Tempe, AZ – There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
On second thought, maybe there is. Yesterday, members of the media were invited to sit down and break bread with the Sun Devil coaching staff as ASU football hosted their annual media luncheon to kick off the 2013 season.
Lunch
As the event started, media members and the coaching staff spent some time together at the fifth floor dining hall at the Carson Center overlooking Frank Kush Field at Sun Devil Stadium.
#ForksUp
ASU Coaches, dressed in gold pitchfork polo shirts, were polite and welcoming as those in attendance gathered around the buffet. Once settled in at their tables, the conversations were relaxed and enjoyable, and everyone seemed energized and ready to go after the less news-worthy part of the summer. That all changes when the Maroon & Gold takes to the practice field this Tuesday.
Each table was a good mix of media and coaches, and I had the pleasure of sitting with new receivers assistant coach, Aaron Pflugrad, and special teams coach, Joe Lorig.
Lorig, an avid fly fisherman, told a story about a close encounter he had with some grizzly bears while fishing in the northwest earlier this summer. Funny story, but sounded like a pretty serious situation for Lorig who said he was glad to make it out alive.
Aaron Pflugrad is thrilled to help coach the receivers this year and will bring some good experience and knowledge to the table. He continues to follow in the footsteps of his father, Robin Pflugrad, who coached wide receivers at both ASU (1995-2000) and Oregon (2006-2008) amongst others. Pflugrad is becoming a very solid coach and leader.
Press Conference
Following lunch, all media members headed down to the Dutson Theater for Coach Graham’s introductory press conference for the 2013 season.
Graham is confident going into his second year at Arizona State and continues to focus on relationships.
I would like to be at 200 at the start of the season.That allows me to be physical and make a hit at the end of a play, but also maintain speed as a receiver. -D.J. Foster
“The key to relationships is time,” Graham said. “We have built equity and trust with the players, and they have a lot invested.”
Following Coach Graham, Sun Devil players Chris Coyle, D.J. Foster and Jamil Douglas took the podium to talk to the media and answer questions.
All players looked in great shape physically from their summer conditioning program.
Foster added more lean muscle mass over the summer, but when asked about it, he said, “I’m at 195 pounds right now and would like to be at 200 at the start of the season.” Foster added, “That weight allows me to be physical and make a hit at the end of a play, but also maintain speed as a receiver.”
Foster also said the pace of the offense will be faster in 2013 because of being more familiar in the second year of the system; In other words, a higher grade of octane for the fuel tank.
However, nothing will be free for the Sun Devils in 2013.
One of the big topics in all media circles is the gauntlet of teams that ASU faces in the first five games of the season, but Graham and the Sun Devil players are embracing the challenge.
Graham added confidently, “I’m looking forward to playing in these big games. We’re not going to sneak up on anybody this year.”
Foster followed that up with a matter of fact statement, “We’ve got to beat the best, to be the best.”
The Sun Devils are truly ready for “Any Challenge” in 2013, including providing a free lunch to members of the media.
The front porch. #Home
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