Quotes From Ralph Friedgen's Tuesday Press Conference
9/13/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 13, 2005
College Park, MD -
Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
On looking forward to West Virginia
We're preparing for a very good football team. They have the #1 defense in the country. Obviously this is a rivalry that has existed for a long time, so it's a game that I think both teams enjoy playing. They have a lot of talent on the team, including a new quarterback that seems to be doing a very good job throwing the football and also running the option. Defensively they're playing the same scheme, being very aggressive and doing a very good job stopping the run and the pass. And then in kicking game, they do a great job of kickoff returns, and always have. We'll have our hands full with this team.
Looking back at last week's game
I know our players were disappointed with the Clemson game, but I think we're bouncing back. There were some bright spots. I thought some of our younger players played pretty well, like Jared Gaither. Edwin Williams showed some real growth, and we got Isaiah Williams in the game. I'm willing to put that one behind us and get on with looking to West Virginia.On the return of Tim Cesa
I think he's really excited about getting back and playing football, and being our fullback. If nothing else, he gives us some depth. The addition of Tim taking some of the burden off Ricardo [Dickerson] will definitely strengthen our offense.
On Derek Miller
This day and time, you don't see kids who do what Derek Miller is doing. I think this makes him look good, not only from an unselfish team role, but also for any future football he might play. The fact that he can go in there and play as an offensive tackle can really expose what kind of player he is and help him in the future. But thinking about our team, we can use another blocker at tight end right now, so I just hope we can get to that point.On Sam Hollenbach's play against Clemson
Sam had a very good game again. He's making the big play. On the touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, he had a six-man protection, and he had to throw to the hot route, and that was covered. He stayed in there and found the secondary receiver, but had the poise to stay in, get hit on the play, and make the throw to Vernon. The pass to Joey Haynos was defended very well, but he found a guy open and made the play. He's shown the ability to find open receivers. He's a smart guy who's learning as a quarterback. What I'd like to get Sam involved in his game is his ability to run. There are opportunities where he could scramble, and he has enough speed that he could hurt defenses. When he gets that going, he'll be very difficult to defend.
On Vernon Davis
He ran some good patterns [last week]. We run a lot of patterns that he's involved with as the first or second choice. On Saturday he ran them very well. When he catches the ball, he doesn't think anything can take him down.
On the defense
They're young kids who are working hard and will respond just like our offense is responding. They've got to get better, but they will. I'm having patience with them, trying to understand and see kids getting better. They might not be where I want them to be right now, but as long as they're getting better, they'll get there.
