dudeman0501
04-28-2004, 04:27 PM
http://files.aximsite.com/sec/seclogo.gif 2004 SEC Spring Football Coaches Press Conference
I try not to post articles this big, but it's a one-time-only thing.
SOURCE: SECsports.com
Quotes from today's SEC Coaches Press Conference
Philip Fulmer, Tennessee:
"I think we had a very good 15 days of spring practice. Our offensive line and running backs are going to be very important for us. Whoever is the quarterback is going to be new and youthful. We've got a real battle going on with C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen. Either one of them could be our quarterback. Defensively our line made good progress and our secondary has a ways to go. The best thing about our team is its attitude right now."
Nick Saban, LSU:
"We were pleased with the progress our team was able to make during the spring. Offensively we had some young receivers develop. Everyone knows about our young quarterback, he made progress. We lack depth, and we're a little inconsistent in the kicking game. We're trying to keep players from competing against them. We're trying to create an identity for this year's team and that's what I'm trying to keep the players focused on."
Rich Brooks, Kentucky:
"We came out of [the spring game] pretty well. I thought we made some pretty good progress. We had a very inexperienced offensive line, but they make significant strides. Our defensive depth couldn't be better, we've returned most of those players and I look for it to be a force this coming year."
"We're going to be a thinner football team, scholarship-wise, because of probation and I'd say we're at least two years away from being a top-echelon team."
Ron Zook, Florida:
"We were fortunate to get an awful lot accomplished in all three phases. For the most part everyone will be back and ready to go this fall."
On defensive improvement:
"We're way ahead of where we were last year. Our defensive front is going to be much improved. The safety spot is the spot where we do have experience. The one spot where we don't have much experience is at corner. I really feel like we've made great improvements and obviously we have some [lack of experience] but the only way to get that is playing. Those guys learn from mistakes and go from there."
Lou Holtz, South Carolina:
"I don't know how to evaluate what kind of spring practice you had when [your team] goes against each other. We're stronger on defense than offense. How much progress we make this summer is going to be critical."
On Sylvester Croom:
"When he played he was a great football player and had great success. I've heard nothing but great things about Sylvester Croom. I think he's approached it the right way. He's going in and worrying about Mississippi State and building that program. I think it's great for the conference. He's handled everything he's done with class."
Mark Richt, Georgia:
"The spring was good, I thought. We worked very hard, harder I think on the fundamentals than ever. We finally devised a blocking circuit for all positions offensively. We began to develop a better attitude toward playing physical, offensively."
"The individuals, as I spent time watching them during spring, just got so much better. And that was very good to see. The biggest heartbreak was Tony Taylor's injury in the spring game (ACL) and he'll be out for the year. Those things were bad, certainly, but other than that I thought it was good overall."
Mike Shula, Alabama:
"I think we had a good spring practice; we moved it up early this year to get it all done before spring break. The biggest negative was not having Brodie [Croyle] to compete in the 11-on-11. Not having our starting tight end was another [negative]. All of those guys need repetition. Our young guys are getting much more familiar with our system. Right now our guys are getting ready for finals, continuing to lift and looking forward to the season."
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State:
"I thought we had a good spring this year. We were very fortunate in that we didn't have any serious injuries. I thought we made a lot of progress in terms of getting our offensive, defensive and kicking schemes going. I thought we made a nice surge toward the end of the spring with the offense. Our defense started early and pretty much dominated the entire spring. We still have a lot of room for improvement. I thought we worked hard, but we have a long ways to go in terms of improving our conditioning and [developing our] depth."
Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt:
"What we were trying to do was develop some depth at all position. The key positions were on the offensive line and the linebackers. We hopefully did that. Our key guys had an excellent spring. Jay Cutler did the little things that will make him a better quarterback."
Houston Nutt, Arkansas:
"I feel like we had a good off-season. There are a lot of holes, a lot of vacancies. But we had a really good attitude. We only have eight seniors so we're looking for them to step up along with some of our juniors."
On depth at running back:
"Decori Birmingham came back and did a good job this spring. De'Arrius Howard had a good spring. Decori is more of a speed back and De'Arrius is more of a power runner. Kyle Dickerson has been a good backup. Brandon Kennedy took over the fullback duties. Those guys really showed up and [produced] during the spring."
David Cutcliffe, Ole Miss:
"I felt like we had an outstanding attitude [this spring]. I think we have a good group of seniors again who set the tempo during the spring. I'm a bit concerned about the depth but everybody's talking about our prospects. We practiced well this spring."
On the recently-developed NCAA taskforce on recruiting:
"Some of the things I see out there could hurt us. But we're going to take the approach that we're not going to let it hurt us. I don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction. Whatever happens, we're going to make it work."
Tommy Tuberville, Auburn:
"We had a good spring and were very fortunate to have good weather. We accomplished a lot. We're looking for some guys to step up and make plays, and we made progress. I think the biggest thing is the nine starters...looking beyond that to find some depth. We have a lot of ability on defense; we just have to find the right guys and the right positions." On offense: "The philosophy of the offense is about the same. We're looking for some offense where we can get the ball down the field a little bit more based on different formations. I think [the coordinator change] has helped our receivers, and our offensive line can be a little more consistent."
I try not to post articles this big, but it's a one-time-only thing.
SOURCE: SECsports.com
Quotes from today's SEC Coaches Press Conference
Philip Fulmer, Tennessee:
"I think we had a very good 15 days of spring practice. Our offensive line and running backs are going to be very important for us. Whoever is the quarterback is going to be new and youthful. We've got a real battle going on with C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen. Either one of them could be our quarterback. Defensively our line made good progress and our secondary has a ways to go. The best thing about our team is its attitude right now."
Nick Saban, LSU:
"We were pleased with the progress our team was able to make during the spring. Offensively we had some young receivers develop. Everyone knows about our young quarterback, he made progress. We lack depth, and we're a little inconsistent in the kicking game. We're trying to keep players from competing against them. We're trying to create an identity for this year's team and that's what I'm trying to keep the players focused on."
Rich Brooks, Kentucky:
"We came out of [the spring game] pretty well. I thought we made some pretty good progress. We had a very inexperienced offensive line, but they make significant strides. Our defensive depth couldn't be better, we've returned most of those players and I look for it to be a force this coming year."
"We're going to be a thinner football team, scholarship-wise, because of probation and I'd say we're at least two years away from being a top-echelon team."
Ron Zook, Florida:
"We were fortunate to get an awful lot accomplished in all three phases. For the most part everyone will be back and ready to go this fall."
On defensive improvement:
"We're way ahead of where we were last year. Our defensive front is going to be much improved. The safety spot is the spot where we do have experience. The one spot where we don't have much experience is at corner. I really feel like we've made great improvements and obviously we have some [lack of experience] but the only way to get that is playing. Those guys learn from mistakes and go from there."
Lou Holtz, South Carolina:
"I don't know how to evaluate what kind of spring practice you had when [your team] goes against each other. We're stronger on defense than offense. How much progress we make this summer is going to be critical."
On Sylvester Croom:
"When he played he was a great football player and had great success. I've heard nothing but great things about Sylvester Croom. I think he's approached it the right way. He's going in and worrying about Mississippi State and building that program. I think it's great for the conference. He's handled everything he's done with class."
Mark Richt, Georgia:
"The spring was good, I thought. We worked very hard, harder I think on the fundamentals than ever. We finally devised a blocking circuit for all positions offensively. We began to develop a better attitude toward playing physical, offensively."
"The individuals, as I spent time watching them during spring, just got so much better. And that was very good to see. The biggest heartbreak was Tony Taylor's injury in the spring game (ACL) and he'll be out for the year. Those things were bad, certainly, but other than that I thought it was good overall."
Mike Shula, Alabama:
"I think we had a good spring practice; we moved it up early this year to get it all done before spring break. The biggest negative was not having Brodie [Croyle] to compete in the 11-on-11. Not having our starting tight end was another [negative]. All of those guys need repetition. Our young guys are getting much more familiar with our system. Right now our guys are getting ready for finals, continuing to lift and looking forward to the season."
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State:
"I thought we had a good spring this year. We were very fortunate in that we didn't have any serious injuries. I thought we made a lot of progress in terms of getting our offensive, defensive and kicking schemes going. I thought we made a nice surge toward the end of the spring with the offense. Our defense started early and pretty much dominated the entire spring. We still have a lot of room for improvement. I thought we worked hard, but we have a long ways to go in terms of improving our conditioning and [developing our] depth."
Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt:
"What we were trying to do was develop some depth at all position. The key positions were on the offensive line and the linebackers. We hopefully did that. Our key guys had an excellent spring. Jay Cutler did the little things that will make him a better quarterback."
Houston Nutt, Arkansas:
"I feel like we had a good off-season. There are a lot of holes, a lot of vacancies. But we had a really good attitude. We only have eight seniors so we're looking for them to step up along with some of our juniors."
On depth at running back:
"Decori Birmingham came back and did a good job this spring. De'Arrius Howard had a good spring. Decori is more of a speed back and De'Arrius is more of a power runner. Kyle Dickerson has been a good backup. Brandon Kennedy took over the fullback duties. Those guys really showed up and [produced] during the spring."
David Cutcliffe, Ole Miss:
"I felt like we had an outstanding attitude [this spring]. I think we have a good group of seniors again who set the tempo during the spring. I'm a bit concerned about the depth but everybody's talking about our prospects. We practiced well this spring."
On the recently-developed NCAA taskforce on recruiting:
"Some of the things I see out there could hurt us. But we're going to take the approach that we're not going to let it hurt us. I don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction. Whatever happens, we're going to make it work."
Tommy Tuberville, Auburn:
"We had a good spring and were very fortunate to have good weather. We accomplished a lot. We're looking for some guys to step up and make plays, and we made progress. I think the biggest thing is the nine starters...looking beyond that to find some depth. We have a lot of ability on defense; we just have to find the right guys and the right positions." On offense: "The philosophy of the offense is about the same. We're looking for some offense where we can get the ball down the field a little bit more based on different formations. I think [the coordinator change] has helped our receivers, and our offensive line can be a little more consistent."