Weekly Press Conference Comments from Michigan Players
8/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Player Comments from
Weekly U-M Football Media Luncheon
Previewing Season Opener vs. Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 4
Fifth-Year Senior Offensive Guard David Baas
On the kick return position ... "Whoever is going to be the best returner is going to be back there. If they have Marlin (Jackson) back there and he can return kicks, then that's great. It will help us win."
On whether success at the quarterback position is unpredictable ... "There has been good competition there and eventually Coach Carr is going to make a decision. There's not really any wondering, because it doesn't really matter who is back there. We're going to do our job and block for whoever is back there. They're going to develop and play, and they're going to help us win."
On the Miami defense ... "We watched the film and got a good look at them. They're quick and fast; they're the defending MAC champions. They're a good team and we have to be prepared when they come into our stadium because they're going to bring their 'A' game."
On the changes to the offensive line ... "People come in and people go out, you just have to develop and gel as a unit with the new guys and help them along. That's one of the big things about being a senior. You have to provide leadership and make sure we keep getting better each week."
On the progress of the running game ... "The running backs have been doing a great job. Everybody that's back there, even the young guys, is getting good carries and good reps. Whoever is going to be at that position is going to have a great year and is going to help us win."
On whether he has something to prove this season ... "This year, I'm just out there to play. I'm out there to do my best to help my team win. Whatever awards I may get, that's fine. Right now, I'm just going to do my job to help us win and also be a leader."
On the goals of the running game ... "You always want to do well when you run the ball. I'm sure we'll set certain goals about what we want to do every single week. I just want to win, and we have to run the ball to win. Whatever it takes to run the ball is what we have to do."
On the competition at quarterback ... "All the quarterbacks are doing well and they're all getting better. I think that the great competition at the position is only going to help us. One is going to eventually step up and we're going to support that one."
On whether he notices a difference in the style of each quarterback ... "When we're in the huddle, we see all the faces. We see all of them out there competing and there really hasn't been too much of a difference. We just see quarterbacks out there who are getting better."
On the makeup of the offensive line ... "I'm not sure how Coach Moeller is going to do it, but everybody competed hard during camp. There are guys out there that want to play and I think every week they are all competing and all want starting positions. By the time that is established, whoever is the starter is going to do their best to hold it and the other guys are going to keep competing because they want it to."
On the maturing of Matt Gutierrez ... "I think he had to grow up pretty fast. There was some pressure put on him and he's responded well to that. He's doing a good job and whatever position he plays, whether it's first, second or third, he's going to continue to get better."
On David Underwood ... "He's big, strong and fast. He had a great off-season and he got prepared to help us win. That's what I love to see out of a player."
On the fall camp ... "Camp was long, but I think it was good for the team because it gave us more time to bond and gel as a team and a unit. We got extra practice and practice makes perfect. I think that extra time is only going to help us."
Fifth-Year Senior Fullback Kevin Dudley
On the new players on offense ... "Through camp, I think we have really come together. Every day you can see improvements and we are going to keep improving as the season goes on."
On how the offense is different ... "I don't know. Each year you have different talents that are going to stand out. I think this year will be different."
On if he has more blocking responsibility with the young quarterbacks ... "Not really. Each play has its own protection regardless of who is back there. You just have to pick up your man in your protection. It doesn't really matter."
On David Underwood ... "Dave had a great off-season. He came into camp in great shape and had a great camp. He really developed as our No. 1. He is big, strong, fast and competes every day and keeps getting better."
On if he will touch the ball more this year ... "I don't know. It is up to Coach Carr and the game plan we are going through each game. We will have to see."
On the competition in the backfield ... "There is great competition there. Every guy is fighting every day. I think whoever is in there is going to do a great job for us."
Senior Cornerback Marlin Jackson
On the decision to let him return kicks ... "I've just been getting back there showing that I can catch the ball and run hard in practice. That's the main thing. I returned kicks during my freshman season and then didn't the last two seasons. I just went back there at the beginning of camp and let them know that I wanted to do it. I went back there and did a good job with it. I like to get the ball in my hands and make something happen."
On the potential for this year's secondary ... "We have the potential to be great but we have to work to get better every week and maintain that level of intensity in our game. We have to come out and study film and keep it going every week."
On what it takes to be great ... "I think we have to be consistent. We have to play at the same level and never have a drop-off. Last year we kind of had a drop-off towards the end of the season. If you want to be great you can't let that happen. You have to be at a high level at all times and play consistently."
On how the special teams unit is shaping up ... "I think there will be a lot of improvement because a lot of guys who were on special teams last year were kind of like first-year guys and it was their first time playing. This year those guys have a year under their belts and they have the potential to go out there and be great on special teams."
On being able to respect Miami (Ohio) ... "It's easy to respect them because you know what a great team they had last year. They were 10-1 or 11-1 (13-1). They went out and had a great season last year. We expect the receivers, the quarterback and the running back they have on the field to be good players. We can't come out there and take these guys easy. We have to play hard."
On playing against a first-year quarterback in Josh Betts ... "He looks good. He has a nice arm and looks off the defensive backs well. He's a first-year guy but he has a little bit of experience, so he'll be a great quarterback to go up against. He moves the pocket nicely."
On how focused he is this season compared to years in the past ... "Last year I had a lot of off-the-field issues going on. This year there is a lot of clarity, just school and football. There is a lot more clarity in my mind and in my game right now."
On this year's training camp ... "I don't know if it's been the toughest but it's definitely been the longest. We've been in camp for four weeks, but I think it's going to benefit us because guys came out every day and there was no drop off in intensity because they came out every day and worked hard. That's helped us build a catalyst to come out everyday and every week and just continue to play hard."
On his curiosity surrounding U-M's quarterback decision ... "I'm just as curious as you guys. I have no idea either. I'm waiting just like you guys are to find out who the quarterback is. Whoever it is we're going to stand behind him and be there for him."
Senior Linebacker Scott McClintock
On the defensive corps ... "The defense really came together as a unit; we're really close and tight after two-a-days. We had a scrimmage on the last day, and we felt really comfortable. We feel we're good together."
On Marlin Jackson serving as team captain ... "I've known Marlin since high school, coming from Pittsburgh together. It fits perfectly. He's been a leader ever since I've known him; we played in the Big 33 game together. He was a leader then; it's just the way he carries himself. He deserves it."
On the expectations for this season ... "Expectations are always high every year. We set our goals high, so expectations are going to be high. Coming off last season -- we ended on a fairly good note going to the Rose Bowl -- obviously the expectations are to go there or higher once again."
On Miami (Ohio) ... "I watched a little film last night; we watched the game against Indiana State and a little bit from last year. The biggest difference I saw was obviously (Ben) Roethlisberger, the quarterback, leaving. They looked good, really good, from what I saw."
On the defensive focus ... "We focus a lot more on trying to get to the ball carrier and strip the ball and working on the little things that pay off in the end. Once we have the little things down, the rest of our game is established and we'll do better as a whole defense. Last year, we never put an emphasis on (stripping the ball); this year we did, and it kind of showed. We run a majority of base defense, but we switch it up here and there. It's a lot different than last year; you just have to learn to read your blocks more."
On the secondary ... "This is really the first year I going to get to play a lot more. Last year I came in on nickel, so I was playing with a different group of guys. This year, it's just different."
On senior linebacker Roy Manning ... "He's played like a senior (this fall). He knows his role; he knows what he had to do. He came out and just played as hard as he could everyday, and it showed. He's to get to play."
Senior Safety Ernest Shazor
On the defense forcing more turnovers ... "We spend a couple of drills each day practicing on stripping the ball and putting our helmets on the ball. We took a little more time with that this year."
On if he is anxious to start the season ... "I'm ready to get out there. I think it is going to be a big year for us this season. We are pretty fast on defense again. I think we have a little something special this year. I can't tell what it is. I just feel it."
On what he has seen about Miami Ohio quarterback Josh Betts ... "I've seen a lot of the same things as (Ben) Rothlisberger. He doesn't have a stronger arm than him, but we watched the game in the meetings last night and he is pretty good as well. He is a great quarterback."
On if his job at safety has changed at all with the change in defensive formation ... "Not really. I am still in the box at times. Mostly I am outside, but it is pretty much the same."
On the advantages of playing a 3-4 ... "We have a lot of great linebackers. When you have a lot of great linebackers, you can put more linebackers in the box, so we went to the 3-4. You always want to put the best guys on the field so coach has to accommodate that and switch to the 3-4."
On Miami's receivers ... "Martin Nance is a big guy. He is about 6-5 and he has pretty good hands. Michael Larkin is a smaller guy, but he is shifty and he can move. All the receivers look really good to me."
On practicing against a talented receiving corps ... "We do have a great receiving corps. It is going to be great to go out and play someone else. We have been playing Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant, Steve Breaston and Carl Tabb (and Jermaine Gonzales) in practice and I think those guys can be one of the best groups in the nation. When you go out and play other people it is a little bit different."
On if he is excited to start college football ... "I am excited to just be up here standing in front of you guys. I can't wait to play Miami Ohio."
On if the team feels they can't afford to lose ... 'We just take each game at a time, each Saturday at a time. We want to improve from Saturday to Saturday. That is our focus here at Michigan and this is how we are going to carry it out."
Senior Tailback David Underwood
On securing the No.1 running back job ... "I just want to go out and play hard and do the best that I can. I'm not looking at it as being No. 1; I'm just going out and seizing every opportunity that I can."
On his expectations as a senior ... "This is my last year, and I know that every senior wants their last year to be their best. I'm going to come out and try to make this the best year I've ever had at Michigan. I have personal goals for myself, but I just want to come out and leave it all out on the field. I just want to play hard and give it 100 percent every Saturday. Whatever happens will happen, but as long as I know that I played 100 percent, then I will be satisfied."
On his goals as a player ... "We have individual goals set for ourselves and we also have team goals. We just want to go out and play hard and keep the chains moving. We want to do all we can to get a win for Michigan, it's plain and simple."
On his thoughts of replacing Chris Perry at running back ... "Replacing Chris Perry, a Heisman Trophy finalist, you're going to feel pressure the first time out there starting because he did some unbelievable things out there last year. You just have to go out and play to the best of your ability and be nobody else but David Underwood. Just be yourself and do the best you can do, that's all you can do."
On quarterback Matt Gutierrez ... "Matt is playing well and he's made some strides. He's got great feet and great vision, he's very elusive and a good passer."
On the competition at quarterback ..."Obviously there is competition there, and I think all three of the quarterbacks are pushing each other and trying to make each other better. Whoever it's going to be is going to do a great job. We're going to rally behind them and support them the best we can."
On the mindset of the team going into the season-opener ... "We approach every game like it is a championship game. That's how you have to approach every game, because if you take one team lightly, you'll get beat. Miami (Ohio) is a great team, we're looking forward to playing them and I know they're looking forward to playing us. They have a good ball club, so it's going to be a good game on Saturday."
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