Coach McNeill's Weekly Press Conference Quotes
August 31, 2015 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Sixth-year East Carolina University Head Football Coach Ruffin McNeill addressed members of the media on Monday prior to the season opener this weekend against Towson. The following are selected comments:
Opening Statement:
"This is an exciting week obviously not just for us, but across the country. You had North Dakota State and Montana get it started this past weekend in an exciting contest. It was exciting there and it will be even more exciting here this weekend for our team and staff. For the last six years, our thought process hasn't changed. It's a total dedication to the team first and how each one of us can make our team better and embracing our roles. Also being dedicated to the vision. I've said it before, but it hasn't changed. This is what we believe in. I'm not worried about five or six days from now. I'm worried about today, finishing a good film session with the coaching staff and also tomorrow's practice.
"I'm excited to see Pirate Nation. I've asked Pirate Nation to unleash the excitement that we have here. A lot of people have talked about our venue. I think it was named one of the Top 10 venues in the country. I saw that somewhere if I'm not mistaken.
"This will be a great test for our new football family. There is a bonding that takes place. This is one of the largest sports organizations of people that have to rely on the person next to them to succeed. They allow the person next to them to do their job well and succeed. Everyone feeds off one another. That bond that is needed and required comes from within that family atmosphere. The family atmosphere is not jibber-jabber, coaching chatter or a cliché, but we believe in it. The family umbrella is big for us here. Every team is different. Dominique (Davis) was a dominant leader. Shane (Carden) became a dominant leader -- not at first -- but he was a leader of our offense and then became a leader of our team. This team is a more of a quiet team. They're a listening team. They lead more the way Justin (Hardy) led if you want to put a character by it. They lead by action. They lead by work. That's what's different about this team. They're not pouty, they're just quiet and they work hard. We have had a really competitive fall camp. It's time to play a game. We're looking forward to it."
On Towson:
"I know Coach Ambrose and I understand that program and what they do there. They're a very well-coached team when you watch them on film. I've been asked about them already. They're very talented with a lot of starters coming back. Their quarterbacks' skillsets are (that) they're both mobile. Their receivers have great speed and they have really good running backs. Defensively, they're a 4-3, but they're going toward a 3-4 look this year. They started to blend it in last year.
"Connor Frazier is their quarterback and he's being challenged by Ellis Knudson. Most teams are going with multi-talented quarterbacks, so we don't see straight drop-back quarterbacks very often. Darius Victor is a running back we saw last year on film who has really good quickness, runs mad and averages five-plus (yards) per carry. He has good quickness after contact and catches the ball well up field. They have two receivers, Andre Dessenberg, who has been around and caught a lot of balls from Connor (Frazier) and Jacquille Veii, who is a transfer from Maryland. Up front, four of those guys are coming back and they're a well-coached unit. Their offensive line coach does a great job with those guys in protections, but the whole line plays well together.
"Donnell Lewis stands out among their (defensive backs). He's really an active, instinctive player and makes a lot of plays. On special teams, they led their conference in punt average return and had a few blocked punts, so we have to make sure that doesn't happen.
"We had a good practice yesterday after watching it on film. The guys flew around well and they're ready to play a game. I was talking to Coach C (Connors) the other day and he was watching them and said, `It's time for them to play a game."
On The Starting Quarterback Situation:
"Blake Kemp is the quarterback. He was the backup quarterback, so he's next in line. Cody Keith is back at practice and James Summers has also joined us. James was able to join us on Friday."
On Freshman Quarterback John Jacobs:
"I like the way John has improved from his first day. Even John will tell you it's slowing down for him. For a freshman, especially at that position, it can become very fast. Coach (John) Wiley loves the way he's improving. He's smart, tough, a lefty and he's going to be a really special player for us. I can't say if we're going to play him or not."
On What He Likes About James Summers:
"What I like about him is when we called him, he said he would play wherever we wanted him to play. Since committing to us, he's worked at wide receiver and that's all he's thought about. He hadn't thought about anything else. His comment was quick when I got on the phone with him. He said, `Coach, I just want to help the team win.' That was the first thing out of his mouth. That mentality, first, gets a check mark with me. The kids love him on the team. Dave Nichol is one of the best player developers I've been around. He understands what's required in that quarterback room."
On If He Has Requested A Waiver to Get Quarterback Philip Nelson Eligible This Season:
"He is redshirting on scout team and being a great teammate. He's done everything the coaches have asked him to do, whether that's being a quarterback, wide out or running on kickoff scout team. You name it, he's done it."
On The High Expectations of the Defense This Season Due to the Quarterback Situation:
"I don't approach it that way. We approach it where everyone has an important job in this thing. One position doesn't win or lose you the game and one group doesn't win or lose you the game. There are four parts of it to me. There's the offensive production and there's defensive production. Special teams is key and our sideline needs to be very enthusiastic. I expect everyone to step up. There are no excuses. Every position is important."
On Demage Bailey's Offseason:
"Bam-Bam is going to be an integral part of our defense. He was the first one to meet me in the locker room after the Florida game (last season). Everybody usually gives each other a little breathing room after the game, but he knocked on my door and he told me, `I promise I won't let you down during the offseason. I promise I will work hard,' and he has."
On If Zeek Bigger Has to be a Dominant Leader on the Defense:
"Zeek will do it by his play. We understand that with Zeek. One thing you don't want to do is get out of character because then you're not yourself. One thing I prayed about at my Texas Tech job was that I stayed who I am and not try to be something different. Zeek will lead by example, but he has a strong enough voice. He understands concepts now."
On Wide Receiver Jimmy Williams' Development:
"Jimmy has really come on. He's gotten bigger and stronger. He's another quiet one, but works as hard as anyone I've been around. If we keep him healthy, he's a guy who can make some plays for us. He's looking forward to it."
On Running Back Shawn Furlow:
"We will have to see whether we play Shawn or not. We might have to because he does some things a lot of people don't. He's got Breon (Allen) quickness and Anthony (Scott) speed mixed in one. He has an amazing attitude about being here. He absolutely loves being here and is going to be a special guy. It could be this year. I won't be scared to put him in a game."
On The Emotions of Opening Night:
"I'm as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair store. Imagine all the chairs are rocking and the cat has to dodge through them. At the same time, it's an exciting time. This venue is fantastic. I'm ready to see how our team reacts. I hold my breath before every play. You want to see the kids execute well, play smart, help each other do well, win by one and get out of there."
On Worrying If The Players Get Too Excited:
"I'm not ready to hold them back from that. Hopefully they can settle down. The speed of the game will change. Even though we practice at a fast tempo, the game is even faster. I'll remind them and start talking to them tomorrow to take an extra step on your route, coverage or block. Hopefully that helps with the speed of the game."
On The Different Feeling During Game Week in Greenville:
"It's really unique. It's a next-level venue. It gets talked about everywhere we go. I had someone in the ladies' clinic come to me and said she had to have a heart stint put in and put it in so she wouldn't miss the women's clinic event. She had something else put in so she wouldn't miss Meet The Pirates. And now, she's waiting to have two knee replacements. People have changed their wedding dates to see a Pirate Football game. She was so serious. That's the tradition and the passion you see. I'm honored and humbled. I'm asking the students not to leave early. Those are your classmates out there playing. As a former student (to the) Boneyard: Stay until the end and until we come down there to sing to you. Don't leave early."
