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Sidelines
Kalani Simpson
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Lots of gags with Jones at QB club
LOTS of stuff to feel good about, yesterday, as June Jones gave his annual pre-spring preview at the Honolulu Quarterback Club.
"Our student-athletes have been working out I think harder than I've ever seen them work out since I've been here," Jones said.
That's fantastic.
"We've had better participation and effort and I think that's because everybody knows we're excited to know that almost everyone is coming back on offense and we think we've addressed our needs through recruiting on the places that we needed to," Jones said.
Wonderful news.
"It's just been a fun offseason so far watching the guys progress," Jones said.
Good to hear.
"We had a number of guys bench press over 400 pounds today ... one guy went over 500," Jones said.
Or as I would put it, only 450 more pounds than me. Still, very impressive.
"Alabama has their own museum of football," Jones said.
That's good! (No, wait, that's bad. But in a way, it's good. "The experience is really a once-in-a-lifetime deal," Jones said.)
See? Lots to feel good about.
But the stuff that will really get you going, my favorite part, the thing that will put a smile on your face, is the question and answer session. During which we came up with, "Who is the new offensive coordinator?"
"Uh ... the new me?" Jones said.
Apparently he wasn't aware that he had been replaced.
And, "How good is Mel Purcell's brother?"
A good question. Unfortunately, Jones can't comment about, ahem, certain people, until they are enrolled in school. He carefully explained that due to NCAA rules he isn't allowed to say anything about a potential transfer until the guy officially becomes a student-athlete with the team. There are some guys he can't comment on right now. Which brought up a follow-up question.
"Is he as good as Mel?"
Never let it be said that they don't have a sense of humor at the Honolulu Quarterback Club.
Yes, there is always gold in the question and answer session:
"Are you satisfied with your budget?"
"Uh ... well."
It's all in the timing.
(Jones would go on to say, "Herman does a fantastic job in managing what the project is.")
"We play Alabama and their budget this year is probably about $35 million and ours is $3 million," Jones said, "so I'd like to switch sides."
Nah. There's no way anybody in Alabama asking questions half this good.