on the last hole to lose the Georgia State High School Championship. Even if that rumor is half-true, it's obvious that he's a good golfer. He can pound it.

Joshua Jackson: How many plays do you think Cory Randolph will get at Wide Receiver against Vanderbilt?

Stan Cotten: Let's assume Benjamin Mauk is completely healthy and plays well against the Commodores. If indeed Cory does line up at receiver, my guess is it would be a handful of times, at the most. I would imagine they would try to bring him along slowly.

trey charlotte: Is there going to be any QB controversy? Or is Ben ithe man?

Stan Cotten: There is no controversy and that's coming from Cory Randolph. He understands that Mauk is the #1 quarterback and he is the back-up. That's why he's seeing some time at wide receiver. I think this situation is going to be a positive for Wake Forest, rather than a negative.

(Winston-Salem): Are you ready for some football?

Stan Cotten: In a big way.

Heels (Beantown): Stan, Deacon fans across the Northeast (and there are plenty of us) can't wait for October 15th when the Deacs throw a welcoming party for BC by defeating the Eagles for a third consecutive year. Your thoughts on the expanded ACC and the prospects of this Deacon football team opening some eyes nationally?

Stan Cotten: At first, I wasn't very excited about ACC expansion but pardon the pun, it's growing on me. Especially with regard to football. I honestly think the Deacs opened some eyes a year ago, even though they lost more games than they won. The Deacs have proven they can play with just about anybody in the country. Obviously what the Deacs have to learn to do better is win the close games. Wake Forest will not have to win too many games to get some attention nationally. For instance, if they can win at Nebraska, that'll be a big story early. I'm excited about this team and what the season potentially holds. I know BC, though, is lying in wait wanting a chance to prove that it can actually beat Wake Forest.

Moderator: Stan has time for one more question before he heads out to practice.

Wildman (Winston-Salem): Voice, Love your work. With it being the summer (or offseason), I was just checking in on the She-Shaq's workout regime. Will she be ready for fall sports? What type of year do you expect from the Lady Diesel?

Stan Cotten: Hey Wildman... first things first. The She-Shaq has made her first ever tryout team and it's a middle school volleyball team. She's just a sixth-grader. She's got seven years to earn a scholarship somewhere. Her dad's bank account is counting on it. Thanks for the kind words! Go Deacs!

Moderator: Thanks again to all the Deacon fans nationwide who checked in this week. We're only two weeks away from the season opener against Vanderbilt. Stan will be back next Wednesday to give fans another preseason look at the 2005 edition of the Demon Deacons. From the Manchester Athletic Center, good afternoon, everybody!

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