Defensive Player Comments from<br>2002 Michigan Football Media Day

Fifth-Year Senior Strong Safety Julius Curry

On coming back from a shoulder injury and the worries that come with it ... "I don't really think about it much when I lift weights or do routes. It doesn't hurt it all, I have no pain. All my strength is back. (Strength coaches) Mike Gittleson and Kevin Tolbert both did a great job. They got me back to where I was last year."

On his thoughts on the shooting of his brother Markus ... "At first I was scared. When I first got there he was doing real good. He held my hand the whole time. After the incident, it made him think about life a little bit more, to not take things for granted and to be the best person you can be."

On last season's disappointments and the motivation it brings to the team ... "The 8-4 record is always motivation. We have to keep everyone up and everyone focused instead of worrying about those losses."

On the effects the shootings had on the closeness of the team ... "It made the players and coaching staff a lot closer. The coaches took on the parenting role during the incident. Lloyd (Carr) and all the coaches came down to the hospital and everyone called to see if things were okay. Everyone was very supportive. The team has really grown into a family after all of this."

On the condition of Markus Curry ... "He's doing great. He'll be out there today signing autographs. You'll see him out there the first game of the season trying to make plays."

On the importance of the seniors to this team ... "We just have to compete everyday and we're going to have to push those young guys to make sure they know what they're doing at all times."

Senior/Junior Inside Linebacker Carl Diggs

On what Roy Manning brings to the team as a backup ... "Roy is a very athletic linebacker. He can cause a lot of matchup problems on the blitz coming off the edge. He can cause a lot of problems with his size and speed. We know he can come in and play if we need him to."

On the great expectations of the defense ... "We can say we're a great defense, but we aren't there yet. We still have a lot of work to do; we still have to prove that we can be a great defense. It's a great compliment though."

On the commitment shown by the younger players this summer ... "I'm very happy with the younger players. Everyone is willing to work hard and that's what we need in order to have a good season this year."

On having the responsibility of filling the void on the inside ... "It feels really good. I've been waiting for this for a long time and I'm going to go out and work hard. I've got some big shoes to fill from last year."

On his expectations of himself this season ... "If I work hard, I'm going to have a couple big games to show people that I can step up and fill the expectations of this position. That's what I want to do for my teammates, to shown them that they can count on me."

On his thoughts after the shootings ... "After the incident, I wanted to focus on football. I felt like that could have ended my career. I've had no physical effects from the shootings, everything is fine. As for Markus (Curry), I feel for him but he's a tough kid. He just needs to focus on football and school right now. As for myself, I've put it behind me. I really don't think about it anymore. I kind of forget it even happened, which is a good thing. It's better if I just forget about it and focus on positive things."

Senior Strong Safety Charles Drake

On facing Washington's Reggie Williams in the first game ... "Reggie Williams is a great talent. It is going to be hard to stop him, but I think we are up to the challenge. Everybody in the secondary is anxious because it will be our first test right out of the gate. Like I said, he is an incredible talent and they are a great team. What more could you ask for than coming out opening day against Washington"

On the expectations of the defense ... "There are always high expectations every year for the defense. The pressure has always been there. People are comparing us to defenses in the past and I am happy about that but we have to prove ourselves on the field for any of those expectations to come true. By the end of the season we will see what kind of defense we are."

On his senior leadership role ... "When I was a freshman the older guys like Dhani Jones, Ian Gold, James Whitley, Larry Foote and some of those other guys took me under their wing. I am just trying to do that now that I am a senior on the team for younger guys like (Ernest) Shazor and Marlin Jackson. I try to show them some technique and keep the focused and when they make a mistake say something to them. As far as the defense, I am just trying to do whatever they ask of me and beyond. Play special teams, on defense, make plays and just contribute to the defense so we can bring a championship back to Ann Arbor."

On the team's motivation ... "Based on the record last year there is always a motivation. Anytime you go 8-4 at Michigan that is a down year. Some programs that is a great year, but here the expectations are much greater. That is motivation in itself. On top of that we are coming out and playing the first game against a team like Washington. If you love football, that is motivation in and of itself. We have a lot of guys on this team that are very high spirited, so when we are running and lifting there are a lot of guys yelling, trying to get guys motivated. I think this team has a lot of self-motivation. Teams in the past, it might have taken a couple of guys to be more vocal but this team has a lot of self-motivation and that is one thing I see and do like about this team."

On the season ... "It is going to be tough for us. We have a really tough schedule but I could not ask for anything more. We play Washington in the first game, go to Notre Dame, Utah is a tough team, we play Ohio State away and then there is the rest of the Big Ten schedule. That is what you come to Michigan for. You sign on the dotted line expecting a schedule like this. I look forward to it."

On comparisons to the 1997 defense ... "Playing at Michigan and on the Michigan defense there is pressure in itself because of past teams and past players and you want to be just as good if not better. The comparisons to '97 make me smile and it is an honor to be compared to them, but we have to do it on the field. All of our guys know that and we have to stay focused. If we do not do it on the field then those comparisons are meaningless. At the end of the season we will see what type of defense we are and that will be a lasting impression."

On his prediction for the season ... "I expect to be undefeated. I do not think that anybody out here will tell you anything less than that. Our goals are to bring a national championship and Big Ten championship back to Ann Arbor. That is what we have been working hard for that that is what we plan on doing."

Senior/Junior Defensive Lineman Norman Heuer

On the start of fall practices ... "You kind of get in the groove of working out, and now being back and in the middle of everything gets you pretty excited to put on the pads and see how much the work you put into training over the summer has helped."

On the defense's high preseason rankings ... "I'm definitely motivated, and I think we all are, by those predictions. We want to come out and show everyone how good of a defense we can be. Ultimately, though, the bottom line is making sure we win games."

On former defensive lineman Dave Pearson's switch to center ... "I'm really happy for Dave. It looks like he's got a great opportunity to play on the offensive side of the ball and I think he'll do well. We'll still yell at him and talk across the line, just to tease him and try to get over on him though."

On what he is looking forward to in the upcoming season ... "Just playing is enough. I love to play this game and be out there with the guys. That's the thing I love about this sport."

Fifth-Year Senior Outside Linebacker Victor Hobson

On his advice to the younger members of the linebacking corps ... "First I'd tell them just to fight through camp. That's really the hardest part. Coming from high school you're not used to two-a-days for two weeks straight in August. Once you get through there I'm sure everything else will take care of itself."

On the claim by coach Lloyd Carr of his excellence among former U-M Linebackers ... "Coach Carr doesn't try too hard to pat us on the back. Maybe after we're done he'll let us know we did well but he's not going to tell me that. I just try and go out and play everyday and live up to my own expectations and I know what I can do and how I can play."

On his leadership role following Larry Foote's graduation ... "Larry Foote was a great leader both on and off the field and he was a good friend of mine who taught me a lot. So now that I'm one of the oldest of the linebackers I need to assume that role."

On the various preseason rankings ... "I try not to pay attention to them that much. It's something that we see but our goals are set high enough anyway. Any ranking that they throw out at us doesn't surprise me though."

On the young middle-linebacker corps ... "All of the guys are going to be real good. I'm not worried about any dropoff without Larry (Foote). We always have high expectations about the position so I know these guys will come in here and do the job well."

On the recent greatness of Michigan's linebacker corps and it's influence ... "There have been a lot of really good linebackers while I was here like Ian Gold, Dhani Jones, Sam Sword, Larry Foote, people like that. Coming in and watching them you learn a lot, more than you think, especially when you are a freshman. But the next year you can tell you learned a lot from just being around them."

On the expectations of this year's defense ... "We are just taking it in stride. We all know what we can do as individuals and we know we have a lot of potential. We've been here together and grown together as a defensive unit so we just plan to go out there together and executing."

Sophomore Cornerback Marlin Jackson

On changing his number from 20 to 3 ... "That is the number I wore in high school. It is my favorite number so I had to get it back. I wore it in basketball, football and everything. I started wearing it as a sophomore in high school and it just became my favorite number."

On comparisons to Charles Woodson ... "It is an honor for me to be compared to a great player like that and I appreciate every time that somebody does that. I love to win and I hate to lose."

On having to watch spring practice because of his wrist injury ... "It was very hard. I felt like I was falling behind. I wanted to get out there so bad and hit and do all of the other things that everybody was doing but I couldn't because I was hurt."

On where he has improved most from last season ... "I think I have more confidence. The more confidence I have, the better I play. I think a lot of it is having the confidence in yourself and your teammates and knowing that you can go out and play at this level."

On his expectations for the season ... "I want to be a better player and help us win a national championship."

On his personal goals ... "I want to be the best in the country."

Fifth-Year Senior Free Safety Cato June

On the defense's approach going into each game ... "Well, definitely as a defensive unit we look to not allow opponents to score so the objective is to shut them out. At the same time, we know we're a veteran group and we know what we have to do. We have to get the ball back for our offense. We have to cause turnovers and we have to make plays. We're looking to be the strength of the team."

On how fast or slow the summer has gone ... "The summer was definitely short. This is my last go-around and I couldn't believe that we're already here getting ready for two-a-days. I'm looking forward to it. The regular season is starting in only three weeks on August 31. There is not a lot of time. We're doing two-a-days now and soon we'll be into the season."

On being a senior and the last chance at a Rose Bowl ... "I definitely want to win the Big Ten championship and go to the Rose Bowl. I came to Michigan and I haven't been to the Rose Bowl. We definitely want to go to the Rose Bowl and win the championship. In 1999 we went to the Orange Bowl, a BCS bowl, and Wisconsin went to the Rose Bowl and won it. We've been to a few Citrus Bowls but I haven't gone to a Rose Bowl. There are the guys from last year who were fourth-year seniors, who came in with me, that didn't get to go to a Rose Bowl. I'm looking to go to the Rose Bowl because I haven't been there and that's a Michigan tradition, winning the Rose Bowl. In order to do that, defensively, we have to create plays and get turnovers and make things happen."

On there being a sense of senior urgency ... "There is definitely urgency. We know what we have to do and what we can do. We have to go out there and play like we did last year except finish the season off better. Everybody remembers last year and no one wants to do that again. We're looking forward to this year. We're a different team and we do have a lot of people back, defensively, but we're still a new team looking to pass last year's."

On playing with the other senior safeties, Julius Curry and Charles Drake ... "I love it. I've played with a lot of safeties. I've played with Tommy Hendricks, DeWayne Patmon, Julius Curry and Charles Drake. That's a lot of mixing up but Julius and Charles and I have a bond out there. It's like one safety together. We're moving together. Everything is clicking and I don't have to second guess him because I know he's going to be where he's supposed to be and he knows where I'm going to be and I've got his back if he slips and he's got my back if I slip. That's how it's supposed to be out there."

On if he and the senior safeties take a lot of responsibility for the defense ... "We definitely do. The seniors have always been the leaders of our teams and we have to continue that tradition. We're kind of like the three wise men. We all bring something different to the table. We want to offer our knowledge of the game."

Fifth-Year Senior Defensive Lineman Shawn Lazarus

On the expectations of the 2002 season ... "I would say this season is going to be exciting. Going into my last season as a fifth-year senior, I'm looking forward to being a leader on this team."

On his personal contributions to leading the team ... "I personally have been a little more vocal during the offseason workouts. I am just going to continue to do what I have done in previous years."

On leadership qualities ... "There are particular styles of leadership. Some guys like to talk more, some guys like to be quiet and just lead by example. Personally I just do what I've always done and be silent and do what I've had to do and speak when I have to speak."

On matching last year's sack record ... "I think there are a lot of other things we need to do to improve this defense as a whole. Personally I would rather have better statistics for yards gained on first down and third-down conversion percentages rather than having a bunch of sacks. Those statistics show you are a more complete defense. Beating the sack record would be great to do, but we are focusing on other things."

On the comparison to the national championship defense of 1997 ... "I was being recruited that year and was at Michigan Stadium for every game. It was fun to watch those guys play. I don't remember anyone really standing out. I did have the privilege of playing with guys like Rob Renes, Josh Williams, James Hall and a bunch of those guys who personified the leadership qualities I talked about earlier."

On the uniqueness of the 2002 defense ... "This defense is a close defense that has been together a long time. There are a lot of experienced players this year and it should be a lot of fun."

On the improvement from 2000 to '01 ... "Consistency. Coach (Brady) Hoke does a great job preaching all the little things and when you keep doing them over and over it becomes second nature to you."

Senior/Junior Defensive End Shantee Orr

On if the 1997 team's defense is what this team is striving to be ... "That is essentially the goal. It's good to take the qualities that the 1997 team had and try to implement them in our plan and the way we practice and the way we think. If we can play together, play unselfish and play for each other we can get the job done."

On being drawn to Michigan by great former teams ... "It was great camaraderie in 1997. They played tremendous together. No one man tried to set himself apart from another. Everyone just wanted to win and that's a great attitude to have, just to want to win."

On Coach Herrmann motivating the team with 1997 comparisons ... "He uses that a little bit. That is the way you want your defense to play -- everyone playing together on the same note. If that isn't happening then the defense can falter and problems can happen with somebody not understanding what's going on and all."

On the team making great strides throughout last year ... "The coaches' and players' mindset last year had a lot of determination. We were coming off a not-so-good season for the defensive line and we just had a mindset that we would come out and dominate. Our coaches always had us prepared to perform at the best of our ability."

On how he likes his picture with the Little Brown Jug ... "I liked seeing this picture when it was in the bowl media guide. I was growing my hair out last year so my hair was a kind of nappy. It's nice to see it though. I have a copy of it at home and my mom likes it too."

On the defense's depth and experience as a whole ... "We have nine starters coming back and you want to hold your team to high expectations. I hold our team to high expectations. We all have experience and we've played together for one or two years now. I'm very excited this year. I've been waiting all summer for two-a-days to come. I feel something special this year."

On the way last season ended ... "It makes you hungry. No one wants to lose. We're all winners. We all want to be winners in life. It provides ambition for next year. The main key is that it's over and we have a fresh start. We have another opportunity to go at it."

On his expectations of the team's improvement from last year to this year ... "I would say we all improved on our pass rush and our run block. We all got stronger and we've all gotten older too. The maturity thing is also a factor as far as accountability and being where we're supposed to be."

Fifth-Year Senior Defensive Lineman Dan Rumishek

On the high expectations of this season ... "I don't see we have any pressure on us. I just see it as another opportunity to go out there and show our skills. I think we have more motivation and more experience than we did a year ago and we've got a lot bigger and stronger."

On what experience can do for you ... "It gives you confidence. When you get out there for the first time, you're not sure how it feels to be on the field for a game. So when you get out there you have to calm all your nerves. Once you get that confidence you know you can play and you realize that you're good enough to be there."

On the key factor for the defense's improvement from 2000 to '01 ... "Absolutely it was the confidence and our jelling together as a unit. We always worked out together and ran together. It really helped us throughout the season."

On cohesion of the defensive line ... "I think we just come together because of the people that we are. When we were freshmen, the seniors jelled us into a working unit and now it's our turn as seniors to do the same. We just have to incorporate everyone as part of the team and keep stressing the word 'team.'"

On defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann ... "He treats us like one big unit. Everyone is the same. That's how it always is. You win on the field as a team, so you have to play defense as a team."

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