Coordinator Corner: Comfort with quarterback and third down defense are points of emphasis

AN IMPORTANT PIECE THAT REMAINS

Every Thursday afternoon of a game week, the media meets with Kansas State coordinators Collin Klein and Joe Klanderman. The offensive boss went first and the answer he poured into the most had to do with new starting quarterback Adrian Martinez.

It was clear that one of his remaining objectives is still developing a chemistry and almost a second language between he and Martinez. Klein views it critical for him to know what plays, schemes and concepts that Martinez likes the most week-to-week and where his comfort lies.

He knows that is one of the major keys for success. The offensive coordinator and starting quarterback must be on the same page, and they are trying to establish that rapport in an accelerated timeline. There’s no concerns, but they are mindful of it.

HOW PACE WILL BE DICTATED

Although that was the most invested he was about a certain topic, we did pick Klein’s brain about what to expect about the pace. That was the largest discussion item of the offseason on how they would operate much faster than what we are accustomed to seeing from the Wildcats.

K-State has tempered it some, and shared that they have the ability to vary their approach and operate under multiple tempos. My inclination is that they will proceed quickly and with aggression until they don’t have to anymore.

However, the new Wildcats’ offensive coordinator described it by pointing out that the pace will be dictated by game flow and no general approach or plan going into the contest. Additionay, it will also be dependent on the offense’s ability to execute what is being asked of them.

UPDATE ON HONAS AND DUKE

Klanderman did give us a peek of what to anticipate from each of Will Honas and Khalid Duke, who have both been battling injuries throughout the offseason. For Honas, it is a new setback. For Duke, it is about recovering from last year’s health issue and returning to shape.

Honas is not available this Saturday, and Klanderman admitted that he didn’t envision having the seventh-year linebacker on the field for a few weeks. But Duke will see snaps, and they do like what they are seeing out of him in terms of how he has moved. There have been no lingering concerns with his knee.

What they are unsure about is his conditioning level, and they realize that it will be a work in progress and take a few games until there’s enough comfort that they can count on him for a regular amount of snaps.

THREE TRUE FRESHMEN

Most have seen the development by now, but head coach Chris Klieman and company listed three true freshmen on the two-deep that was released on Monday. All three happened to be on the defensive side of the ball, and according to Klanderman, all three will play a significant number of snaps.

The defensive coordinator was asked point blank how much they would play, and that was his answer. Of course, those three are cornerback Jacob Parrish, safety VJ Payne and linebacker Jake Clifton.

Like most have done thus far, Klanderman called Clifton one of the smarter players he’s ever coached. Parrish brings the speed, competitiveness and toughness at the cornerback spot and Payne is clawing away at the safety depth chart.

THIRD DOWN DEFENSE

One area where former defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton has a leg up on Klanderman has been the third down defense. They were elite in the first year under him, and it’s been a work in progress for the latter.

Part of that uphill climb has been being short-handed week in and week out one season and transitioning to a new scheme the following one.

Klanderman has noted a couple times how they got by last season even when they were not right just because the guys on his unit played hard and fast enough that it alleviated some of the issues.

Thus far during preseason practices, they have been right a lot more. That is what having another year in the system will do for players and their comfort level, roles and responsibilities.

They’ve also been able to plan out their third down packages a lot more. Klanderman admitted that K-State had a very elementary understanding and knowledge of what they wanted to in that department last year.

Because of that, there was no consistency, and it was tough on the players. More time familiarizing themselves with what works and what doesn’t has allowed them to become more organized in that particular facet, and they anticipate that showing up on the field this season.