Player Comments from Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon

B.J. Askew | Grant Bowman | Charles Drake
Victor Hobson | Bennie Joppru | John Navarre

Senior Fullback B.J. Askew

On the team's attitude heading into the opener vs. Washington ... "We're looking forward to the game, we just need to stick together and finish. We'll be at home, which will be an advantage. All we have to do is go out there and do it."

On playing the new position at fullback ... "I can showcase my skills at both fullback and tailback. I have the chance to make a lot more plays this year. It will be exciting."

On the changes made to improve the running game ... "We have guys that are more experienced, they have been there before. They are smarter, faster and stronger. That in itself is a plus."

On the physical changes he has made to fit his position ... "Mike (Gittleson, strength coach) used to weigh me every day, telling me that I have to gain weight. I got up to 235 and I'll probably be gaining more as the season goes on. But it hasn't affected my speed one bit."

On his role at fullback ... "I'll still be a blocker and still handle the majority of the blocking. I don't have a problem with that. Right now my main focus is winning a national championship my last year and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. At first I said that I'd try it. But now I see that it helps our offense much better with me playing fullback."

On the contributions that Chris Perry may give the team ... "Chris and myself are really good athletes. If you can get us both back there, it's a double-plus."

On the changes he's seen in John Navarre since last season ... "Last year, I don't think Navarre did a terrible job. He made a few bad decisions. But this year he's more experienced. He's serious in the huddle and doesn't joke around with us a lot. He wants to get it done as much as anyone. He stepped it up."

Senior/Junior Defensive Lineman Grant Bowman

On the summer practices ... "It's been pretty positive. Coming out of summer workouts and going into two-a-days we felt pretty good about ourselves. Two-a-days are never fun, but you can always look for good things coming out of them. We practiced well, we practiced hard and I think we practiced tough. You never know what's going to happen until you get to the first game and see how guys responded in front of a big crowd like Michigan Stadium. I think things are looking good for us."

On hosting a Pac-10 opponent ... "Well, it was kind of neat going out to the West Coast. I can say that I played UCLA in the Rose Bowl and Washington in that beautiful Husky Stadium. However, I would much rather be at home in Michigan Stadium here in Ann Arbor. There is definitely a home advantage. We don't have to take the four-hour flight there, then come right back when the game is over. It's a hard turnaround for that game but also in preparation for the next game. So it will be nice playing a Pac-10 opponent at home for once."

On last year's game against Washington ... Any loss is frustrating no matter what happens, but the thing it came down to was we didn't deserve to win because we didn't do the things we needed to do. We didn't do the little mistakes we made and we paid the price for that. I think we played a good football game, but in the end they came out on top. It's a new season and we can't look at last year, we just need to concentrate on this year's game.

On the depth and competition of the defensive line ... "We put pressure on each other with the depth and competition that we have and nothing will raise the level of your play like competition. Every player has to come out with their best effort every day, because if someone has a bad day it gives someone else a chance to make a move on their position. It really gives us a motivation that nothing else can give you because if you don't come out with your best effort you might lose you spot and hurt the team. It can do nothing but positive thing for us."

On preparing the defense to create more turnovers ... "It's a tough thing because it seems most of the time it's the other team's mistake that leads to the turnover. What we are working on is us forcing more turnovers from them. Mostly it's just an awareness thing. When you go to make a tackle to be aware of the ball or you go for an interception instead of a breakup. Mostly the defense has to play harder, get to the ball better and create more turnovers."

On opening the season with a Top-10 team ... "You don't take any team lightly. You don't have a different approach if you are playing team from the Mid-American Conference or a team in the Top 10. But when it is a Top-10 team and you're playing in Michigan Stadium and you know it's going to be one of the biggest games of the week, it creates a sense of urgency. It's just exciting and gives you something to focus on."

On Washington's Cody Pickett ... "Well, he is a good quarterback who put up great numbers last year -- I think he threw for 2,400 yards -- and he has a great target to throw at in Reggie Williams. It is definitely a challenge for our defense and we are going to do what we can as a defense line to put pressure on him for our secondary."

On Washington's offensive line ... "I'm not the biggest guy in the world, I'm 6-0 tall and weigh 288 pounds and everyone I'm going up against is bigger than me. These days everyone is 330 pounds, but I think our defensive line is a little older than it has been in the past few years so we too are a little bigger and stronger. But, their size and talent does present a challenge for us and it's going to be an exciting game."

On the Michigan offensive line ... "You can almost relate it to our defensive line. A few years ago the defensive line was questionable entering the season so we came together in the off-season and worked hard and developed into a strong unit last season. I think last year they had some problems particularly at the end of the year, but now they are a year stronger and more mature and I think you are going to see some good things from them."

Senior Strong Safety Charles Drake

On playing a West Coast team ... "Coming from the West Coast, you're really eager to play Pac-10 teams and schools from the West Coast. Since I've been here we're 0-2 in those games, so hopefully we can get a win on Saturday."

On Washington quarterback Cody Pickett being a first-time starter in last year's game ... "I think in any opener you're going to have your mistakes and you have things to learn still. As the season went on I saw that he made very good decisions. He's the kind of quarterback that is very careful with the football and won't make too many mistakes, so that's what we've got to force him to do."

On the depth at secondary being a problem ... "I don't think that's going to be a problem at all. We have great competition in the secondary and that just makes you better. We have a strong rotation going on with me, Julius (Curry) and Cato (June), and in the nickel situation we'll be on the field at the same time. I don't think that's a bad problem at all; I think it's more of a good problem for the coaches."

On Ernest Shazor ... "Ernest has been in the mix a lot, but he still has some things to learn. He keeps getting better as the days go by and he might even get some offensive snaps too, so who knows how he'll figure into the lineup."

On fellow Californian Courtney Morgan, an offensive lineman ... "I'm really excited for Courtney. I know that last year we were kind of disappointed for him because he didn't get to play as much as he'd like to but he buckled down. He really studied what he had to do and came out and earned himself a position. I wish him all the luck."

On matching up against Washington's Reggie Williams ... "I think that all the corners would be able to compete with Reggie Williams and play him tough. If I had to choose one, though, I would pick Marlin Jackson. He's one of those guys who's just very competitive and every down he's trying to make a play."

On Reggie Williams ... "He's the type of player that is capable of making a play at any time. Of course in the back of your mind or in your periphery you want to check and see where he is on the field. You might even want to lean to his side when you're backpedaling in the post, but like I said it's a great challenge and we're looking forward to it."

On playing at home vs. Washington ... "We played at Washington last year and we got a taste of their fans, but they have to come to the Big House and see what our fans are about. I'm really excited."

Fifth-Year Senior Outside Linebacker Victor Hobson

On the importance of opening against a Top-10 opponent in Washington ... "Every time you open up with a team like Washington, it's going to be a big game. Washington is a team with a lot of tradition, there's no better way to open up the season."

On the team's approach to each game ... "We approach every game the same, no matter who we're playing. You can't look past any team. Washington was the team we opened up with last year and that loss is something that is in the back of our minds. We just come out and take each game week by week and prepare the same. If the big games like Washington were the only games that we focused on, we wouldn't be successful. We have to be able to keep our focus no matter who we play."

On how great the defense can be this season ... "We have the ability and opportunity to be a real good defense, but we haven't proven it yet. As long as we go out and execute and play like we know how, I think we'll be all right. We've all grown up together and know what to expect from each other as a defense."

On the matchup between Reggie Williams and Marlin Jackson ... "That would be a matchup I would definitely want to see if I was a fan. Reggie Williams is a big receiver with a lot of speed. Marlin is a great cornerback and we have a lot of great defensive backs and safeties. I think our defense has a lot of depth is general."

On being co-captain of this year's team ... "I'll always be the same guy, that's what got me elected captain. There's no need to change anything now. I am excited that my teammates look at me in that way. I told my parents and they were definitely a lot more excited than I was."

On what he's seen from the offense in practice ... "Coach (Terry) Malone has a lot of good offensive schemes and the offense in general is doing a real good job. I think they want to surprise a lot of people when it comes time to play. They always want to go out and establish themselves from the first whistle and that's something we all have always tried to do. The offense and defense have had some real good battles in practice."

On last season's loss to Washington ... "Of course losing in the fourth quarter is hard to deal with. That's something we tried to focus on this summer. That's part of conditioning and staying focused during the game. If we put it in the back of our minds, we'll be okay."

On the senior class and his role as captain ... "I think this team in general is real close. I think that's something that's going to help us a lot. As a senior class, we've taken over the leadership role very well. It's something we have to establish every day in practice, off the field and on the field. I think that's something our class has been able to do and the team is following."

Senior Tight End Bennie Joppru

On how the offense comes around ... "We all understand the offense a little bit better and what its goals are and what its purposes are. Every play has an objective and every player that plays needs to know their assignment and what they have to do."

On being excited about being asked to catch more balls this season ... "You have to be. ... I mean, with the production and numbers from the tight end going down in recent years, you have to get excited to be involved and have different routes and have the opportunity to factor in the offense in new ways."

On quarterback John Navarre's development ... "John has grown tremendously over the summer. He's become together and he's extremely confident in the play and in himself. If you could put him side by side with himself last year, it would be like two totally different people. I think the team is really rallying behind him. He's coming into his own like Michigan quarterbacks have in the past."

On the role of the tight end ... "I like blocking. Obviously you'd love to catch the ball 30 times a game, but you go out and do what you have to do to win. As far as being a tight end, you've got to understand that you're there to block too and you're not going to win if you don't block. If you want to catch 30 passes and lose, than you should be at another school. When we get a pass play called, of course, you get a little more excited."

On what kind of statement the offense wants to make in the first game ... "I don't think it's to show them how good John (Navarre) can be, but to show them how good the offense, the team, can be. There's been some criticism of the whole team, the offense especially, but I think we're all eager to show everyone how good we can be in the first game."

On playing big games ... "Any time when two good teams come together, the team that wins the game is going to take away tremendous momentum to start the season off. You can't get that from anywhere else except from a big win. I mean, I think it's difficult but I wouldn't have it any other way. You come here to play big games. When you play in our stadium you want big teams and to take part in big games for the fans. You don't want come in here and schedule weak teams. I don't think Michigan will ever do that, no matter what the bowl system changes."

On feeling pressure after taking over the role of starting tight end ... "We lost two good players, but I think we've got some other tight ends who are going to be able to pick up some slack. As far as pressure goes I don't feel any more pressure than I have before."

On being elected team captain ... "I was extremely surprised. It was an honor that my teammates gave me and I'm really looking forward to leading this team."

Senior/Junior Quarterback John Navarre

On playing the Pac-10 at home ... "We have a definite advantage of having them come to our place and make the long journey to play in front of our fans in Michigan Stadium."

On his mindset now from a year ago ... "I feel more comfortable and more confident. Going through the entire season last year, it makes it easier going into this season because now I know what to expect with the different swings of a season. There are so many up and downs, and no you know how to handle them. After analyzing last season you look at what you could have done differently."

On the progression of the offensive line ... "The offensive line as a whole is determined and focused and they had a great work ethic this summer and with Coach (Andy) Moeller heading the show there they have really come together as a unit. They know they didn't perform as well as they should have last year, but they are very positive and very motivated for the start of this season."

On the eagerness to open the season ... "We are very eager to begin the season. To have the season end like it did last year, you want to get right back into it, but first you have to spend some time working and analyzing what you did wrong so you can get better. Once you did that and saw what motivation we had we were eager to get out there right away."

On opening against a Top-10 team ... "You obviously have to treat it as a big game. I think the preparation is relatively the same. For a big game you tend to spend a little more time preparing. The difference is that there is an aura about a big game around the city, with people talking about different matchups. That's the difference: people are excited about this weekend and it's going to be a big happening around here."

On the matchup between Reggie Williams and Marlin Jackson ... "It's going to be fun to watch. We have tremendous athletes on our team and I get to practice with them every day. After banging heads with the defense for two weeks, twice a day, you know how good they are. Now you get to watch them compete against someone else and that's going to be fun. Washington has some great talent of offense, Williams is a great receiver who is going to compete. It's just going to be fun to watch everyone go at it."

On the improvements Marlin Jackson has made from last season ... "He had the raw talent last year. The difference this year is that he's starting to get into that veteran mode, he knows what he's doing, he's starting to disguise things. He'll try to get you to throw a ball into coverage that you're not supposed to. He's a veteran and he knows how to use his skills. He's coming into his own and is having fun playing the game."

On the growing pains of learning an entirely new offense ... "We worked so hard as a unit this summer. We got it into are minds really fast in the spring and took it into the summer and worked on it. Guys are excited about the offense and the things we're doing, and that just makes it easier to run. We didn't have any major breakdowns or major growing pains. We did very well adjusting."

On his thoughts on the new offense ... "We're going to get the ball to different people. The difference is that we are going to attack defenses. We're going to have answers to the defense and try to adjust each time. We want to get ourselves in the best possible position to move the ball every time. We're not going to think that we have our hands tied when we line up against a defense. We're going to produce more than we did last year. You want to do that as an offense and you want to win. Any offense that attacks a defense and gets itself in the right place, production is going to be greater. We're going to give ourselves a chance at every play."

On dealing with the pressure of playing quarterback at Michigan ... "I've always said that you can put as much pressure as you want on yourself. There is pressure at being a Michigan quarterback and the expectations that come with it. If you're prepared and comfortable with the system, there is no reason to be nervous. The only pressure you should enjoy is the pressure of going into that stadium and performing. You don't need to put the pressure of the media or the fans on yourself. If you take care of the things you need to, on and off the field, you don't need to worry about that. It really didn't bother me last year. I was more concerned with performance on the field. I'm not saying that pressure bothers me. I just don't use it as a factor in my play. There is no reason to put that pressure on yourself."

On the importance of a win over Washington ... "We know it's a big game and if we get that one under our belt, we could get on a roll. Just because we won our first game does not mean we're going to roll through the rest of the season. We're going to take it one game at a time. Each one of our non-conference games will be good competition. But a win against Washington would be an obvious momentum builder."

On the changes in himself since last season ... "I think preparation-wise, I'm a lot more confident in the system we have. If you're comfortable with what you're doing, there is no reason why you shouldn't go into the game totally confident and totally prepared to win. That's how I feel and that's how everyone on this offense feels. If you prepare that way, you'll have no trouble winning."

On the evaluation of the backup quarterback position ... "Our quarterback group as a whole competes hard and has played well all summer. We learn from each other, we get better from each other, we're always helping each other out. That's how you have a strong unit of quarterbacks and that's how you help your team win. Matt Gutierrez has come a long way and is going to be a tremendous quarterback. He's worked hard and is grasping things. The pace at which he's learning is just tremendous."

Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423