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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach David Cutcliffe's Weekly Press Conference
8/27/2001 | Football
Aug. 27, 2001
HEAD COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE'S PRESS CONFERENCE
OPENING COMMENTS
I am glad it is officially and gameweek. Our young team is looking forward to this. We've answered a lot of questions and we've done a lot of talking about things. We have a lot of guys who need snaps and need to play games. I am excited for our team and staff. I am interested to see how we respond and how we play. A lot of our questions will be answered on Saturday. I feel good about our preparation. We started back in January. I am anxious to see how that is going to compute into playing games. This team has worked hard and had a great attitude. We have a few concerns. German Bello is questionable. Matt Koon is still on a day-to-day basis. I think we will get a lot of people back today. Tremaine Turner is another one who is questionable for the game, maybe even doubtful. He hasn't had any live contact. He's got a minor back problem. Until we can get some answers on him, he's probably doubtful for Saturday's game. I am anxious to see how we respond to gameweek. They've practiced hard and long throughout camp, and it's finally gameweek. In our kicking game, Cody Ridgeway will be the punter, Jonathan Nichols will handle the place kicking duties and Lee Rogers will kickoff.
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
Q. Talk about Eli Manning's preseason camp
"Eli Manning has had a good camp. He is a well-prepared player. He hasn't started a game in college football, so he's going to learn some things each Saturday. It's been awhile since he has played a complete game. He is a player who is prepared and ready to play. He's one of the ones who is ready to quit talking about it and go play football. I know he is anxious to get going."
Q. How concerned are you about the injuries to the offensive line, and how quickly the redshirt freshmen might have to play?
"I am concerned about our offensive front. We have inexperience at the two guard positions. They (Doug Buckles and Marcus Johnson) are both good football players. They worked hard as redshirt freshmen, and they worked hard all spring. That's a place where you learn lessons the hard way in college football. Neither one of them has played a snap. I have some general concerns about our depth situation. German Bello had his knee scoped. He tore the meniscus cartilage. They repaired it, but you never know how long they will be out. It's amazing, some players come back in seven days, some 10 days and some two weeks. We just don't know how his knee is going to respond. We are still day-to-day with him, but he is doubtful for this game."
Q. Talk about your signees and do you have any idea which ones might play right now?
"Eric Oliver is going to play on defense and special teams. Brandon Jacobs at tailback looks like he's put himself in the rotation and will also be involved on special teams. Some of the others are too close to call at this point. A lot depends on what may happen this week in practice. Right now it's not a clear-cut issue. The players are all going to continue to practice as if they are going to play.
Q. What separated Jonathan Nichols from the others at kicker?
"He's been consistent over the last few weeks with his time. He's been getting the ball off on time and getting great height on his kicks. Lee Rogers and Shae Orrell were not necessarily doing a bad job. Jonathan was a little better. That is why we are going into this game with him. We will see what happens."
Q. What about the return game? Have you made any decisions there?
"We are waiting to see where Robert Williams is health wise today. He's an experienced return guy. I am anxious to see where Jason Armstead is health wise. Trey Fryfogle, Chris Collins and Syniker Taylor are some of a number of people who are going to be involved on special teams. Early in the year you may see some different people returning punts. It's not necessarily going to be one guy all year long. We have some weapons there."
Q. Can you talk about the situation at tailback and if Brandon Jacob's emergence has been one of the pleasant surprises?
"Joe Gunn and Robert Williams have missed a good bit of work with nagging injuries. With them missing as much work as they did and with Tremaine Turner being held out of contact, we went right to our freshmen Brandon Jacobs and Vashon Pearson. They have both done a good job. But, it's difficult to step in and get yourself ready with all that we do. Brandon has run the football well and he's catching on in the passing game, which is one of the reasons he's asserted himself at that position. He has great hands and outstanding speed. He's a big guy. He brings a lot of positives. He's caught on to the system, and that has given him a chance to compete."
Q. Who will emerge in the receiving corps?
"We have a deeper receiving corps and faster than we've had since we've been here. They still have to show up this week. We've got to see them make some plays. Jamie Armstrong is the leader, a senior that has been here the entire time. Omar Rayford is another senior, but he's been hurt. They are both capable of making big plays and they have to as seniors. Chris Collins has played and he has great big-play ability. I have been pleased with Ross Barkley, Trey Fryfogle and Bill Flowers. Trey Fryfogle is going to be starting at one of the positions. He's earned that position. I am interested to see how our freshmen are going to fit into the mix. Mike Espy, Ratavius Biddle and Mario Hill have all had good camps. They are all very talented young players. We are going to put people out there who are going to make big plays for us. We are fortunate to have some depth at the receiver position. Jason Armstead, has been hurt, but when healthy, he has potential to make things happen. Before he got hurt, he was probably making more happen than any other player at wide receiver. I like the group, but I want to see them make the plays we know they are capable of making."
Q. Considering all the questions you have, is this a good year to open against Murray State as opposed to Tulane or Auburn?
"I don't want to belittle Murray State. Regardless of the level, there are a lot of good football players out there. They've got an outstanding group of players returning on offense. They have a lot of newcomers with some veterans returning on defense. They can run. They have a great playmaker at quarterback in Stewart Childress. He's proven what he can do. They are an outstanding opponent, they just happen to be a I-AA program. They are an elite I-AA program. They have played at the upper-level of I-AA. Regardless of whom we are playing, we are going to have a lot questions answered Saturday. I am anxious to go play as I am sure they are too."
Q. With Brandon Jacobs likely at No. 3 in the tailback rotation, is Vashon Pearson a possibility to be redshirted?
"It's too early to call on the young guys. There are some things Vashon is doing extremely well. He's had a little nagging hamstring that won't go away and a couple of other nagging injuries. We are going to continue to evaluate the situation. We are not ready to make that call yet."
Q. Murray State has a lot of Mississippians on their squad. Talk about what you know about their talent level?
"Michael Slater is someone we know a lot about. He's a talented athlete and a big guy at wide receiver. He had 43 catches a year ago. He is definitely going to be a playmaker. They have a number of good athletes at every position. Garner Byars in the backfield, is a guy who can break for long runs and is good in the passing game as well. They have people on defense, like Mandrell McGregory from Clarksdale, who will be a factor for them. Malcolm Moore is solid at cornerback, and Jason Myers a young player from Mississippi, will start on their defensive front. They have improved themselves as a team, in every area, particularly when you look at all the returning players on offense. They had an outstanding team a year ago, and they are going to be much improved."
Q. Are you concerned about some of Murray State's player's motivation of returning to their home state and getting the chance to show off in front of friends and family?
"It's always an exciting thing to return to your home state. But, our focus is on us first. I am more concerned with how our team is going to respond and how our young players are going to play. From an emotion standpoint, I expect our football team to be ready. We've been waiting a long time to play. We have a lot of youth and people who are excited to go play. Our team will be ready to play."
Q. You basically have four new starters in the secondary, since Syniker has moved to cornerback. Talk about the secondary?
"We are much improved in the secondary. I like what we are doing, and I like the scheme. I like the way our kids are competing in the secondary. We are very athletic and fast, and we have people tackling better. They will hit you. When the ball is in the air, they will go after it. That tone has been set since spring practice, but more so in summer camp. We are young and unproven, but I like what I have seen so far. Obviously it's a tough opponent to open up with, because they are going to spread the field and throw the ball a lot. We are going to be tested right away against good players."
Q. How much do you think we will see against Murray State defensively?
"Because they are going to present problems, defensively, we are going to have to play. Coach Lindsey is good about making changes each game and doing things that fit the system. He's a guy that in past experience, is tough to get ready for in a week. You'll see different things from him from week-to-week. We've done a lot of summer scouting work already in the general planning stages for opponents. You'll see differences, but we feel like we have a good plan for Murray State. We have to with the kind of offense they have and the numbers they put up."
Q. We've spent a lot of time talking about injuries. Is this the normal amount you've had in the past, or do there seem to be a few more this year?
"It's a few more than what we've had in the past. It's something that is going to occur, but you hope that is not going to occur for any length of time. I have never had so many key people out at one time that couldn't practice. We've been hit at the offensive line, tight end and tailback. We've had more injuries on the offensive side of the ball than on the defensive side. We've had some young players that needed some quality held out of practice. It's evident that players are getting bigger and stronger. The contact that they have is going to create problems for joints. We are seeing more of that as we train to get bigger and stronger and faster. Something is going to give and that frightens you a little bit."
Q. Does Murray State strike you as a team with very little to lose? Does that make them more of a dangerous opponent?
"Anytime you are playing a team that feels like it is the underdog, they are going to come in and play that role well. They will take risks. You prepare for that, but you have to be prepared to play football. Tricks, gadgets and going for it on fourth down are things you prepare as well as you can for, but again, you have to focus on what you're doing, particularly on opening games."
Q. Can you talk a little bit about Ben Claxton?
"Ben Claxton is another one of those players that has missed some practice time, but he came back rather quickly. He is a preseason all-conference pick and rightfully so. This spring was the best spring he has had as far as practice time and that has gone on into the fall. He is really playing at a great level. I think he could be the best center in the Southeastern Conference."
Q. Could you talk about Eric Oliver's play so far. Has he been a surprise?
"I do not think any of them (freshmen) are a surprise. We are pleased, as I have said all along, with that class of newcomers. Eric has a lot of savvy. He is a very explosive hitter. He is a guy that is a naturally good tackler. Again, you never know how a guy is going to adjust to the transition, but he has a lot of energy on the field and brings a lot of excitement out there. He can make a lot of things happen. He will be on special teams, but he will work his way into the rotation. He is learning a lot of things. Depending on what opponents are doing on offense, and where he can fit in and feel comfortable and not make a mistake, is where he will be. The secondary is not a place where you can let a guy make many mistakes or else you will get burned. Eric will work his way into the rotation. He is a football player."
Q. Can you talk about your offense. Will you pass more than in the past?
"We are going to be a little different. This offensive system has always been this way. You change certain things through the strengths of your personnel. We've changed the run and pass ratio, but we do not go in year-to-year with this thought process in mind. Again I am anxious to see how this receiving corp will respond. I am not through with my evaluation of what we can get done there. We have some work to get done there this week. With the personnel we have I think we will be okay if they play like we think they will."
Q. Talk about Joe Gunn?
"Joe Gunn is in the best shape of his career. Early on before he got hampered, I thought he was better than he has been. He is working like a senior. His game is sharper, and he knows what he is doing in every facet of playing that position. He is catching the ball well and he is stronger than he has ever been. He is bigger than he has ever been, and he is faster. He has looked great when he has been healthy. We were glad to get him back last Friday."
Q. Talk about Gus Carwell?
"I think we have had some more competitive situations this year and that is a good thing if it is based on quality. We expect Gus to be playing. Gus is excited about football. He is really into it and I expect him to play."
Q. Talk about Marcus Johnson?
"Marcus Johnson has a great desire to be an outstanding player. The work ethic he has developed is outstanding and he has all of the tools. I know that is one guy that is excited. He is a physical football player who plays with a lot of passion."
Q. Talk about Kevin Thomas?
"Kevin Thomas is a spark. He is a perfect guy to be wearing No. 38. He loves to play and it does not matter whether it is on defense or special teams, he just wants to be out there. On the field he always seems to be around the ball and making plays."
Q. Talk about Doug Buckles?
"The thing I like most about Doug is that he always tries to finish things. He still has a lot of little things to work on as far as a technique standpoint, but getting a game in there will certainly help. The attitude he possesses, and his desire to play will help him."
