Ralph Friedgen Quotes from August 29, 2006
8/29/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 29, 2006
Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
Opening statement
"We're looking forward to having a very good season. We've had a very good camp. We're healthier than we normally are at this point, so we're ready to start the season."
On taking on the duties of offensive coordinator
"It's a challenge. I need to learn how to manage my time better, so it's a learning experience right now. I know what to do as a coordinator, but combining that with my roles as head coach is complex. I work very hard at preparing both aspects"
On the new stadium deal
"We've made a lot of improvements in the last five years, but this is going to be the major step. It shows the confidence that people have in us. Both Dr. [Debbie] Yow and I are very excited about this, and I know that our players are very excited also."
On Josh Wilson
"Josh Wilson is at full speed. He's practiced the last few days, and I don't see any problems arising there."
On opening the regular season
"I hope the team is excited about it. I know I am. The team has to be tired of hitting each other, so hopefully we'll be ready to play on Saturday."
On the return of Josh Allen and Stephon Heyer
"Both of them have practiced very hard. I'm happy with the way they've gotten through two-a-days. Once they get their legs under them, they're going to be just as good as ever."
On the right tackle position
"Right now, Dane Randolph will probably be our starter. He's been playing very well since spring. We'll see how he does on Saturday."
On the schedule
"We're playing a lot of bowl teams. We're playing West Virginia, who a lot of people are picking for the national championship. We're playing twelve games, possibly as many as fourteen. Some of these games were scheduled before the expansion of the ACC, but I definitely think that the conference is tougher now. We have to go out and play every week, and every game we play can be a valuable win for us."
On William and Mary
"I'm not underestimating William and Mary by any stretch of the imagination. Jimmye Laycock has done a heck of a job. I've coached with him, I know him. They'll be ready to play. We have to go out and play the way we're capable of playing. That means playing smart and not making errors. That's what I want to see. If we go out and play with enthusiasm and aggressiveness, then we have a good chance of winning the game."
On the wide receivers
"There are certain people who have really stepped up. Isaiah Williams is one. Darius Heyward-Bey is another guy. He has probably improved the most since spring practice. Danny Oquendo and Nolan Carroll are two other guys that I think are going to be good players. They're going to continue to get better, just as they have since the spring. I'm interested to see how they do in games."
"He's been working on seeing the field better, and he's doing a good job of that. We want to work on making sure that he makes the smart plays. He's a smart guy. If he doesn't turn the ball over or fumble or take sacks in the red zone, we'll be a lot better football team because of it. The good things will come because he's good enough to take that."
On his time at William and Mary
"That was one of the most memorable years of my life. Coach Laycock has done a wonderful job there. When I got there, we had one quarterback for spring practice. He played for both teams in the spring game. All of us coaches had to get there at noon for a 3:00 P.M. practice to put the equipment out and line the field. We practiced next to a mental institution. But to see what Coach Laycock has done since then is really tremendous."
