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Coaches Corner: Q&A with RB Coach Johnny Roland
Fans sent in their questions for Cardinals running backs coach Johnny Roland over the last few weeks! Find out what he had to say about all of your questions!
I noticed you had picked up Travis Prentice last year and I was wondering what your plan is for him. What do you see as his role on your team?
I don’t know a lot about Travis. He was a high draft pick from the Cleveland Browns a few years ago. He is a downhill type of runner. When we got him last year, it was towards the end of the year to fill up a roster spot as we had so many injuries in the backfield. It was hard to get a good gauge as to what his particular style of running is. He’s got some size and had some innate vision and we will see in training camp.
Were there any other players from your high school team C.C. Miller who went onto to play in the NFL?
Yes, Willie Adams. He was a big offensive tackle and a defensive end and went to New Mexico State and I think he got drafted by the Redskins and played a few years. We had good teams in high school – State Champs by the way, 1960, 5A class.
As the running backs coach, what are some of the things that Marcel Shipp can improve on this year? I think he is a very exciting player!
He is a young player and the thing he does have innately is great vision. He’s an inside type runner, downhill kind of a guy. You’d like to see him with a fifth gear, but he’s still got good speed. Coming into his third year, he’ll have more instincts and have more anticipation and play a little bit more by the seat of his pants rather than what I am telling him.
First I would like to say that I had the pleasure to meet you a couple of times at the John Devlin Memorial Golf Tournament here in PA. You are a good guy and the Cardinals are lucky to have you. My question is, how do you go about preparing young talent like Jones and Shipp for life as a running back in the NFL?
Well, you start from the basics. You teach them the defenses in terms of recognition and normally if you understand defensive fronts, coverages go along with that. You’ll have some anticipation based on how guys are lining up. You try to teach them the offense, step mechanics that we need on certain play, whether it is a counter play or a zone play (inside or outside zone) and really from there you just drill them with a lot of fundamental type drills. I am a big believer in hips and foot movement. A lot of my drills are change of direction type drills so they can get some quickness of foot in and out and into and through the hole and point of attack area. Basically, they’ve had three to four years of college so it is not like they’ve never played football before.
Hey Coach, I want to improve my vertical leap, what exercises will help with that. As of now I do a leg routine of light squats for reps, heavy leg press, stiff legged dead lifts and one leg press or lunges. Any thoughts would be awesome.
Plenty of jumping! That is the only way you can improve your vertical, keep jumping, whether you are trying to jump the back of a basketball board, or just straight spring from your stance. That is really about all I know you can do.
How does Emmitt Smith fit into game planning? I know that he'd bring strong leadership to the organization and could almost act as an on-field coach and mentor for the younger guys on the entire team and not just the backs.
That’s the role we envisioned for him – being a senior leader on the field and in the locker room. He’s not only the all-time leading rusher, he’s been the MVP of the league and it is not like this is his first rodeo. And the good news is the offense that we run is an offense that he’s very familiar with. It is just a matter of getting used to the new terminology and verbage all over again, but our basic points of attack are really the same. Everybody runs the same offense, it is just really what you call it and what step work we use on certain plays.
You had the privilege of coaching Walter Payton back in Chicago. Are you excited about working with Emmitt Smith and can you talk about what it was like to coach Walter?
Walter and both Emmitt were not only outstanding football players, but outstanding men. From Walter’s perspective, despite all of his individual accomplishments, he wanted to be coached. He always listened and always asked questions. So it was a fight not to over coach him. I am very much excited about working with Emmitt. I think they are both cut out of the same cloth, just outstanding men and Emmitt brings a lot to the table in terms of his experience. It should be a fun union.
What are your greatest memories of Walter?
He used to always love to wrestle. He was just a fun loving guy. He loved to get you in a handshake and if you weren’t ready for it, he’d get your hand in the back of his hand and he’d bring you down to your knees. He got me once but after that first time, I was way too smart for him. He never got me again.
I'm the running backs coach at Highland Park high school here in Minnesota. My question is, what do you think is the best drill to run during practice? We run a spread offensive, so obviously the backs don't get many carries, but I do need another great drill.
Change your offense! If you’ve got a running back, you need to use him. I think the inside drill on 9 on 7 type deal is the best where we have a zone player or misdirection play or our trap plays and we work our whole offense on that inside type of drill. It is for the offensive line to work on coming off the football and for the backs to be able to read and anticipate their blocks and anticipate the blocking at the point of attack. It is a good drill for our inside game.
I’ll also o a sideline drill where they can drop their pads and protect their legs or sometimes we do a hit and spin type of a drill. By the time I get them, they are pretty accomplished runners so I am just improving some of their skills whether it is a stiff arm, or dropping pads to protect their legs especially on the sidelines.
Can you give me a description of Josh Scobey and Damien Anderson?
Scobey has some size and he has speed and quickness. He was just starting to come into his own last training camp when he had the broken thumb. He has some toughness and inside running ability and also has the speed to get the edge and get it turned upfield. I kind of like a lot about Scobey. He’s a willing participant and he likes to get in there and mix it up and once he breaks the line of scrimmage, he has the speed to go the distance. Damien is probably more quick than he is fast although he does have pretty good speed. He’s probably suited to more inside running than he would to getting outside. He’s strong despite his size – he’s 5-10 but he’s a solid 212-215 pounds, so he has strong legs and keeps his feet moving to turn out extra yardage. He’s a move the pile kind of guy.
Will Jeff Blake fit compatibly with the offensive system of the Arizona Cardinals (West Coast, motion, et.al) along with the new free agents?
He better! Or shame on us. Jeff is a veteran. This is my second go-around with Jeff. I was on the staff with the Jets in ’93 and ’94 when he was there. He knows the general offenses that are around the league and this system is more quarterback friendly than probably some of the offenses he’s been in. He has a strong arm. He throws a great go route – a high arching throw that he’s perfected and lets the receivers run underneath the ball. And he’s got some elusiveness in the pocket and has good feet and can run when pressed to.
Will Prentice compete with Anderson and Scobey for the third running back spot or has that already been determined?
There will be open competition. We will have competition at back-up and competition brings out the best in everyone. I would have to say we are pretty loaded at the running back spot. As a coach, you always want to have enough good football players and I think I’ve got them.
I understand that Dennis McKinley has agreed to sign a two-year contract. Are you going to give him more playing time?
That is the plan. Obviously, we signed James Hodgins and those two will battle it out. Dennis is a four-year guy and he is experienced, but he just hasn’t had enough playing time.
Are you excited about the addition of James Hodgins?
Yes, he’s a big-time thumper. The Rams run the same kind of offense we run so his learning curve should be shortened. Guys shouldn’t have to think too much. They should have enough experience that they can hear a play and go out and execute it and if it breaks down in route, hopefully they can make smart football decisions and make good adjustments.
Coaches Corner: Q&A with RB Coach Johnny Roland
Fans sent in their questions for Cardinals running backs coach Johnny Roland over the last few weeks! Find out what he had to say about all of your questions!
I noticed you had picked up Travis Prentice last year and I was wondering what your plan is for him. What do you see as his role on your team?
I don’t know a lot about Travis. He was a high draft pick from the Cleveland Browns a few years ago. He is a downhill type of runner. When we got him last year, it was towards the end of the year to fill up a roster spot as we had so many injuries in the backfield. It was hard to get a good gauge as to what his particular style of running is. He’s got some size and had some innate vision and we will see in training camp.
Were there any other players from your high school team C.C. Miller who went onto to play in the NFL?
Yes, Willie Adams. He was a big offensive tackle and a defensive end and went to New Mexico State and I think he got drafted by the Redskins and played a few years. We had good teams in high school – State Champs by the way, 1960, 5A class.
As the running backs coach, what are some of the things that Marcel Shipp can improve on this year? I think he is a very exciting player!
He is a young player and the thing he does have innately is great vision. He’s an inside type runner, downhill kind of a guy. You’d like to see him with a fifth gear, but he’s still got good speed. Coming into his third year, he’ll have more instincts and have more anticipation and play a little bit more by the seat of his pants rather than what I am telling him.
First I would like to say that I had the pleasure to meet you a couple of times at the John Devlin Memorial Golf Tournament here in PA. You are a good guy and the Cardinals are lucky to have you. My question is, how do you go about preparing young talent like Jones and Shipp for life as a running back in the NFL?
Well, you start from the basics. You teach them the defenses in terms of recognition and normally if you understand defensive fronts, coverages go along with that. You’ll have some anticipation based on how guys are lining up. You try to teach them the offense, step mechanics that we need on certain play, whether it is a counter play or a zone play (inside or outside zone) and really from there you just drill them with a lot of fundamental type drills. I am a big believer in hips and foot movement. A lot of my drills are change of direction type drills so they can get some quickness of foot in and out and into and through the hole and point of attack area. Basically, they’ve had three to four years of college so it is not like they’ve never played football before.
Hey Coach, I want to improve my vertical leap, what exercises will help with that. As of now I do a leg routine of light squats for reps, heavy leg press, stiff legged dead lifts and one leg press or lunges. Any thoughts would be awesome.
Plenty of jumping! That is the only way you can improve your vertical, keep jumping, whether you are trying to jump the back of a basketball board, or just straight spring from your stance. That is really about all I know you can do.
How does Emmitt Smith fit into game planning? I know that he'd bring strong leadership to the organization and could almost act as an on-field coach and mentor for the younger guys on the entire team and not just the backs.
That’s the role we envisioned for him – being a senior leader on the field and in the locker room. He’s not only the all-time leading rusher, he’s been the MVP of the league and it is not like this is his first rodeo. And the good news is the offense that we run is an offense that he’s very familiar with. It is just a matter of getting used to the new terminology and verbage all over again, but our basic points of attack are really the same. Everybody runs the same offense, it is just really what you call it and what step work we use on certain plays.
You had the privilege of coaching Walter Payton back in Chicago. Are you excited about working with Emmitt Smith and can you talk about what it was like to coach Walter?
Walter and both Emmitt were not only outstanding football players, but outstanding men. From Walter’s perspective, despite all of his individual accomplishments, he wanted to be coached. He always listened and always asked questions. So it was a fight not to over coach him. I am very much excited about working with Emmitt. I think they are both cut out of the same cloth, just outstanding men and Emmitt brings a lot to the table in terms of his experience. It should be a fun union.
What are your greatest memories of Walter?
He used to always love to wrestle. He was just a fun loving guy. He loved to get you in a handshake and if you weren’t ready for it, he’d get your hand in the back of his hand and he’d bring you down to your knees. He got me once but after that first time, I was way too smart for him. He never got me again.
I'm the running backs coach at Highland Park high school here in Minnesota. My question is, what do you think is the best drill to run during practice? We run a spread offensive, so obviously the backs don't get many carries, but I do need another great drill.
Change your offense! If you’ve got a running back, you need to use him. I think the inside drill on 9 on 7 type deal is the best where we have a zone player or misdirection play or our trap plays and we work our whole offense on that inside type of drill. It is for the offensive line to work on coming off the football and for the backs to be able to read and anticipate their blocks and anticipate the blocking at the point of attack. It is a good drill for our inside game.
I’ll also o a sideline drill where they can drop their pads and protect their legs or sometimes we do a hit and spin type of a drill. By the time I get them, they are pretty accomplished runners so I am just improving some of their skills whether it is a stiff arm, or dropping pads to protect their legs especially on the sidelines.
Can you give me a description of Josh Scobey and Damien Anderson?
Scobey has some size and he has speed and quickness. He was just starting to come into his own last training camp when he had the broken thumb. He has some toughness and inside running ability and also has the speed to get the edge and get it turned upfield. I kind of like a lot about Scobey. He’s a willing participant and he likes to get in there and mix it up and once he breaks the line of scrimmage, he has the speed to go the distance. Damien is probably more quick than he is fast although he does have pretty good speed. He’s probably suited to more inside running than he would to getting outside. He’s strong despite his size – he’s 5-10 but he’s a solid 212-215 pounds, so he has strong legs and keeps his feet moving to turn out extra yardage. He’s a move the pile kind of guy.
Will Jeff Blake fit compatibly with the offensive system of the Arizona Cardinals (West Coast, motion, et.al) along with the new free agents?
He better! Or shame on us. Jeff is a veteran. This is my second go-around with Jeff. I was on the staff with the Jets in ’93 and ’94 when he was there. He knows the general offenses that are around the league and this system is more quarterback friendly than probably some of the offenses he’s been in. He has a strong arm. He throws a great go route – a high arching throw that he’s perfected and lets the receivers run underneath the ball. And he’s got some elusiveness in the pocket and has good feet and can run when pressed to.
Will Prentice compete with Anderson and Scobey for the third running back spot or has that already been determined?
There will be open competition. We will have competition at back-up and competition brings out the best in everyone. I would have to say we are pretty loaded at the running back spot. As a coach, you always want to have enough good football players and I think I’ve got them.
I understand that Dennis McKinley has agreed to sign a two-year contract. Are you going to give him more playing time?
That is the plan. Obviously, we signed James Hodgins and those two will battle it out. Dennis is a four-year guy and he is experienced, but he just hasn’t had enough playing time.
Are you excited about the addition of James Hodgins?
Yes, he’s a big-time thumper. The Rams run the same kind of offense we run so his learning curve should be shortened. Guys shouldn’t have to think too much. They should have enough experience that they can hear a play and go out and execute it and if it breaks down in route, hopefully they can make smart football decisions and make good adjustments.
