Football: Coach Stewart and Player Quotes
August 12, 2010 02:13 PM | General
August 12, 2010
Opening Statement
Today we worked situational football. We were in helmets and did some punt coverage, which was good. It’s easier to teach running when you have the attire we had on. We learned to clean up routes with our young receivers. We did some blitz work for both sides of the ball.
We had a nice skelly compete, where you don’t script plays but you just play the game from the sideline. Everyone has to send signals; it’s a little bit faster paced. It was really good to get that in. We worked on the two-minute drill separately and then together.
There were some bright spots. Eain Smith continues to stand out. I really liked what I saw out of him. I thought Brandon Hogan played very well at the corner. It was good to see him out there fighting and competing. Robert Sands looked extremely well. JT Thomas is back flying around; that was nice.
Offensively, there was a nice touchdown catch by Stedman Bailey in the two-minute drill. He just gets better and better. Every day I see No. 10 - he just keeps getting our attention, which is really neat. It’s time for him to come up, step up to the plate and come on. Our young receivers are getting closer. It’s practice No. six, so things are going to get a little better.
This afternoon we’ll go out in helmets and shoulder pads. We’ll do some situational things. We’ll do a little more intense two-minute drills. We’ll do our fast field goal. We’ll do some inside hitting and some one-on-one drills. It’s basic football: hit, tackle and run to the ball.
On Scooter Berry
(He’s doing) really good. He picked me up in a bear hug. I didn’t know who it was and lo and behold it was big No. 93. He’s doing well - a tremendous leader. I hope and pray that it continues with his health. He has to be smart. I’ve told him he has to work with Coach Kirelawich and get the necessary reps.
On special teams with Coach McMichael
We’re different. The punt’s not going to change; we were second in the punt two years ago and No. seven last year so that’s not going to change. I’m always looking for new wrinkles. We’ve changed some things for both the kickoff and the kick return, and we’ve challenged them more on the punt return. There are new wrinkles on the kickoff.
We’re doing drills to learn different coverages, closes and how to shed the block.
On learning new kickoff techniques
We talk to people. We’ve always done that. I learned that from Coach Crum at North Carolina. We would go after the season to learn a few things and then we’d bring that out in the bowl. We would talk to people in the business, learn what we need to improve and find things we needed to change. We went out and expanded with fellow coaches that we knew and trust and put our head together. Now, we have a good plan.
You see things on film and talk to people who have had success with it.
On the tempo of the practices
It’s been fast-paced hitting. Yesterday they hit very, very hard and I was very pleased. You have to know as a coach when to build up the hitting. It all starts with the victory drill, and then you’ve got the one-on-one drills, then the team drills. We jumped into goal line (drills) and we were not ready for that.
I don’t want anyone getting hurt. It’s intense and we’re hitting hard. Even in helmets only it’s intense because we’re simulating game situations.
On Darwin Cook
The first impression is the most lasting. He’s on pins and needles wanting to impress, but he just needs to play loose and go back and play.
On Geno Smith
Geno’s doing well. He looked very good today. He’s done a good job with leadership. There’s something about a kid that steps into a huddle and looks in those eyes, and he’s got it. He really has it.
He’s surprising me. He’s a sharp young man and watches a lot of film. He spends a lot of time on his own. He’s very special and it’s paying off. He plays ball and he does his homework.
On players challenging each other
There are about 100 (student-athletes in camp). There’s no relief. I’m going to coach effort and I’m going to play the players. The 11 best are not going to play at West Virginia; the best 11 will play.
Running back Noel Devine
On nervousness
It’s all out. I’m more excited than nervous. Nervous is for the first-year guys. I’m comfortable with how to do things.
On kickoff duties
I like to do it all. Whatever benefits the team, I’ll do it. We have a lot lined up for this year; it’s exciting to see. You hit a crease and you go for it. It gives you an opportunity to make guys miss. You get it and you go.
I think they’ll (the coaches) be consistent this year trying to get me back there to return kicks; I’ll try to be a big factor.
We’re learning how they’re setting up the blocks and I’m pretty excited about it. We’re ready to go and we’re excited about it.
If I’m asked to run it 35 times a game, I’ll do it. It’s not an option. We have to go with what they give us. It would be off the wall to run it 35 times, but I’ll do it. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself. That’s where it starts.
On improvement from a year ago
There’s always room for improvement. I always want to better myself each and every year. It’s the same thing every year - just striving for consistency.
On health
I’m back to 100 percent. I’m not a fan of clams. It was a first- and last-time experience for me. It wasn’t very good.
On a morning practice
There were a lot of guys running around excited. Keeping the sun out of the game is a mental thing.
On Geno Smith
I’m not surprised. I’ve expected Geno to do great and I’m happy for him. He’s continuing to get better every day.
On the offense
We want to be the best. We have a chip on our shoulder. We have playmakers on the field, we just have to get the ball in their hands and make something happen. We’ll continue to grow.
On two-a-days
You have to be ready for it, have your mind on the prize and stay consistent. At times we have intensity and at times the mental part gets to us. It can get a little tough, but we pack it in.
Defensive lineman Chris Neild
On playing with Scooter Berry
We have the same motor and we’re about the same size. That helps when you’ve got someone next to you that’s playing just as hard and knows what he’s doing. When you have confidence in your teammates, it makes a world of difference.
We have about the same amount of experience here, which definitely gives us an advantage on the field.
On improving stamina and endurance
You just keep working hard. I tried to bust my butt this summer to shed some pounds and get into good game-shape. When camp started, my goal was to get into the best game-shape that I could and gain more quickness. It’s coming along well.
On being a senior and leader
You have to be a tough guy to be a nose tackle. I have to teach the young guys that the position doesn’t come with a lot of glamour. It’s purely a team position where you work toward one goal.
Defensive back Robert Sands
On his season goals
We hope to get a lot of hands on the ball to either tip it away or get the interception; just create a lot of turnovers. We expect to have a great season.
