March 19, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Head Coach Tom Craft
General Comments:
"The scrimmage today was better overall. I think we're starting to get a little thin - a little banged up. We had probably our most physical week last week with three good days of hitting and probably close to 38 live plays each day, so we limited (the action) today. We had close to 65 plays today.
"Procedure-wise, it was a better scrimmage just based on not having as many penalties or mental errors in the offensive flow. The scrimmage went a lot better, particularly for the defense. Overall, I was really pleased.
"Right now, it's time to sum up a couple of areas that we think are really starting to jump out. I think (defensive back) Terrell Maze is having a really good, progressive spring. I really like what he is doing. (Defensive tackle) Emil Metroka is not going to be available for the rest of the spring, but he's had a great spring at one of the defensive tackle positions.
"(Defensive lineman) Kurt Kahui has been another guy who has just jumped out and upped his level of play. I'm really impressed with him. We can also say that about our back-up (linebacker) Russell Allen. I've really been impressed with him. I like the work of our two safeties. They're doing a great job.
"I think on offense, the most improved player on our whole football team is (wide receiver) Chaz Schilens. What he did today does not surprise us at all. As for the offensive line, we have started to (position them). At left tackle we had Chris Pino, left guard Taylor Schmidt and at right guard Brandyn Dombrowski. Today Eder Aromsemena got a lot of work and did a great job for us at center. Those are big improvement days for us. I think (quarterback) Darren Mougey continues to be impressive and had a good scrimmage today. Overall, I think we are a lot better today than we were when we started, which we should be."
On the team's injury situation:
"(Emil) Metroka just has an MCL strain. That's all I think it is. We'll just hold him out (the rest of the spring). (Running back) Brandon Bornes' surgery went very well. He will probably be working out in the next couple of weeks. (Offensive lineman) Mike Kravetz will have shoulder surgery on Wednesday of next week.
"We're starting to get a little thin. We've had four to six surgeries already, but I was glad we got 65-70 plays in today. We will have a short week next week with Tuesday being just helmets and no pads. Wednesday will be a full-padded day and then we will have two days off before we have the Red and Black game here on Saturday."
On the status of wide receiver Jeff Webb:
"(Jeff) Webb's shoulder surgery went very well. We expect to have him back and lifting in the first part of July. He will be immobilized for six to eight weeks then he will start some light working out. We expect him to make a full recovery."
On the status of quarterback Kevin O'Connell:
"He's (O'Connell) doing well. He's should start throwing full in the next couple of weeks. He's just doing some light throwing right now and he is doing fine."
On wide receiver Chaz Schilens:
"I think he is certainly a guy who we can consider (for a starting job). It's going to be really competitive for the starting position at the flanker spot. We have Tyrell Smith coming in who will compete with him in the fall. At the split end position, DeMarco Sampson is starting to come on as a freshman. He still has some mental aspects to deal with in the game, but he's been impressive athletically. Certainly, when you have Chaz Schilens, and when we get Tyrell Smith, Jeff Webb, Robert Ortiz, you throw in DeMarco Sampson and Ramal Porter and you hope Marcus Edwards will up his play, then all of a sudden we've got a good young group of wide receivers. We won't be limited to just two players. Some of the younger players are starting to contribute right now and it's really good to see that surface."
On quarterback Darren Mougey's improvement:
"I think he's starting to understand the offense. He's is an athletic, strong quarterback. I think he understands the offense a little better right now. Obviously, he has been able to drive the offense fairly consistent all spring. His athletic ability has allowed him to run for a touchdown again, which is the second time he has done that this spring. He's been going against our No. 1 defense, so it's not like he is going against the back-ups. He's really been in a competitive situation and just continues to understand what we are doing more and more. The big thing is his development in understanding our passing offense. We know what he can do as a runner in the triple option - that's (the passing offense) the part we want him to continue to grow on. "