Media Blitz today – What did we learn?

[Rick]

I’d love to hear any summaries of interviews today as 1280 and 700 did interviews throughout the day of Utah players and Coach Whittingham.

I was in and out of the car some so I just heard a few bits and pieces. What I did pick up:

-Whittingham said that both Barton and Snowden may play some offense this season. He referenced Barton’s tight end play at Brighton. Barton later acknowledged it in his interview but only after Checketts assured him Whittingham had let the cat out of the bag. Barton thought they were going to keep quiet about it. Whittingham also said Snowden will return some kicks. I think we saw some of that during spring ball.

-Barton acknowledged that he wasn’t right last season until late in the year. Whittingham said the same thing. He loves playing next to Damuni and listed Hall and Reynolds as absolutely ready for major playing time. He predicted that linebacker play won’t drop at all as the four of them rotate in and out. Whittingham also referenced the linebackers and predicted that a couple of the younger guys should be ready as well. He said, “we think we hit it out of the park on a couple of the young guys.”

Barton also acknowledged how important a good offense is for great defense. He referenced the Rose Bowl years and how important the vibe was on the sideline knowing that if the defense had struggled on a series the offense would pick things up. He loves the vibe in the building and on the field with Beck and staff and with Dampier at QB.

Certainly some things you’d expect from a media day but a few interesting tidbits. I heard all of the Barton interview on 700 and a little of Whittingham on DJ and PK in the morning. Anybody else have things to add?

[Chasqui]

I particularly enjoyed how Whit handled the Tanuvasa drama from yesterday. Putting it to bed by saying he doesn’t waste time worrying about players not on his team.

[Rick]

I just read the D’News article about the day. Repeated what I posted only better along with some other quotes and information. It’s worth a read.

I’m happy to read that he didn’t dwell on the Tanuvasa stuff. Lander addressed it a little as well. He said that he was angry at first but emphasized how football has become a business and he’s not going to blame someone for moving on. He mentioned that he remains friends with Tanuvasa. I will say that he pointedly said that he’d never leave Utah – unless it was for the NFL draft.

I love that Barton family loyalty. There just won’t be many like them given what NIL is doing to college football and basketball.

[Author]

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