2004 U-M Football Media Day -- Offensive Player Quotes
8/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Offensive Player Comments from
2004 Michigan Football Media Day
Junior Wide Receiver Jason Avant
On the quarterback situation ... "I don't care who throws it to us. I just want to catch the ball when it comes to me. The receivers feel that we're going to catch the ball no matter who's throwing it to us."
On the freshman receivers ... "A lot of things have impressed me about these guys. They are learning very fast and taking their bumps and bruises and not complaining about it. Even though they aren't getting as many reps, they keep going and continue to play and work hard. Some of these guys have unlimited potential."
On the wide receiving corps ... "There is a lot of competition between all the receivers. We need to push each other. If one guy does something well, another guy can look at it and add something to it. Everybody makes plays and that makes all of us better. Preseason rankings don't mean anything to us. If we're the No. 1 group at the end of the year, then it will mean something."
Fifth-Year Senior Guard David Baas
Can you win a national championship ... "I think about it every day. Every team sets its goals very high and I would love to leave here with a national championship ring. Everybody is going to have to chip in and we are going to have to do things right to get that done."
On losing a quarterback and running back and still being picked to win the conference ... "Every conference team is going to be good. Good players will leave but we just have to develop new good players. Michigan is very good at doing that. Despite the losses, we have experience and we're looking forward to the season."
On having three potential NFL players returning ... "Every team has individual talent, but we have to come together as a team. We don't care who earns All-Big Ten or All-American. It doesn't matter as long as we play as a team. I think it shows a lot of character that everybody returned and wants to help this team win a national championship."
On the quarterback position ... "Both quarterbacks are doing well and all the quarterbacks are competing. Everybody has a different style to their game, but I think whoever is out there is going to help our team. It doesn't matter who starts. They are all mobile, they all have running ability and they all have strong arms."
On helping the quarterbacks mature ... "The quarterbacks are young players and it's the older guys who have to lead them along. We have to help them during the season and keep them positive. That's our job. I think we have a great senior class this year and we are going to help them every way we can this season."
On the progress of David Underwood ... "He's a hard worker. He's done a good job. I think he is going to be a positive influence this season."
Junior Wide Receiver Steve Breaston
On being a part of such a deep receiving corps ... "I came in with Jason (Avant) and Carl (Tabb) and they helped me a lot as a new receiver. With people like Braylon (Edwards) and Jermaine (Gonzalez) already here, it's been great. Everybody has been picking each other up. We're just going out there to play. If someone gets down during practice we pick each other up."
On how Jason Avant and Braylon Edwards have made him a better player ... "They've made me a better football player by helping me with my route running and catching the ball. They lead by example. Whenever you see people like that you're going to play your hardest for them."
On competing against Michigan's defensive backfield ... "It's a very competitive atmosphere and your best abilities come out. Everyone is going out there and everybody plays hard. You see Marlin (Jackson) and you're going to try to beat him. It makes him better and he'll make you better."
On the progress of his foot injury ... "I've been practicing and doing all of the drills. I just get treatments when we're done. I can take contact."
On what he's most excited about this season ... "I'm especially excited about our defense and I love the way they're playing right now. The offense is looking great too. I just want the season to get here."
On the difficulty of having so many receivers and not enough passes to go around ... "Not only are they great receivers but this is a group of great guys. We want to help each other and we know that when someone catches a ball we contributed by running our routes and driving other coverages. We're an unselfish group and we just play for the team."
Junior Tight End Tyler Ecker
On how his strong play towards the end of last season helped him in the spring ... "It gave me a nice boost going into the summer and spring ball. It was really good for me to get in there at the end of the year and get some playing time. I'm definitely more prepared and I know what I'm up against."
On working with a new quarterback ... "I don't really feel like we have a new quarterback. I am sure they will go out there and get the job done. Any quarterback we put out there will do a great job."
On playing with a good receiving corps ... "Playing with them really opens things up. I think the tight ends will have a lot of chances and we just have to work hard make the most of them."
On the offense as a whole ... "I think we are going to do a great job this year as long as we do everything we are taught. It should be a great year for the whole offense."
On how the Big Ten is shaping up ... "Every team has a shot. Any time a team comes into our stadium, they're looking to prove themselves. Every team we play against is going to be tough game. We're just going to have to fight it all the way."
On the strength of the offense ... "Right now, we're looking really good. Hopefully, we'll have some plays where we can get the ball and make an impact. Either way, we'll do our best to play our roles and help the team win."
On how the quarterbacks are looking ... "They're doing really well. Having left-handers and right-handers, they're able to roll out either way and make accurate throws. It will be interesting to see what happens."
Senior Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards
On the strong expectations U-M has at the start of every year ... "Michigan is a big-time football school. Every year we're a good team. We always try to better ourselves and uphold the Michigan tradition, which is winning Big Ten championships. We strive to meet those expectations every year."
On the possibility of winning a national championship this season ... "We're going to work hard. Our schedule is somewhat favorable, but there are a lot of tough games in there. Towards the end of the season, it's going to get real tough for us. As long as we fight our battles and work hard and do what we're supposed to do, it will lead to big things."
On the quarterback situation ... "Matt (Gutierrez) and Clayton (Richard) have been excellent so far this year. Coming into training camp, they both looked really good. Right now, they're competing and battling it out. There is no starting quarterback at this point in time. They have to finish training camp strong and one of them will get the job. Either one of them can get the job done. It's a healthy competition and neither one is affected by it. It's not a personal thing. They go out there and do what they have to do, which is make reads and make throws. At the end of the day, they're still friends. It's not a negative competition."
On not being on the receiving end of a John Navarre pass this season ... "You have to keep rolling. You can't dwell on the past. It was great to have John here and it was great playing with him, but now he's gone. Now it's time to step up with either Matt (Gutierrez) or Clayton (Richard)."
On whether his senior leadership and experience will help the progress of the young quarterbacks ... "I remember when John (Navarre) was a young guy just starting for the first time and Marquise (Walker) had to break him in. It's going to help that I'm an older guy who's been there. I've seen a lot of things, so I can lend my expertise to the quarterback as well as do what I'm supposed to do. He's the leader of our huddle, but at the same time I'm the one who's been there and who can keep everything under control. Being the veteran will definitely help our quarterback."
On the national attention the Michigan receiving corps has gotten ... "I've seen our receivers mentioned in a number of articles. We're not trying to prove anything to anyone else, we're just trying to do what we know we can do. We've worked very hard all off-season to get back to where we were last season. As long as we continue to work hard and make the right reads we're going to make things happen."
On whether the return of Marlin Jackson influenced his decision to stay at U-M ... "It was huge. Marlin and I came in together. He and I were in a similar situation last year, so when he decided to return, I knew why. When he made his decision to come back, it was a sign for me to do the same."
Junior Quarterback Matt Gutierrez
What type of quarterback are you ... "I don't like to categorize myself. You'll have to talk to Coach Carr about that."
On his offensive personnel ... "I think we have a great offensive line, tremendous receivers and a solid group of running backs that will all play hard and do their best to get the job done. That will make it a lot easier on the quarterbacks."
On what he learned from John Navarre ... "John was a great player and a great person who showed a lot of poise last year when we were behind. I really appreciate the opportunity I had to learn from him. He taught me everything about what it's like to be that starting quarterback for one of the best teams in college football."
On the other quarterbacks ... "I think Clayton, Chad and Spencer are very talented. They have very good arms, they are smart and they are quality people. I appreciate the opportunity to play with them."
On the competition for starting quarterback ... "The chance to start this season is a great opportunity for all of us. We have to approach it like that and try and improve as much as we can. We're all in the weight room, and we're all out there trying to play as hard as we can."
On Coach Carr's decision to have open competition ... "I think it's exciting. I like to compete in anything that I do. This is an opportunity to earn a starting role, so I'm having fun with it."
On deserving to be the starting quarterback ... "Everything is earned here. Nothing is given away at Michigan. Whoever is on the field is going to have earned it, and everyone else is going to respect the coach's decision."
On quarterback coach Scot Loeffler ... "I think coach Loeffler is an excellent coach. He really brings everybody along at a quick pace. He makes sure we all know the system and recognize what needs to get done."
On expectations of a quarterback at Michigan ... "I think there are going to be certain expectations, regardless of who you are. There are certain responsibilities that I have to carry out, that the coaches have given to me and that my teammates expect of me. I am going to try and live up to those expectations."
Senior Offensive Lineman Matt Lentz
On whether the team went back and looked at the Rose Bowl last year ... "We looked at the tape when we got back. We had a great 13 or so days out there and one bad day and that basically is what it was. After 13 great days, that bad one just happened to be the last day. It was really confusing. We all knew what we did, but we didn't understand why it happened."
On whether the Rose Bowl is a motivating factor ... "That was last year's team. This is a beginning. This is a brand new season and we have to prepare for this one."
On his changing role as a returning starter ... "I feel that I have more responsibility for bringing up the younger guys. Being a senior, I've got to be a real leader with the team and especially with the offensive line. We have a bunch of young guys who are looking for that leadership and I need to give it to them. We've got Steno (Adam Stenavich) and (David) Baas and Leo Henige who can show the younger players what it takes to be a leader. Baas is my mentor and is the main leader of this group. We spend a lot of time with the incoming freshmen at our position, so you really have to go out and do your best every play and show them that this is Michigan football. Only the best is good enough."
On whether he did anything different this summer than past years because of the role he was going to step into ... "I worked a lot harder for my senior year here. I will be stepping into a bigger role on the team. Besides just playing, I've got to be a good leader first."
On Matt Gutierrez bonding with other players on the team ... "Matt and I have gotten together throughout the summer. We've gone out to dinner and called each other up. He's a good guy and I love hanging out with him. We had that bond with John (Navarre) so instead of just Baas and I going out somewhere, Matt would tag along."
On the holes that need to be filled on the offensive line ... "Competition is healthy right now and I feel good that the we'll be ready for the season opener. I have complete confidence in whoever starts there."
On players getting pushed for their spot ... "There's definitely competition throughout the entire offensive line. Nothing is set in stone, so you just got to keep on working. At the moment, if anyone gets lackadaisical, that's when you lose your spot. The moment you forget about that, you start going downhill. Everybody's fighting every day."
On whether they need to take a different approach depending on who is the quarterback or running back ... "Whoever steps in, we will block for them. It's all the same."
On how it feels to prepare for another Michigan football season ... "During the summer you enjoy the time off, but as soon as you get back with the guys, in the meeting rooms, it's a great feeling because you know what's up and coming."
On whether it's the ultimate compliment that Coach Carr commented that Lentz and Baas are potentially two of the best linemen he's ever had at Michigan ... "That was nice of coach Carr, but it doesn't mean anything unless we prove it this year. I believe we have the ability to do it. Baas and I have definitely gotten closer this past year. He's my mentor and I look up to him. I just want to follow in his footsteps."
Senior Tight End Tim Massaquoi
On working with a new quarterback ... "As far as I am concerned I'm not really working with a new quarterback. We have been working with Matt (Gutierrez) since he first got here and we've gelled all summer."
On playing with a good receiving corps ... "It's great because it takes a lot of pressure off the tight ends. They force defenses to try to do a lot of things that take them away from us, so our tight ends will have a lot of opportunities to make plays this season."
On the pressure on a new quarterback ... "The quarterback always gets the blame for a loss. I saw it with John Navarre and I have seen the pressure these guys are going to be under this year. There is a lot of scrutiny and it is their ability to handle that that is going to be the difference."
Sophomore Quarterback Clayton Richard
On competing in fall practice ... "There is a little more urgency now. We're getting ready for a season and getting ready to play other teams rather than scrimmaging among ourselves."
On the quarterback competition ... "We know what we have to do, and we're all aware that there's competition between us. We're all good friends and we know what's done on the field stays on the field. I don't read a lot of newspapers or watch all that much TV, so I haven't really been getting the inside scoop. Each of us is going to have an equal opportunity, and we'll make the most of it. I think this is a great opportunity for us."
On freshman quarterback Chad Henne ... "I think Chad is a great player. He's got a great arm and he has a knack for playing football. He's a solid quarterback."
On the pressure of being the Michigan quarterback ... "I'm excited to start the season. We're all ready to start the season. We've been put in situations where we know we have to handle pressure to help our team win. That's just part of the game. You're always looking for an opportunity to play."
Sophomore Kicker Garrett Rivas
On his expectations for the season ... "We're at the University of Michigan so we have to play hard every game. We are focusing on playing our best game every week and taking the season in stride."
On preparations for a game ... "I try to focus, get my game face on and get ready to go out there and compete. Just like any other position, we prepare mentally and physically for our opponent."
On nerves before a kick ... "I'm usually nervous at the hotel before we get to the stadium. Once we get in the locker room and I get out on the field, it's just a normal routine. I just go through it like it's another day on the field."
On the fire at his campus house ... "We were all trying to make sure everybody was out of the house. A few of us went back into the house to try and look around and see if anybody was still there. It was chaotic, and you're just going off your instincts at a time like that."
On his relationship with other kickers ... "We're a close group. We're together every day. We are always looking to help each other, saying maybe you need to do this, maybe you need to do that.' We push to make each other better."
Senior Tackle Adam Stenavich
On his expectations for the season ... "We set our goals high this season. We have a great tradition of offensive linemen here, so we are expecting great things."
On being one of the leaders on the offensive line ... "All of the guys you admired and tried to mold your game after are all gone, so it's a little weird to be the one who the younger players look to for leadership. It's a big change and a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."
On playing with a new running back ... "The way the offensive line looks at it is that all our running backs are great. They are talented, awesome running backs. If we do our job, we should make their job easy."
On playing with a new quarterback ... "Our quarterbacks have all shown promise in the spring. They have similar abilities and they are all great athletes. If you give a quarterback protection, they will make the right throws. They will do their job."
On the offense ... "We had a lot to learn with a young group of players, but we have improved every day. Our offense is coming together and we'll be ready for the first game of the season."
Senior Running Back David Underwood
On his off-season preparations ... "After the Rose Bowl, Coach Carr and Coach Jackson sat down with me and told me what they want in a tailback. I focused on coming into the spring ready to compete for the starting job. I worked hard to get into the best shape of my life and I feel that I'm ready to carry the load."
On Chris Perry ... "Chris had an outstanding season last year. He was a key asset to the team in many ways. He helped set an example for the rest of the backs and his experience helped prepare us for this season."
On the competition for starting tailback ... "I am embracing the pressure. I'm not going to try and be Chris Perry, I'm going to go out there and be David Underwood. All of us are practicing hard and doing the extra things that make a back great. Competition will make everyone better in the long run."
What does being a tailback at Michigan mean to you ... "It has been a childhood dream to start at Michigan. This is tailback "U". I'm following in the footsteps of Tyrone Wheatley, Chris Perry and Tim Biakabutuka. It's an honor to put this jersey on before every game and play for the Wolverines."
On Michigan's receivers ... "We've got one of the best groups of receivers in the country this season. They are competitive and play hard every down. It takes the pressure off the tailbacks a little to have such a dangerous offensive weapon."
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