Camp Confidential: Five Questions With Travis Cunningham
8/19/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
Throughout preseason football camp, GSEagles.com will take you on a behind-the-scenes look at different aspects of the football program that go beyond the practice field. In today's installment, we check in with inside linebackers coach Travis Cunningham.
Q: With it being your first season here in Statesboro, how have things gone so far for you as you come from Gardner-Webb?
TC: The first few months have been great. I have really enjoyed the staff and players. The guys have great work attitude and they enjoy each other and have a genuine respect for each other. It is a pleasure to coach here under Chad Lunsford.
Q: Who has been your summer standout during camp?
TC: I think the guy that has filled the biggest void is Rashad Byrd. He has flipped back and forth and has really made a commitment during the offseason to learn both positions. Mentally he is locked into learning big picture, offensively and defensively to how he fits in. I think the leadership role that he has taken, not only to put himself in position, but also the guys around him, to be successful.
Q: What is the biggest responsibility the inside linebackers should have in the 3-4 defense?
TC: The biggest responsibility is communication and leading by example. The biggest thing at this level nowadays is, guys don't care what age you are or what your experience is, it's can you put them in position to be successful on each play and make the calls. Once you have given the information it's more of a professional respect so are they doing their one-eleventh towards the common goal.
Q: What do you want your linebackers to pride on this season?
TC: We talk a lot about the non-negotiable. We want them to be smart, tough, and we don't want anybody to be able to take that away from them.
Q: What impact do you want to make defensively?
TC: Defensively, we want the guys to be smart and tough. We need each guy doing their part, in what we like to call the one-eleventh of the team, so that they can go out and be successful on each play.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Mon., Aug. 20 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 21 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 22 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 23 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 24 (6-8 PM, Fan Fest to follow, GS Armstrong Campus - Savannah)
Sat., Aug. 25 (TBD, TBD)
Q: With it being your first season here in Statesboro, how have things gone so far for you as you come from Gardner-Webb?
TC: The first few months have been great. I have really enjoyed the staff and players. The guys have great work attitude and they enjoy each other and have a genuine respect for each other. It is a pleasure to coach here under Chad Lunsford.
Q: Who has been your summer standout during camp?
TC: I think the guy that has filled the biggest void is Rashad Byrd. He has flipped back and forth and has really made a commitment during the offseason to learn both positions. Mentally he is locked into learning big picture, offensively and defensively to how he fits in. I think the leadership role that he has taken, not only to put himself in position, but also the guys around him, to be successful.
Q: What is the biggest responsibility the inside linebackers should have in the 3-4 defense?
TC: The biggest responsibility is communication and leading by example. The biggest thing at this level nowadays is, guys don't care what age you are or what your experience is, it's can you put them in position to be successful on each play and make the calls. Once you have given the information it's more of a professional respect so are they doing their one-eleventh towards the common goal.
Q: What do you want your linebackers to pride on this season?
TC: We talk a lot about the non-negotiable. We want them to be smart, tough, and we don't want anybody to be able to take that away from them.
Q: What impact do you want to make defensively?
TC: Defensively, we want the guys to be smart and tough. We need each guy doing their part, in what we like to call the one-eleventh of the team, so that they can go out and be successful on each play.
Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)
Mon., Aug. 20 No Practice
Tues., Aug. 21 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 22 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 23 (4:30-6:30 PM; Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 24 (6-8 PM, Fan Fest to follow, GS Armstrong Campus - Savannah)
Sat., Aug. 25 (TBD, TBD)
Players Mentioned
ILB
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