Player Comments Previewing Penn State Game
9/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
University of Michigan Football Player Comments
Previewing Penn State (Sept. 22); Reviewing Notre Dame (Sept. 15)
Senior Tight End Mike Massey
On Mallet being nervous ... "He doesn't seem like he gets nervous, he really doesn't. He's unique, he's unique in that respect. I know that I was really nervous. He did a great job, everything from pre-game to in the locker room. He acted normal, he really did. He didn't change from when he was backing up Chad in the first two games to when he started, he really didn't. I didn't notice a change so he might be telling the truth, I don't know."
On the Penn State defense ... "They're a great defense. We saw them on film yesterday and they've been shutting everyone down rushing wise and that's one of the main things we try and do, rush the ball. So it will be fun. Their linebackers are great, they're fast. They get off the line really well and they're physical. So we're going to have to play physical and know our responsibilities, have no missed assignments and Ryan's going to have to do a good job of not turning the ball over and do a lot of the same things he did against Notre Dame, being smart with the ball and get off a lot of smart plays. I think it will be fun and it will be interesting."
On eight wins in a row vs. PSU ... "A lot of people talk about that but honestly, you guys know as well as I do that every game and every year is a different team and you have to take this Penn State team the same you would any other year. We know they're a great opponent, they're number 10 now in the polls, and we're looking forward to it. Every year is different and if you look at it any other way then it's just a defeat so we're not going to concentrate on that now."
On difference on offense between the first two games and Notre Dame ... "Everyone did their job, everyone made a block. We didn't have any missed assignments. I think that after the first two games we just weren't finishing jobs and in that game we got a field goal and then a touchdown and we had confidence and we had fun. It was one of the best games I've been in since I've been at Michigan and it was just what we needed. We needed everyone to realize that if we play together and do the things we need to do then we'll have fun. And everything will roll; everything will take care of itself. I think it was a clean start into the Big Ten schedule and good things will happen."
On was it good U-M play or poor play on Notre Dame's part ... "It was absolutely everything that we did. We had a great practice, a great week of practice. We had the best Tuesday that we've had all year, it was physical and hard and we came out Wednesday doing the same thing. Thursday was a mental practice. It was just a good way to start the week and many of the guys will tell you that this week was different than the other weeks. On the sidelines we made adjustments and would listen to the coaches and just ran with it. It was our confidence level, we played better together and it all rolled."
Did you fear going 0-3 ... "No, we were playing to win. We weren't thinking about losing. We didn't have a fear of losing. We didn't have a fear of going 0-3. We were just concentrating on winning and if you think about losing, if you think about going 0-3 that's when you will go 0-3. We were thinking about winning and all the things that we needed to do we did. We knew how big that game was for us and now we're going into the Big Ten schedule. We couldn't have had a better game offensively and our defense was really good heading into the Big Ten schedule."
On importance of support of former players ... "Coach Carr mention that to us right before we got on the bus and we didn't really know what to expect but it couldn't have meant more, especially being a player now and my brother being a former play and an alumni at the University it was really special. Between that and Russell Crowe and all that stuff it was my God, we really got to win this game. But it went well and knowing we had their support and with them showing up there and giving us their support it was really special. We want to thank those guys for doing that and it meant a lot so it was pretty neat."
On Crowe and the pre-game speech ... "Actually, it was just like anyone else. I don't know if you guys will believe me, but you're just so focused on the game and no matter who it is as long as they give you some words of wisdom and some motivational words that's all you need and God knows he knows how to do that. It was pretty neat. It was great. And Coach Carr gave his traditional pre-game speech and that was just as motivational and just the combination of the two, it was a good combination and a good effort and we did some good things with it. I know the guys were pumped up for this game."
On what did Russell Crowe say ... "Well that's something that I want to keep to myself, but it was great and I can't thank him enough. I know the guys on the team want to thank him and he's a great guy, a real great guy."
Senior Running Back Mike Hart
On what the next step for the team is ... "The same thing as last week, I just want to keep the momentum going into this week. We want to stay confident. There are obviously a lot of improvements you can make at practice; we still have a lot of mistakes on the field like missed blocks, receivers not doing the right things and not making the right catch. Those are just a few of things that we can do to try and get better."
On if the amount of plays he saw on Saturday made a difference ... "No, I felt fine after the game. I didn't really get hit too much and did not get hit too hard. That would make a difference. If I am getting hit hard, it will wear on my body. But I got tackled; I didn't get hit."
On the difference having fun while playing makes ..."When you are having fun it makes things a lot better. Obviously, when you are winning you can have fun. But when you aren't having fun, no one wants to get out there and everyone is walking around with a sad face. When you are having fun out at practice, and you translate it into the game, it is a great thing."
On how the team acquired their energy and how they started to have fun ... "The seniors did a great job last week. We were relaxed, having a great time, joking around. The offense and defense joke around a lot, talking to each other. (Shawn) Crable jokes around a lot. When you have that, everyone can be focused, but not be so serious. You can be focused, but still have fun, and then you will get things done the right way."
On if (Adam) Kraus and (Justin) Boren switching positions made a difference ... "Not at all because they are both great players. They both know what they are doing. They are both great at their positions, so it didn't make a difference."
On Brandon Minor ... "He did a great job. I have been trying to tell him to be patient. He showed a little more patience in the game and had a couple of great runs. Minor can be a great back, he just needs to learn how to be patient and hold onto the ball."
On Penn State losing to Michigan the past eight times ... "It is a different team every year. No one on that team has lost eight times. So I don't really think that matters. Every year it is a different team."
On the support the team felt before, during, and after this game ... "It is a great thing. Inside our family, inside our circle is Michigan football, first and foremost. It's those guys who matter to us. We had those guys this week come to practice, calling (us), showing up at the game and saying that 'we support you and have confidence in you'. They have been through the blood, sweat and tears that we go through. They've been through the workouts and the off-season problems, the injuries, the losses, the wins, the highs and the lows. They know it feels to be a Michigan football player. So when you have those people still supporting you then it's all automatic. You want fan support, but they aren't going to be happy when you lose. That's just how fans are. But when you have your family, when they stick behind you and keep you strong, there is nothing better than that."
On Penn State's rush defense ..."I just think they have great players. They are a good team. They have no weakness on defense. They have a good front four, they have a great set of linebackers and they have a good secondary. When you have that, it is going to be hard to do things. They can put more guys in the box, because their corners and safeties are great. Their linebackers are great and they make a lot of plays. Their front four penetrates. So when you have that, their defense is all-around great. Like I said, the last couple years they have had the best defense that I've faced. It's going to be a tough one on Saturday to line up against."
On what the offense needs to do better this week ... "We might have to throw the ball a little bit better. We're not going to be able to run the ball every play. Hopefully we can. After watching film, we're not going to be able to do that to them. We're going to have to loosen them up and keep them on there heals so they know we're not running the ball every time on first down or second down. We have to keep them on there heals and stay up on them."
On the role Mallett's confidence has had ... "A lot. That's one thing I'm not worried about with Mallett is his confidence. He's a confident guy and he has a lot of confidence in himself and the throws he makes. I'm really not worried about that all with him."
On the similarities between Mike Hart and Ryan Mallett's personalities ... "I came in real confident. He was the man coming in here and I was nobody coming in here, but besides that I think our personalities are alike. We're both confident guys. We both know what we can do and we're not scared to say what's on our minds. We're not scared to fail. I will say that. We're going to take chances and he's going to give his heart and play hard. If you watch him, he wants to watch every play instead of handling out his fakes right he's turning around to what's going on with the play. He's confident, he wants to see the play and he loves to play the game."
Junior Defensive Tackle Terrance Taylor
On the difference defensively ... "After losing two games, you have a wake-up call. One thing we had was a great week of practice. A lot of guys came together and spoke up that didn't speak up before. Our mentality has changed. It's like how we started out last year."
On the key to bringing pressure against ND ... "I think in the first two games we had less of a chance to watch the quarterback because he was mobile. That's one of the things that hurt us because when you hesitate, they do run. Something opens up and he's gone. We talked about it at practice that we're not going to let that happen anymore. We're going to be more aggressive -- we don't care what they're going to do. They're going to run a certain amount of plays and we have to stop it."
On how the team improved its tackling ... "You just have to want to on defense. It's not really a thing that you can do to get better. You just have to want it. Either you turn it down or you go in there and get it. One of the things we talked about was going in and getting the ball. Anything can happen, a fumble, anything. You have to want it."
On his impression of the PSU offense ... "They have a good offensive line, a good quarterback, they haven't really decided on a running back yet but they have two really good running backs. They have a good offense. They put up points. They have a great defense so it should be a good game."
On last year's PSU game ... "It was a lot of fun. When you play Penn State, you just feel the electricity just like when you play Notre Dame or any other rivalry -- Ohio State, Michigan State. It's the Big Ten opener. You have to win the Big Ten opener if you want to win the Big Ten Championship. This game is very important to our season. It's a championship game to us."
On the difference of the defensive line compared to last year ... "I think we stand at a good point. We had a couple of guys hurt so we were moving guys around at different spots. Right now, we're mostly settled in. Last year, you knew who was going to be starting and who was going to be there and that person was going to be there through thick and thin. This year we started with a couple of guys who switched from the first game to the second game. You really can't do that on defense. Last year, we had a bond. I knew Dave (Harris) would do his job ... I knew LaMarr (Woodley) wouldn't let the offense outside. This year, you just have to work together. Once we get the chemistry going, you can worry about your job and then you can start making plays. We have the same guys back there that we had during the Oregon game. Now we're just building on that. Once you practice that more -- making calls and talking on the field -- it becomes fun. Last year we had a lot of fun. We were laughing out there. Right now that's what we're trying to get back to."
On Brandon Graham ... "He brings speed and power. He is going to bring a lot to this program in the years to come. He is a good player. You need good defensive ends to keep the quarterback from running out of the pocket and to keep the ball from bouncing on the sidelines for a touchdown or anything like that. The game of football and defense is all about leverage. That's something BG (Brandon Graham) can do well."
On the team's hardest hitter ... "John Thompson has always been a great player. Maybe he is the hardest hitter on the team. Once he decides to come down and put his hat on you, he is going to put his hat on you -- you're going to go backwards. I think the biggest thing that he has done is started to speak up. You can hear him now. Last year, he wasn't really sure about making the calls. Now he is yelling out the calls and getting in everybody's face. At his position, that's what we need. That's what Dave (Harris) did. Dave told you to do something and you listened. Right now I think he is comfortable with that and everybody is going to listen to him and it's just going to get better throughout the year."
On how he knows Thompson is the hardest hitter ... "Two years ago, he played in the Iowa game he had some pretty big hits there. When I first got here as a freshman at practice and you heard some pads cracking, you knew it was JT. When Brandon Minor first got here, they used to go at it. They'd be at the goal line and he would just come through and lay Minor out every time like he had a beam on him. Minor would come in bleeding from the neck because his helmet hit his neck and stuff like that. He is just a hard hitter."
On his nickname from Shawn Crable ... "I have a lot of nicknames. Most people call me T.T. Crable is a funny guy. I am a funny guy, too. When we get together, it's a whole lot of laughs."
On Mike Hart ... "I still marvel at what he's done. It's like a video game. I play the video game a lot and some of the things you do in the video game, he does it in real life. You have two guys coming to the backfield to hit him, he'll stiff arm one guy, spin off another guy, hurdle over another guy and run for about 20 yards. It's fun. I make sure I look up at the screen every time he carries the ball. He is a great back. I would hate to have to play against him. I do in practice and it's hard. I know what they're going through out there."
On hitting the offense ... "Quarterbacks are always untouchable in practice. Chad (Henne) always is. We always try to put a hat on Mike (Hart) because if you don't, he'll talk. Every time Mike is in there, he'll run for a touchdown and come back and talk to you about it the rest of the day."
Senior Linebacker John Thompson
On what the defense did better ... "I guess we were just more focused. We knew what we had to do. We knew what was at stake. We were more disciplined this weekend. We played our technique better."
On the defense ... "Like anything, progress is a slow process. We're going to get better every game."
On the week leading up to Notre Dame ... "We just practiced harder. We knew what we had to do. Last week we didn't get after it like we did this week."
On the competition with Obi Ezeh ... "Everybody is going to get better. He is coming along and has gotten better. It's been a new position for him but basically we just push each other in the weight room, winter conditioning, summer conditioning -- just all around."
On Ezeh switching positions ... "That's part of the challenge of football is changing everything. I just knew I had to keep my game up and he was going to bring his game."
On proving himself ... "My mentality is that I am going to try to prove I'm the best."
On Penn State ... "They're going to be a different thing. They're not going to make many mistakes so even though we played a good game against Notre Dame, we made a lot of mistakes. We're going to have to correct that. Penn State is a team that's not going to miss blocks and not just give away fumbles. We have to capitalize on any mistakes they do make."
On Crable's leadership ... "Shawn has always been a good leader to me. He sat down and talked to everybody and explained what we needed to do as the captain of this defense. He has been there and he knows the ups and downs."
On lessons learned from the first two games ... "Mistakes can hurt you. Ten people doing the right thing and one person doing the wrong thing can destroy a defense. Everybody doing the right thing on the same play is a good thing for us."
On Notre Dame ... "Everybody played hard and when everybody plays hard, good things happen."
On Crable playing on the line ... "He is a big factor on our defensive line with his speed and size. The guys on the other side of him, they're great, too. They take the pressure off of Crable and allow him to get in one-on-one situations."
On Crable's talking being a factor ... "We're just having fun. Football is all about fun and when you're winning, it's fun so we're just looser and playing the game we love to play."
On the defense getting closer to where they want to be ... "We have next week and this week of practice. The offense that we're going against is a more traditional style of offense. It's good, we're getting better."
On not seeing the spread ... "Part of football is that somebody might throw it at us this week, you never know. You have to be prepared for everything. It's not like the spread is our kryptonite. We have to take care of that."
On the national media ... "The media is always going to talk. They're the biggest critics right there. They're going to criticize. The team is only about the people in the locker room not what the media are talking about."
Fifth-Year Senior Outside Linebacker Shawn Crable
On John Thompson ... "I think he has progressed. I think being behind Dave last year, he really didn't see a lot of things he had to work on. He was working hard, but when you have got a guy like Dave in front of you that never gets injured or anything like that, he never got to see what it was like to be in the game. In the last three games, he had things he worked on during the spring but he really got to see when we got into camp and really got to the first two games he got to see there are a lot more things that he can do as a football player that will really help him in the game. I think he is starting to come along in that way. The plays he could make but he doesn't because he didn't go over the top or he didn't take the right angle. At practice you can get away with it because it is fun and it is different but in the game when you watch yourself on film there were a lot of plays you could make."
On the outside support from players and Russell Crowe ... "I was surprised to see everybody supporting us. It was kind of different to see a lot of people support. From the two weeks before that we got booed then we came in and everybody is cheering and got hopes so it was kind of exciting for us to see everyone still believing."
On Anthony Morelli ... "I like competition so it would be good if they brought their best and we brought our best and whoever comes out on top comes out on top. I am looking to play against him. He has made some nice throws and some nice plays. He is a better player than he was last year."
On preference of playing position ... "I don't really care. If you told me I need to be safety, I am like, alright. As long as I am on the field it doesn't bother me."
On fun at practice ... "I think everybody was focused. I think people get upset about losing. Internally, you're like, I know we're good. Things weren't going our way, so we went back to having fun, back to getting loose, back to not thinking so much about making mistakes. Guys are starting to understand they can play. The coaches are taking a lot of time to coach them up and not worry about if they make a mistake, they can still play and they have confidence now."
On keeping younger players centered and not letting them get too overconfident ... "I am not holding them down. I think they should be as high as they want to be, we finally got a win. We finally got a win and we saw that we can play and make plays we are capable of doing. I try to tell them they need to have a little poise with your excitement, but being excited and believing that you can play against someone else. I would never try to take that away. I am happy. I want them to go into next week and have the idea they can do the same thing."
On Penn State being the biggest test ... "The best thing for us to do as a defense is realize we made some strides last week and now we get another chance to see where we are as a defense against a team that is better then a couple teams we have played. I think the morale will be up this week. I think people are psyched. Anytime you get a challenge from a team, everybody has a lot of hype behind them, you really want to step your game up and I do a lot at practice, running to the ball and leading by example so that everybody understands what opportunity they have."
On feeling like the underdog ... "Yeah, from our past performances, we are 1-2 and they are 3-0. We are the underdog, so I think for them coming into the game, they have to prove that they are a powerhouse team, and for us, we need to prove that we are the same team we thought we were in the beginning. It is a measuring stick for us."
Why is this measuring stick different than Oregon ... "I think with Oregon, we had the same approach, we didn't play as well as we thought we could. I think this time, coming off a win and having a different attitude about the way we can perform will help us."
What type of team is this ... "We still believe we are a championship team. We just had some downs in the beginning but the championship for the Big Ten is still out there and we have a shot at it and I think everyone on this team realizes we have a shot at it. Now we just have to take another step towards that and believe we are a championship team."
About having movie stars at your games ... "I think it was kind of weird. We've had two people come and talk to us. We had Mini Me come and talk to us. When we see guys like them we get kind of nervous, it's like, that's Russell Crowe, he did Gladiator, and that kind of stuff and they come in and are talking to us and you can see they are nervous talking to us, and we are like, that's weird. To have them nervous to us, and we are nervous to listen to them. It is just kind of weird to know they are on TV and they perform and they do all these things but they still get nervous to talk in front of us, to talk in front of big crowds."
On Mini Me and Russell Crowe ... "That was the weirdest thing to see Mini Me. He does some weird things on TV, but to see him in person and talk to him, he is like, when you see him on TV and talk to him in person, he is the same person. A guy like Russell Crowe, you saw him in Gladiator and things like that and he comes in with this Australian accent, he is just different. He calls people 'blokes' and stuff, and you are like, what is that, where did that come from"
What did Crowe say ... "He has a football team over in Australia, so I don't think a pep-up speech or something like that was new to him. I just think it was kind of new to be talking to a Michigan team. He had a great message, just about playing together. About going out and being one team. You have got to do some things as a team and talk as a team, it was nice. His speech was nice and it got us fired up."
When did you find out about Crowe ... "I found out the night before, when we went to the pep rally with Coach Carr. We asked coach why he hasn't shown any clips from "Cinderella Man" this year, because he showed them every week last year. But he showed us every week again this week and set up a special meeting to show us the fight clips and said Russell Crowe was supposed to talk to you all but he wasn't here, so I was like, oh, he isn't coming. Then we got up, worked out, came back in and saw this guy with a ponytail, and I was like, whoa! It was weird."
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