Jeff Grimes speaks, 2/25

You know the drill. Jeff Grimes, hired away from Colorado in January, now will share his thoughts about the Tigers' offensive line.

• On the personnel situation: "We have several guys that have some ability, and even more importantly, I think we have some guys that can create some competition. I can rip their fanny all I want but if they know they’re going to be on the field because they’re the best guy, in some cases, it’s not going to make a difference what I say."
  
  
• On overall problems with depth: "It’s an urgent priority. We would have liked to have signed more. It just didn’t work out that way. We’d like to have at least 15, and preferably 17, offensive linemen on scholarship at all times. So we’re at 10 right now, and signed two. We’re not near where we need to be."
  
  
• On the challenge of being physical from a two-point stance: "The way I’m going to coach this deal is that we’re going to be physical on every stinkin’ play. It doesn’t matter if it’s an inside run, an outside run, screen or drop-back pass. Our job is to be physical and finish every play to the whistle regardless of what it is."
  
  
• He said Ryan Pugh will play center.
  
  
• He made several references to Andrew McCain at right tackle.
  
  
• He isn't using the start from scratch approach Malzahn discussed at quarterback. Here's why: "I don’t want to discount some of the things that have been done by some guys that have had success. We’ll certainly have a starting point but we’re not going to necessarily line up and say, ‘You guys are No. 1 until you lose the job.’ We’re going to say, ‘You guys have the opportunity to start out here,’ but this guy right here is right behind him and it may vary by day or by series."