Inside The Huddle With Stan

Inside The Huddle With Stan Chat Wrap

On Wednesday August 24, Stan Cotten - The Voice of the Deacs - hosted the fourth of a series of online chats leading up to the season opener against Vanderbilt.

Below is a complete transcript of the chat.

PBP: Alright, Deacon fans, Stan Cotten has sat down here at WakeForestSports.com headquarters and we're about ready to get started. First, a special hello to our ISP brethren in Atlanta.

MAtt ( Thomasville): I was wondering since Ben Mauk is starting at QB and Barclay wont be playing against VAndy will Wake pass more in that game and more games to come? I also wanted to know if the big freshman FB Mike Rinfrette will get some playing time in 2005 and what games if u know. P.S. If you can will you tell Bonnie Rae in the Pruitt football center that the boy that asked about the media guide in the black shirt said thank you

Stan Cotten: What the run/pass mix ends up being remains to be seen. But I know that Coach Grobe has complete confidence in Micah Andrews, De'Angelo Bryant, et al. to be able to carry the ball effectively in Barclay's one-game abscense. After today, the Deacs will really start to focus on Vanderbilt and put the game plan together, but obviously, the game's flow will dictate the percentage of run vs. pass. With respect to Rinfrette, right now the plan to be redshirted. Unless those in front of him can't get the job done, I expect that he will not play this season in any game. I'll pass your note along to Bonnie.

Moring (Thomasville): I wanted to know what other schools gave Jon abbate football scholarships and why did Abbate choose Wake Forest? Thanks

Stan Cotten: Specifically which schools offered Jon scholarships, I don't know. But his lack of height probably is the one thing that cost him offers from some schools. I know he likes playing for Coach Grobe and specifically for Brad Lambert. Every team has at least one player who seemingly is tougher than everyone else, meaner, etc. and Abbate is that guy for Wake Forest. We should be very glad we have him.

Elaine (Kentucky): The nickel and dime positions are fairly new to me who plays those positions, and how are our safties looking this year.

Stan Cotten: When any team goes into its nickel package, it's simply adding a fifth defensive back. A dime would be a sixth defensive back. With Riley Swanson's situation at corner, there are several young players who could fill those roles. More will be known when the actual Vanderbilt depth chart is filled -- around Friday or so. But whoever they are, they will likely be young players. Guys like Johnny Edwards, Kevin Patterson, Kerry Major, Aaron Mason. An older guy like Dominic Anderson could also be slotted in there. With respect to our safeties, both Patrick Ghee and Josh Gattis should be very solid with last season under their belts.

J. J. (Winston-Salem): Ten years ago, if I had seen this year's schedule, I would have thought Wake was either really crazy or really good. Coach Grobe clearly has his eyes set on marquee teams. Is it the Deacs' success of late that allows more established programs to accept a two-game contract with Wake?

Stan Cotten: I would say no, because teams like Nebraska, when they schedule non-conference games, typically they try to schedule teams they think they can beat. Even if it means going on the road to do it. Sometimes schedules that are set fall through at the last minute and really good games are created when only a certain amount of teams have an open date and can play someone who desperately needs a game. From Wake Forest's point of view, I know that Ron Wellman and Coach Grobe see the benefit of playing good teams as it relates to recruiting, satisfying the fan base, etc. Scheduling is a very inexact science, but over the next several years, the Deacs will be playing several top-notch, non-ACC teams like Nebraska, Mississippi and Stanford.

DJ: How does the field look at Groves? It looked torn up toward the end of last weeks scrimmage in the heavy rain.

Stan Cotten: I was there this morning and it looked completely recovered. Bermuda grass is very resilient especially in hot weather. That particular turf is from a turf farm near Pinehurst which is excellent. There should be no worries.

Winston-Salem: Stan, What is the schedule for the Deacons' last scrimmage prior to the Vanderbilt game? Will it be an open scrimmage? Thanks.

Stan Cotten: The last scrimmage is set to go for tonight at about 7:30 at Groves Stadium. It is open to the public. Coach Grobe did say last night it won't be a typical scrimmage. There will be a lot of situational drills and things like that. It may not be as easy to follow as previous scrimmages. But the public is welcome and invited.

Pete (Annandale, VA): Great to see "100% Cotten" back. It was a long summer without it. How concerned are you with our ability to pass the ball effectively to help our running game when the WRs haven't exactly shined and our backup QB has cracked the top four, according to the coach? Is he that good, or do the WRs need help that bad?

Stan Cotten: From visiting with the coaches, they feel that we'll be fine. I think it starts with the offensive line and its ability to protect whomever is throwing the ball -- Benjamin or Cory. All indications from Coach Lobo is that the offensive line is doing very well in protection. That's a very good start. As we all know, Mauk is a very capable passer, one of the best ever to come out of high school, so we should all have confidence in him. Someone from the receiving corps has to step up and be the go-to guy. Chris Davis has an excellent fall camp as has Willie Idlette, prior to banging up his shoulder. Cory Randolph has actually looked pretty good at receiver. The coaches like his athleticism and feel, one way or the other, he needs to be on the field in some way, shape or form.

Doug (McLean, VA): What Deacs are injured and unlikely to play against Vandy (Willie, Abbate, Jarvis, Finklea)?

Stan Cotten: That I know of... only the two walk-ons -- Hollis and Conroy -- have sustained injuries that will keep them out of the Vandy game. Sadly for those two players, they are both lost for the season with knee injuries. The rest of the injuries, up until yesterday, weren't nearly as serious. Hopefully it'll stay that way.

Wes Durham, Marietta, Ga.: Stan: Who was the best SAC-8 football team you ever saw other than Carson-Newman? By the way, did Mike Krzyzewski's wife also go to school there? You do a great job with the Deacons, I love listening on XM.

Stan Cotten: Wes, glad to see that all your preparation for the Auburn game is complete. I would have to say that other than Carson-Newman, the best SAC-8 teams I ever saw were those great Elon teams of the early '80s that won a couple of NAIA national titles. I'm sure you're familiar with them. And yes, Mickie K is indeed a C-N graduate.

lewisville: Stan, im looking at the schudule now and it appears that the most important part of the season for the deacs is the first five games. With four of the games at home, what do u expect our record will be by the end of the clemson game?

Stan Cotten: I've never been one to predict records much, especially for the teams I've worked for. But, it seems to me your point of four of the first five at home is a good one. The Deacs should have a pretty good opportunity to make some hay.

Jackson (Winston-Salem, NC): Hey Stan- I had the chance to listen to a part of the radio show last night and unfortunately I missed part of it because I had to take my wife to dinner. I was wondering if there were any good stories from Dewey Hobbs and the 1946 Gator Bowl Team that you could share.

Stan Cotten: You should have taken your wife to The Loop for dinner and you could have heard the entire show! Dewey told a great story about Coach Peahead Walker paying each Deacon $100 to play in the 1946 Gator Bowl because the trip to Jacksonville forced many of the players to miss work and lose wages. Dewey laughed about it and wondered how that would be accepted today. He also had vivid memories of the Deacs' huge upset over Tennesee in Knoxville in 1946. He was a treat to have on the program and still loves Wake Forest very much. I'm hopeful he will come back and be on the show again.

Bob: How come no one is talking much about Nate Morton? He was really good at times last year. Plus he is out only reciever over 6ft tall.

Stan Cotten: Nate Morton is one of those guys that, for some reason, is able to fly under the radar. He's very talented, runs good routes and has good hands. He's also proven to be fairly dependable in the past. He's had a good fall camp and will be counted upon heavily this season.

Courtney (Little Switzerland, NC): Stan, Love your work, keep it up. And I love that XM, because I can't get the flagship in Little Switzerland. Anyhoo, with the league expanding this year, are there plans to bring in any extra football officials this season? See you soon, Courtney

Stan Cotten: XM is great, isn't it? Keep checking 98.1 FM especially at night. I know you're kind of in a remote area, but depending on atmospheric conditions, you may be able to get WBRF on a hop. Of course, WakeForestSports.com is always a great option. At this date, I'm sure the ACC is set on all of its officials. See you soon.

Dave (Atlanta): I know Sam Swank has a strong leg, but how accurate is he?

Stan Cotten: From what I've seen, Sam has been pretty reliable and has shown good pop for a long way out. He nailed a 52-yarder in the first scrimmage from a very high snap. So without question, he's got the potential to be a very solid kicker. Right now, he's nursing a sore groin and he's been sick. So he hasn't had any good work in a few days. He needs to get well in a hurry.

Matt (The Hyphen): What are you looking forward to the most from the 2005 Gridiron Deacs given what you've seen from practice?

Stan Cotten: I'm anxious to see our young corners play in some games. A guy like Alphonso Smith, one day is going to be a very, very good player. I'm anxious to see how good he is as a true freshman and what type of impact he and his fellow teammates on the corner will have. If they play past their youth, and to the level of their talent, that will be a huge shot in the arm and help our defense immensely.

Mark (State College): In our attempt to improve both our throwing game and our pass defense, which side of the ball has done the best so far in Fall practice?

Stan Cotten: To me, our pass defense has looked markedly improved over the course of the fall camp (i.e. three interceptions in the second scrimmage, two of which were returned for touchdowns by Aaron Mason). We have talent in the secondary, led by a couple experienced safeties. Hopefully that will develop into a strong part of our team. I believe our passing game will be improved, too, because of quality depth and good play in the offensive line. Passing the ball well is critical to force the defense to be honest and not load up on what is, no doubt, the strength of our team, the running game.

" border="0">

Moderator: Stan's gotta run here in a second, so we have time for just one more.

Maverick, New York City: How are John Finklea and Jamil Smith progressing? Seeing that Grobe mentioned Boo Robinson might redshirt afterall, does this mean those 2 are healthy and doing well?

Stan Cotten: Finklea has been hurt and has missed a lot of practice time. Jamil Smith has been looking pretty good. From what I've seen, he's had a solid camp. Boo is, without question, good enough to help this year. But that ultimate decision will be made by Coach Grobe. Boo has a great body for playing his position. He is really good at simply occupying space. He'll be a very good player one day, in my opinion. John Russell is another young guy that could possibly help, but I would suspect he is definitely heading for a redshirt.

" border="0">

Moderator: That's all the time we have for today. Remember that tonight is the team's final scrimmage. It's under the lights at Groves Stadium at approx. 7:30 p.m. and it is open to the public. Thanks again for all your questions. We're just eight days away from the season opener.

Wake Forest Athletics

Related News

Related Videos