Bobby Petrino previews fall camp

Click here to watch the press conference on GoCards.com 

Bobby Petrino met with the media on Monday afternoon to preview fall camp. You can click the link above to watch the video of it. Here are the key points…

*The first four practices this week will be split. They are calling it a “newcomer” group in the morning and a “veteran” group in the afternoon. It won’t necessarily be split that way completely. Some kids have class conflicts that will make them practice with the opposite group. For example, senior Kai De La Cruz will practice in the morning because of an afternoon class.

*Petrino likes splitting up the practices because the younger guys get to learn and get a lot more reps, rather than just watching.

*He is excited about the team being healthy.

*With the coaches allowed to do more, they have been able to be in the weightroom and be around the team more. “We know the players more than usual, and they know a little bit more about what we’re going to do too.”

*Last week they tested with the bench, vertical jump, broad jump, squats, and cleans. They did not test again for the 40-yard dash. They don’t want to risk someone pulling a hamstring at this point of the year.

*He compares taking over this team to when he took over the last time, following John L. Smith. He says both times he has a team that works hard and knows how to win.

*In the first team meeting that he had with the players, he congratulated them on the success they have had so far. He then let them know that “things are going to be different because we are going to do them the way we know how to.”

*He said “The quicker that we get over that there is a change, and just adapt to it, then the better chance we have to be a championship team.”

*He says the ACC is filled with a variety of offenses. You will see the spread, a power running attack, the triple option (Georgia Tech).

*He says again that he is impressed with the spring that Will Gardner had. He will be interested to see how Reggie Bonnafon comes in and competes.

*The depth of the offensive line has been a concern since the spring, but he feels better about it now than he did when he got here.

*Terell Floyd will move to free safety/nickel.

*Michael Johnson will not make it to campus this year. He is heading to JUCO. He is the only signee of this year’s class that did not make it. He was thought to be able to step right in and compete for a spot in the secondary.

*With the bad news about Michael Johnson, there comes good news about James Sample. The highly-touted JUCO safety has arrived on campus. The former four-star recruit who played at Washington provides instant help to the secondary.

*Guys that were injured before that are now 100%: Lorenzo Mauldin, Keith Brown, and Terrence Ross.

*Jermaine Reve (knee injury) is ahead of schedule on his rehab, but the staff does not expect him to be ready to play in the 2014 season.

*Petrino calls Reggie Bonnafon “strong and smart.” He said he had one of the highest verticals on the team at 36.5 inches. He also mentioned the idea of bringing him in during the second quarter for a series or two, much like he did with Brian Brohm during his freshman season.