A Q&A with UF offensive coordinator Steve Addazio
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 | Football, Scott Carter
Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio is always a popular subject on fan message boards when the Gators don't drive up and down the field like a vintage Maserati.
Addazio understands the extra scrutiny comes with the job. He met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the LSU game and several other topics related to the Gators' offense.
Here is a recap of Addazio's press conference from earlier this afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium:
Q: What's your reaction to having Chris Rainey back with the team?
A: He's got some stipulations that he's working back through. I know Urban [Meyer] released a statement on that. All of that is being handled internally right now, so he's not there yet.
Q: What about his potential impact if he returns?
A: He's a great athlete, great speed, a play-maker, explosive guy. You guys all know that. You've seen that.
Q: How much are teams blitzing you right now while you search for a home-run threat on offense?
A: We've had a fair amount last week, for sure. That's what happens sometimes. You get in there and all of a sudden it's like, 'Whoa, here it comes.' You've got to adjust to all that. It's a combination of things.
Q: Is Mississippi State a heavy blitzing team?
A: Yeah. They bring it everywhere.
Q: What are your thoughts on Mississippi State DE Pernell McPhee?
A: He's really good. He's a typical SEC defensive end – a good pass rusher, a good run defender, athletic, explosive, so you've got to know where he is on the field. You've just got to know where he is and keep in mind that he is a heck of a football player. He's got the athleticism to get around and get to the quarterback for sure.
Q: Is there more of a plan for Andre Debose to get involved in the running game?
A: Yeah, I mean we're trying to grow that. He is emerging as a guy that can make a play. It's really nice to see that … It's experience and getting on the field and doing it and gaining all that confidence and trust.
Q: Do you anticipate having running back Jeff Demps back on Saturday?
A: I don't know yet. I think it's probably a day-to-day deal.
Q: Any update on offensive lineman Jon Halapio, who suffered a hand injury against LSU and had surgery Sunday?
A: He's a little more day-to-day to; it's a little bit more encouraging certainly.
Q: With Halapio injured, you're down to five healthy regulars up front. Who else can contribute?
A: Jon Harrison is really coming along well. I like what I see in Jon Harrison a lot. Kyle Koehne is really coming on, Nick Alajajian, Sam Robey, those guys. That's that next set up guys. That's what happens in this conference. You play some tough games, you get nicked up. That's why you've got to have some depth. This is one of those years where we're experiencing that.
Q: On a personal side, do the boos ever get to you?
A: I really don't pay much attention to any of that stuff. You are locked into the game. What I really hear in that game is just the energy from the game. I've got so much going on; I've got headsets on … Hey, this is not a sport for the thin-skinned now. It's a tough business and I think we've talked about this before here. You came here for a reason – [there are] high expectations, that's why you're here, that's what it's all about. You better embrace that. If you don't embrace that, then you are at the wrong place.
Q: What do you say to those who say you might be spread a little too thin as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach?
A: Absolutely not; not even a little [overwhelmed]. I've been doing this a long time, coaching the offensive line a long time. I feel great. I feel great about my guys. I don't think Mike Pouncey has ever played any better than he is playing right now to be honest with you. I don't think Marcus Gilbert has ever played better than he is playing right now. I think Mo Hurt is playing great football. I would tell you that we've got a great staff here on offense. This has never been about a guy – me or anybody else for that matter. We don't operate that way. To say overwhelmed, no. There are great coaches here with great input and great ideas and segments they are responsible for, and I think they are doing a great job with that. I think right now it's really all about keep working, keep grinding, keep developing young players, keep finding the right mix. There were some good things that happened in that [LSU] game. We don't like the result – you don't and I don't. But there were some things that were pretty productive in there; what struck you the most was a 17-play drive that we didn't get any points on. We were down to the six-inch line. That was kind of one of those deals you would like back. In every game we are doing some really good things. We say it, and I know it gets boring … you would just like to see those good things done more consistently. You don't want to make excuses. You just got to keep working. We've got good players and you've got some good thoughts. You just gotta be steady in the boat and just work, just go. We're all hurt over a game, that's the way it is.
Q: How do you go about getting more out of first down?
A: You've just got to be more efficient. We're a pretty good mix on run and pass, so there is no tendency there at all. There's just a bunch of efficiency issues that we've got to get worked out. We're a multiple offense, we always have been. So what we've got to do is stay on schedule the best we can … First down is something to me that has to even out better.''
Q: How would you assess the offensive line's play as a unit thus far?
A: We've got a real high bar here. They have played pretty solid throughout the year. What happens is, when things don't go right, I'm going to pick things apart … you don't have all the facts really what's going on in there. I want certain guys to fire out a higher level, because I've got a real high bar.
