Texas A&M Football Weekly Press Conference - TEXAS A&M OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Texas A&M Football Weekly Press Conference

COLLEGE STATION, Texas--Head Coach Mike Sherman and players meet with members of the press to talk about the upcoming game against New Mexico.

A full transcript of Coach Sherman's press conference, along with selected quotes from players, are available below. Audio clips are available in MP3 format to the right.

HEAD COACH Mike Sherman

You talked last year several times about the "Texas hangover". What about Arkansas State? When you look back on last year was there a hangover as you look back at the season, or do you quickly put that behind you and not worry about that?

"Well, so much of our team, about a third of our guys, are new guys to us. So there's absolutely no hangover there. I think more so with coaches than players. Players have very short memories on stuff like that. Probably coaches remember those things more so than players do. So no, I don't think that's a factor this year. Every year is an entity in itself. I don't think things carry over year-to-year necessarily. You start fresh every year with a new group, new chemistry and a new beginning. And I'm assuming that's the way we start this year."

Talk about your quarterback situation...how did Jerrod (Johnson) win the job, and could you talk about (Ryan) Tannehill and his role?

"Going into it, as I explained to Ryan, we were going to give him every opportunity to compete, which I think we did, and he competed very favorably. We're very fortunate to have two very good quarterbacks. I have complete confidence in both. I probably feel better about our quarterbacks this year than I did last year. I had a lot of confidence in Stephen (McGee), but I didn't know a whole lot about Jerrod necessarily. So now I know a lot about Jerrod and I feel very comfortable with Ryan Tannehill. So I feel good about our quarterbacks from that standpoint. Ryan knew going in that it would take a knockout punch to unseat a returning starter at that position who also went through spring ball. Ryan competed very favorably, and it was neck and neck until the end. But if Ryan has to play, he'll be more than ready to play. He's going to play for a long time I believe. He's a very good quarterback."

What gave Jerrod the edge then?

"The experience he had from last season. He had game experience as a quarterback. He had the spring. And he has been in there for us...that probably more so than anything else."

How did Ryan take the news that he wasn't going to start, and how do you foresee him doing dual roles, assuming he will be doing dual roles?

"He took it like any competitor would take it. He was disappointed. Ryan put a lot into this competition. If anything, there's only winners out of this, because came away with what I consider two very good quarterbacks. From his standpoint, he wants to play and he wants to play quarterback. I'm sure he was very disappointed. As far as his role, we'll see how that plays out as the season goes."

You've always talked with Jerrod about him needing to get the speed of the game up. Did you see that improvement and the potential of that improving more?

"I saw it improve a lot in the spring and even more so when we got to preseason. Every once in a while, I have to remind him of it. Sometimes he'll hang on to a receiver downfield. He likes to throw the ball deep obviously. He needs to take his check downs, and he may lock on to somebody, but as far as how he's playing the game and how he's pushing the offense forward, I feel very comfortable with that. You know, part of last year was my fault. We had an offense that was very wordy. Stephen (McGee)...there's no one I've ever been around that could memorize stuff like Stephen. He had a great knack for memorization of plays. When we'd signal in the plays it was easier. A lot of it was something I had to do in this offseason, shorten down some of the terminology and our communication with the quarterback. So part of that has to be on me."

It may be tough to tell, but after observing fall practice, do you have any reason for optimism that Jerrod's fumbling issues are a thing of the past?

"I agree with you. It is tough to tell that totally in practice, since we don't hit our quarterbacks. We don't want them to touch them. But every practice I grade him on ball security...is he tucking? Is the ball out here? And he's definitely improved that. Sometimes when guys get in games they revert back to old behaviors when they're outside the realm of practice and coaches' observations and so forth. So it's something he's constantly being reminded about and we'll remind him again."

When you had a season like Jeff Fuller had in his first season at Texas A&M, how do you go about maybe keeping him in check or maybe resting on his laurels?

"That's a good question. You can ask Jeff, because I certainly haven't allowed him an opportunity to slide backwards. I'm usually harder on the starters and the guys I expect the most out of. I don't normally give those guys any slack at all. He's felt some pressure from me that he performs at a certain level that we expect him to play at. As I told him, I said, 'When you don't want to play at that level anymore, you tell me and we'll cut it back. If you want to be good as you say you are, I'm going to hold you to a very high standard. I'm going to be very critical when your behavior or your actions violate what you hope to achieve.' At this point he hasn't told me he wants to be anything less than the best he can be. We hold him to a very high standard around here, and if he falls below that, he's reminded of that very quickly."

New Mexico has a new staff but some familiar personnel. How do you go about figuring out what may carry over from last year and what may be different?

"Obviously with a new staff, just like when we came on board last year, come new schemes and concepts that those coaches have been a part of. Part of it is the reason why someone was hired. Obviously we spent a lot of time, because of where the head coach is from, looking at Illinois. We've also looked at Utah State, where the (offensive) coordinator is from. We spent time looking at LSU, where the defensive coordinator is from, but then you have to realize that they, as any coach, will adapt their scheme to fit their players. We have to put a little into that as well. It's kind of a hodgepodge of research that we do, but at same time in the first ballgame you have to be very sound in your principles. More than anything, in the context of the game, you have to be able to adjust to something new. Whether you're facing a new staff or not, every staff has, as us, a new season where you spend seven or eight months in the offseason figuring out how to get better and how to do things differently. So everyone is going to have something. We have to be able to handle things that maybe we haven't scripted in practice, because I'm sure there's things we haven't seen in practice that we will see in the game. And you have to be careful too that you're not chasing ghosts. You can't show the kids everything that can happen, because then they don't get tuned in on the basics. It's a little bit of a challenge going into the first game when you're facing staff that's new. But every coach has a history, so you try to go back into the coach's history and what he's done."

Is it a luxury to see this first team for the second time around in just two years? A lot of times you don't get that luxury in non-conference games. Is that a good way to start the season, seeing this team for two years in a row?

"I wouldn't consider it a luxury, no, simply because of the fact that everything's new. There's a lot of uncertainty. They have some new players and they obviously have a whole new coaching staff. We're playing a team that we have not seen play collectively in a game. In the NFL, at least you have four preseason games, and they're going to stay relatively similar to the preseason. In the NFL, there's some stuff that you may see on Sunday that you didn't see them do in the preseason, but the core of their scheme is relatively the same. You don't have that luxury in college football. So when you have a new staff, you're playing a different team. It's not like we're playing the same team."

Talk about the freshman trio of wide receivers, Brandal Jackson, Uzoma Nwachukwu and Kenric McNeal, and how you've been with their performance so far in the fall...

"Every once in a while I have to remind myself that they are still freshmen. We had an early morning practice today, and we threw a lot at them and they had to respond. They made a couple of mistakes. But I've been very happy with their learning curve. They're going to play and I expect them to make plays. I'm pleased with them but I have to also caution myself when I talk to them that they were in high school less than a year ago. It's a big jump from one to the other."

Is the freshman class as a whole ahead of where you expected it to be at this point?

"They're probably ahead in the sense that we've had to force feed them. In a different situation they probably would have been relegated to the third or fourth team, and then you wouldn't have a chance to really coach them to the level they're being coached right now. Brandal Jackson has run a lot with the second group, so he's getting a lot of work. And sometimes we throw him in with the ones. EZ's (Nwachukwu) been running with both groups, so he gets a lot of work. They're ahead in the sense that they've been thrust into the limelight and been coached as if they're going to help us win football games. I would say they're ahead from that standpoint. As far as the talent level I think it's a good group. I'm not disappointed in the class, it's a good class of guys both on and off the field."

When you look at the kickoff return on the two-deep, you see that Cyrus Gray is not on there. Were the freshmen (Ryan Swope and Christine Michael) that impressive?

"They were impressive. Cyrus still is going to work back there. The fact that he wasn't on the two-deep is no indication. He may still return kickoffs. But we wanted to work with those two young guys, and with Cyrus being the designated starter for us at the tailback position, we thought we'd take our chances with those young freshmen. They have shown some pretty good skill level back there as well, so I feel confident that they'll do a good job."

Is Spencer Nealy going to be able to play this weekend?

"At this present time it looks like he'll be ready to play. What Spencer gives up on experience, he makes up for. He gives great effort and great chase to the ball. He's a hundred miles an hour, and that hasn't changed since we started. If he continues that he'll just keep getting better and better groomed to play."

With these 6 a.m. practices you still have that "Return to Junction" theme going...is that something you'll be doing throughout the season?

"No, just early on. The reason today was that I gave them off Sunday, and I wanted to have some separation between this practice and Tuesday's practice. So they have all day and all day tomorrow until we practice to rest up. We're going to take it one week at a time. We have a walk-through this afternoon. It worked well for us in the spring. There are no distractions early in the morning. I feel like learning is at a high first thing in morning. We get them up and we have a lot of guys with 8 a.m. classes, so we know they're going to class. It's been beneficial that way."

Is your comfort level with the offensive line any different than it was this time last year, specifically at left tackle?

"As a group I feel like we've made some progress. Coach (Jim) Turner has done a great job with them. What we're asking them to do is more in line with what they are capable of. At the left tackle position, Danny Baker has done a nice job for us this offseason and also this fall camp. That's always going to be the position I'm most concerned about because that is the blind side for the quarterback. But I do have confidence that Danny will compete and do a good job for us."

Did the guys come to practice this morning with a little more pep in their step with it being game week?

"Anytime you get 18 to 22 year olds up at 6:00, it's a hard jump to expect them to be totally excited. We did gassers right at beginning. I wanted to run them before we practiced, so they had to practice tired a little bit. After we ran the gassers they were pretty competitive."

What position are you most concerned with and which are you most excited about?

"The left tackle position obviously I have concerns about because it was a struggle for us last year at different times, and for Danny (Baker) it'll be the first time he's out there on a full-time basis. I think he's going to do a good job, but obviously people put their best pass rusher to that side a lot of times. So I have concerns there. I'm still concerned about (Lee) Grimes' health and his being able to stay healthy. That concerns me a little bit. I feel pretty good inside with the offensive line, the three inside with the addition of Patrick Lewis, who I think will help us out in there, and Evan Eike, who's a returning starter from last year backing up the right guard position at this present time. The young receivers, I have some concern that they'll always do the right thing in those very specific situations which could make or break you, being in the right place at the right time. Defensively, I would have to say the linebackers, who are feeling their way through the season and are relatively new. We have a redshirt freshman at the middle position, a true freshman over at the 'Will' position, and Garrick Williams...a returning starter, but really starting from scratch actually this year. He looks a lot better. I guess there's a few areas there that still concern me."

What does it say about Kyle Mangan's ability to play that you penciled him in as a starter?

"He's a real bright kid, a very headsy football player. He has excellent hands. He has pretty good instincts. The players believe in him. It's just time to put him in there. It seems like to this point he has handled it pretty well."

Last year after the Texas game you sat there and said you're not going to have another season like the one that had just wrapped up. How confident are you that that is not going to be the case this season?

"I really don't think about those things necessarily. That certainly was difficult, but I just focus on this one game, and let's get this one in the boat, and then we get the bye week. The bye week, normally I wouldn't want it that early in the season, but at the same time I think it helps us with our youth to be able to work a little bit more and get ready for the rest of the season. It gives us that extra week of preparation, almost an extra week of preseason after we've already played a game. It gives us another week to work. But to answer your question, I really don't think in those terms. I just think okay, we've got to get this game, and play well against New Mexico on Saturday night."

Talk about the defense overall and what you saw from August camp...

"I think we're going to be a work in progress. I'll never sit here and tell you we are a finished product in any capacity, offense, defense or special teams. We're not doing things perfectly. I never leave the field saying, 'Boy, we had a perfect day.' There's always things to correct, which is normally the case. But when you're playing with this many new guys, it's even more so. But they're going to play hard and put it on the line every single play, and that part I'm very confident about."

When you talk to the clubs in the summer, what kind of feel do you get for what the fans are expecting this season?

"The fans were very receptive and straightforward and honest. They want us to improve and they want to see improvement from year to year, which I would certainly expect them to think. They want to win and want to win a championship. I think they're realistic in where we are and hopeful we continue to get better. Often times they talked about recruiting and they're excited about the guys that are attracted to Texas A&M, as I explain why they're attracted to Texas A&M. I think they are very hopeful group of people."

SOPHOMORE WR Jeff Fuller

On the difference between this year's and last year's team...

"I feel like we are a lot closer than the team was last year. I can go and hang out with anyone off of the football field. This year's team is also a better-conditioned football team. We've been doing 6 a.m. conditioning practices, and just conditioning before practice, which will make a big difference in this year's team."

On the fight for the quarterback position...

"It is a win-win situation. Both are really good players who can really throw the ball. Jerrod (Johnson) really stepped up in the spring, and has really gotten better because he had to teach the freshmen the offense. Jerrod is more known for his throwing the deep ball, and (Ryan) Tannehill is more known for zipping the ball into small places. Bothe of these guys can do either, and it doesn't matter which one is in the game because it's going to be a win-win situation for us."

On the season opener...

"I'm ready to play. It's hard to believe it is finally here after all the conditioning and practices. The summer went by really quick, but I'm excited. It's time to play. This is what we've been working for. We need to come out strong and ready to play to set the tone for the year. You have to respect every team that you play, but we want to fire back from last year, and make the point that Texas A&M is here."

JUNIOR QB Jerrod Johnson

On fighting for the quarterback position...

"I don't really worry about the competition; I just do my best and try to move the ball down the field and help our team get better. Coach Sherman was the one who had to make that decision, and I trust him with that decision."

On missing Ryan Tannehill as a wide receiver...

"Ryan (Tannehill) is a heck of an athlete. I think he showed that last year. It's just kind of one of those unfortunate situations, that you play the same position. That's the nature of the beast. Ryan's definitely a good football player and he definitely helps his team in a lot of different ways. I would love to see him on the field."

On where he feels he's better than last year at this time...

"I think my understanding of the offense. I feel like I have a lot more control over what's going on and I feel like I'm in a better rhythm. I like the stuff we're doing, I feel like it's better suited to my strengths. My understanding of the scheme is a lot better than it was last year."

On playing New Mexico...

"What I remember of New Mexico last year was that they were a scrappy team, with strong fundamentals, that played hard. We are going to have to be ready for a fight on Saturday. It's going to be important that we respect them, even though they have had a change in coaching staff, they still have a lot of the same players, with a few new guys. I mean it's good that we have seen them before because they have a lot of the same players, but they are going to be different from the team we saw last year. So we are going to have to respect them, and take care of business."

On his experience...

"This year we are stressing to the younger guys how important it is to get a win on Kyle Field. It's easier since I know what to expect on game days, and the atmosphere of Kyle Field. I've accepted my leadership role, and like it better."

SOPHOMORE DB Trent Hunter

On the new season...

"We are better prepared this year. Coach really stressed to us how important it was to bring the new guys in with open arms. The defense this year is also more simplified, which helps the new guys learn it better. I've also brought my experience to the younger guys the best as possible. Everyone referred to last year as the rebuilding year, so this year we need to really come together and play like a team. We will be younger, but we will be a better team."

On opening the season...

"Come Saturday, we need to be prepared to play, and have our minds right. On game days, there can be so many distractions, and we need to try to limit those, and keep everything in the locker room. We need to play for each other and the fans at Kyle Field. Our main goal this season is taking Kyle Field. Home field advantage is so important, and we have really stressed how important it is for us to win at home to be successful this season."

SENIOR DB Jordan Pugh

On playing Saturday...

"I'm excited! I'm ready to just play. I mean I love football, and I want to get out there with my teammates, and play. It's a big deal for me."

On what would be a successful senior year...

"The first thing that is important is leadership. The next would be leaving a legacy by being the start of one. As the program progresses, it would be great to look back and get to say that we were the class that started that, that we were the senior class that turned everything around a started build upon last year, and help A&M be successful."

On his leadership role on the team...

"My leadership role is big because I've been here the longest out of the guys. As my mother always quoted, 'To whom much is given, much is required.' I've been given a lot, so I try to lead as much as possible, and be very vocal. That's why I love playing with Trent (Hunter) because we are a lot alike in that aspect, it's like we were the same players. He is one of those players who you can always trust, and we are always on the same page, and communicate very well. So it makes it fun."

On what will be the difference this year...

"The difference this year will be our attitude and the work we have put into it. Coach always states that it's like a bank investment, the more work you put into it, the more you will get out of it. No one works harder than us, and when you look around at everyone, you can't help but smile watching everyone play. Everything we have worked so hard for is coming up on Saturday. The kickoff will be the payoff for us."

SOPHOMORE QB Ryan Tannehill

On the quarterback decision...

"It was tough. I worked hard, and quarterback was where I wanted to be. It's definitely hard when you work so hard for something and you don't get what you want. But at the same time in life, things happen that way and you just have to be able to accept it, and just try to move on and do the best you can every day. Jerrod (Johnson) and I have always had a good relationship, and I don't think this will affect it. We were just two guys fighting for a spot. Overall, it helps the team because having depth is always a good thing. If anything happens to Jerrod, I have to be ready and step up to play that role. In the end it was Coach Sherman's decision, and I trusted him with that. He always tells us that he is always going to put the best guy in a spot, and do what helps the team the most. I mean, it's always better to be on the field, but I have to be ready in case anything happens to Jerrod, so I can't be getting banged up at receiver."

JUNIOR JACK Von Miller

On starting the season...

"I haven't got to tackle a quarterback since the Texas game last year, and I'm ready to give Jerrod a break and get on the field versus the New Mexico quarterback."

On preseason expectations...

"I don't really have expectations for myself. I just take it play by play and see how it goes. I know that the guys around me will step up and make plays even if I get taken out of the equation. All the guys on the defensive line are true competitors. I don't see a single block keeping them detained for the whole game. "

On this year...

"We got a little good out of last year; we got to see everyone at the bottom. We got to see the coaches and the team all at the bottom. So this year we have nowhere to go but up, and try to get better."

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