Press Conference Comments from Michigan Players
10/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
Previewing Minnesota (Oct. 9); Reviewing Indiana (Oct. 2)
Fifth-Year Senior Center David Baas
On the rushing offense ... "I think it's improving, but I still think that there still improvement we need to make. We have to cut down on mistakes and get it going, because it isn't where it needs to be. It needs to be a whole lot better. That's basically all you can say."
On if the Minnesota game being for the Big Ten Championship ... "Absolutely. I think every game decides the Big Ten Championship. This one especially, with the Little Brown Jug on the line, two good teams going at it and Minnesota really wants to win and we do too. It's really going to be a battle."
On setting certain numbers for the running game ... "You can always set standards for the week. Like 4.0 (yards) per rush, or something like that. But it all depends on the defenses you're playing and the play calling. Basically you're going to do whatever you're told to, to win, whatever the call may be, run or pass. But we want to establish something on the ground and control the ball."
On being a balanced offense ... "I think if you focus on running the ball all the time you're definitely going to keep improving week in week out. I think you're always going to be balanced because you have to incorporate the pass game in there, even if you focus on running the ball. I think if you emphasize that, and make it more important, it might bring out a little more concentration or aggression towards establishing that goal for the game. We're just trying to do that week in a week out. Just get the running game improving. So I guess you could say every single week we are trying focus on running the ball more. And we just have to get better at it."
On his change from guard to center ... "It hasn't really been that difficult. The same aspect of punishing people and being physical, that's still there. I think there is little detailed stuff like play calling and making sure the snaps not on the ground and stuff like that, there are little things like making the offensive line calls. It's different. I'm thankful I've paid attention in meetings the last few years. I've had some struggles and what not, but I have the same mindset that I'm going to keep improving and get better and now I have to do at center what I did at guard."
On the offense ... "I think we're getting better, but I think there is room for improvement. There has been some switches and different guys here and there that are playing different positions. But as a unit we are getting closer and understanding things better and start blocking a little bit better -- its becoming easier. We still have to continue to get better, because right now it's not our typical offensive line play. Especially at running the ball, we have to get better at that."
Senior Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards
On ranking the thrill of last year's Minnesota game ... "To be honest, there's no question about it, it's number one. What happened in the course of that game, especially in the second half, and more importantly the fourth quarter, makes that game so special. It's definitely the most thrilling game I've ever been a part of on any level-- little league, high school, and definitely college."
On if the game was better than the Ohio State game ... "It was better in terms of being more thrilling. It was a game that took so many angles and different directions, and in the end we ended up being victorious. But the Ohio State game was a different level of thrill and anxiety. It was more so about being Big Ten champs and never having done it before. And also, seeing guys like John Navarre finally reach where they wanted to reach. So that game was more emotional for the team as a whole."
On the progress of the offense ... "I think the offense has made tremendous strides. From the Iowa game to last week against Indiana I think the change and the progression is pretty much evident. We made a lot of changes throughout the offense maybe some alignments, moving some guys around and having the two freshmen that are playing outstanding right now. We're getting things done. Every week something is talked about and every week we progress. But we'd definitely like to eliminate the turnovers because I think that's what's holding our offense back right now. But besides the turnovers we have guys making things happen. People were complaining early on about the running game, but we have freshman, Mike Hart who's running extremely well right not. Whenever you give him the ball, he's making things happen when he can. When it's third-and-11, third down, we give him the ball and he gets the first down. That's pretty much unheard of. Then we have a freshman quarterback in Chad Henne who's not playing like a freshman right now. He's playing like a guy that's been in the system; he's playing like a veteran. Now he's quickly becoming the leader of the offense. He's pretty much left the nest."
On Chad Henne playing with experience ... "Chad is making it happen. His presence and poise in the huddle and his presence on the field makes me feel like Chad has been there before. He came in the summer as soon as he graduated from high school he was in Ann Arbor the whole summer, working out with Matt Guttierez and Clayton Richard. And they taught him the offense and he learned it well. He's one of those guys who is not arrogant at all. He takes everything at face value. Everything that he's taught, he writes it down and puts it in his memory bank, and its showing. He gets better every week."
On his own game ... "I definitely think I can better. I don't think anyone is ever at the best that they can be. I believe everyone always has room for improvement including myself. I had a decent game on Saturday and it was a lot of fun, but I think I can get better. I don't think I've ever had a perfect game, and that's what I'm trying to do. It's not the easiest thing to have, but it needs to be there to win the championship."
On having big-yardage plays to keep the Minnesota running backs off the field ... "Ball control and time of possession is something we pride ourselves on here at Michigan. And this weekend will be a big test. If we can sustain some drives and get some 10 or 12 play drives and possess the ball longer than they do we'll have a good chance to win the game. I think that will be one of the determining factors of the game. Whoever possesses the ball longer will definitely have an advantage on winning the game."
On the importance of blocking ... "I just like hitting. I just think if you block you allow someone else to do something. It's not always about you. The more and more you can get yourself involved with the blocking and the little things, dirty work, you allow for the team to prosper, not just yourself. So just going out there on our special teams is a lot of fun. The punter was coming down and he was in a situation where he might make the tackle and he might not, but I just made sure that he didn't."
On if he thinks he's one of the best player in the country ... "If you guys think so, but I don't want to judge myself. I'll let you guys judge me."
On the possibility of a wide receiver winning the Heisman ... "He definitely can and I think Larry Fitzgerald proved that last year. I think he was the best player hands down and he was deserving of the Heisman Trophy last year. I think it's been proven that a wide receiver can be the best player in college football."
Fifth-Year Senior Outside Linebacker Roy Manning
On impressions and thoughts of Minnesota ... "I had a little chance to watch them. They like to run the ball and have great blocking up front. They have great backs up there, so we're definitely up for a challenge this week."
On if he likes playing teams that like to run ... "Yes and no, because if you can stop them and you think they're pretty one dimensional, that's one facet of the game you have right there. But at the same time, if you can't stop the run, I don't think you can win."
On last year's game against Minnesota ... "It's definitely not typical for a team to run that much against a Michigan defense. They did some great things last year, but the main thing is just to focus in on this year's team and try to go in here Saturday prepared to stop the run."
On the style differences between Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney ... "I think Barber is a more come at you kind of guy, more likely to run you over if he gets the chance. And Maroney is kind of a speedster. But they're a great one-two punch as far as the running game goes and they're both equally dangerous and add great things to the game."
On the defense being prepared for Minnesota's running game ... "When I think of them, I think of guys putting their head in there and knowing what's coming at you. They're going to run the ball, that's what they like to do. I think they rush for over 400 yards a game or something like that. So we know what to expect going into the game."
On stopping the run ... "Well I think it's a great challenge. They are the number one rushing team in the country and we're the number one rush defense. So something has to give on Saturday. We're just going to prepare to go in there and try to stop them."
On this game being like a Big Ten title game ... "Well every game is a Big Ten title game now. We're in to the Big Ten schedule now. I know their schedule and I know this is a big game on their schedule just like I know this is a big game on our schedule. We're playing at home, so if for nothing else, we don't want to lose at home."
On being aware of which back is in the game ... "I don't know how important it is to know which one of them is in the game because they're both great runners. The main thing for us would be reading our assignments and our keys, and getting four and five guys to them every time they run the ball."
On the physical aspect of facing a running team... "That's our main thing here, just stopping the run. We don't want any team to run on us and knowing that they like to do that so much we have to take that into account."
On the challenge of preparing for a good blocking and running team ... "There is a lot of physical preparation that goes into getting used to getting cut. Guys just stand at where they are supposed to be because when you get a team that runs the zone, and guys over run it or don't come down the right way, that's when those backs can get in there in between those holes and make big plays and have big runs."
Sophomore Free Safety Ryan Mundy
On last year's Minnesota game ... "We watched (the film of last year) yesterday. We watched just the big plays, the blocking schemes, things like that. We know we can't let that happen this year. That is a lot of motivation for us, that they had 430 yards rushing on us. So that is definitely going to be a motivation tool for us this week in practice."
On defensive backs role in stopping the run ... "As a free safety, I am the last line of defense, so basically my job is just to get them on the ground. When they have two great backs like that, you just want to work on your technique all week and be prepared for the game."
On what makes Minnesota different then other teams ... "First of all they have an excellent line. Then they have two great backs. Their backs, they break tackles, they know how to run and things like that. One big thing that their line does, is that they cut you, not every team cuts. So we have to prepare ourselves during this week of practice for that."
On Minnesota wanting revenge ... "Oh yeah, definitely. And we've been waiting for it too. We've wanted to go back out there and prove to ourselves that we're a better team then last year, and it's going to be a great game."
On how lineman protect themselves from cut blocking ... "Pretty much play with your knees bent, play at pad level, and play fast. Protect your legs."
On being a free safety knowing opponent will run more than pass ... "You still have to be conscious in the back of your mind. At any given time they could play action you and go deep. So I am always going to be a pass first player, but I have to get up there and support the run eventually."
On is this a pivotal game for both teams ... "Definitely, this is the biggest game of the year so far, and we have to approach it like that. We know they are hungry from last year, and we are hungry from last year, and everybody has them ranked pretty high and to win the Big Ten. So we got to go out and prove ourselves this week."
On the comeback last year ... "Pretty much from a team point, we never gave up. We kept fighting, we kept pushing. We scored 31 points in the fourth quarter. So basically the message is to never give up and keep playing hard, and good things can happen."
Senior Inside Linebacker Lawrence Reid
On not getting any turnovers ... "Yeah we were real disappointed about that. We thought we had that one on the sideline, but after looking at the film, it was out of bounds."
On the Little Brown Jug ... "It's always a big deal to win the Brown Jug. Minnesota is always a pretty good team, and I made sure I got a chance to hold (the Little Brown Jug) last year. I am not sure what the team did with it after we got back, but it was a big deal to win it."
On the challenges of Minnesota ... "Our focus for defense is always to try and stop the run. It's going to make it harder for us to do, because they are such a good running team. Figuring out their whole running scheme (is a challenge), trying to find out where we can take advantage of it."
On why Minnesota can run the ball well ... "They have a great line, and two great running backs. That is pretty much all you need to have a great running package like they do. The line plays smart, they are just not running up the field, they get on their blocks and stay on them. That is all you need to do to seal blocks and get out the door."
On why Minnesota had success in last year's game ... "They just had their whole game-plan set up perfectly, I guess you could say. We had a hard time stopping them. That is basically what I remember, just not being able to stop them the way we wanted too."
On objectives for this year's game ... "We just want to come out, and try and slow their running game down. We know they are going to come out and try and run at us, and we are just going to try and defend that."
On Chris Graham ... "He's real quick, somebody as young as him, he plays really fast. He knows how to get to the ball. As soon as he completely understands the defense, he'll be on the field."
On nine different guys having sacks this year ... "I think it says we got some good pressure up front from the defensive line. That is what really accounts for a lot of the sacks. At the same time, we have some real good defensive backs covering out there. Probably a lot of sacks are coverage sacks, being on the guys downfield."
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