Coach David Cutcliffe Comments on Saturday's Scrimmage

Aug. 21, 1999

Quoting Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe on Saturday's scrimmage
"I thought we had a couple of good things. I thought Kendrick Clancy showed up as usual on defense. I thought our linebackers showed up. I really think we need to run the ball better on offense, particularly early, but we had some plays. We made some plays on offense that I thought we would. One thing I thought was that we were competitive between the two's and that's a good sign. I won't know until we see the tape exactly where we are, but I do think we had a competitive situation. Our kicking game worked which was really good to see. I think that gassed some of our kids early to do as much as we did with the kicking game, but we wanted to make an effort there and I think we did. Team's generally make their greatest improvement between their first and second scrimmage. We challenged our staff and our squad to make that happen. We'll scrimmage again Tuesday."

Q: Talk about the freshmen.
A: There's no question that we had some freshmen catch our eye. Wes Scott and Eli Manning, there's no question they made some big plays. Those guys have got some quick feet, speed and generate some excitement. I'm anxious to evaluate where we are. We can focus on who's going to be playing and who's going to help us. We'll start narrowing that down next week.

Q: Talk about Stackhouse and Deuce
A: Stackhouse is a little banged up and we decided to hold Deuce out and get a look at our other people. Hopefully they'll get some work on Tuesday.

Q: Talk about the offense compared to last Monday.
A: There's no question we're further ahead. We did a good job of signaling our plays. We were out of the huddle and we didn't have very many problems as far as the 25-second clock. I'd like to see us take care of the football. We had a few balls tipped in the air and were picked off by the defense. We can't have that happen. There were some real positive things from the management of our quarterbacks. I thought it was good for the most part and they'll learn from it. I don't know how physical we were today. I'm anxious to see just how physical we were when we look at the tape.

Q: How has Romaro come along from the start of two-a-days?
A: Well, he's leaps and bounds ahead of where he was anytime during the spring. That's not only from practice but also from his summer work. He's making steady progress and I think he's really becoming more and more comfortable. He's a little tired. He told me that his arm wasn't sore but he was a little tired and I think that showed, but I don't know who's not tired right now. That's what we have to push through. We won't be on the field tomorrow. We'll give them tomorrow off and that will give them a chance to recoup.

Q: Talk about the officials.
A: We talked to them about rule changes and how important it is to manage the game right. I thought it was great of him to come do that and visit with our staff.

Q: Was the scrimmage scripted or were you matching wits?
A: No. We don't script calls. We pretty much know when we talk about what we're going to see and what we're going to do going in, but to be honest with you, I don't ever really look at our defense scrimmages. There's so many things that we want to look at and that we want to see, it's not a scheming type of thing. They're not using all their schemes, they're trying to just make sure that we get a good look at who's playing well and who's not.

Q: How has it worked with Cook in the middle and Armegis on the outside on defense?
A: I think it's been good. I think it's good for us that Armegis can go back inside and play there and it's given us some flexibility. Some of the packages we're going to be moving into, it will help us out even more that Armegis is getting to work some outside. I think it has been a real positive for his balance. Then you have to look at this first real scrimmage to really make a good evaluation of where we are. I know I saw Chad Cook show up and make some plays.

Q: Is that the way you would go if you had to play tomorrow?
A: Right now that's who the three starters would be: Chad, Armegis and Eddie Strong, but we'll see. Fortunately, we don't have to make all those decisions quite yet.

Q: Talk about Grant Heard and his situation.
A: He's just doing really well. He's really positive and upbeat and maybe before this week is out we'll get a chance to see him get some work.

Q: What about Syniker Taylor?
A: He cracked his hand the other day so he's got it casted up. It will be fine. It's not a long-term injury.

Q: Talk about the quarterbacks.
A: I thought we handled ourselves in getting to the line of scrimmage. We've got to take care of the ball a little bit better. We were fairly accurate. We missed a few reads but that's going to come and we just have to get more consistent. We have to get rid of the ball on time. For the most part, I saw all three of them do pretty well. We're doing real well with that and I think they all feel comfortable. That was encouraging, that part of it today.

Q: Did you get out of this without any injuries that you know of?
A: As far as I know. I don't think there was anybody seriously hurt. I there was they haven't told me about it.

8/21/1999 | Football