Football Weekly Press Conference 10.05

Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt and quarterback Jevan Snead met with the media on Monday and discussed the Rebels' win at Vanderbilt and upcoming home clash with No. 3 Alabama.

Houston Nutt

Opening Statement

We got off to a good start Sunday as far as preparation. The guys came back and there is nothing like a victory to come back and correct things from the previous week. We are playing an outstanding team as all of you know. When you watch Alabama you don't see many weaknesses - offense, defense and special teams - they are playing excellent football right now. They have excellent athletes and they don't make mistakes. They feed off of their opponent's mistakes. They are very physical and their guys can run. They are just a good football team and we are looking forward to preparation starting tomorrow.

Q: What does Nick Saban do so well with his defense?

He'd be a really good basketball coach as well because he knows how to match things us. What I mean by that is that he is going to try to take away the things you do best. Whether it is run, pass or play action; he is going to study you on first down, second down and third down - he is going to know what you do. He is going to try to take that away from you and try to discourage you from doing it. He's got some real players that play the way he wants them to play. They are always fundamentally sound. What makes him different are his blitz packages. I think he is ahead of the game with the things he does with nickels, dimes and the extra defensive backs. He gets you behind in the count. He is really good. He will keep you off balance with the different types of blitzes.

Q: Do you self-scout your team?

We do a self scout each week to keep up with what we are doing. I think that is very common. Most teams do it - especially this week. I have gone against (Nick) Saban enough to know how he approaches the game. His teams are always very well coached and they always know your tendencies.

Q: Has your team been looking forward to this week?

The thing about out league is that I look forward to every week. I looked forward to last week and the South Carolina game. That is the thing that makes the SEC very special is that every game is a real ballgame with a real atmosphere. I expect our atmosphere to be one of the best in the country. We want our crowd. You want home field advantage. I think the SEC has real home field advantages. It is just great football and a great atmosphere.

Q: Have you been pleased with Patrick Trahan's play?

Since he has been here, I have been nothing but pleased with Patrick. He's an outstanding person first and foremost. He loves football. I just passed the hallway and he is in there watching film on his own on our off day. He loves it and he enjoys it. He plays with a real passion. We just got through talking about recruiting on Friday - that is the kind of linebacker you want to sign - a guy like Patrick Trahan. He is a playmaker.

Q: How much to 3rd and shorts open up the playbook?

There is nothing like it. That means that you are doing good on first down and that is what is important. I felt that last week we came out and stayed in front of the count and that means we are doing good on first down. We are getting some good starter plays. It gives you a real chance. The one thing that you don't want to get into, as we all say every week, is third and long. It is just too difficult. Real estate is very valuable. Each time a back, receiver or tight end touches a ball - get north. You can't run sideways on these guys.

Q: Why have you been so good against top 5 teams?

This game seems like it should always bring out the best - whether it is your managers, fans, trainers, players or coaches. If you have that competing spirit there is nothing like getting ready for a ballgame like this. You try to approach each one like this, but we all know Alabama is a great football team. We know that they have No. 1 ranked recruiting classes and all of those things - the tradition. You just go in trying to make the fewest mistakes in this ballgame. You can't give them any gifts. If you look at the games they have played so far, they get turnovers. Every tipped ball - every time I looked at the film this morning - they get every one of them. When they ball is in the air they get it. So you want to stay away from those things. I think it is about preparation, your attitude and how you approach it. It has always been a kind of winning formula - the way you approach things. You get your guys to believe. You have to go fight - it is a 60 minute ballgame.

Q: Why is Alabama so efficient running the ball?

To me it is defense, their special teams and their offense - you thought they are going to be a little down because they lost their senior offensive line, but they are not. They are physical and they run the ball. You see a lot of teams all across the country that are spreading it out and get to the two or three yard line and can't score. That is not Alabama's problem. You hit it and they wear you down. The reason they wear you down is because their defense gets a lot of three and outs, and here comes that offense again. They pound you, pound you and pound you - then they have play action. It is a nice way to play. They are a very physical bunch.

Q: How is the team's confidence level?

I think it really helps anytime you win a ballgame on the road in the SEC. It really helps us. I think we have some confidence going right now and we have to build off that.

Q: How do you feel about your linebackers right now?

I definitely don't think that they are treading water. I think that Patrick Trahan, Jonathan Cornell and Allen Walker are outstanding. Out problem is depth - especially when D.T. Shackelford went down. D.T. Shackelford, Joel Kight and (Lamar) Brumfield are very valuable guys. Right now, out of that group, Joel Kight is the only one that is healthy. Hopefully the other two guys are coming and getting better. If you notice Patrick Trahan and Allen Walker are on the kickoff team. By no means are they trading water - they are making plays and are playing extremely hard. Our defense has done an excellent job all year long. They have a real challenge this week. This will be the first challenge where a team really comes after you in the run game and plays very physical. Also, you have to defend the deep ball. That combination - deep ball, deep ball, play action and then run - they will run it out of different formations.

Q: Ideally, how many linebackers would you like to have available?

You would like to have six ready to go.

Q: How good is Rolando McClain?

He is 6-foot-4 ¼, 260 pounds and as fast as he wants to be. He gets to the ball carrier and he arrives in a bad mood every time I see him. What a playmaker. Then he intercepts a ball and looks like a big-time fullback running the ball. You can just tell that those guys are having fun playing the game. Without being there, you feel like Rolando is the heartbeat of their team. He brings a lot of energy. You don't see anybody blocking him. I just see him getting blocked. He stays unblocked, refuses to get blocked and then he goes and makes a play. He is big, strong and fast.

Q: Has Greg McElroy surprised you with his play?

I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know him. I thought there would be a little bit more of a learning curve there. It helps when you have a great defense, great special teams and an offensive line much better than I thought. His best friend is to hand it off to Ingram or Trent Richardson. He can throw it to Julio Jones. You've got a supporting cast. That is not to take away from what he has done. He has been highly efficient. He doesn't make mistakes. This team doesn't make mistakes. They take care of the ball.

Q: What did you see from your team in the 2nd half against Vanderbilt?

I thought our guys thought that they had the game handled. They were probably feeling pretty good. Then we turned the ball over twice. I basically got in a lockdown mode of hand the ball off and punt it, and let's let the defense play since they are playing so good. Jevan (Snead) was feeling pretty good and probably thought he could force a couple of balls and get them caught. I think he learned. I was really proud of the way that Jevan played. I really thought he executed very well especially in those first two quarters and the first two drives of the second half - he was very good.

Q: How did you become so good at giving speeches to your teams?

I was never on a speech team. I think that is a little overrated sometimes. You want to make it fun and you want to give them something to carry into each game. I just don't like to talk to be talking. I want them to hear something that is very real. I think it helps as a former player to know what they are thinking sometimes. I had great coaches growing up - my father, Frank Broyles, Jimmy Johnson, Lou Holtz, Pat Jones and Jack Crow. I've had a lot of influences. What I really try to do is just hit the button of each guy. It isn't always right before the game. It started yesterday. It is every day. I don't think you can be counterfeit because they know when you are being false. You just try to give them something real each day. I think sometimes the pre-game speech is probably a little bit overrated. As soon as it kicks off and they get hit in the mouth, they've forgotten everything you've said. I think you had to start yesterday - start Sunday. It builds up through the week.

Q: Who's the best coach you've been around at giving speeches?

Frank Broyles, Jimmy Johnson and Lou Holtz - all of them really. All of them had a different way of motivating and getting to their players.

Q: Has Alabama's defense chanced without Dont'a Hightower in there?

I didn't notice any difference. They may have had one or two plays where they hit a run or something but nothing real big. Hightower is a much bigger guy, built kind of like Rolando McClain - where he is 250 or 260 pounds. The guy they put in there is probably not as big but he may be a little quicker. He looks pretty good to me.

Q: How close do you have to watch Javier Arenas?

I think he is better this year. I think they are blocking better for him. He is a scary guy. We've got to do an excellent job on punt return and kickoff return. He has gotten a long run on everybody. I think he is better this year. Just because we covered him up last year - it doesn't mean a thing. We've got to do better on our kickoff team and our punt coverage. We aren't there yet - where we were last year.

Q: Why is the team so much better in the red zone than it is on third down?

The third downs - if you look at how many we have had - look at how many we have had that are more than eight yards. It is way out of whack. There have been a couple of games where we haven't done a good enough job on first and second down. I don't care who you are - the Miami Dolphins or Pittsburgh Steelers - they will all have a tough time if you have so many third and longs. You can't do that in this league consistently. That is where I think it sticks out. We have had a couple of games where there have just been too many. South Carolina was one of them. We had way too many third and longs. That is hard against air. That has been our biggest problem.

Q: What has your team been so good in the red zone?

For some reason our guys smell that end zone. When we hit that 25-yard mark going in, we've always put emphasis on that. Just like third down, we have put emphasis on that as well. We are doing really well right now in the red zone and we've got to keep that up. We have been scoring. Our guys smell that end zone and we are executing. We are a little bit more focused in the red zone.

Q: Do you like your defense having an identity like the "landsharks"?

I like that - the identity. I like it more when they make a tackle or that they had energy. I like it more when they make a play. I don't want to keep them from having fun. I have told our guys that there better not ever be a penalty. You better not be doing the "landshark" by yourself - running to the 50-yard line and doing it by yourself. You better be doing it with your teammates. I'm not so concerned about that as much as I am about playing ball.

Q: How do you want your team to celebrate?

Celebrate together. Always celebrate together. That is the rule. Hand the ball to the official and most of them try to do that. It is when you bring attention to yourself that I can't stand it. I will really coach hard against that. When you try to be an individual and bring attention to yourself - it's not about you. You made the tackle because someone on the field helped you make the tackle on the field. There is nothing wrong with getting excited about making a play. To take that away you are taking away the enthusiasm and passion for the game. Let them enjoy the game. Let them play. To me there is a direct difference between bringing attention to yourself and celebrating with a teammate.

Q: How big was it having Gerald Harris back against Vanderbilt?

He was outstanding. He had so much effort on every play. He finished his blocks. He was so happy to be out there. Talk about a guy that missed football. We missed him and you could tell that. He was outstanding. Yes, he was rusty and missed a ball that he should have caught - he will be the first to tell you. It was good to have him back. He graded very high.

Q: How are D.T. Shackelford and Andy Hartmann recovering from injury?

They both jogged around a little bit better yesterday. I hope they get a little bit better by tomorrow. We will see how they practice. We are planning on both of those guys practicing. We will see how that goes. They are looking better. You just don't know how close to full-speed they are. We planned on playing D.T. but he just couldn't cut.

Q: Is Justin Smith ready to play against?

He is still probably another week away.

Q: How did Justin Sparks get injured?

That was on Thursday in shorts. It was a very fluke injury. He was helping us as the scout team punter. We had already gone through PAT field goal - he is the holder there. He was doing a demonstration of the rugby punt for our defense. He runs to the right, the ball falls out of his hands and he goes to pick up the ball - he dislocates his patella tendon. It popped back in but it was very swollen and he had to be put on crutches. That was just a fluke incident. It was bad timing. Justin is very valuable. He has been our punter, he is our holder and does a good job with Joshua (Shene). It could have contributed (to the mixed extra point). I thought Richie (Contartesi) did a good job coming in. A kicker's psyche with their holders and all that - you know how that goes. I think the ball was kicked a little too low.

Jevan Snead

Q: Did you and McElroy ever cross paths in high school?

Not in high school too much. We did a couple camps together. I saw him this past summer at the Manning Passing Academy and had a chance to visit with him. He's a good guy and I look forward to playing him.

Q: How did you feel Saturday night went in terms of getting into a rhythm on offense?

I thought it went really well, especially the first half. I thought we did a good job of coming out and playing the way we know we can - just executing and performing to our standards. Personally, I struggled a few times with some turnovers, but other than that I feel like as a team we did a great job.

Q; What was the cause of your bad throws against Vanderbilt?

I'm not going to put anything off on receivers. It was definitely my fault. There was one time I didn't get my feet set up right. It was the only one I didn't get spread out, and I didn't throw it off the right foot and get anything on it. It was a bad decision. The one downfield to Dexter (McCluster) is the one I wish I had back. I should have thrown a hitch, but I take what the defense gives me. Looking back its something I can learn from and hope to improve.

Q: Is there a battle between your mind and your arm because your arm is so strong?

I don't necessarily battle it. I know I'm capable of making every throw on the field, and sometimes that does get me into some trouble. I think part of it is knowing when to come off on a receiver, check it down, dump it or throw it either way. It's not necessarily me trying to force it into tight spots. It is me trying to make a big play instead of taking what they give me.

Q: What do you see in Alabama's defense?

They're solid at every single position. You look at their defensive line and they've got some big guys up there who can make big plays. Also, their linebackers and their secondary are extremely fast and extremely physical - not to mention the fact that they're well coached. I believe they will be the best defense we've gone up against, and I look forward to having the opportunity to play against them.

Q: Did you think Shay Hodge played his best game Saturday night, and was it the breakout performance he's been waiting for?

I think he had an outstanding night. I knew he could do it. I saw him all through the summer and fall camp and I knew he was in the position to have a breakout night. It was just a matter of when it was going to be. This past weekend is when it was. I'm extremely excited for him and I know he's going to keep it rolling.

Q: Do you feel like Shay Hodge gets overlooked sometimes in discussions about outstanding SEC receivers?

I think so, definitely. I know he's a great receiver and I wouldn't want anybody else out there in the position he's at. The chemistry me and Shay have is tremendous. I know any ball I throw near him he's going to make a play for me. I definitely think he's underrated, and he is a big time receiver for us.

Q: As a quarterback, is it difficult to keep receivers happy with the amount of attention you give them on the field?

My guys do a pretty good job of not trying to bother me about it too much. I know they want the ball and I want to give them the ball. That's the point of the game for me - to get the receivers the ball. There are some times when it doesn't happen, when the plays aren't coming, and they understand that. They realize that it's not just me not throwing them the ball because I'm mad at them or something like that. I'm good friends with each of my receivers and they understand that.

Q: Can you give any reason why Dexter McCluster is not having as electric a year as he did last season?

I don't really know what to say to that. He's a great weapon for us. Just like we were talking about Shay earlier, he's poised for a breakout. It's just a matter of when it is. He's doing a great job for us so far, and I have no doubt that he's going to have a big game coming up soon.

Q: Do you feel like he McCluster is better at one position over another?

I don't know that he's better at one or the other. Anytime you can get the ball into his hands is good for our offense. He knows that and he understands his role on the team. He does a great job of stepping up and doing that. Any position that gets him the ball is what I'd say.

Q: What do you remember about the 7-on-7 game you played against Greg McElroy in high school?

That has been a while. That was back in high school. We played up at their place one year and I believe I had to leave at halftime or else we would have beaten them I'm sure. (laughing) And, he also still has a shirt of mine from the Manning Passing Academy. I need to get that back. It made its way into his bag somehow.

Q: What can you say about Rolando McClain?

He's great. Like I said, all those guys on that side of the ball can fly around and move and make big plays. He's no exception to that. He's a great player and he's one to look out for.

Q: Do you feel like it gives you more options when you can roll out and start running the ball?

I think it definitely is good to have the defense respect you and know that you're willing to go out there and run and pick up some yards if you need to. I definitely haven't been known as a runner or anything like that. I ran a little bit in high school, but that's one of those things where if I need to go out there and run a little bit then I'm not afraid to do it. I actually enjoy it a little bit. I think it's a good dimension to have.

Q: Can you look back on the Alabama game last year, and talk about the diverse blitz packages Nick Saban put together?

You have to be really ready for anything they throw at you. I know there were a few times last year where I got caught and didn't know exactly what was coming at me and made some poor decisions. It's going to be a big week for us; trying to set up every look they could possibly give us, and know what we're doing in each situation. They're a great defense and they have a lot different packages. It's all about preparation this week.

Q: Will you get your t-shirt back if you beat Alabama?

(laughing) I don't know. I hope so. I'm just worried about beating them right now. We were at that Manning Passing Academy and I put my stuff down by his bag, and he wanted an Ole Miss shirt for some reason.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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