Football: Rodriguez Press Conference
September 23, 2003 02:47 PM | General
September 23, 2003
After watching film against Maryland, do you have any answer for the offensive letdown?
“Some of it has been execution. It is frustrating because we are very close to having some positive plays. It seemed like there have been different breakdowns on some different plays. We need to figure out how we can generate first downs and score some points. Our confidence has been shaken a little but we’ll work hard and get that back. It comes down to us executing better.”
On the teams focus heading into the bye week:
“We had some good meetings yesterday with our coaches and players. I know the fans are upset and disappointed. I promise you that nobody is more disappointed or upset than the people involved with the program. We’re not going to panic because we know there are some good things going on. You have to be over here everyday and spend the time that we do with our young men and see what they put in. What’s going on is not all that bad.”
Would you rather be playing somebody else besides the nation’s No. 2 ranked team?
“Well, some people would like to get some confidence going first. Some people would say it’s good because not much is expected of you. I am concerned because with youth and inexperience, they worry so much. Maybe against Miami they will realize nobody is expecting much and they’ll go out there and play, have some fun and compete. If they play well, the confidence will grow on our guys.”
On personnel changes:
“There are some changes that could change again today or change a week from now. We are moving some wide receivers around a little bit. No wholesale changes upfront because we are trying to get those locked down in certain positions. Obviously, with Jahmile (Addae) out, Anthony (Mims) is up in his spot. There aren’t any other changes that I can think of. But again, it could all change before we play next week.”
Can you remember only having 51 total plays on offense before?
“No, I really can’t. I think we had 21 plays or so at halftime. I remember trying to get an evaluation of what they were doing against us. 21 plays is not a lot to evaluate from. I think we averaged close to 80 plays last year. I think we only had four possessions the entire first half. You’ve got to have some longer possessions and make them count or you hope the defense forces a three-and-out to get you the ball back. And neither one of those happened.”
Does (Kellen) Winslow give your defense problems?
“Defensively you’re always looking at matchups. When your tight end is your dominant player, now you’ve got serious matchup problems because of what they do with him and where they put him. There is no question that Winslow, being the player that he is, will make us adjust. Not only do I think he is the best tight end in the country, but he’s going to be one of the best in the NFL. He creates major matchup problems and has for everybody he’s played against. If we weren’t playing him, he’d be fun to watch.”
On the mindset of Rasheed Marshall:
“His confidence was probably shaken over the last two weeks. He played great three weeks ago and we try to draw on that a little bit. He is a pretty tough guy both mentally and physically. He knows we need to work on some things, especially in the passing game. There are some things in the run game that he can do better. He and Charles (Hales) are both very conscientious and both want to learn. They are working hard and we know that. We still have confidence in them.”
