Aug. 20, 2006

Dave Wannstedt

Training Camp Day 13

August 20, 2006

On yesterday's scrimmage:

The best thing that came out of film from an offensive standpoint is that we made a lot of first downs. We got in great third downs and the first offense converted five out of seven. The third downs they were converting were third and ones, but one time we had a third and ten. The rest of the time it was seven or less and that's what you like to see. We were making some first downs and we were moving the ball, which is good. The biggest thing that showed up from a defensive standpoint was that we were mixing in more defenses yesterday than we are going to use when the season starts. A few of the breakdowns that we had yesterday on defense were from more of a mental standpoint than physical. So we will get those things corrected. I thought the effort overall was good. I feel like we have taken a step forward. It is just a matter of continuing with that type of attitude.

On setting a lineup:

I think between now and (the end of camp), you are going to see that there are a lot of people on the defensive line that are going to rotate in and out. We will have starters but whether it is determined by Wednesday or not, I don't know. I think we will be pretty close to what we have to do. When we start our Virginia preparation next week, you can only work so many players. You can't work three and four running backs before a game. We have to cut down to two running backs and four receivers. So those things will take care of themselves.

On the receivers:

Right now in my mind Marcel Pestano has really taken some steps forward. I think we have (Derek) Kinder and Oderick (Turner) right now. And we are battling for that third and fourth spot between (T.J.) Porter, Cedric McGee, Marcel (Pestano), (Austin) Ransom and (Lowell) Robinson, who are all in there competing. So the last two spots are up for grabs.

On the other positions:

We are going to talk a little bit more tonight about the other positions. Jeff Otah and John Bachman have been spending more time with the first group. We are not doing anything that will put us at a disadvantage next week if we take a chance. We are still trying to work through some things.

On Ernest "Mick" Williams:

He doesn't feel good, he got sick again. We need to get him on the field. He had a concussion, it's been over a week. We're expecting him back any day. I was hopeful that he would do something yesterday. He just doesn't feel right the moment he tries to do something. He came out to do individuals yesterday and he just didn't feel good.

On the defensive line:

That is going to be a position where we play eight guys. I think that is good. I ideally would like to play three ends and three tackles, but I don't know if there is anyone that has separated themselves at this point. I think we will probably play four tackles and four ends, because they are that close. There are some things that Doug Fulmer does better than any of the ends. There are also things that Chris McKillop does better than then any of them. So a lot of them have to do with situations and others opponents. I know the competitiveness of our defensive line is so much healthier.

On Doug Fulmer's play at end:

He is rotating with the first group and he could be a starter. He is playing at a starting level.

On Tyler Palko:

He is doing less talking this year. By that I mean that he seems more focused on his job. He has been very business like and that rubs off on players. I think that you encourage players the most by how you act and what you do, not necessarily what you say.

On the tight ends:

Good group. They are all good blockers, good receivers. I think it was prevalent yesterday that they are a large part of what we are trying to do out here.