 | | UNLV head coach Mike Sanford chatted with fans on Tuesday. |
UNLV football head coach Mike Sanford held a live chat with Rebel fans Tuesday and discussed all things Rebel football. |
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 |  | UNLV Moderator: Hello Rebel fans. In a few minutes Coach Sanford will be here to begin the chat. Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday afternoon and are making plans to attend Friday's Spring Game. |
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| Roy Elia-Walla Walla, Wash.: How have this year's spring practices compared to those of a year ago? In light of how close the Rebels came to being bowl eligible last year, I imagine they have been spirited and that enthusiasm and excitement are in full supply. |
 | | Mike Sanford: Roy, your perception is very insightful. Yes, we have had the most spirited and enthusiastic practices with the highest level of intensity since I have been here. This is a result of the combination of improvement last year and experienced, mature players who have been in the program and understand what we expect. We are very excited for the 2009 season. |
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| Cade, Las Vegas, Nev.: Coach Sanford, how do the tight ends looks this spring? Are you going to use them more this season? |
| | Mike Sanford: Cade - We will be using a tight end more in our offense in 2009. This is a result of two things. 1-We are facing more defenses that make using a tight end necessary. 2-We have recruited, and have more tight ends in the program. The first young man I will mention is Luke Plante, who played in 2008 and is presently applying for an additional year of eligibility with the NCAA. We will know more on his status in the upcoming weeks. We redshirted Kyle Watkins and Alex Young, who both will make a contribution in 2009. Another player who was injured in 2008 is Austin Harrington, who is also in the mix for playing time at tight end. Cade, we will continue to recruit tight ends and will more emphasis in the position. Thanks for your question. |
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| Baltimore , Maryland: Courtney Bridget Jr. will he play this 2009 year or are you going to red shirt him , I have been watching this kid play since pop warner days he is and outstanding player, and how did UNLV find out about him all the way over east side of the country great pick up coach Sanford. |
| | Mike Sanford: Dear Baltimore ... We are very excited about Courtney Bridget joining our football program this summer. We are just as excited as you are about the kind of athlete he is. The combination of heighth, speed and foot quickness make him a player who will compete for playing time as a freshman. We must improve our play in the defensive secondary. Courtney Bridget will make an impact as a freshman. On the other part of your question, we found out about Courtney as a result of our defensive line coach, Andre Patterson, researching and recruiting another playar at Dunbar, which led to Andre finding out about Courtney. When we watched the tape, we said "we have got to offer this guy!" We are very fortunate to have signed him. We would love to get more quality players from the state of Maryland in the future. |
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| Jeremy: Do you think the schedule sets up well, with seven home games again? What about the three games at home to start the season? Is a fast start something you expect, similar to last season? |
| | Mike Sanford: Jeremy - I love the way our schedule sets up. Three gamse at home to open with is very good for our team and seven home games is very good for us as well. We must start fast and avoid a let down. |
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| Carol Thomas LV: Is there any rumor that the uniforms are being redesigned with a new look? |
| | Mike Sanford: Carol - I will put that rumor to rest right now. In 2008 we had newly designed Nike uniforms and we will continue to wear those in 2009. |
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| Mike W. (Las Vegas): With Frank Summers departed what is going to be this season's apparoach to the running game with all the new backs? |
| | Mike Sanford: Dear Mike W. - We are always committed to running the football. However, we must be able to both run and pass in this offense to be successful. We will utilize a combination of the four returning backs, along with incoming freshman Bradley Randle. |
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| John, Las Vegas: Coach, was at practice a couple times and Phillip Payne looks bigger and stronger than last year. I am sure he will be a main target in the end zone on fade patterns again (he was unstoppable!) but should fans expect more from him in the overall passing game? |
| | Mike Sanford: John - Your observation is correct. Phillip Payne has gotten bigger and stronger. We expect to utilize him in all areas of the field, in addition to the Red Zone. It is exciting to have a local Las Vegan be such an integral part of our offense. |
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| Tess (Las Vegas): Coach, what can fans expect during the spring game on Friday? Will the quarterbacks be live or wearing the green jersey? |
| | Mike Sanford: Dear Tess - Our Spring Game on Friday night will pit our No. 1 offense and defense against our No. 2 offense and defense. It will be exciting, you will see all of our top players in action, and we will decide later in the week if the quarterback will be live or not. We would love to see you at that stadium on Friday night! |
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| Jake: How does the secondary look following spring football? Anyone of the newcomers really make a good impression? Are there any other players coming in the fall that could make an impact in the secondary? |
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| Jake: How does the secondary look following spring football? Anyone of the newcomers really make a good impression? Are there any other players coming in the fall that could make an impact in the secondary? |
| | Mike Sanford: Jake - I expect our secondary to be better next season. Starting with the safeties, there are four guys competing to start. Returning players Marquel Martin, Travis Dixon (former QB) and Chris Jones are in a heated battle, along with newcomer Alex De Giacomo (a mid-year JC transfer) for the safeties spot. 2008 starter Terrance Lee is playing very well at the nickel back, which a highbred safety/corner position. At cornerback returners Deante Purvis and Will Chandler are battling it out with mid-year JC transfer Warren Zeigler. Joing the fray in Fall Camp will be Quinton Pointer, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, and incoming JC transfer Mike Grant. Along with incoming freshman Courtney Bridget and Charles Childers. |
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| Hendrson: Tell us about your offensive line and any rising stars? How are your 2's and 3's looking? |
| | Mike Sanford: Hendrson - The 2009 Rebel offensive line returns three full-time starters in Joe Hawley, Matt Murphy and Evan Marchal, and also one part-time starter in John Gianninoto. This is an excellent group. The fifth position is a competitive battle between redshirt freshman Sean Tesoro and junior Ramsey Feagai. This group works hard, is smart, talented and has excellent chemistry. The answer to the second part of your question in regards to the 2s and 3s is that we are evaluating the competition going on among our 2s and 3s to come up with depth in the offensive line. |
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| | UNLV Moderator: Rebel fans, there is time for one more question for coach Sanford. |
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| Wayne Jackson LV: Hey Coach, Do you plan to add slot back or wing back into the offense this season. |
| | Mike Sanford: Dear Wayne - Our offense, by design, can have two slot backs at a time or one slot back. As for your question about the wing back, we will have a greater role of the tight end in this offense. As a result of that, you will see tight ends lining up in a wing, running backs lining up in a wing and also receivers lining up in a wing. |
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| | Mike Sanford: Dear Rebel fans, it has been great to be on this chat with you today. Come on out Friday and watch exciting Rebel football at Sam Boyd Stadium at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free, the game will go to around 7:30 and you can by tickets to a BBQ afterwards. Talk to you again during training camp! |
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| | UNLV Moderator: Once again, thanks for all the questions to the chat. Season tickets are currently on sale by calling 739-FANS or by going to www.unlvtickets.com. |
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