Coach Montgomery’s Weekly Press Conference Quotes
October 31, 2016 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – First-year East Carolina University Head Football Coach Scottie Montgomery addressed members of the media on Monday prior to this Saturday's road game at Tulsa. The following are selected comments:
Opening Statement:
"(I have) a lot of respect for Coach (Bob) Diaco and his football team. Going into the game, we knew we were going to have to play well to win. They've been in a lot of tough games. We started watching them a while back because I thought they played Navy about as well as anybody had played them. They've probably been short a half-yard here or a half-yard there. I also thought we were blessed with where the open date happened. I thought we started getting a lot of our energy from the open date, whereas (on) the flip side of it, UConn – I don't know how many in a row they've gone right now.
"We had three phases of good football. We have to continue to play well together defensively. Most every-down people did their job and pressure was created by every position group. I thought our linebackers tackled, our defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage and our DB's covered really, really well putting them in a lot of pressure situations. From a playbook standpoint, they did everything we asked them to do. We were very happy with the way they came out of that game. I think they gave up 295 yards of offense and some of that was scramble yardage. When you get scramble yardage, you know that somebody is being covered completely and a guy got out. We lost contain a few times. We have to clean that up.
"Offensively, I thought creativity and the plan married to execution by great players had a direct connect to our points per game being different than they have in the past. Special teams was a major plus for us. Davis (Plowman) and Worth (Gregory) did a great job for us kicking the ball as specialists, but my special teams play of the week once again, I feel like I talk about him every week, was Joe Carter (for) getting that ball out on that fumble. It was the first time in a long time that I've seen special teams have a direct effect to our team winning the game.
"All in all, we played really hard and did a good job together. When one phase played well, the other came out and played well. Usually, people talk about when one phase doesn't play well; the other phase needs to play well. The truth is, when one phase plays well, if everyone else can take it up a notch, you have a chance to change games and that's what really happened in the third quarter. That was a connection of some good football played and it changed the whole outcome of the football game.
On Tulsa:
"Moving on to Tulsa, they're a really good football team that runs the ball as well as any team because of their scheme. I think you have to start with their offensive front. They have one of the best offensive fronts we will see running the football. Their zone schemes, they do a really, really good job of getting to the second level, getting people blocked and getting coverage on linebackers. What happened last week is they just completely consumed so many of the backers. And what can you say about (James) Flanders? He's just a tough tackle at times, but hits the ball, he crams it and he crams, crams, crams and it'll turn into a big play for them.
"I really like their run game, but the connection is to what they do with their splits in the wide receivers. With so much space on the field, you remove the backs eight to nine yards. Sometimes people say that might affect your passing game and hurt you from going down the field, but he's found a way to kind of utilize both of them. I'm really impressed with what they do offensively. Offensively, they've got some guys with record-setting numbers at receiver. They catch it as well as any team that we've played, whether it be the slants or the fades, they're doing a good job down the field. Coach (Philip) Montgomery has always done a good job of finding the matchup that he likes the best. I went back to the Tulane game and other games where he's found matchups and he's going to make you stop him. He's going to call it until you can stop him. I like that. I love the way he calls games and gets his team prepared.
"Defensively, Trent Martin and Jesse (Brubaker) and Craig Suits are in their front and their linebackers. They have a lot of experience. I think one of the things Coach Montgomery's done a good job of is really growing the team from year one to year two, really understanding that experience means a lot, especially as it pertains to the scheme with their running. They've decreased the amount of yardage they've given up from one year to the next by about 100 yards or so. As you look at a team that's continuing to grow defensively and a team with the offensive power that they have, you're looking at a team that's grown quite a bit.
"With us, you're starting to see the benefits of some good matchups. We're also starting to see the benefits of some good combinations on offense and defense, and coaches understanding exactly how guys play well together. I think the time we had off in the open date was very beneficial to our team. It was the first week where we saw energy and enthusiasm throughout the game from so many different sources. We thought our guys came into the game with great spirits and were ready to go all week."
On Linebacker Jordan Williams Playing Alongside Cam White:
"We thought that helped our communication issues. We had some communication issues, not just with Terrell (Richardson). Our team – players and coaches combined – felt like Jordan and Cam played so well separate of each other. We knew we would have a problem doing this for an entire year because that MIKE linebacker position can be so physical that you can lose one of those guys at any time. (Having) both of them communicating every game is very stressful. So now, we gave a guy like Jordan, who has played really well at times, a chance to communicate and can take communication and give it to someone else. We're kind of relying on Cam for more of our calls on the inside. It really put together a good combination. I thought they tackled well together, but I thought, at times, it made us really, really gap sound."
On The Tight End Situation And Not Using Them A Lot In Passing Situations:
"We want to continue to grow that. We thought (Brian) Hardy has been great in practice trying to help us create a run game in the red zone – a run game that needs to get points. He's been a little bit more physical at the point of attack than (Stephen) Baggett. We think that Baggett does give us a chance to throw and catch a little bit better, but if you're playing one tight end most of the game just to throw the ball, personnel helps a little bit. Certainly, when people know you're just throwing the ball to 86 (Baggett), I really don't care what they think. When we're running the football, we just need to be as good as we can be at the tight end position. We're hoping that we're still going to see a ton of growth from Baggett in the passing and running game and he'll continue to see more snaps."
On If Saturday Was ECU's Most Complete 60-Minute Performance Of 2016:
"Definitely. Once I went back and looked at tape, there were plays that we almost made that people will never know about that we executed at the highest level that I've seen an offense or defense execute at. We had a couple of runs – a couple with Shawn (Furlow) – that could have been maybe 40-50 yard big plays, but we just had a slip up or a nick by a guard or something that happened. Our offensive line did a good job getting cover on guys. The execution was there.
"Our passing game was really sharp for the most part. There were a couple of throws that we could have been better on. Our perimeter blocking, outside of two situations in the game, was as good as it's been. And then defensively, we didn't drop guys in coverage. That was the biggest deal. Jordan had some great coverage opportunities in the game and he did a great job. We didn't drop coverage on the inside. Outside, the biggest play they made on us, we fell down with Colby (Gore). Our coverage was good. I thought our alignment was good in our secondary. Special teams wise, if we can take away that first play where that ball got out and then we had a fourth and a half-yard stop to stop any kind of momentum that happened there. Then we got the ball and went right down."
On Who Will Match Up With Wide Receiver Keevan Lucas:
"Last week, we got to see a guy that was a go-to guy at receiver. We managed him because of communication. I think we learned a lot in practice. We're really working to be as much good-on-good in practice as we can for our defense so they can manage. We're trying to stop Zay Jones in practice and we're trying to stop Jimmy Williams. We're learning how to try and manage them as a defense. If we can manage our receivers, we feel good about managing other people's receivers."
On Shifting Bobby Fulp From Safety To Cornerback:
"Knowing our personnel and not having Corey (Seargent) for the game, a few weeks back during the opening date we started working him to see how he could help us. We knew he had a history at corner and we also knew we were going to see some big receivers going forward. His length gives him the ability to stay close to the people and he doesn't really have to be that close with a two-to-three yard cushion. When the ball is in the air, he's so long that he can get a hand up on certain receivers. I think he's added a different element for us out there. When we tell him to stay on top, he has a way of using leverage to stay on top. He still has a another year with us, but we think we're finding some personnel fixes within our team."
On If Confidence Is Noticeable Throughout The Team After Saturday's Win Over Connecticut:
"Yeah, that (Sunday) was the best defensive practice I've seen, maybe since we've been here or any place I've been the day after a game. It was as clean and energetic with guys talking and holding guys accountable. It made me feel good because I know what went on Saturday night, but Sunday, we were ready to go. We knew the defensive energy was coming from something. It was connected to the win."
Opening Statement:
"(I have) a lot of respect for Coach (Bob) Diaco and his football team. Going into the game, we knew we were going to have to play well to win. They've been in a lot of tough games. We started watching them a while back because I thought they played Navy about as well as anybody had played them. They've probably been short a half-yard here or a half-yard there. I also thought we were blessed with where the open date happened. I thought we started getting a lot of our energy from the open date, whereas (on) the flip side of it, UConn – I don't know how many in a row they've gone right now.
"We had three phases of good football. We have to continue to play well together defensively. Most every-down people did their job and pressure was created by every position group. I thought our linebackers tackled, our defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage and our DB's covered really, really well putting them in a lot of pressure situations. From a playbook standpoint, they did everything we asked them to do. We were very happy with the way they came out of that game. I think they gave up 295 yards of offense and some of that was scramble yardage. When you get scramble yardage, you know that somebody is being covered completely and a guy got out. We lost contain a few times. We have to clean that up.
"Offensively, I thought creativity and the plan married to execution by great players had a direct connect to our points per game being different than they have in the past. Special teams was a major plus for us. Davis (Plowman) and Worth (Gregory) did a great job for us kicking the ball as specialists, but my special teams play of the week once again, I feel like I talk about him every week, was Joe Carter (for) getting that ball out on that fumble. It was the first time in a long time that I've seen special teams have a direct effect to our team winning the game.
"All in all, we played really hard and did a good job together. When one phase played well, the other came out and played well. Usually, people talk about when one phase doesn't play well; the other phase needs to play well. The truth is, when one phase plays well, if everyone else can take it up a notch, you have a chance to change games and that's what really happened in the third quarter. That was a connection of some good football played and it changed the whole outcome of the football game.
On Tulsa:
"Moving on to Tulsa, they're a really good football team that runs the ball as well as any team because of their scheme. I think you have to start with their offensive front. They have one of the best offensive fronts we will see running the football. Their zone schemes, they do a really, really good job of getting to the second level, getting people blocked and getting coverage on linebackers. What happened last week is they just completely consumed so many of the backers. And what can you say about (James) Flanders? He's just a tough tackle at times, but hits the ball, he crams it and he crams, crams, crams and it'll turn into a big play for them.
"I really like their run game, but the connection is to what they do with their splits in the wide receivers. With so much space on the field, you remove the backs eight to nine yards. Sometimes people say that might affect your passing game and hurt you from going down the field, but he's found a way to kind of utilize both of them. I'm really impressed with what they do offensively. Offensively, they've got some guys with record-setting numbers at receiver. They catch it as well as any team that we've played, whether it be the slants or the fades, they're doing a good job down the field. Coach (Philip) Montgomery has always done a good job of finding the matchup that he likes the best. I went back to the Tulane game and other games where he's found matchups and he's going to make you stop him. He's going to call it until you can stop him. I like that. I love the way he calls games and gets his team prepared.
"Defensively, Trent Martin and Jesse (Brubaker) and Craig Suits are in their front and their linebackers. They have a lot of experience. I think one of the things Coach Montgomery's done a good job of is really growing the team from year one to year two, really understanding that experience means a lot, especially as it pertains to the scheme with their running. They've decreased the amount of yardage they've given up from one year to the next by about 100 yards or so. As you look at a team that's continuing to grow defensively and a team with the offensive power that they have, you're looking at a team that's grown quite a bit.
"With us, you're starting to see the benefits of some good matchups. We're also starting to see the benefits of some good combinations on offense and defense, and coaches understanding exactly how guys play well together. I think the time we had off in the open date was very beneficial to our team. It was the first week where we saw energy and enthusiasm throughout the game from so many different sources. We thought our guys came into the game with great spirits and were ready to go all week."
On Linebacker Jordan Williams Playing Alongside Cam White:
"We thought that helped our communication issues. We had some communication issues, not just with Terrell (Richardson). Our team – players and coaches combined – felt like Jordan and Cam played so well separate of each other. We knew we would have a problem doing this for an entire year because that MIKE linebacker position can be so physical that you can lose one of those guys at any time. (Having) both of them communicating every game is very stressful. So now, we gave a guy like Jordan, who has played really well at times, a chance to communicate and can take communication and give it to someone else. We're kind of relying on Cam for more of our calls on the inside. It really put together a good combination. I thought they tackled well together, but I thought, at times, it made us really, really gap sound."
On The Tight End Situation And Not Using Them A Lot In Passing Situations:
"We want to continue to grow that. We thought (Brian) Hardy has been great in practice trying to help us create a run game in the red zone – a run game that needs to get points. He's been a little bit more physical at the point of attack than (Stephen) Baggett. We think that Baggett does give us a chance to throw and catch a little bit better, but if you're playing one tight end most of the game just to throw the ball, personnel helps a little bit. Certainly, when people know you're just throwing the ball to 86 (Baggett), I really don't care what they think. When we're running the football, we just need to be as good as we can be at the tight end position. We're hoping that we're still going to see a ton of growth from Baggett in the passing and running game and he'll continue to see more snaps."
On If Saturday Was ECU's Most Complete 60-Minute Performance Of 2016:
"Definitely. Once I went back and looked at tape, there were plays that we almost made that people will never know about that we executed at the highest level that I've seen an offense or defense execute at. We had a couple of runs – a couple with Shawn (Furlow) – that could have been maybe 40-50 yard big plays, but we just had a slip up or a nick by a guard or something that happened. Our offensive line did a good job getting cover on guys. The execution was there.
"Our passing game was really sharp for the most part. There were a couple of throws that we could have been better on. Our perimeter blocking, outside of two situations in the game, was as good as it's been. And then defensively, we didn't drop guys in coverage. That was the biggest deal. Jordan had some great coverage opportunities in the game and he did a great job. We didn't drop coverage on the inside. Outside, the biggest play they made on us, we fell down with Colby (Gore). Our coverage was good. I thought our alignment was good in our secondary. Special teams wise, if we can take away that first play where that ball got out and then we had a fourth and a half-yard stop to stop any kind of momentum that happened there. Then we got the ball and went right down."
On Who Will Match Up With Wide Receiver Keevan Lucas:
"Last week, we got to see a guy that was a go-to guy at receiver. We managed him because of communication. I think we learned a lot in practice. We're really working to be as much good-on-good in practice as we can for our defense so they can manage. We're trying to stop Zay Jones in practice and we're trying to stop Jimmy Williams. We're learning how to try and manage them as a defense. If we can manage our receivers, we feel good about managing other people's receivers."
On Shifting Bobby Fulp From Safety To Cornerback:
"Knowing our personnel and not having Corey (Seargent) for the game, a few weeks back during the opening date we started working him to see how he could help us. We knew he had a history at corner and we also knew we were going to see some big receivers going forward. His length gives him the ability to stay close to the people and he doesn't really have to be that close with a two-to-three yard cushion. When the ball is in the air, he's so long that he can get a hand up on certain receivers. I think he's added a different element for us out there. When we tell him to stay on top, he has a way of using leverage to stay on top. He still has a another year with us, but we think we're finding some personnel fixes within our team."
On If Confidence Is Noticeable Throughout The Team After Saturday's Win Over Connecticut:
"Yeah, that (Sunday) was the best defensive practice I've seen, maybe since we've been here or any place I've been the day after a game. It was as clean and energetic with guys talking and holding guys accountable. It made me feel good because I know what went on Saturday night, but Sunday, we were ready to go. We knew the defensive energy was coming from something. It was connected to the win."
Players Mentioned
Inside Linebacker
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Defensive Back
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Wide Receiver
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Inside Linebacker
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Wide Receiver
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Inside Linebacker
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