Caught up with Yo, who is making an impact as a rookie on special teams with the Baltimore Ravens. He scored his first NFL touchdown last week against the Arizona Cardinals, a 75-yard punt return.
1. Was the debut what you’d expect it to be? What about the touchdown?
(The debut) was pretty good. Everything was discplined, there was great blocking. Of course, the speed of the game was faster. (On the touchdown) The play was dialed a little different, but that’s the NFL. They over-pursued a little bit. Devard (Darling) had a good block and Ed Reed had a good block to spring me.
2. Explain the differences between Bill Snyder, Ron Prince and now Brian Billick.
They’re three different head coaches. It’s crazy. But it all boils down to the same thing — getting the players to play. Coach Snyder was the most different. He knew all aspects of the game, but he had a different way. He was more of a coach’s coach. Prince? He’s a people’s coach, a player’s coach and a coach’s coach. … They each have their own way, but they all get their point across.
3. Who’s faster, you or Devin Hester? There’s history there, right?
We were in the same conference in high school (J-Mart note: Hester went to Suncoast High in Riviera Beach, Fla., and Figurs attended Westwood High in Fort Pierce) in football and track. I’m faster. It was proven. We ran in state track meet against each other and I won. It’s on paper. I think he’d agree.
4. Did the Texas game essentially get you drafted?
No. When I visited other teams before the draft, they showed me film from other games, tackles I made on special teams. … It was my all-around play, how I did as a wide receiver. The more you can do, the better.
5. Are you coming back to Manhattan for the Baylor game? It’s the Ravens’ bye week.
Yeah, I’ll be back for the Baylor game. (J-Mart note: I asked, on the sideline?) Yeah.
There it is, the third installment. I’m looking for future "Fives," so keep the suggestions coming. The questions, too. I used a few that were submitted and a few of my own.
13 Comments
I’d like to see 5 with the man himself… Father Bill.
Like the blog, first time I’ve been here………What about 5 questions with good ole Jim Wooldridge, might be interesting.
I like both suggestions. What would I ask “The Man”? Wooly, well, no question that’s going to happen.
Yeah, Bill Snyder would be great. So would Wooly. Heck, Wooly might even be better. How about Matt Hall? I hear that kid is fantastic…
My 5 for Coach Snyder
1.Could he ever be an offensive coordinator for coach Prince?
2.Does he watch film and/or critique game plans for anyone such as Toomy at SJS?
3.Is he currently involved in the football program at all?
4.In hindsight, did he think the quality of his asst coaches dropped off from 1998 & resulted in the program being where it was in ‘05?
5.Does he feel betrayed by the way Bob Stoops raided his staff in 1998?
(Bonus) 6.Does he think “his” players were treated fairly by Coach Prince or did he not realize how many cancers had infiltrated his roster?
Questions for Bill Snyder: Do you feel like you had the amount of support you would have liked to have had from Weiser and Wefald before you considered retirement? What could they have done differently in order to keep you in the head coaching position longer?
5 with curtis malone. he fascinates me.
My five for Matt Hall.
1) How bad will the Chiefs beat the Chargers on Sunday?
2) Is Norv Turner all you thought he would be…and more?
3) If they had a boxing match, in what round would Derrick Johnson beat Shawne Merriman?
4) What NFL player would he compare himself to: a) Pat Kearney b) Heath Miller c) Matt Schaub d) Wali Lundy?
5) How happy is he that he ducked out of Manhattan without ever fighting Levi Wolters at mid-field/court?
5 for Terry Pierce (one of the 3 best LB’s in K-State history)
1.) Does he wish he’d stayed at KSU for his Senior year?
2.) What’s he doing now?
3.) Who started the Lynch Mob?
4.) What was the one thing about the NFL that kept him from realizing the same success he had in college?
5.) Hmmm, I can’t think of a 5th one. help!
Questions for Father Bill:
1) If you could pick 3 offensive and 3 defensive players you coached to start a team with, who would they be?
2) What opposing coach from the Big8/Big12 gave you the most headaches?
3) Other than coaching, if you could have done anything else what would it have been?
4) What was the best team (from coaching to athletes) you ever coached against?
5) What was the best coaching opportunity you were offered while at KSU? (doubt you’ll get an answer to that one, thought it would be interesting to know).
Five answers for my man Levi:
1. I like the Chargers by about 17 on Sunday. In the first half. The final will be something like 38-3.
2. Um…he hasn’t been perfect. Still, their two losses come to a pair of teams with a combined 6-0 record and both were on the road. I’ll give it a few more weeks before I jump off a cliff…but it’s getting closer.
3. How roided up would my boy be?
4. Yes (nods), I’m familiar with all of them. I would have to go with Matt Schaub, just from the time I saw him at Virginia. You know, he starts for the Texans now.
5. I’m thrilled about that. Levi is a tough, tough man and would have given me major problems.
5 questions for Bill Snyder:
1. How often does he think about December 5, 1998?
2. Did he like recruiting?
3. Does he think his style would have gone over well in the NFL? Or would he have altered his style of coaching if he would have gone to the NFL?
4. What’s his favorite stadium that he’s coached in besides Bill Snyder Family Stadium?
5. What was his favorite play call?
Dub C has some good stuff. I’ll use a few of those. Catzacker has a couple I like, too. Chum’s second question is a keeper. HugeCat, too incendiary. I can’t ask The Man that stuff. Sys, is there enough demand for information from Curtis Malone? Is that what the people want? ‘Cause I’m all about delivering what the people demand. Good stuff everybody…