Quotes from Tuesday's Practice
8/9/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team practiced for the first time this preseason on Tuesday.
Head coach Randy Edsall and a number of players visited with the media at the conclusion of the session.
Head Coach Randy Edsall
Overall impressions of the first day:
"It was a typical first day. It's great just to be back out here. I think they tried their best. It's so much more different for them to be out here running a practice with coaches. The tempo, the speed, the plays, we understand that they can't do it all on their own. I think we got a lot accomplished in terms of installing things but it's a starting point and we'll just take off from here."
On the overall condition of the team:
"It's not bad. When you have 98 guys, not all 98 players are going to be where you want them to be. For the most part they are in good shape; it's the little things we need to improve on - like you just saw at the end of practice, when your mind is tired and you need to push through.
"One thing I stress is that penalties lose games. We can't have those critical penalties because its not going to allow us to be who we want to be and let us accomplish what we want to accomplish. Especially when you get in those critical situations you have to be perfect and today at the end we were not perfect, but that's why we learn the lesson."
On not playing in full pads:
"It's so hard from this standpoint because they're not in pads. Like I say, `Everyone looks like an All-American in shorts.' The separation is not going to be evident until the fifth or sixth practice, once they will get in full pads and we can see them. It's a physical game and you can't see the physicality and the things you really need to see when you're out here in just helmets."
On his vision:
"I think that anyone has been successful has had structure and paid attention to detail. That's really all it is. It's also teaching the young kids to do all the little things right because if you are going to cut corners it is going to lead to problems. That is the thing that we cannot have.
"We're going to believe in ourselves to win every game and be as good as we need to be through the fourth quarter. In order to do so there needs to be structure, there needs to be discipline, and there needs to be mental toughness. If we don't have those things, we're never going to accomplish what we want to."
On improvements in Danny O'Brien's game:
"I think he just needs to continue what he's doing, which is to just get better in all phases of the game. He would be the first to tell you that. He's not the finished product by any stretch of the imagination. All Danny wants to do is continue to get better in everything. He wants to get better reading routes, he wants to get better reading coverage's and he wants to get better delivering the ball on time. He's a guy that strives for perfection. He knows he's still not at the level he wants to be and the level that his ability allows him to play at. It's just the matter of him working very, very hard so he finishes the game."
Sophomore Quarterback Danny O'Brien
Overall impressions of the first day:
"I think it was the typical first day. I think we made a lot of progress this summer, especially in the passing game getting on the same page. I think we picked up right where we left off from this summer. I think the guys are getting used to the tempo and having the coaches there to push you a little bit and keeping things rolling on the horn. But, all in all, if we look at the tapes I'm sure there are some mistakes. We definitely picked up where we left off this summer, which is a big step forward for us."
On the tempo of play this season:
"I think we're getting in more. It's a little different philosophy from last year where as its more coach on the fly then learn everything in the meetings when you're watching the tape, rather than running the plays and correcting things right there on the field. So the tempo is a lot faster, just the nature of the practice. I think we're getting more plays in, which is good for us with this newer offense."
On the chemistry with the wide receivers:
"I thought it was good. I think we built a lot of chemistry over the summer. From getting the pass plays down and getting familiar with the concepts we're running. We made some plays today that we wouldn't have made in the spring, but like I said after looking at film we'll find things to be better at."
Overall thoughts on the new offense:
"I think we'll be able to attack teams from a bunch of different ways once we smooth out the wrinkles and keep some of the things we did well from last year. [Offensive coordinator Gary] Crowton has a lot of his own experience to factor in but I think it is going to accentuate the guys and what we do well."
Overall feeling of the offense coming off of last season:
"I think we're playing with a little chip on our shoulders, being that close to a title game. We don't want to let this year slip away. We have some bulletin board material to help us stay motivated which isn't huge but we'll have it in the back of our minds."
Senior Running Back Davin Meggett
On the physicality of the game:
"I don't know how else to play football. You play, you hit and you keep hitting. I'm not the biggest guy on the field so I'm going to get out there and give it all I've got and hit as hard as I can. It's about going out there every day and hitting the guy in front of you, and hitting him harder than he hit you."
On the highlight of today's practice:
"Jogging off the field and knowing today is done. It's one practice down and about 80 more to go. The highlight is knowing that you have another day to get better."
Junior Defensive Lineman Joe Vellano
Overall impression on the defense today:
"I think we did well. I think we picked it up and started fast. As a whole, a lot is new which is huge. Coming from the spring everyone needs to learn all the calls and plays. But coming from the summer, it is still fairly fresh in our minds."
On the new style of play:
"I think it is taking some time to get used to but it's just a different style with a faster tempo. We just need to practice it until its second nature."
On any surprises from today's practice:
"I'm surprised it wasn't as hot as it has been the past couple weeks. It was nice to have a break from the heat."
Senior Linebacker Kenny Tate
Overall impressions on the first day:
"The first day was fun. I think the offense and the defense did well today. We've got some things to work on, with everyone just getting back."
On the incoming players:
"I think that everyone is doing well. I feel like we should be good with the guys we have now. I don't think the new players were ready for the conditioning but I don't think anyone was. It's hard to prepare for. Everyone worked hard today; we'll rest up and have a good day tomorrow."
On his switch in positions:
"I feel like although it's a linebacker position, I think that they're using me in a way that we did last year. There'll be more to come."
On mental toughness:
"Coach always stresses the importance of mental toughness. I think that you can never peak in mental toughness; it's just something you build on everyday, every practice. You always need to work at it, and conditioning is definitely one of those things."
