Florida Football Media Day Quotes
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 | Football
Head Coach Urban Meyer
On looking at this year's team:
“It's the year of development and accountability. We are coaching as hard as we ever have. Other than '07, this has been one of the newest (teams), but I will tell you what, there is a lot of talent running around on that field. I think you will be excited to see what that Florida team looks like. Not now, they are awful right now, but in a couple of weeks, they will be pretty good.”
On scouting the new team:
“We have spent a lot of time on that. We have had so much transition in the last few years that we have taken a different approach. I always take the coaches on a getaway for a few days and this year we did nothing but evaluate drills. Last year we did not have to evaluate drills because it was the same group of guys that came back. If you hire a guy from a different system and he is used to drilling his players a certain way and it has nothing to do with what we do, then it slows down the development of the player. So it has been ridiculous, the amount of time and detail we have spent on each drill. I will watch every drill, I will stay up late tonight watching every drill—not so much the plays, but the development of those guys, because there are a bunch of players that need to be developed and it is going really well.”
Associate Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Steve Addazio
On the new season ahead:
“It's always exciting. Every year, it's what fires you up. You come in here, you have to shape it, mold it and you have new people to incorporate and work with, new faces and a lot of returning faces as well. It's a real exciting time of year. We're excited to be started.”
Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Teryl Austin
On camp so far and competing for some of the spots:
“Every guy is competing for starting cornerback, it doesn't matter where you line up or what order. We're trying to find out who the best guys are right now so we have spirited competition. What's really important is how they're doing now and what they're doing now. We've got to have our best guys on the field in a month.”
On adjustment from NFL to college
“It's still football. At the end of the day, our guys have to run with the ball, work very hard and always have to be physical and good tacklers. Those are things, no matter what level of football you're at, you have to do. I don't think it's a big adjustment.”
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Chuck Heater
On the safeties:
“I'm pleased with the depth of our safety position. Obviously Ahmad (Black) and Will (Hill) have played a lot and Matt Elam was here in the spring, which was helpful to him. We have Josh Evans, who has done a nice job in early fall camp but he got hurt the third day of spring practice, unfortunately. It would be huge for us for those two young guys to come along.”
Senior Safety Ahmad Black
On stepping up as a leader:
“I am trying to step up. I have to. I am one of the few seniors that we have on defense and one of the guys that has been there for a while. It is my job to help these young guys and help them do what they are supposed to do.”
Junior Quarterback John Brantley
On his receivers:
“We have a great receiving crew. We spent a lot of time together this summer, just trying to get the timing down between us. They all came out there everyday and worked on conditioning with great attitudes, wanting to get better. That has definitely carried over into camp right now. They have been having a really good last few days. Everyone's been looking fast and everyone is excited every practice and just getting better. I know I am excited to see what they can do this season.”
Junior Running Back Jeff Demps
On how the team has changed with a new quarterback:
“It really has not changed. We have always been the Florida Gators that are going to come out each and every day and give you 100 percent effort and go hard four to six seconds.”
Senior Linebacker Brandon Hicks
On fall training camp:
“It's not that much different than any other camp. But between both of our players and coaches, you can't have a teammate come in lagging. This is when we get down and dirty and work our hardest to be the best man and player you can be. We really get to see how far we can push our limits. Once the camp is over, you see where you stand as a player and a coach. It's all out since it's my last camp. We are diving in head first. The people that are there with you can only make you better. You have to be a team player to play this game, but also find a way to improve and stand out individually.”
Sophomore Defensive Tackle Omar Hunter
On why he thinks he's better this year:
“I am in better shape. I thought I was in good shape but last year I was coming back from an injury, so I think this year I'm in better shape. I feel that I am quicker, stronger, and definitely faster. The training has helped me all around.”
Senior Guard Carl Johnson
On the hardest position to come into in college as a true freshman:
“Definitely offensive line is hard to play as a freshman. At Florida, it is hard because our offense is very complex, it's hard, it's tough. Coming from high school, especially at a talent level where most of the recruits here are, you are so much better than your opponents that you don't really have to go full speed every single play. But in college, your opponents are just as big, they are just as fast, they are just as strong, so you kind of have to tweak the way you play. Plus, you have to tweak the way you play mentally because I am pretty sure in high school you didn't have to know every single position your offense ran, but in college as an offensive lineman, I have to know center, guard, and tackle in case someone goes down. You have to know them like the back of your hand.”
Senior Defensive End Justin Trattou
On camp so far and his expectations of his senior year going forward:
“Camp's going really well so far. The guys are all coming together and everything is coming along well. I look forward to camp every day. It's my senior year, so I just try to go out there and have fun. I definitely have put more effort into everything this year than I ever have. This is my last shot as a Gator, so I definitely want to put all that I have into it. My personal goal really is to just do anything I can to help this team, especially provide leadership. I know if I can do that, then everything else will take care of itself.”
Senior Defensive Tackle Terron Sanders
On thoughts about upcoming year:
“I feel anxious because I missed spring (with a knee injury) and to see my boys out there practicing made me just want to be out there with them. I now have that opportunity and I just have to get football ready.”
-UF-
