Press Conference: Jimbo Fisher provides spring football updates

Texas A&M football is six practices into their allotted 15 for spring workouts, and the Aggies are set to hold a scrimmage tomorrow. On Friday afternoon, Jimbo Fisher spoke to the media to provide an update on the latest from within his program.

Video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

The following are live, paraphrased notes from head coach Jimbo Fisher's media availability on Friday.

• We’re looking forward to getting further into spring ball. We’re six practices in, and we’ve thrown a lot at them. Some of these young guys have done a good job. We have a long ways to go, but we’re trying to figure out who can play where. We’ll worry about finding depth later. We’re worried about getting fundamentally better. We’re going in a good direction and have a scrimmage tomorrow.
   
• Baylor Cupp has been out a bit with a hamstring, but he is back at full speed. The next couple of weeks are big for him. We’re giving Luke Matthews some breaks because we don’t want to tear him up. He’s a very good anchor and is making a bunch of good calls. I’ve been very pleased with him.
   
• Chris Morris is not with us right now. We will see what happens after this semester.
   
• I think playing a spring game against an opponent is a great idea, but I’m not for it because I want to control the situations. Personally, I wouldn’t do it. The way we do it allows us to work more guys than we would against an opponent. I would rather do my own thing and pick my own scenarios. That’s just how I look at spring ball.
   
• It is the players’ choice if they want to get vaccinated. We want to give them as much information as possible, so they feel comfortable. I did it. I believe in those things. If they want to do that, I’m glad for them. I cannot answer a percentage question on how many of them have gotten the vaccine.
   
• Some of the receivers are doing it, but we could have more consistency with play-making. Those guys have to take care of everybody else. We have a long way to go, but they’re doing a solid job.
   
• The competition in college is tougher, and the schemes are different. Everybody has your same ability and physical skills. When you have great skills than somebody, it’s a huge advantage. At this level, there have to be more adjustments. It becomes a more complicated game at the college level.
   
• We’re pretty healthy. It’s just nicks and nacks. We haven’t had anybody else go out of spring ball since we provided the last update.
   
• Quarterbacks are a product of what’s around them. Guys around them have to do their jobs. Hopefully, we can continue to play, understanding the standard that Kellen Mond has set for us. They understand from watching him that’s the level of play we expect. Records get broken because they understand the standard and push above. Kellen set a great standard, and hopefully, we can keep pushing on that.
   
• It’s great to have high expectations and goals. The daily habits have to match those goals. Our daily standard allows us to think and possibly be like that. What you do on a daily basis has to match up, or they’re wasted goals. The standard will only go up. We cannot worry about our feelings. We have to worry about our standard. So far, I’m very pleased with what we’re seeing. We’re not there yet, though.
   
• I pray for a normal football season. It’s what makes college football so special is the games and the experiences for the fans, players and families. It makes college sports so unique. We’re hoping everybody stays healthy. Not just on our team but across the country. We’re also praying for those people affected by the shooting yesterday in Bryan. Everyone is in our thoughts.
   
• Your personal health is your choice. As a coach, you educate. You don’t push. I don’t try to encourage them or push them because that’s crossing a boundary in the medical world.
   
• In the scrimmage, I want to see us go out and execute, line up and take the signals well. We need to play with pride and grit. Those intangibles are key. Hopefully, there aren’t self-inflicted wounds. The first thing before you learn how to win is learning how to not beat yourself. Hopefully, the execution will get better as we go.