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April 24, 2007
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Football
Spring Practice
Press Conference Quotes
Aztec Athletics Center
Head Coach Chuck Long
Opening Comments:
"It's the last week of spring ball and a big week for us. The third week is always that get-over-the-hump week. I thought our guys finished in a strong way in the (previous) scrimmage, and they performed well. I just want to make a note about our defense, especially the way they were flying towards the ball. They're getting their hands and eyes on the ball a lot more this spring. They created a couple of turnovers (on Saturday), and that's always good to see.
"Offensively, I like the way our running backs are performing, and the way they're running hard. We're a little thin at wide receiver and on the offensive line (with) just a few minor injuries, which is a plus in a way, because we had some serious injuries last spring. We're trying to develop some depth along the offensive line. Some of our younger guys are getting a lot of repetitions.
"I'm really pleased that we've been relatively healthy all the way through (the spring). It's knock on wood at this point with one week to go, but (the injuries) have been minor up to this point."
On whether he sees any separation at the quarterback position:
"Right now, it's too early to tell. We're going to finish this week out and then coach (Del) Miller and I are going to sit down and re-evaluate all of the film and statistics and see how those bear out. Then, we'll make a decision which way we're going. We would like to name (a starter) coming out of spring, but we are not afraid to (wait until) fall if need be."
On where the most competitive spots are heading into the last week of spring practice:
"Every position on defense is very competitive right now. We're a little bit more stable on the offensive side. We know who the older guys are and who the seniors are, but we would like to develop some depth along the offensive line. There's still a left guard position open and also center. We're still working those positions out. Running back is really competitive. Brandon Bornes has had a solid camp; he's done very well and knows the system. Then of course, we'll wait until fall to get Lynell (Hamilton) back. We've become a little bit more stabilized at wide receiver with Chaz Schilens and Brett Swain leading the pack. They've been ailing, which has allowed Mekell Wesley and Roberto Wallace to get repetitions. I really like what those guys are doing. The tight end position with Steve Schmidt and Matt Kawulok has been also very competitive. Both of them have had a very nice camp. We're going to use a lot of double tight end sets anyway, so both of those guys will be on the field. Then of course, there's the quarterback position that we talked about. But I would say there are a lot of spots up for grabs on defense. Offensively, there's not as many, but there are still some."
On whether the upcoming scrimmage will be more of a showcase for the quarterbacks:
"We haven't decided yet. We want them to throw the ball more in this last scrimmage, but we've become thin at receiver now. We're down in numbers. Those guys have been taking a lot of repetitions, but we're trying to take (the load) off their legs at the same time. So we'll see how this work goes. We expect to get Chaz back and also Marcus Montgomery, who had been ailing last week. He'll provide depth there and that'll help. We would like to throw it around a bit and see what they do."
On whether he is concerned about the production at quarterback this spring:
"No, I am not at this point, because we're really thin at offensive line. We've had a couple of our tackles out and our receivers are all new guys. We have Roberto Wallace, Mekell Wesley and Justin Shaw, who is a walk-on. Those were the three guys in our (previous) scrimmage. Our two quarterbacks haven't really worked with those three as much as (Chaz and Brett)."
On the difference in the quarterbacks this spring as compared to last:
"Last spring at this time, there was a lot of scrambling around. They just hadn't learned the system. But now there's less scrambling and more throwing from the pocket. That's been the biggest difference. That tells me they're reading things properly. They read everything well in the last scrimmage. It's just a matter of execution after that."
On Darren Mougey's development at receiver:
"The amazing thing is when you go through all the routes that he's run this spring, I don't recall a busted route. Since he's been a quarterback, that's paid off for him. He's caught a lot of balls this spring. The quarterbacks know where he's going to be and they trust him. They have a good feel for Darren."
SDSU Player Quotes
Senior quarterback Kevin O'Connell
On whether this week is a big week for him:
"It's no different than any other. I'm just trying to come out every day and focus on the little things that coach Long wants us to improve on. I've been getting rid of the ball fast and making quick decisions - all those things are something you need to be working on every day if you want to be successful, which is the ultimate goal for us. I don't think it's different than any other week we've had. With a little bit more competition at the scrimmage on Saturday, we're all looking forward it, but other than that it's just another week."
On his spring so far:
"It's hard to say. On a day-to-day basis, I've liked how far I've come along in decision making as far as getting rid of the ball and checks at the line - audibles and stuff like that. Last year at this time we were focusing on what we were doing personally as quarterbacks and that's not how you can play the position. You have to be able to have all 11 positions in your head. (You need to) know what everyone's doing in the formation and the way it needs to work to have a chance on offense. Last year, we were so worried about just ourselves, because we hadn't learned the offense, which was kind of a problem. Being a little more comfortable, offensively and personally, we've come a long way this spring."
On whether it makes a difference knowing a starter heading into the fall:
"I think it definitely does. You look at the summer program and the work ethic (it takes). It needs to roll and to click to have it all come together. I think you need a couple faces of leadership. Whether a starting position signifies that, I don't know, but I think after going through the summer and the program and knowing what we need to do, whether I'm the starter or not, I'm going to try to be a leader just as a lot of the other guys on offense are. We're going to need to do to make things work this summer to be where we need to be by fall."
On the importance of spring football to winning a position:
"I think it's the last impression. The first impressions are great, but if you ask coach Long, some of the significant plays that were made or guys who made strides the first couple practices as opposed to last Saturday, he'd have different answers. I think the last week everybody sees the finish line and you want to do everything you possibly can to leave that impact before fall comes around, because after this Saturday, it's going to be back on us as players out there on our own, other than the conditioning and strength coach stuff. We have a long time before we can put the pads on against each other again, so it's something that everybody's looking forward to but at the same time, we want to stay healthy and have productive days."
On the mood of the team:
"To speak for the vibe that I'm getting from the team, it's one that everyone's just really excited. We go out every day with a plan and purpose and we attack the days to get things done. It's not (good enough just) to get through them, it's not to weather the storm and just do whatever we can to get by, we're getting better each and every day. You're seeing a lot of the young guys coming out there with emphasis on doing certain things to get their names out there and they want to lose that redshirt mentality and start being guys that perform and help us win football games. There is a little bit of an edge to everybody that needs to be there, and that's what's been good and fun to watch this spring for me."
Junior linebacker Russell Allen
On the progress of defensive tackle Peter Nelson:
"He's coming on strong. He's one of the hardest working guys on our team. He's one of the few guys that didn't miss a single workout last summer. He's always been one of the hardest workers we've had and it's paying off for him now. He's got his opportunity this spring. He's getting some reps with the first team and he's taking advantage of it. He played really well on Saturday. He's had a great spring and continues to come on strong, and continues to get better."
On the importance of spring football to winning a position:
"As far as winning a position, every day is evaluated, whether or not we have pads on and whether or not it's a practice or conditioning session. Whatever it is, everything's evaluated with these coaches. The last week of spring ball is big, because that's the last thing in their memory as far as on-the-field football time, leading into the fall camp. I think this is a big week for a lot of the guys that are competing."
On the mood of the team:
"I can feel real eagerness in our team as far as wanting to get better every day. We realized last year we weren't good enough and we've made huge improvements already to improve on our record. I think that every day you can feel, not a sense of urgency, but a sense of eagerness to get better every day, to improve on that. It's been very fun and exciting."
On familiarity with the system:
"Having a year now to learn the system and get to know the way things will work around here now helps a lot. That in combination with the things that happened last year, it's now started to all come together for us and we're starting to improve."