Aug. 11, 2004
SAN DIEGO - Head Coach Tom Craft
General Comments
"We are picked a little higher (in the MWC poll) this year, third by many preseason predictions. We are really proud of that; we think we worked really hard to change the perception of San Diego State football right now.
"It's been a two-year process and it is ongoing, our players are very anxious and everyone has asked about competing for the conference title and a bowl game.
"I don't think there is a coach in America or a football player who doesn't want that to happen. But that is not our focus right now, it's not really a cliché, but our goal in camp is to try and put together our football team as quick as we can for the opener. Primarily we have 12 starters returning and those numbers have been mixed a little bit. There's 12 legitimate starters, defensively we have to look at our corner position right now, where there's a question mark at both positions, and some depth, but it's a talented position for us. Potentially, Marcus Demps is a guy who can move to the corner position. Marviel Underwood is very capable and we have a lot of confidence in Terrell Maze-he had a good off season. Donny Baker can get in the mix and with our safeties, with Josh Dean and Reggie Grisby, we can be comfortable if we have to move safeties to corners. Linebackers are a real strong point for us, because we have returning players and depth. The defensive line has three new starters and we have to try and find them backups. We'd like to go into the season with six to eight starters in that group. So we are definitely trying to put a focus on the two corner positions and the defensive line.
"Offensively, it's between three linemen as to who is going to be at the right tackle with the move of Mike Kracalik to the left tackle. We have three guys challenging for that spot in Mike Kravetz, Robert Nelson, a junior college transfer, along with Will Robinson. Our two guard positions right now have Brandyn Dombrowski being the lead guy at left guard as a redshirt freshmen. You are looking at two redshirt freshmen going into camp who can be the no. 1 guy, unless they get unseeded by Robert Nelson or possibly Tyler Schmitt. Those are going to be competitive positions.
"I think the QB position is no different then any other position. Where there's competition it doesn't mean there's controversy, but I think we have three very capable people who are going to challenge with that position. We are also going to have to knock down that no. 1 slot at receiver outside Jeff Webb. We have a lot of answers on special teams-new kicker, new punter, new deep snapper. We have a lot of areas that we have to build our team going into the opener."
On this year's high expectations:
"Players would reiterate that they have worked really hard to get to this position. I think the coaching staff is flattered that people have taken interest in the conference and what goes on in the Mountain West with recruiting and a lot of different facets of the game of football. We are moving the program and you have to have a little luck. We've got a lot of answers-you have to stay healthy and we didn't stay healthy last year. I think the Colorado State game in particular, where we lost three starters, which was 80 percent of our offense. Our defense really played well last year. We are going to put a lot more pressure on our defense this year, because we think we are capable. We will be more aggressive on offense and on special teams, we will take a little more risk. We are going to be a gutsy team and probably out of character. We will go for it, a little bit more. That's the part that we respect about our defense and the experience that we have over there, but we still have some question marks that are going to have to come together."
On who will redshirt this year:
"Probably about 16 (players) of them. You never know how are you going to tell when you have someone who is going to compete. I think what we have learned through the past couple of years that we've had true freshmen come in and play a significant role, so that could possibly end up happening. There are some positions that are set up for competition and a true freshmen might be able to play. What we try not to do is prejudice our thinking about someone who would fall into a redshirt unless we can really determine that in camp."
On all the redshirt freshmen:
"I think Nicholas Osborn and Antwan Applewhite are both challenging for starting positions and I'm pretty excited about them. Offensively, I've mentioned Mike Kravetz and Brandyn Dombrowski going into the fall camp. Kevin O'Connell is still alive at the QB position for us. We will also see if one of the wide receivers can be competitive. I think Chaz (Schilens) is probably ready to step up and feel really good about Wesley Williams at this point. We've got either redshirt freshmen and linemen competing for a starting job or a no. 2 slot, and that is what you want."
On fall camp:
"I think the corner position in particular, we have to get some answers. We are committed to putting the best four players on the field. We are going to have to be creative this year by blending in some of the players who don't have a lot of experience. We are going to find out how much we are going to commit to them going into the season. When you have someone who is fairly established like a Jeff Webb or Lynell Hamilton, it is important for them not to be taken out of the game. We are going to have to be a team that spreads the ball around as much as we can in order to maintain their presence in the game and be a factor. What you saw our first year here, two years ago, is to get the ball to our best player and we've demonstrated that with players such as Kassim Osgood and Ronnie Davenport. Now, we have to look to be more balanced to help the young players establish themselves, particularly on the offensive side. The camp is going to answer some of those questions for us."
On Senior Offensive Lineman Mike Kracalik:
"Mike had a really great year last year. He was at the right tackle position and was a second team all-MWC performer. Mike has great size and we're going to move him over to the left side this season. It's a pivotal side for us as he will protect the backside of the quarterback."
On Special Teams:
"Punting wise, Michael Hughes is the starting punter and he is also going to battle to do the kickoffs. Sean Henshel, a walk on, is also going to battle for the starting position with Michael, but Michael is going to be the lead guy. Sean is also going to battle for the kick-off duties, along with placekicker Garrett Palmer. Sean Henshel is the guy who is going to try and find an area where he might be able to help us best. We are all excited about the long snapper, Tyler Schmitt. He's a true freshman and we're going to be looking to him to be doing all the snapping duties.
"We do think we have some depth and some good athletes and our special teams have shown great improvement as well. We had one kick blocked last year and that's a great improvement from what it's been in past years. We can maintain that improvement again, because we have great athletes who want to become more aggressive and try and put a little more pressure on punt and kick teams.
"On kick-off returns, I think Brandon Bornes is somebody we're excited about seeing. Michael Franklin has adjusted and might be back there as well as Hubert Caliste. Jason Van will be looked at and we could have a couple new people back there."
On competition in the Mountain West:
"I think as a conference, it is really swamped and heavy on defensive strength. I think UNLV has 10 or 11 starters back on its defensive side. I think what we did against Ohio State also helps, because people from a national standpoint have seen that the Mountain West can perform well. On the defensive side, I know Utah has a great defense, which is much more highly ranked then there offense is. New Mexico is also known for its defense, not necessarily its offense, but its offense routine was a lot more prolific last year. Their QB was probably the most underrated player in the conference. I think as the conference continues to play more nationally broadcast TV games, the better our conference will look. The Ohio State game last year gave us a lot of recognition and we represented the conference well. We're not going to sneak up on Michigan. We're a team that is picked in the upper echelon of the MWC, and everybody knows what we did against Ohio State. (Michigan) started practice 12 days ago and have a game before we play them. Those are the kind of things in the schedule people don't read."