July 24, 2011

Kenny Tate

On how the team is adjusting to the new schemes:
"We feel like we have a good handle on the offensive and defensive side of the ball with the new schemes. We're just going to go out and play our best."

On the change in defense:
"It's a totally different defense, but we have a smart, talented group. We can pick up on it."

On who is ready to step up for the defense:
"Our corners have come a long way. Cameron Chism has been one of our featured corners and he's been playing well. We have some young guys like Darin Drakeford [at linebacker], Matt Robinson and Eric Franklin at safeties. It's those guys' time to come forth and step up to the plate."

On the new coaching staff:
"Everybody was embracing. A lot of people didn't know about Randy Edsall, but looking at his past, going to a BCS game last year, he obviously has some experience and has done well for himself. He's coming to us now and trying to take us to the next level."

On what Coach Edsall is teaching them:
"Preparation and hard work are the things that make you win and that's what he's trying to instill in us now. He's been in big games before so we can just listen and learn."

On how he's handling the position change:
"I'm handling it well. I just look at it as a different place on the field I can play, a different way to show my talents. There aren't any big differences - football is football."

Danny O'Brien

On improving on winning nine games last season:
"Last year we had a pretty good year, we kind of knocked on the door of where we wanted to get. We know that this year the goal is to win an ACC title and that's going to come through great team play. Last year is over and it's time to do it all over again but do it a lot better."

On the biggest adjustments with the offense this year:
"It's a new language, that's the main thing. A lot of things we did last year will be the exact same this year, it'll just be called something different."

On being more experienced:
"The new guys are learning quickly that experience is invaluable. I am a lot more comfortable heading into this season than last one just because I know what to expect. I know what the week in, week out grind is like and that just comes through experience. I think that's a very valuable asset to have on the team, even though I'm not a three- or four-year veteran."

On his confidence level:
"I'm very confident. You can't let it get to your head, but just the receivers around me, the offensive line and the running backs that are protecting me, I know I can sit back there with confidence and get the ball to the guys, let them do their job."

On overcoming the loss of Torrey Smith:
"It's tough. You can't replace a guy like Torrey Smith. He's the complete receiver. But a good thing that I don't think is talked about a lot is we have guys that have made big plays in big games. Kevin Dorsey scored in the bowl game and the Miami game; Quintin McCree has scored big touchdowns; Kerry Boykins has done it; Ronnie Tyler is a big play guy. All four of those guys, being in the spotlight in a big game is nothing new to them. They're all extremely talented and I think we're going to be able to spread the ball around to talented guys."