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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach Ed Orgeron's Media Day Press Conference
8/14/2006 | Football
At tight end will be Robert Lane, Lawrence Lilly and Robert Hough. Those guys are having a good camp. At Wide receiver, you guys who were at the scrimmage know we've got some work left to do there. Marshay Green is the starting "Z". Mike Wallace, who was absent Saturday, is the starting "X". Dexter McCluster will be our third receiver going into the game. We're really pleased with the way he scrimmaged and we're fired up about what he does with the ball in his hands.
At full back is Jason Cook and (Reggie) Hicks. At tailback will be (BenJarvus) Green-Ellis, (Mico) McSwain, and Cordera Eason. We thought Cordera did a fine job for us Saturday, he's really coming along.
A quarterback, we're really pleased with Brent as he continues to learn the offense. He has made very few mistakes, and his conditioning is getting a lot better. The back up right now, if he had to play, would be Seth Adams.
On defense, we're still mixing and matching our defensive line. We have not found a solid front four yet that we're happy with. We're going to continue to work with them. We're trying to find a place for Marcus Tillman to play as well as Viciente DeLoach. Peria Jerry is obviously going to be a starter for us, but we don't know if he's going to start at tackle or at end. It all depends on the other guys. Hayward Howard is just starting to practice. His conditioning needs to pick up. Jeremy Garrett has had a solid camp at nose tackle. He's definitely our nose tackle. He is probably the most pleasant surprise at camp, who has really come to work. Brandon Jenkins is either going to play tackle or nose. Chris Bowers, Greg Hardy and Kentrell Lockett are all fighting for a starting position at the "Leo" position.
At the "Sam" linebacker, we've moved Garry (Pack) back. He's doing ok, but he still needs to pick it up. Jonathan Cornell is backing him up. At "Will" linebacker, Quentin (Taylor) is doing a good job. He is going to be our starter there unless something else happens. Patrick is solid in the middle. We've been watching the way we practice Patrick. He's been practicing on and off. Behind him is Robert Russell, who is doing just ok.
At the cornerback position, we have Trumaine McBride, Terrell Jackson, Nate Banks, and Dustin Mouzon. Those guys are battling. I feel comfortable with the experience we have there. At strong safety, Jamarca Sanford is starting to come along, Charles Clark has been solid. We feel like we have two solid young safeties.
In the kicking game, Justin Sparks had a fantastic day today kicking field goals. He's a little bit ahead of Joshua Shene. I expect the competition to continue ( to see who is our best kicker) until we play our first game. Rob Park is our punter.
Q: After you watched the film from Saturday what were some pluses and minuses?
A: We ran the ball well and had very few mistakes on the offensive side. We had very few mental errors, we kept things simple. We need to get our pad level down at the line of scrimmage, and we need to become more physical. We need to work on the fundamental things on offense and defense. We still have not found our defensive line yet. We have a ways to go there.
Q: Talk about two true freshmen starting at wide receiver. Does that concern you going into the season?
A: They're good players. I think if there's one position that you can start two new guys at it's that position. I'll find out at the first game if it concerns me. I'm happy with their athletic ability, and I'm happy with the type of young men that they are. We've had several practices thus far, and we have not had one freshman miss a practice because of dehydration or because of getting tired. I think they're fantastic and a tribute to our hard work and the type of athletes we have on our team.
Q: You originally had Corey Actis working at center behind (Thomas) Eckers and he was at guard today, does that mean that Thomas has had a bettr camp and is more comfortable being at center?
A: It means that our guards are not playing well, and we have to find the best guys. Thomas is playing ok at center, but he's still not there yet. We just have to find the best guys. We didn't want Corey to stay behind Thomas and him not be in the top five.
Q: What differences are you looking forward to this year as compared to last year?
A: We are excited about the continuity on offense, and being able to run the football. Our quarterback play is going to be a lot better this year. We will be able to make some big plays. You can expect a more consistent offensive line. On defense, we want to improve on our turnover ratio, we have to go get the ball more. We have to improve our third down defense and we have to be able to stop the run.
Q: What did you learn from your first year to now?
A: Do we have two days? I really loved it. I like the SEC, I think the SEC is fantastic. I love coaching at Ole Miss, I think it's a great university. I feel that we went out and recruited the type of talent we need in the SEC. I'm really excited to have Dan Werner, Art Kehoe, Hugh Freeze and David Saunders on my staff. We have continuity this year with good morale, and we are one.
Q: Talk about Patrick Willis. What are your expectations and what do you expect of him?
A: He makes everybody around him better. He doesn't have a lot of things to get better at. Last year, he made most of his big plays on instinct. Now, he knows the defense better, understands the adjustments and knows when to take his shot. I expect a fantastic year from Patrick.
Q: Talk about his leadership skills.
A: Patrick leads by example. He is not a big talker. He just gets in there and does his job everyday.
Q: What does (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach) Dan Werner bring to the table and team?
A: He has organization, toughness, and a lot of the same philosophies I have in coaching. He is here late at night. That is good to see. He is here early in the morning. He has a system that I really like.
Q: What are you worried about most on the defensive line, positions or who is the best?
A: Both. We are not playing the way we need to be playing on the defensive line right now. We are playing high and inconsistent. They (the offense) are running the football on us, and we have to get better.
Q: Talk about Viciente DeLoach.
A: Viciente is battling for the first team end spot. He has some good days, and he has some bad days. I think we are going to have to use him in situations to where he can perform at his best. That is where we are at on the defensive line.
Q: Talk about the receiving situation. With so many new guys out there, are you looking for the backups to contribute as well?
A: We look at the backups every day and night. Everybody gets a shot there. Everybody is graded and gets one-on-one drills. Right now we feel that those are our best guys. But, something could happen. That said, I didn't mention Shay Hodge. He is having a fantastic camp as well.
Q: How is he coming along?
A: He has great ball skills. He is a great athlete who catches the ball well.
Q: How far along is Brent Schaeffer in the offense right now, and do you expect him to have the full playbook at his disposal for the first game?
A: I think he should have the full playbook ready. He should be ready for it. Our timing is not where we want it to be on certain plays, and we have to work on that. But he is a bright young man who picks up the game of football very well, and we are going to throw everything at him. He is right on target.
Q: With all the tailbacks you have, do you like the running back-by-committee approach, or would you rather have that one 30-carry-a-game guy?
A: There is no committee here. The best player is going to run the football.
Q: What does BenJarvus Green-Ellis bring to the offense?
A: Toughness. He has an uncanny ability to make three and four yards when it looks like he is not really doing anything, then he will pop a 12 to 15-yarder. He is hard to bring down at the line of scrimmage. He is hard for one guy to bring down. He understands the offense. He brings a lot of experience. He ran well in the Big Ten, and I think he can do it in the SEC.
Q: Is he expected to be the starter?
A: Yes.
Q: Who is backing him up right now?
A: Mico McSwain. You can look at Mico and see what he has done as a starter for us. He has done so well. Right now it will be BenJarvus, Mico, and then Cordera (Eason) will get some carries as he grows. But right now, the backup is Mico.
Q: How much do you worry about having a new quarterback, new tailback, and young wide receivers, and you are just three weeks away from the start of the season?
A:I don't have time to worry. We are busy. I'm glad we are here. I worried last year. We have the talent. I would rather have the talent and just have to worry about getting them ready, then have guys that are not ready to play. We have SEC caliber talent in our backfield this year, and I feel very good about that. We are willing to take our shots with those guys and willing to let them grow, because I know sooner or later we are going to be very good.
Q: Is there enough time to get them ready?
A: Yes. We have no choice.
Q: Talk about the confidence you have in Brent Schaeffer.
A: I have a lot of confidence in Brent's ability. I understood what was on our football team and where he stood on our team. That is the reason I made that decision (naming him starter in February), and I think our team knows that and understands that now that they see him. We have some quarterbacks that could go in the game and run our offense, but there is no one else with his ability at the quarterback position.
Q: Talk about Robert Lane's move (QB to TE).
A: It was a very smart move on Robert's part. I think it is a natural fit for him. With the type of offense that Dan runs, the tight end is a high priority.
Q: When do you start installing the Memphis gameplan?
A: We have a lot of things to do right now. We are just focusing on our team. We have two weeks left of practice, and then we will worry about game week.
Q: Do you look at last years tape, or do you throw that out since the Memphis offense has changed so much?
A: No. We are going to watch everything.
Q: Talk about Bruce Hall's camp.
A: Bruce has had an excellent camp, and he had a great scrimmage. We are going to need several tailbacks and Bruce is right there with them. He will play this year and play a lot.
Q: Talk about Charles Clark
A: Charles is a very good player. He is kind of like the quarterback of the secondary for us. He is always in the post, ready to play. I always want a guy in the post, ready to protect the deep ball, and a guy that can get the troops in order.
