Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ post-practice media availability Tuesday morning:
* Arizona again is preparing contingency plans at quarterback. Starter Brandon Dawkins is believed to be in the concussion protocol. If Dawkins can’t play, freshman Khalil Tate is likely to start. Matt Morin took quarterback reps and could serve as the emergency QB. And Anu Solomon, out since Week 1 (knee), was in pads as he walked from the practice field to the locker room.
* Coach Rich Rodriguez likes the way this Arizona team works. It's one reason he believes the 2-4 Wildcats will improve in the second half of the season.
* Rodriguez said a lack of consistency is holding back the Arizona offense. Periodic breakdowns by one or two guys are messing up plays.
* Rodriguez said a lack of continuity at quarterback and running back shouldn't hinder the offense because everyone gets practice reps, but the reality is it does influence play-calling. I’ll have a midseason look at the offense later today.
* Rodriguez said receiver Trey Griffey's competitiveness enables him to win jump-ball battles. He will have to be at his best to win them against USC cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Iman Marshall.
* Rodriguez said hang time will be critical in negating Jackson on punt returns. Arizona punter Josh Pollack has struggled with that, especially lately.
* There has been lots of talk this week about Arizona players being overlooked by USC coming out of high school - and how "talented" the Trojans are. We’ll explore what fuels the UA-USC rivalry later in the week.
* Regarding the NCAA proposal for a new early signing period, Rodriguez reiterated his stance that there shouldn't be one at all. He said the “contract” between a player and a school should have some stipulations, but a specific date shouldn’t be one of them.
* Rodriguez on the proposal to add a 10th on-field assistant coach: "There’s a lot of guys across the country saying, ‘Hey, vote for that.’ I always thought the ratio of full-time coaches to players in football was poor compared to other sports. I don’t why, with the revenue, they didn’t address it earlier. I hope it passes.”
* Rodriguez said he plans to send friend and UA alum Terry Francona a congratulatory text message. Francona’s Cleveland Indians just swept the Boston Red Sox to advance to the ALCS. Rodriguez said he and Francona once played 18 holes in about 1 hour, 45 minutes. In golf, as in life, Rodriguez doesn’t like to wait around.
