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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Houston Nutt Press Conference 08.30
8/30/2010 | Football
Aug. 30, 2010
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt met with the media on Monday and discussed the Rebels' season opener against Jacksonville State.
Houston Nutt
Opening Comments:
"It's hard to believe its game week. We're very excited about Jacksonville State. We are very respectful of Jack Crowe and the job that he has done there. They have some good players and are a talented group. They did an excellent job in that Florida State game last year and have won some OVC Championships. They have some very good athletes. We're more concerned about our guys. We have had a very good camp. Besides Fon Ingram's injury, it has been pretty healthy. Our offensive line has improved. I'm excited to see them play. I cannot wait to see them play and see how far they have come. Defensively, we've been leaning on Jerrell Powe, Ted Laurent, Lawon Scott, Kentrell Lockett, Jonathan Cornell, and Johnny Brown. It's pretty evident when you see who they voted for on captains that defense is going to be big for us. Our captains are Johnny Brown, Jonathan Cornell, Jerrell Powe, Kentrell Lockett, and Lionel Breaux. We are excited and looking forward to it."
Resolution on Masoli and Quarterback Preparation:
"I do not know when. I'm expecting today or tomorrow at the latest. It has been difficult using all of them. Right now we are going into the game thinking Nathan Stanley and Randall Mackey. I am not afraid to put either of them into the game. Nathan Stanley has gotten better. Jeremiah [Masoli] has raised everybody's competition level. Randall Mackey has thrown the ball very well. When you put him in certain situations, going against good defenses, he can throw the ball extremely well. I am excited that we have these three guys, and I hope Masoli's deal works out. Right now you have to prepare for Nathan Stanley and Randall Mackey."
On relationship with Jack Crowe:
"I have an awesome respect for Coach Crowe. He hired me in 1990, and he has a very intelligent offensive mind. He has been in the system a lot of places before he was a head coach, so his success does not surprise me. He is a very good person and we have been talking quite regularly. He was the first one to tell me that we were playing each other. I am looking forward to seeing him."
On the center's play:
"It has been going back and forth. A.J. Hawkins and Evan Swindall are both going to play. They have been back and forth, but that is what inexperience does. They have gotten better. They will both go fight and compete. I have been really proud of Swindall these past couple days, and Hawkins has raised his level a bit."
On Sanders and expectations for linemen:
"It is difficult. We have not done that very much. We have to get into a rhythm and a flow. We have to move and we have to block. You have to do it when the lights come on in front of people. They both have had good and bad days. The snaps have been pretty good here as of late. The rest of the offensive line, I feel really good about. Bradley Sowell had a good camp. He's been moving and has quick feet. Bobby Massie and Alex Washington have shown good effort. Michael Brown is backing him up. Rishaw Johnson has gotten better. It is time to put it all together. This group hasn't played very much together, so the only thing they have done is what we have done in camp and a little bit in the spring, so now it is time to go play."
On his expectation for linemen reserves:
"Michael Brown will play. Jared Duke was in the mix until he got a concussion. Chris Gill is another guy who could play center. Logan Clair, Emmanuel McCray, and Chase Hughes are all in the mix as well."
On the condition of Kentrell Lockett:
"It is more precautionary than anything. His heart was racing on Saturday and he brought it to our attention quickly and we got him off the field. He had this about two years and I am hoping that we will be able to get him back on the field again. He's an excellent captain and a tremendous leader for us. We need him out there on the field. We should have more firm results tomorrow."
On the challenges of having two quarterbacks:
"I have not done it too much, but there has been a season or two where we have had a two quarter back system. It is a little bit different because you have packages and with a young offensive line you do not want to have too complicated of a system so that everybody can play fast. I have a lot of confidence with what we're going to do with each of them. Now, it comes down to execution and what we are going to do with the ball. We are not going to overload their plate with a lot of difference things."
On quarterbacks:
"We are hoping again to hear a decision in the next day or two. The majority of the repetitions will go to Stanley and Mackey. Jeremiah has seasons under his belt. He has played in the Rose Bowl and the Holiday Bowl. He has been there before and you can tell when he scrambles and makes plays. I am not as concerned about him as I am with those other guys and getting them ready to go in the next few days. They all have strengths. The thing about Randall is that he is very elusive and quick and has escape ability. When he is in the shot-gun, he his very comfortable. He has a good package and is comfortable with it."
On the play of Masoli and Barksdale:
"I truly do not know. This is my first experience with this. The clock is ticking and I know I have two guys who have not played and a guy who is a bonus who has played. They have to get snaps and get used to playing. I wish nothing the best for Tig [Darius Barksdale]. I have a special place in my heart for Tig and his family. I helped in the process of getting him to Jacksonville State. I want him to do well. Not too well, but well."
On Masoli's influence:
"You could tell the focus was immediately at another level. That's the one thing that Jeremiah brings to the field is his experience. He studies and watches the game film intensely. I think Coach Rader would agree with me that everyone raised their competition in the film room and on the field with his presence."
On wide receivers:
"I feel a lot better because of Melvin Harris. Lionel Breaux and Jesse Grandy both had solid camps and we can go to the ball with them. Koriv Neat has been a guy that we have moved around in special situations, and he has shown us quickness and speed. Markeith Summers has been hurt here in the last week but had a good camp up until that time. Ja-Mes Logan has caught everyone's attention since the spring. He caught some good balls in the last few scrimmages."
On Jeff Scott:
"He has a lot. We know he can do it on Friday night football now he needs to take it to Saturday. Now it is time to do it in the game atmosphere. I'm interested to see how he responds."
On freshman contributions:
"The speed of the game and the consistency of playing without the ball. The last time they played was in high school, so it's the speed of the game they have to adjust to. We count on them every play to be a good route runner and a good blocker. Some of these guys went both ways in high school. You might not get the ball every time, so you are playing and helping your teammate."
On the condition of Mike Marry:
"No. He is probably not looking good for this game. Something could change Wednesday or Thursday. That hurts us because he was really coming on."
On players replacing Fon Ingram:
"I'm happy we have both of them. Damien being here in the spring really helped. He is physical and has good range. He feels really comfortable with what we are doing. He's going to play Saturday. He'll be on the kickoff team and will play. It couldn't come at a better time with Fon Ingram being hurt."
On true freshmen set to play Saturday:
"Charles Sawyer has done an excellent job. Clarence Jackson will be on special teams and in the rotation at linebacker. Evan Swindall will play. Cameron Whigham is in the two deep and has been doing a good job. He will play. Jeff Scott will also definitely play."
