2004 U-M Football Media Day -- Defensive Player Quotes
8/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Defensive Player Comments from
2004 Michigan Football Media Day
Senior Cornerback Markus Curry
On how to get an interception ... "The keys to making turnovers are knowing your keys and studying your film. I'm able to anticipate what the receivers and the offense are going to do and make big plays in the secondary."
On practicing against Michigan receivers ... "We go out there against the best receiving corps in the country. We're out there battling everyday. The offense may get us one day but we'll get them the next day. The competition makes us all better."
On improving as a corner by practicing against Braylon Edwards ... "When you are at a higher intensity going up against someone who is just as good as you, you're only going to get better. Braylon is one of the best receivers in the nation."
On secondary speed helping to create pass rush ... "We have a couple of guys who can get out there and get the quarterback. We're going to have a good pass rush. Our secondary has faith in the guys up front to do their jobs and they have all the faith in the world in us."
On Marlin Jackson ... "It is very important to us that he returned. He puts all the pieces together by being out there on the left corner. It's good to look over and have him on the other side of me.
On personal goals ... "To make plays and help this team to a national championship."
Fifth-Year Senior Punter Adam Finley
On his preparations for the 2004 season ... "We're working to improve our special teams every week. Last season, we improved as the schedule progressed and turned our special teams into a strength. We've all worked hard in spring ball and I think we'll continue that throughout the season."
What are the keys to Michigan's special teams in 2004 ... "We have to remain consistent and try to improve a little every week. We have a great defense and an explosive offense but I think our special teams will make the difference in close games."
On special teams coach Mike DeBord ... "Coach DeBord isn't new to the program. He was a part of the 1997 national championship team and knows this system very well. It's been a smooth transition for me."
On being a candidate for the Ray Guy award ... "This is the third time I've been up for the Ray Guy and it's always an honor to be short-listed as one of the best players at your position. My goal isn't to win any individual awards, though. I'm excited to start the season and help this team win."
On his place in the Michigan history books ... "I don't put a lot of emphasis on records or statistics. Stats are misleading. There is a lot that goes into being a punter. I try not to use my place in the record books as a marker for my success."
Senior Cornerback Marlin Jackson
Is the defensive backfield as good as the wide receivers ... "The receivers deserve all the praise they get. It won't bother us if we don't get the praise nationally that they do because we're going to go out every game and prove ourselves. We know in our hearts what we can do. We go against those guys every day and we make each other better."
What do you like most about the defense ... "We have a lot of speed. Communication is a key on defense. Everyone knows their assignments and communicates with one another on the field. If you have a lot of speed and no communication it's not going to gel."
Is there one game or one player you can't wait to play against ... "I can't wait for every game. It's my last year so I'm going relish every opportunity I get to go out there and have fun."
On his leadership this season ... "It's a part of me. I want to lead my teammates and show them the way. I want to help them along if they need it."
On getting back to his natural cornerback position after playing safety ... "I'm very happy about it. I feel at home at cornerback. I've played corner for most of my life. It's just where I wanted to be and where the coaches felt I needed to be this year."
On the importance of academics ... "I'll graduate after the winter semester in general studies with an emphasis in African-American studies. It's important to me because football is not long-term, it's a short-term thing. You can play maybe three to 10 years. After that you have 50 years of your life to look forward to and you have to be ready for those years."
On his excitement level heading into this season ... "The excitement level is really high. Everybody is excited. We're all coming back - Braylon (Edwards), David (Baas) and I. Everybody is excited about Michigan football and about what we can do this season."
On setting the example for what it means to be a Michigan football player ... "All of the seniors came out and ran hard and lifted hard in the off-season. We showed the young guys what it's going to take to be a champion."
On the defense's potential ... "We can be great. We have a lot of talent over there. We just have to come together and gel as a unit and make sure that we communicate on the field."
Senior Defensive Tackle Pat Massey
On improving the defense's ability to get after the quarterback ... "Coach Hermann told us he is going to put our best 11 players on the field and that's what he's done. He has athletes in the secondary, the front seven and all the way around. He's definitely devised some schemes that can take advantage of our speed."
On if there is more pressure knowing that the schemes are designed to get to the quarterback ... "If anything there is less pressure because there are guys all over the field that can get to the quarterback. There are cornerbacks, safeties, linebackers, linemen - everybody has an opportunity to get to the quarterback. It's fun to play on a defense that's flying around and doing different things. I'm never just going straight ahead. It's definitely a lot of fun to play in that kind of scheme."
On starting practice a week earlier than usual due to Miami's (Ohio) schedule ... "It's a good thing. It was a team decision. Coach Carr met with all of the seniors and this is definitely the best thing for us to do. It will be to our advantage. It's hard work but we knew that going into it."
On how practices have been going ... "It's been really upbeat. I don't know if it's the best anyone's seen it but I've never had this much fun just hanging out with the guys. Everyone gets along really well."
Will Gabe Watson's and Larry Harrison's size allow them to match up one-on-one with offensive linemen ... "Coach Sheridan is always telling us that you can't get single-blocked. If you're getting single-blocked that means someone else is getting double teamed. You have to be the one to get to the quarterback. We always have the mindset where we have to beat that single block and that goes for everyone on the defensive line."
Who would be the fourth guy on the line of scrimmage ... "Coach Hermann has more schemes this year than I've ever seen before. It could be anybody. It could a fourth defensive linemen or a linebacker. We've got more outside linebackers who can play than we know what to do with. There are multiple guys who could be playing outside and there are multiple guys who can play inside. There are guys behind Larry (Harrison) and Gabe (Watson). We have a lot of competition and it's going to be fun to see how it plays out this fall."
Senior Inside Linebacker Scott McClintock
On the defensive line ... "They're doing a great job. They each know their responsibilities and they're able to get down there and get physical. From what I've seen so far, they're looking good."
On the progress of the linebackers ... "David Harris is definitely back at full strength. He's been running around and looks good. It's like he never missed a beat. Prescott (Burgess) and (Shawn) Crable are in there getting their repetitions. They're all looking really good."
On the key to forcing more turnovers ... "It all comes back to practice and focussing on trying to get the ball out. If you focus on that more and more, then hopefully it will happen more often."
On the expectations of the upcoming season ... "We know that we had a great year last season and that teams have us in their minds. Being the Big Ten champions, we know that everyone will be gunning for us. We have that in the back of our minds. Knowing that people are going to try to knock us off is what makes us practice harder each week."
On competing against the offense during the spring ... "It's been great, we've definitely made each other better. With Braylon (Edwards), all of the strong running backs, the new quarterbacks and an amazing offensive line, it's been fun playing against such a great offense. It helps to elevate your game on defense."
Senior Inside Linebacker Lawrence Reid
On the defense ... "We have a lot of depth at every position. We have a number of linebackers and almost all of them have experience. We have good depth up front and in the backfield with our cornerbacks and our safeties. I think we'll be able compete with anybody. We'd like to live up to all the expectations."
On the cornerbacks and safeties ... "It makes me comfortable up front to know they're back there. It's a lot easier to play the run. You can come up fast on the run, even if it's a fake, because you know you've got guys like Markus (Curry), Marlin (Jackson) and (Ryan) Mundy back there."
On his role as a returning linebacker ... "My role as a senior is to help lead the defense. My stats aren't as important as being someone that the younger guys can look up to on and off the field."
Senior Safety Ernest Shazor
On Michigan's defense ... "I feel that this defense is even better than last season's group. We're quicker than we were last season and we have an extra year of experience now. Michigan defenses will always be great, but we have an excellent secondary, great linebackers and a strong defensive line. I think the defensive line will be the surprise. They're underrated and I think they'll make a big impact this season."
How are you dealing with the high expectations for 2004 ... "I want to live up to this year's expectations and achieve our team goals of a Big Ten championship and a shot at the national title. I don't feel much personal pressure because I'm confident in this team and I know what we can accomplish this season."
On assuming more of a leadership role in 2004 ... "Last season I concentrated on knowing what I had to do on the field and making plays. With a season under my belt, I know every check and every read and I can help the younger players on the team become better and master the system."
On his senior season at Michigan ... "It feels great every time I walk down that tunnel. It's a different feeling each game, it's hard to describe. It's not nervousness. I think it's adrenaline and a sense of pride. I get excited every time I get a chance to put that uniform on."
On teammate Marlin Jackson ... "Marlin has his swagger back. He set aside some of his personal goals for team goals and that's something that we all notice. He's one of the best corners I have every played with and he helped me a lot last season."
On his second season with secondary coach Ron English ... "Coach English is a great teacher and a tremendous leader. Working with him last season will help our defense this year. We understand each other and he knows how to bring out the best in his players. He's one of the best coaches I've ever had at any level."
On personal accolades ... "It's an honor to be up for an award like the Jim Thorpe. It felt good last season to make All-Big Ten and have the coaches recognize me in my first season as a starter. Awards are nice, but they aren't as important to me as our team goals."
On Michigan's offense ... "We have a young offense that lost some great players in key positions but I was impressed with the running backs and quarterbacks in the spring. By the time the season starts we'll have a great offense. Our quarterbacks are getting better every day and we have one of the best groups of wide receivers in the country."
On Michigan's wide receivers ... "I look forward to going against our wide receivers in practice every day. I think we've got one of the best receiving corps in the nation. We run one-on-ones every practice and I think the competition makes all of us better. We get a chance to compete against some of the best receivers in college football and they get to run routes against one of the best defensive backfields. I take pride in the fact that our receivers are so good."
On Michigan's history against Notre Dame in South Bend ... "I know all about the history between Michigan and Notre Dame. We're two of the best college football programs of all time. We just need to play Michigan football and not worry about the past. Right now I'm focused on Miami (Ohio) and after that I'll turn my attention to Notre Dame."
On the aftermath of the Rose Bowl loss to USC ... "It was a tough loss because we worked so hard and came so far, but we'll fight through it. We've learned from our mistakes and worked hard this spring and we hope to get another shot - this time in Miami."
Senior Outside Linebacker Pierre Woods
On the other linebackers ... "Lawrence Reid has always been underrated, even in Ohio. Ohio State didn't recruit him, which is something I don't understand. Lawrence is a great linebacker who plays low and does what he has to do. Scott McClintock is the same way. People don't give him the respect that he deserves, but he's a great linebacker. LaMarr Woodley is going to play hard. Shawn Crable had an unfortunate injury last year with his shoulder, but he's back ready to go. Roy Manning is also ready to go. The linebacking corps as a whole is ready for the season. We have high expectations."
On the expectations of being one of the all-time best Michigan defenses ... "People put us on a pedestal, but we haven't even played a game yet. We're waiting for the first game of the season and we'll take it one week at a time."
On the start of another football season ... "It feels good to have everybody come back. A lot of guys haven't left like (David) Baas and Braylon (Edwards). Everyone wants to win a championship and when guys come back, you've got to respect that."
On whether he considers himself a starter and sees anyone competing against him ... "I don't consider myself a starter. We have to go out there and compete and that's what it's all about. Everyone is competing for a position. You never know what will happen."
On whether he feels more competent as a linebacker or rushing the quarterback ... "You can't use just one technique all the time. You've got to be able to drop, you've got to be able to rush and you've got to be able to read runs and passes. You've got to have the total package. I'm trying to get there."
Does the defense set statistical goals for themselves ... "We want to win and not give up the big plays. Right now we're just taking our time and are setting our goals."
On whether there is added pressure this season since they won the Big Ten title last season ... "There isn't added pressure because we're always near the top of the food chain every year. We won the Big Ten championship last year, so we know what's coming and what to expect. We can't worry about the past anymore and we've got to take it one game at a time and just keep practicing hard and get ready for this first game."
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
