University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Jeff Bower Media Day Quotes
8/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2007
Opening Statement: "It's great to see the media here. Since we've been here, it's been good. We came back in really good shape. Our players were acclimated to the heat, and that's credited to Scott Bennett, our strength and conditioning coach. We've had very few problems with the heat. Give our players credit, too. They worked hard this summer, but part of making it through practice is to make sure you hydrate the body and eat well. They've done that. We've had a lot of good work done. We feel good about this group of first-year players. I don't know who is going to help us this year, but I think we'll know a lot more after Monday night's scrimmage. We're on schedule, and we've got a lot of work to do. We're going to have two big scrimmages, tomorrow night and next Saturday, and that will be it for full scrimmages. That's the big test to see where we are and to continue to evaluate our personnel."
On the running back situation compared to last season: "There's not as many here as there were last year. Last year, we were still searching for `the' guy and someone who could make a difference there. We had some answers last year. I really liked Damion (Fletcher) and Tory Harrison. It's not so much trying to find a guy to be a difference maker and be as productive as last year, but now develop depth at the position."
On if he thinks the 2007 team is better than the 2006 team: "I think they're potentially better. I know everybody looks at returning starters. We've got nine back on defense and six back on offense. All of that looks good on paper, but that doesn't mean you're going to win. It's what you do; it's your leadership and your work ethic. It's how you go about your business, prepare every week and your attitude. Those are the most important things. Potential ability is overrated. You've got to have those other things."
On Matthew Chatelain being a walk-on who earned a scholarship: "We've had a number of them, and he's really done well here for us. He is a worker, and he's a play-hard type of guy. He really knows what we're doing, and he's a guy that we know we can count on. You know that every time you hit the field, you're going to get his best effort. That's why he earned a starting position, because he has been a good player and from that earned a scholarship."
About at what point he decides where to put players: "Probably not until after that Saturday scrimmage. It goes day-to-day. You've got to stay healthy and keep working to get better. I think after Saturday's scrimmage, we'll have a gauge on personnel and where we've got to go from there. I think the opener is a big game for us. After that first game, you want to have a good feeling about yourself, get off to a good start and get out of the gates fast. Hopefully, we'll get ourselves ready to do that."
About the experience level of the team: "You look at the returning starters and there are a number of them. I can remember if we've had this many back in the past years. We have at certain times. You like that experience, but then again, let's not have the mindset that we have all the guys back and were the best team on defense. It doesn't work that way. You've got to guard against that."
About the way C.J. Bailey is playing: "He's playing well. He made a heck of play in practice yesterday - an interception. He's got good ball skill and good instincts. He's a smart football player. He's going to play for us. He's in a position where we need some help. We've got nine back, and the only two we don't have back are the corners. We'll move (Brandon) Sumrall over there, and he's done really well. He can play anywhere in the secondary. You need depth, and we're looking at him to give us that."
On if he has noticed any changes in Jeremy Young: "I think he's more confident. I think that anytime when you get that year behind you and started all year you get more confident. I think he had a good year last season, considering he played with that turf toe all year long. He's more confident and more certain of what we're doing offensively. He's a good leader for us, and I think the players really respect and look up to him. That's a position where you want that to be a part of that position, and he possesses that."
On if he thinks the freshmen can contribute: "Whether or not they play, everybody has got to contribute. Everybody on this team has a role. Not everybody is going to be in the ball game. They'll be on the scout team, and what they do and how they practice determines how well we're prepared to play in a ball game. I'm counting on everybody to contribute this year, regardless of what their role is. You'll see some of them on the field, playing for us. I don't know how many, but we'll know after the scrimmage."
On the team's strengths and weaknesses: "I think experience is a strength. I'm concerned at receiver. We don't have a lot of experience there. Chris Johnson has got the most experience. Ed Morgan has played some. Ralph Turner has played a little less than that. There's not a lot of experience there at all."
About the defensive line: "The first thing you have to do is stop the run. They did a good job for us last year, and they're all back. We're working hard to get some depth there. We've got to be a better pass-rush team, without having to blitz."
