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University of Minnesota Athletics
Player's Perspective - WR Eric Decker
6/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Gophersports.com caught up with sophomore wideout Eric Decker to discuss the commitment the team has shown to summer workouts, the new offense, his relationship with WR coach George McDonald, and his transition from a first-year player to one of the leaders of the receiving corps. Audio from the interview is available in the Gold Zone.
GS.com: What has been going on this summer following a productive session of spring football?
ED: Upperclassmen got back here last week and we started working out Monday. We have been lifting and running. Now we are doing afternoon pass-catch, where the DB and the receivers are going one-on-one, seven-on-seven, and working on fundamentals and getting back into it. We have the linemen working on some foot drills, one-on-one with the other linemen. It’s been a good thing especially with the incoming freshman getting involved. We have everybody together here and we have workouts throughout the day and I think that we are on the right start to a good season.
GS.com: You guys had a lot thrown at you with the new staff coming in and running the spread offense. How do you think everything went in trying to build a strong base with the new system during spring practice?
ED: It was tough because right from the start we really didn’t know what to expect and they threw a lot of it at us. The offense is pretty complex, while the defense I don’t know much about, but it is a whole new scheme as well and I think it is going to be for the best. It is just going to take awhile and I know we started on the right foot and we have to think about the fact that we have less than 50 percent of the offense in; so now it is just refining the details during the summer and when we get to two-a-days, which will be really tough, we will be putting in the whole offense, so right now it is mentally preparing yourself for what is to come and getting yourself in shape and ready to go.
GS.com: From talking to the rest of the guys, its sounds like you have a good majority of the team taking part in the summer workouts, is that more beneficial with a new offense like this?
ED: We need everybody to show up just for the fact that we know that we can trust each other. Everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to be here and make sure that they get their part done. So I think everyone showing up is definitely a big step for us and if we can just keep working day by day that is all it takes and we can be in the right direction for two-a-days.
GS.com: There is a lot of emphasis put on how well the defense played during spring ball and Coach Brewster even referenced quite a bit that the offensive would take longer to come around than the defense. That being said, the defense looked pretty good overall - do you feel like they improved from what you saw firsthand?
ED: Yeah, I give them a lot of credit. We have 10 out of 11 starters back so those guys know how to play and they have had experience especially in the Big Ten. It’s a really good conference so I think these guys are really good athletes and from the offense’s standpoint, I think the quarterbacks will get a lot thrown at them. They have so much to get down and so much to know - they have to direct everybody and just getting it all together is tough because for the defense it is more read and react, guys just flowing to the ball, while on offense you have to be on the same page and put it all together just to make a play work. I think from that standpoint the offense has a lot more to learn and figure out but I think we will be fine.
GS.com: A lot of people labeled last season as a breakout for you. I know from talking to you a lot during the summer that you know you can do a lot more and that what you accomplished last season was only the tip of the iceberg for what you can accomplish personally.
ED: I had cold feet going into last year and I didn’t know what to expect. I got off to a great start in the first game and it just kind of climbed from there. Having guys like Logan (Payne) and Ernie (Wheelwright) to learn from was really beneficial for me and even having Matt Spaeth around was great because I got some good tips. I think I have a lot more to improve on and I know I can do a lot more and hopefully day by day if I keep working hard it will continue to come together so by September 1st, I can contribute to this team having a great season.
GS.com: You talked about two proven guys that helped both you and Ernie with Matt playing tight end and Logan, who did an excellent job during his time here at receiver. Do you feel like for you and Ernie that this is kind of your team now and the onus is on you guys to become leaders as well?
ED: Yeah, especially because this offense is based around the receivers with a spread offense. We are going to be depended on more to make plays and move the ball down the field. I think on and off the field we have to take that leadership and just help guys out, make sure we are working hard so that everybody else sees that, and that they are on the same page as us. Hopefully next season we will be viewed as leaders of this team.
GS.com: You were able to build a really good relationship with former quarterback Bryan Cupito. How has it been for you adjusting to a couple new guys with Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber?
ED: It has been really good. I have been friends with them since I got here and both of them are Minnesota guys like myself so it has been an easy transition. I think Mortensen is a great guy. He is pretty smart, he knows the plays, and he knows how to make right decisions. I think Adam Weber is a great athlete and he will definitely be alright. I have hung out with him since high school. It has been really cool to be with these guys and know that they are going to be with me on the field and hopefully help us win this Big Ten Championship.
GS.com: Coach Brewster has put the emphasis on building around Minnesota players and not letting schools like Iowa and Wisconsin come instate. How exciting is it for you being a Minnesota guy to realize he is building off of that base?
ED: Really exciting, especially being from Minnesota. The fans root for the homegrown kids and a lot of people don’t give Minnesota credit for being a good football state or program. I think if we can keep the guys here and build a good team and showcase our skills we will be alright. I think when people see Minnesota kids doing something special it will be good for the program.
GS.com: Talk a little about your new receiver coach George McDonald, and what you have been able to get from working with him.
ED: He is a real good guy. He has good experience. He is a coach that demands a lot from you and I think that’s what we need right now. When the games come around everything will come easier because of his pushing us in practice. He is pushing us to the limit, he is making us go the extra distance, catch extra balls, mentally study the game and know what we are doing so that when we are stuck in a tough situation, it will be easy for us. Then we will be able to say hey, I have done this; I have seen this before.’ He is preparing us really well and I think he is a great coach on and off the field. He is a cool guy, he wants to take care of you and wants you to know how you are doing so I think for me, this is going to be the start to a good three years working with him.
