Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after their sixth practice of spring Wednesday morning:
* UA coach Rich Rodriguez said the offense has been "pretty sharp" mentally and schematically so far. He credited the experience level of the offensive line and running backs, as well as the quarterbacks pushing the tempo.
* Arizona practiced in shorts. The Wildcats will go in full pads with “live” periods during Thursday night’s open “Spring Showcase.”
* Rodriguez said he wants his quarterbacks to execute and anticipate during the scrimmage. He wants the team as a whole to have fun after having "sand kicked in our face" last season.
* Rodriguez said the defense will be “tagging off” with some of the quarterbacks (presumably Brandon Dawkins and Khalil Tate) and players who have been banged up. It’s a pretty safe bet that tailbacks J.J. Taylor and Nick Wilson won’t be tackled.
* Rodriguez reminded players of the importance of being ultra-competitive in everything they do. "We’re trying to foster that to the nth degree," he said.
* Rodriguez said he’s still seeking more hustle and depth on defense. "Between now and whenever the first game is,” he said, “we’ve got to find 22 dudes on defense."
* Rodriguez specifically mentioned the need for the Wildcats to run to the ball. They do a drill designed to reinforce that. Players had to run extra sprints after practice today.
* Rodriguez said new defensive tackle Sione Taufahema is a "great kid" with a lot of natural strength, but he needs to get in better shape. The junior-college transfer is listed at 6-1, 330. “He probably has to take a pause when he walks up to the cafeteria if he takes the stairs,” Rodriguez said. “He’s probably taking the elevator. I’m going to suggest he takes the stairs from now until he retires.”
* Rodriguez said incoming kicker Lucas Havrisik will compete immediately with incumbent Josh Pollack. Rodriguez believes having legitimate competition there will benefit Pollack.
* Rodriguez made it sound as if he'll hire a special-teams coach sooner than later. That coach will have ultimate say in the kicker, punt and returner assignments.
* The next step for Arizona junior safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, per safeties coach Jahmile Addae: Turn pass breakups into interceptions. Flannigan-Fowles had six PBUs last year and two picks.
* Addae said Flannigan-Fowles has the potential to be a "really special player." He was second on the team with 81 tackles last season, including four for losses.
* Despite those numbers, Flannigan-Fowles described his performance as "average" in 2016 because Arizona had a "sorry season."
* The 6-2 Flannigan-Fowles is up to 205 pounds. He was 160 pounds when he first arrived on campus in 2015.
* Fellow safety Isaiah Hayes said he's been putting in extra time in the weight room to bulk up. He’s up to about 190 pounds now. He played at about 180 as a freshman after reporting at 160 when he enrolled last January.
