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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Weekly Press Conference 10.12
10/12/2009 | Football
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt and quarterback Jevan Snead met with the media on Monday and discussed the Rebels' homecoming contest versus UAB.
Houston Nutt
Opening Statement
It was good to get back on the practice field yesterday. I really thought our attitude was very good. I thought we went about things the right way after watching the film. After a loss like that, it hurts and it should. Again, I can't say enough about our defense. I thought our defense was just outstanding considering how many times they were put in certain situations and responded with a tremendous attitude - a lot of passion and energy. You are hoping for one break or one play to make it a 9-7 or 16-10 game. Then it is a different deal. Our fans and our atmosphere that we had were tremendous. That is the thing that hurts so much. You would have loved to have gotten that one. The bottom line is that you can't do anything about that one now. You've got to learn from it and get better. We started out the right way yesterday and I expect the same things tomorrow and the next day.
Q: How important is it to get things on track by mid-season?
I just told our guys Sunday that if you look at it this time last year, we are ahead of where we were. Let's build on that. Our defense has been really positive. There is always a natural division between offense and defense but I love the way our defense - (Kentrell) Lockett, Kendrick Lewis, Marcus Tillman and Patrick Trahan - have given our offense encouragement. I just believe we are not that far off. I really believe that. You've got to give Alabama credit, but when we watched the film we really stopped ourselves with a missed block, a dropped pass and little things like that. I know we can correct them and get better. We've got to do a better job of coaching it. It is where you get going because you know your defense is good enough. Our special teams has been good, but of course we don't ever want to give up a blocked punt. It had been a long time since that had happened to us. We were in a different formation and we will get that corrected. Because our defense is playing so well, all we need is to execute and score points. We are ahead of where we were this time last year - let's go.
Q: Do you see a similarity between this season and last season?
At this time last year, we really didn't know what we had. Especially after the Vanderbilt game, I didn't know what to expect. We were still trying to feel our way. I feel like we know them better and feel like there is still a lot there. I still feel like we can have a really good team this year. What is important is that it is a mindset. If you get out of this room or this practice field, you may hear some things that may not sound right - maybe pretty negative. That is the world we live in if you look at professional football or college football. It is easy to sit on the 35th row and say, 'that's wrong, or this is wrong.' It is easy to do that. I just think that there is still a lot of football left and a lot of good things left.
Q: Who is going to have to step up with Marshay Green injured?
As soon as Marshay went out - that was a major blow for two reasons. What he does for us in the punt return game and he is playing really good football right now. We can put him on anybody as a coverage corner - he can play man against anyone in this league. Jeremy McGee and Marcus Temple - those are the next two guys that have to step up for us. It is a possibility (that we may have to take some redshirts off). We just don't know.
Q: How did Jesse Grandy perform returning kickoffs?
I thought Jesse did an outstanding job. There was a couple times where he misjudged the ball. His momentum carried him back into the endzone and his timing got messed up. We could have got it out to the 20 yard-line instead of the 11. Then we got a holding call and now we were at the three. That is just youth. The times that he did take it, he can find the crease. If we do a good enough job, he is the guy that can take it back for us. He was really good.
Q: What made you decide to put Jesse Grandy back there at this point in the season.
We just didn't know about him physically. He had gotten sick and lost some weight. We knew that he had speed. What we love about him is that he is a difference maker that we feel like can go the distance. He gives us a spark. Just early on, because of the sickness, youth and inexperience, we were unsure. As practice went on, with Brandon Bolden doing so many things for us, it was a good opportunity for Jesse to get into the mix.
Q: How important is this week for your team?
This is a very tough week. UAB had a week off. This is where your character and leadership - everything you fall back on - comes into play. It is a critical week to get back out and get going. We've got to be real positive. There is nothing like winning. You've got to win and get that taste of victory. As far as the SEC being over for us - I don't know about that. I've been in this league too long to know that anything can happen. This is a very difficult league. There are seven weeks of football left. I don't know if I would say that just yet. It is still early. That is the way we look at it. We are going to take one game at a time and we are going to start this week.
Q: Will there be any changes on the offensive line?
We are going to change up Rishaw Johnson for sure. In that spot goes Brandon Green. We are really going to also work hard with A.J. Hawkins. Those two guys, along with (Bobby) Massie, will get a lot of looks and a lot of practice time. Hopefully, they will get some game time. For sure, right now, we are going into the game with Brandon Green as a starter.
Q: How do you get the wide receivers back on track?
It's going back to work. As hard as it was to watch that film on Sunday, a picture is worth a thousand words. The only way you get better is to go back out there with a good attitude and know that you have to make a play and that you are a playmaker - that's why you're out there. There will be a lot of emphasis put on that throughout the week. Hopefully, you are going to see a lot of improvement. You always try to go good against good each day. It is just a mindset of going against a defensive back and being physical - creating separation. We will let our scout team corners be a little more aggressive and stay on top of those guys. Create a real look for them. You have to work to get better and you have to work to get open. This is a real league. You can't ever go through the motions. It has to be a real sense of urgency to get better on the next play or next snap each time you run a route.
Q: What is it like knowing you can count on the defense to keep you in a game?
It was awesome to see what they did Saturday. If you would have told me that Alabama was going to be inside the 15-yardline three or four times in the first half and come out with nine points, I would say there is no way. That is awesome. Like I told the offense, this is really my first experience of depending so much on a defense. We've got to score points, execute and move the chains. We've got to stay on the field like we have talked about and against good people every Saturday. It is important that we improve. Everybody has to improve. What I like about our defense's attitude is that they still have the attitude that they can get better. That is when you really have something special - when you have a defense that isn't pointing fingers and saying 'what is wrong with the offense.' They are saying that they know they can get better. That is a tremendous attitude and a lot of credit goes to Tyrone (Nix) and that defensive staff. They are keeping that group really hungry and keeping their attitudes right.
Q: What is causing the problems along the offensive line?
If you watch the film, two things jump out at you. One, there are a couple of physical mismatches. The second thing is just a missed assignment, maybe not the same person every time, but just a combination. All of that adds up against great defense. You can't do that. Everybody has to do their job - maintain their block, try to create a running lane and create protection. The hardest thing you can do is to put yourself into 3rd-and-long situations like we did so many times. It is the hardest thing to do in football against a great defense - to go get 12 yards. That is what is hard. We have to get better on first down. That is what we did against Vanderbilt. We have to be very efficient on first down and get four yards on a consistent basis. Let's take care of the ball and not turn it over. Its okay to punt, but not all the time.
Q: Have the veterans on the offensive line held their own?
We've got to get better. I know that they can do better. I think Bradley Sowell has probably made the most improvements. Bradley has really picked things up. I think he is protecting and run-blocking better. We depend on John (Jerry) so much. We go to the right for a reason. We depend on him to dominate his guy. I just feel like they all know that they can all be better. It is everybody.
Q: How do you prepare for an athletic quarterback such as UAB's Joe Webb?
We are going to take Raymond Cotton, who is very athletic, and let him run around for us. (Webb) is the guy - 6'5", 220 pounds and a very good runner. He is really about half of their offense. We have to do a good job of really hitting him. I think our defense will be up to that. (Webb) is the guy that makes their offense go.
Q: What is the team's injury situation?
Andy (Hartmann) held up pretty good (against Alabama). He got about 20 plays and did well. He should be fine. Marshay (Green) is probably the most questionable. I don't know if he will be able to go. He is having some problems with his kidney and maybe a cracked rib. It isn't too bad, but just enough (to make him questionable). Justin Smith is coming, we just felt like with where we were in the game, we didn't quite need him. He is still a little rusty. By mid-season, it is common to have a lot of little injuries - the ankles and shoulders. Patrick Trahan is so tough. D.T. (Shackelford) keeps re-injuring his ankle a little bit keeping him from being full speed. We just have a lot of bruises. I'm hoping, for the most part, we will be okay by Saturday - except for maybe Marshay Green.
Q: Are you encouraging Jevan Snead to run more?
I think it is something that is really opening up and he has confidence in that. He shouldn't be afraid to take off. He does it very well. I just think, after looking at everything, if he had four or five throws back - those are four or five first downs -and it's different. You get confidence and you have another set of downs. He is a guy that has taken a lot. I have a lot of confidence in Jevan, I really do. I have a lot of confidence in what he can do as leader of our team and as a quarterback. He'll pick up, take the ball, and run it. He's not scared to do that. We will have a couple of plays always designed for him to run it.
Q: What do you attribute to the poor punting protection?
This last protection was the worst one - it was a new formation, the shield protection. It is very new and our punter (Tyler Campbell) is moving a little too much to the right. I think we will get that corrected. I feel real confident about that.
Q: How are you going to prepare for UAB?
I'm more concerned about us. In looking at them, they are athletic. They beat Rice and Southern Miss. They had a chance to beat Troy and had SMU beat - they could easily be 4-1. Those Alabama kids are really athletic as we all know. Maybe they weren't quite good enough to get a scholarship to the University of Alabama, but you know they are good players. This is a very tough game this week. After coming off a lot of emotion and using a lot of energy. I expect our offense to be on the field for over 30 minutes and make a lot of first downs. Let's keep our defense rested.
Q: Do you want to use any other quarterbacks (Nathan Stanley or Billy Tapp)?
I'd like to, but right now, I really believe in Jevan (Snead). I want to get his confidence at the highest point I possibly can get it. If there are opportunities, I am not afraid to put in Nathan Stanley or Billy Tapp. I'd like to get Nathan Stanley in. You have to win the ball game, that if first and foremost.
Q: Is Jevan Snead's confidence his biggest problem right now?
I just know, as a former quarterback, what he is feeling. It is always difficult coming off of a loss when you expected to win. Everybody can play better around him as well. I know they way he comes back and attacks things just like he did last year after the Vanderbilt game. I know his mindset and understand his commitment. That is what I feel good about. He is an awesome person who cares, he is really steady and wants to improve. He is very coachable and listens well. He wants to please. He just needs one of those games where things are happening. There have been a lot of things going against him. We just need some positive things to happen for him. If everybody does their job along with him, we can really be a good offense.
Q: Does anything in the SEC surprise you anymore?
To me it is just more convincing every year how touch our league is and how anybody can beat anybody. If you think somebody is going to beat someone else Saturday, you better watch out.
Q: Who is going to return punts with the injury to Marshay Green?
We talked about that this morning. We are going to work (Jesse) Grandy hard there and maybe look at Derrick Herman too. I'd rather not have Dexter (McCluster) there. I just don't know how a true freshman can handle both. We have to work hard this week and put some pressure on Grandy and see how he reacts. That is probably the biggest question today. That is what Marshay (Green) does and he is a big loss.
Jevan Snead
Of course everyone is disappointed, as we are. I try not to pay too much attention to what people say. I've talked to some of my friends and of course they were supportive and said they're still behind us, but as far as everyone else, I didn't pay too much attention.
Q: Did running the ball loosen you up and get you more into the flow of the game?
Yes, I enjoy running the ball and it's something I did quite a bit in high school. I feel like it helped me get settled in and get into a rhythm.
Q: Is running the ball something you plan on continuing?
I'm definitely going to look downfield first, but if I have the option to run and the hole opens up then I may be taking off.
Q: Is offensive line protection something you're still struggling with?
I think maybe what I'm struggling with is not moving on to the next play. If I have pressure on the previous play, I may let that affect my footwork or timing on the next play. I think I'm rushed when I do have a little extra time.
Q: Have you felt comfortable in the pocket at all this season?
There has been several times where I've felt comfortable in the pocket. I felt really good against Vanderbilt, and there have been times where I felt good in every game. It's just when I get rushed the previous play, I let it affect me more than it should."
Q: What type of advice do Coach Nutt and Coach Austin give you to help you move on to the next play?
They just tell me that they know what I'm going through and that they've been in the situations that I'm in. They basically tell me that they understand, but at the same time that it's one of the things that I need to work on and need to focus on improving in that area.
Q: Is there almost a lonely feeling that no one knows what you're going through tying to lead the offense?
Losing period is tough. I hate to lose. I hate it more than anything. That's the toughest part. It is good to know that (Coach Nutt and Coach Austin) have been in the situation I'm in, and know kind of what I'm going through.
Q: How do you move on to the next game after a loss as emotional as Alabama?
I'm still very disappointed, of course, but at the same time, just like moving on to the next play, we can't look back and dwell on this loss. We have to pick it up and start working again to prepare for this weeks game, and do everything we can to win this one. There's nothing we can do that will change the outcome of last Saturday. We know that, and we know that its time to get back to work."
