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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach David Cutcliffe's Weekly Monday Press Conference Transcript
10/14/2002 | Football
Oct. 14, 2002
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HEAD COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE
Opening Comments To start off, we did some good things in all phases this past Saturday to build on. As I said after the game Saturday, I know there are still areas we need to work on. We have some things to work on before we jump into the teeth of our schedule, beginning this Saturday against a very fine Alabama team.
Alabama is an outstanding team. They do a lot of things on offense and defense and do them well. They have a lot of good football players, and they are well coached. It is going to take our best effort on Saturday.
From an injury standpoint, Chris Spencer will probably not work today. His ankle injury is a little more significant than we had hoped. We'll see what tomorrow brings. We're going to try to work Robert Williams some today. As for the rest of the squad, we have some with bumps and bruises, but those players will practice. For the most part, we're better (injury-wise) than we have been after some games this season.
Q: Is Alabama the most balanced team you have played so far?
A: It is probably fair to say Alabama is the best team we've played so far. They are certainly the most balanced team, and they are able to do a lot of things on both sides of the ball. They are also good in the kicking game. They are just a good, solid football team.
Q: Since Vanderbilt, has consistency developed on the team?
A: We did some good things Saturday. It (Arkansas State) was a different type of attack than Florida. We still have a lot of growing to do. We know we are going to play a team very capable of running the football this weekend. We're improving each week, and we still have a long way to go.
Q: Do you think the team is on the verge of putting it together all four quarters and playing that "break-out" game?
A: I hope so. What I hope we're on the verge of doing is displaying the consistency that can be held over four quarters because that's what it takes to play a team like Alabama. It's going to take great focus in practice. It's going to take great focus and energy during the game. We talked about how great our preparations needed to be just this morning. They are coming off an open date, and I'm sure they have a good jump-start on us. We need to get a great start on the practice field today.
Q: Talk about Ben Claxton and his career at Ole Miss.
A: First of all, Ben's a captain, and I mean that in the truest sense of the word. He acts like a captain on and off the field. He's been starting at center since 1999, and the only time he's been out is when he has had injuries. He's a tough player, a dependable player. He is a really consistent football player, and I know that means a lot to Eli (Manning) and his teammates. It all starts with the center snapping the ball.
Q: Any other center that you coached that is comparable to Ben Claxton.
A: I don't make comparisons like that very well, so I don't. He's a good football player. I've been fortunate to be around several of those, and he is one of them.
Q: Talk a little about Claxton's pro potential.
A: That's something I don't give a lot of thought to, but he certainly will have an opportunity (at a professional career). He's got good size and is very physical. He plays a physical game, so he will get an opportunity.
Q: Talk about Bill Flowers. He seems to be your "go-to" guy.
A: Bill is a special player for lots of reasons. He has talent and speed, and is an exciting player. He has a great work ethics, and it's fun to go to practice with Bill every day. Bill practices football the way you want to practice it. He's earned his opportunity to be the leading receiver. We've got a competitive situation at wide receiver. We have some depth there. He has thrived with the competition, and has taken advantage of it. He hasn't missed a minute of practice, and that's the kind of work ethic he has. He's an outstanding young man who continues to get better.
Q: Talk about Flowers' emergence this season.
A: To be honest with you, it really started last year. The last half of the season he became one of our leading receivers down the stretch. He made numerous big plays, and he just has a knack for finding the end zone. I know he spends extra time after practice with Eli, and that has paid off because Eli has great confidence in him.
Q: Address what is going on with the defense this year. Also talk about the linebacking corps where you have had some injuries.
A: At the start of this season, I said that we were better on defense than at any other time since I've been here. I really like what we're doing from a scheme standpoint. We're getting people in the right places, and we're staying very sound. We have some veterans on defense, and we've also blended in some young talent. There are times where we have a number of redshirt and true freshmen on the field. It's still an on-going work in progress, and we have a big challenge to continue improving.
Q: What problems do Brodie Croyle and Tyler Watts each present for your defense?
A: I haven't gotten that deep on their offense yet, but in talking with (defensive coordinator) Chuck (Driesbach), I don't think there is that big a difference in what they are doing with one quarterback than the other. The big thing about the Alabama offense is they have a lot of different personnel groupings, a lot of looks they give you. With each personnel group, they also give you numerous formations you have to deal with. They present a lot of problems for any defense. They are able to power the ball on you. They have speed, they can throw it and they can run the option. They do a number of things very well, so it makes it hard to defend them.
Q: Talk about the impact Chuck Driesbach has had on your defense.
A: Chuck Driesbach - along with the entire defensive staff - has done an outstanding job. Back during spring practice, Chuck didn't have a lot of time to come in and teach the players and staff because of the circumstances of us losing a coach so close to practice. The job he did last spring was phenomenal. He was able to get most of the package in. It's a package that has given us some versatility. We've been able to put people in positions to make plays. Utilizing the personnel is something Chuck has a knack for.
Q: Talk about your offensive line and how well they have played.
A: We do a consistent job of protecting the quarterback because we throw the ball on time. We pride ourselves in that, and the quarterback knows his protection well. Our offensive line has played good, but not as consistent as we would like. It's something we'll continue to work on. We'll still work on the fundamentals and the little things. But, we're better than we were, and we're more physical than we were. This group knows its challenge is to take it to another level. If we can maintain the ability to run the ball, then it makes it much easier to protect the quarterback. When you can't run the ball, then protecting that quarterback gets to be difficult. That's always a challenge against the kind of people we're trying to block.
Q: Take a look at your stretch run.
A: I don't have as much anticipation (about looking ahead) as you do about predicting what may happen. Sometimes the unexpected can happen. I know this - we're not even halfway into the race (for the SEC Western Division title) even though we're halfway through our schedule. The bulk of the SEC's big games are coming up. I don't think what has occurred to this point has any bearing on what will happen.
Q: Talk about Alabama and its personnel.
A: Alabama has a lot of good football players. They have good depth. They have a nice mix of veterans and young talent. They are very physical on both sides of the ball. All teams in the SEC have skill players, but when you are physical on both (offensive and defensive) lines, then that gives you a chance to be a great football team. They have an athletic offensive line, and we all know the outstanding players they have on their defensive front. They speed they play at and the power they play with is something to see.
Q: Talk about how the young wide receivers are coming along.
A: Mike Espy and Taye Biddle have explosive speed, and are also tremendous track athletes. It's fun to watch them. They have a good work ethic on the practice field. They have great attitudes, and are smart. They possess all the things necessary to be successful. It's been fun watching them get better.
Q: What is the most important part of their success?
A: They do a good job because of speed, for one thing. There are technique things that they could do better, that both of them need to look at. But they are certainly guys that are threats to get behind anybody out there because of their unusual speed. And I would say that their speed is unusual, it's not just average. Everyone in this league has speed, but those guys can take it to another level.
Q: Where does Bryant-Denny Stadium rank among the toughest places to play in the league?
A: It's certainly right at the top. It's a beautiful stadium, and I'm sure it's going to be a full house. I know the last time we were there it was extremely loud and emotional, so it's a difficult place to play. Most of these places in our conference are tough to play mostly because they have good players. You play against those types of teams on their home field with their home crowd, and it's a challenge.
Q: Talk about Taye Biddle's role in the offense.
A: He's growing in his role. Taye Biddle is really turning into more and more of an every-down receiver. He's certainly a deep threat for us, but he's caught balls in intermediate routes and short routes. He's becoming a better blocker. He's a guy that you want to get the ball in his hands. He's a good runner with the football after he catches it. He's a guy that can be really exciting. His role is increasing hopefully in our offense as a freshman.
Q: Was speed the No. 1 factor in recruiting Biddle?
A: It always starts there with me. I want a wide receiver that can run. But I really liked him in everything he did in high school. I thought he was a tremendous prospect.
Q: Talk about the excitement over the team's fast start.
A: It's been exciting for our players. We've done a good job of staying focused one week at a time. Excitement generates from being prepared to play that next ball game. That's the way we're certainly going to approach this going down the stretch. It's good to see the stadium addition in the south endzone. We've played a number of games at home obviously. Having the big crowds and the great atmosphere has certainly been exciting for our team.
Q: Do you think last year's win over Alabama will help your team's focus for this game?
A: I think they understand that they can win, but I think they also realize that unless you play extremely well, you won't have a chance to beat a team like Alabama. It will take our best effort and the type focus that you expect from a really good football team to beat an Alabama. I think it's a positive that they know they're capable of beating them if they play well, but I think they're also aware that if they don't play well, they have no chance to beat a team as good as Alabama.
Q: Does it concern you not playing a lot of home games over the final stretch of the season?
A: Anytime you go on the road in our league, it's a challenge. But it's fun. It's what you get in the league for. There are some great atmospheres around the league. Big challenges are what you get at this level, and I'm sure it's why our players want to be a part of the Southeastern Conference. It's always a concern, but it's also a challenge we look forward to.
Q: Are there any benefits playing on the road, with the pressure being on the home team?
A: I don't know which way pressure gets shifted, but I think when we go on the road, it's a time we can focus totally on the job at hand and draw together and close ranks together. You've got a difficult task in front of you, so actually your concentration and focus levels should increase.
Q: What was your reaction when you first saw the schedule?
A: When I first saw the schedule, I'm sure my reaction was like everybody else's. It was "wow". It overwhelms you to look at it at first. But in the SEC, everybody probably has the same reaction to its schedule. It's either going to happen to you early or late. Ours came at a stretch when our four road games in the conference are in four of five games. It's very noticeable, but since that time, you go back to playing them one at a time. That helps.
Q: Are there any positives you draw on for motivation from the last time you played in Tuscaloosa?
A: I don't know how many of these guys were the ones doing the playing. So I think that's not as big an issue. I think we'll draw on a lot of things about what it takes to win on the road in this league, and the things you have to do. A number of our players know how difficult it is to win on the road, but they've won some on the road.
JUNIOR QB ELI MANNING
Q: What kind of confidence do you have going into such a big game after last season's win?
A: Well, we know that Alabama is going to be a tough team. They always have good athletes. Last year was a big win for us. It was the first time we had beat them in 12 years, so it was a big win. But this is a whole new year with different people. We are going to have to go there and play good football to win the game.
Q: Do you think that you will be cool in the huddle even if you guys fall behind?
A: We know, as an offense and as a team, that it doesn't matter if you are down 14 points or if you are down 21 points early on, you can still come back. It is a long game. We were down against Florida. We have been down before. I think if we stay cool in the huddle, we will be confident the whole game.
Q: What do you think about the team's fast start?
A: Right now, we are where we want to be. We are 2-0 in the SEC. We are practicing well. We have good confidence, but we are not overconfident. We are excited about the season. We are excited about playing Alabama on Saturday. It is going to be a tough game. We just have go out there and start practicing and prepare for them.
Q: Do you see a little more excitement around campus?
A: I think so. People are excited about this year. We are 2-0 in the SEC. That is where we planned to be. We just have to keep going after wins. We have a bunch of SEC games coming up that people are excited about. The next two are on the road. It's going to be tough playing Alabama on the road, but people are excited about this season.
Q: How much has Ben Claxton helped you in your development as a quarterback?
A: Ben is a great player. He is a smart player. He knows what he is doing out there and really takes a lot off me. I can make my calls and do everything. He does a whole lot at the line. He knows who I am talking about when I point people out in pass protection. He really makes my job easier because I know he knows what he is doing and he is going to tell the other linemen what they are doing.
Q: Talk about Bill Flowers.
A: Bill is probably one of the hardest workers on the team. He always stays after practice and catches balls. He is always talking to me and telling me to get the ball to him. He wants the ball every time. He does a good job of getting open and finding zones in the defense and making big catches. He is a guy that, on a big down and distance, you know is always going to get open somewhere.
Q: Coming from a football family, is there an added bonus that has helped him?
A: He has an older brother that has helped him when he has some questions. He told him that he has to work extra hard, stay after practice, and work harder than the other players if he wants to be the starter. He has earned that on this team.
Q: Talk about Taye Biddle and Mike Espy.
A: Both Taye and Mike have really stepped it up, both in the spring and in the summer. Especially now that they realize that they can get in the game for playing time. They are both really fast. They have the offense down. They are working on how to get open and learning the zones and the speed of the game. They are good players.
Q: Talk about last season when you beat Alabama
A: That was one of my first big games. Just coming back in the fourth quarter in the rain was a big confidence builder for my teammates and me. We learned that we could compete with anybody in this division. It was one of the biggest wins I have had since playing here.
Q: What are your impressions of Alabama's defense?
A: I really haven't had a whole lot of time to look at them. I have seen a little film on them, but I have not been able to watch a whole lot of them. I know they are going to be good defensively, they always are. They have a good defensive line, so they will be tough to run on. They will get some pressure on us. We just have to go out there and execute our game, be well prepared, and play smart football.
