Thompson, Players Express Optimism to Media
August 09, 2003 | Football
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Following is a transcript of Thompson's comments:
Opening Comments:
"I don't think that in 25 plus years in coaching, that I have ever looked more forward to a season or camp then I have these last couple of weeks. We've got a lot to accomplish and a lot to get done. There are a lot of jobs, probably more jobs than of any team that I have ever been involved with that we have to make some clear-cut decisions as soon as we can. This is an exciting and fun time for me and my staff."
"We were in a staff meeting talking about personnel earlier, something we do everyday. The key thing with this team is obviously our personnel. We've got good people, good guys on this team -- good quality human beings -- and I think we got some good football players on this team, too. It's our job as a coaching staff to get them into the right spot and to get them developed to get where we need to be to be a factor in this conference."
"There have been a lot of changes we have thrown at a lot of people. Our players have accepted that change and our players have adapted better than anybody. Not one time have our players ever said why don't we do it this way or that way. They have been great and I appreciate them."
"I am excited about this team, excited about this opportunity and I haven't enjoyed coaching as much as I have over the past four days. Just getting here to camp and being around this environment and the players has been a thrill."
On Offense:
"Obviously I think the strength of our team has got to start with our offensive line. We have a lot of guys coming back along with our running backs. We produced at this position before. We will be a productive team in throwing the football and we will cut down on our turnovers. If we can do that, we will be a very good offensive team."
On Defense:
"Defense has got to be our first priority in getting better. We have some new faces on defense, some new ways of doing some things and the number one key on getting better on defense is to establish some confidence. We are working hard and doing the right things, we just have to do it on the practice field. With the kind of practice we had out there today, I think that our defense is developing confidence and will be better."
On His Defensive Philosophy:
"We need to get the ball back more than anything else. We want our defense to be the same way as our offense will be, which is unpredictable and aggressive. We want our players to feel like they are not robots, that they have some freedom to take advantage of their God-given abilities. We do a lot of different things on defense, line up in a lot of different formations but the schemes and techniques are the same."
On the Biggest Hurdle Defensively:
"Gaining confidence. We've got some talent on this team there is no doubt about that. If you take our defensive line, they have gotten so much better than where we were in the spring. But it all goes back to confidence. You need to have that on both sides of the ball and our offense has to believe in our defense, and our defense has got to produce where our offense will believe in them."
On Which Freshman Will Make an Impact:
"It is still too early to tell. We've had only three practices, but all of them have a chance to do some things. There have been some guys that have done some things well. Kevin Fain, even though he his not a freshman, has been impressive. Eric Johnson can help us at linebacker, Robert Tillman at running back, and Steven Rogers at wide receiver. Erode Jean and Kasey Ross will get a chance to help in the secondary. Every one of the new guys at this point have an opportunity to help us. We will just have to see how everything works out."
On Art Brown:
" If I had my defensive hat on, he is the kind of guy you don't want to face. He is a complete back and whether it is first down, second down or any distance on third down, Art is a threat. I don't see any deficiencies in Art. He is a guy that you don't want to see as a defensive guy. He catches the ball, runs the draw well and is a power runner."
On Evaluating the Quarterbacks:
"We will evaluate our quarterbacks just like we do every other position, which is on production. Both of those guys [Paul Troth and Desmond Robinson] have had a good camp so far and have really shown some real good things. They have to be consistent and not turn the ball over, yet I want them to go out there and not be concerned if they make a mistake. I want them to try and make the big play. I believe in both of them. Both of these guys can win football games for us and the team believes in them also. They will determine who gets the job, but both have the ability to take charge of the huddle and lead us down the field."
On Vonta Leach:
"He definitely was the biggest surprise from the spring. I've said that we need to have a physical presence on our offense. I believe in that style of football and I think it helps your defense because you practice against them so much. To have two backs in the backfield, really makes your defense tough. We knew Vonta was a big body and could be a big blocker, but what he proved in the spring is that he could run the football and he could catch the football. Here is a guy that has not complained one time about blocking or has said give me the ball more. Vonta is a leader on this team and wants to win."
On Terrance Copper:
"Coming out of spring and with our first three practices, he has been our go-to guy and there is no secret to that. I am sure that Cincinnati is going to double him and do some things. The key to his importance is maybe we will draw some coverage off some other guys and let them step up. I enjoy his physical nature as a receiver. He is a tough guy and catches the ball over the middle well. He has really caught the ball well in this weather the last couple of days. We have not had a dry ball yet, and I haven't seen him drop one."
