Quotes: Everything Curt Cignetti said at his Monday press conference

Curt Cignetti addressed the media on Monday following IU’s practice to open the second week of fall camp.

Here’s everything Cignetti had to say in his press conference:

On the development of Byron Baldwin:

“He’s got a lot of ability, played some as a freshman. His thing is day-in, day-out consistency and having the discipline to be consistent. And he’ll be as good as his discipline and consistency take him this year.”

On the depth of the offensive line:

“I think those young guys are getting better every single day. They’re blocking veteran players. And we’ll see where we are when camp comes out, who we think the number six, seven, eight guy is.”

On the tight ends:

“(Andrew) Barker and (Blake) Thiry have been workhorses. They were out there in the spring, out there now. (Brock) Schott has had good moments as has (Trevor) Gibbs. From a blocking standpoint and a receiving standpoint, just trying to get them better because they’re young, but we’re gonna be counting on them. We’re gonna be counting on Barker, Schott and Gibbs for sure. And then figure out that fourth one.”

On the keys for Rolijah Hardy this season:

“He’s played really good football. I think as he gets older and more mature, his play should even elevate more. He plays his best in big games. He’s a good player. We just gotta keep him on the field.”

On the move of Joe Brunner out to right tackle:

“Well, Bob (Bostad) moves guys around a lot and he will in fall camp also. He wanted to start out that way. He thought that gave us our best five with (Adedamola) Ajani being more comfortable playing guard than tackle, but he can play inside, he can play outside. So he’s a good player.

On Brunner taking on a leadership role:

“Well, this is the time of year where a number of the older transfers now start to step up a little bit and you gotta put him in that position. I put him out in front of flex today to talk to the team. We’ve had the same five or six or seven guys in the spring and early in the fall sort of talk to the team.

“And now there’s a handful, five to seven other guys, I think, that have the potential to lead the right way and he was one of them.”

On the growth of Khobie Martin:

“I think he’s really developed. He was a good downhill runner in high school and he’s gotten faster and more explosive since he’s been here and very pleased with his progress up to this point.”

On bringing back Kellan Wyatt along with Stephen Daley:

“I think Daley will be ready to take some 11-on-11 reps next week with Wyatt a little bit behind him and we’re not rushing either. Both of them were really good players for us. Kellen Wyatt was playing really good football when he got hurt and Stephen Daley really emerged big time.

“So it gives those guys an opportunity to finish what they started. They didn’t get that opportunity last year because of injury and it makes us a better football team.”

On keeping guys motivated coming off of a national championship:

“I just think we’re trying to get them to play to a standard more than anything else. We have a certain way that we do things, process-driven, how we play the game. And we’ll find the motivational edges as we get closer to the season.
Right now, it’s more about getting them to play up to the standard.”

On how the defensive line might change with two extra bodies available:

“Well, one’s an end and one’s a stud. I let Bryant (Haines) handle the defense because I got a pretty good idea of what he’s thinking. Wyatt could possibly have some linebacker versatility in our trio package, which we play against 12 personnel.”

On whether he has any reaction to the comments made by new Purdue AD Tommy McClelland:

“Not really.”

On the status of Carter Smith:

“I think he’s shaken off the rust to a degree. And getting better, blocking some good people. And hasn’t played since the Miami (FL) game, which is the game he got hurt. But he’ll be ready to go.”

On Tyler Cherry:

“I think he’s really smart. He gets the ball out of his hand. And he’s developing. Gave him an opportunity to go with the twos today. Grant Wilson took the twos the first three days. And he just has to get better every day and take advantage of his opportunities.”

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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