April 24, 2004
Photo Gallery
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Opening Statement:
"I think our young players were very nervous today. It was kind of their first time playing. The first half, we haven't played like that offensively all spring. And that's not to take anything away from our defense, because our defense has been doing a great job all spring, especially with turnovers.
"Chris Kelley has been doing that all spring, and so has D'Qwell Jackson. He played very well. He missed a lot of spring with a hamstring, but he played very well today. Gerrick McPhearson played a good game. I think there were some real strong spots on our defense, especially in the second.
"I was disappointed with our offense, on the other side of the coin, in the first half because of the number of turnovers ...But I thought we did well as a team in the second half. I think Sam [Hollenbach] improved, and I think Joel [Statham] improved, so that's a positive.
"J.P. Humber ran well for the offense, the white team. I think we've still got a ways to go on the offensive line. We had too many sacks today. This is a young team."
On the play of the linebackers this spring:
"I think D'Qwell is very good. Cesa has gotten better. Then at the will spot, to me, it is a toss up between Wesley Jefferson and Kershaw. Are either one of them Leon Joe? No, not yet. Neither one of them had the speed, strength or experience that Leon had but they are both very good players."
On the takeaways in today's game
"D'Qwell's two interceptions today were outstanding. But Joel has to get it over his head on those routes. On Kelley's interception. He made a real good break on the ball and then he really should have scored on that play. Then Gerrick McPhearson saw Ryan Mitch hesitate on that hitch pattern and he jumped all over it. I am upset with the turnovers from an offensive standpoint, especially the ones at the goal line. Those shouldn't happen."
