DeAngelo Hall
Q: How did you get through this first day of practice?
A: “We really didn’t see too much of you guys, the heat really consumed us. That’s where our focus was. Coach Petrino put it out there for us in the team meeting this morning. We knew what was at hand heading into practice and we knew that Joey (Harrington) was going to be the guy out there playing for us. We just went out there and played ball.”
Q: Is there any anger toward Michael Vick for putting himself in his situation?
A: “Not at all. Something similar could happen to anybody, maybe not the same situation. I don’t think there is a level of anger from me personally, but I can’t speak for everyone on this football team. For me, I’m not angry at him. Like I said, things happen. It just so happened to be something major. It’s effecting our city and our franchise right now. It’s something that’s going to take time and we have to wait on the outcome to see what happens.”
Warrick Dunn
Q: How do you feel about being drawn into this?
A: “This football team is a family. One of our brothers is going through a situation. When you have a family member going through something, you have to support them and be there for them. At the same time, we know we have other guys on this team who we have to push and support to be better on the football field. We are still going to support Mike, but right now, we have to get ready for the football season. Guys are trying to stay focused and maintain their sanity. We’re really trying to get on with football and support Mike from afar.”
Q: What are your thoughts about Michael Vick’s indictment?
A: “Obviously it was shocking. Like I said, he’s like a brother to me. We talk periodically throughout the offseason. Over the years, we’ve always kept in contact. It was definitely a surprise to me. I know everyone has different opinions on it, but we are going to let the truth come out and see what happens.”
DeAngelo Hall
Q: Can you talk about the competition at the other cornerback position?
A: “We have a young guy here in Chris Houston. Lewis Sanders is another guy who I thought was a young guy, but it turns out he’s going on year seven or eight. He’s a veteran. We’re going to let those guys battle it out. We have Lewis Sanders and we look forward to Chris Houston challenging him for that starting spot. It’s going to take a burden off my shoulders to be able to go out there and play one side of the field rather than running around and following certain guys. I’m going to let my hair down so to speak and concentrate on one side of the field. I’m excited about the possibility of that and I’m excited about Jimmy Williams back there in the secondary trying to steal Chris Crocker’s spot. There is competition and that’s what training camp is all about. It’s about guys beating each other out. Let the best man win.”
Warrick Dunn
Q: How realistic is offensive success this season?
A: “Through OTAs, we’ve had the playbook introduced to us three or four times. Right now, it’s the fifth time we are going through plays and installing the offense. Right now, it’s about getting a feel and getting into football shape. It’s not about one guy. I know years ago when Mike (Vick) got hurt, we lost a lot. This is a new era with different players. This team is much more mature with a different coaching staff. Just watch out. These guys are going to play hard and we are going to play together as a team. No one guy can win a game.”
Q: Are you going to miss time and if so how comfortable are you with Jerious Norwood?
A: “I’m not going to miss time. I’ll be back. I am confident in Jerious. He’s an exciting guy, he’s lightning fast and he has an opportunity to go out and make some plays and establish himself. I’m going to support him. I look for him to pick it up.”
Q: How does your back feel?
A: “I’m definitely confident I’ll be back for the first game. I was in a lot of pain walking and I had to stop and bend over sometimes just to walk. After the surgery, I was able just to walk without pain. I’m already moving around, stretching and doing different things. I’ll be ready.”
Q: Do you think Michael Vick will be back this season?
A: “That’s not for us to answer. He has to go through his situation with the courts and hopefully he’ll be back. If not, we’ll have to go on.”
Q: Did you feel the lack of Michael Vick at practice today?
A: “Sometimes when you go through adversity, you have to separate yourself and go through something you are unfamiliar with. For us, it’s football. It’s getting into the classroom, studying a little bit and going out and executing. I think all of these guys on this football team want to get away from what is going on and just move forward toward the year and win a Super Bowl.”
DeAngelo Hall
Q: How was the first day of training camp?
A: “It was hot out there and we got through one day. That was our focus from the time we broke the team meeting to heading into the individual meetings to heading out on the practice field. We are all waiting for the Bobby Petrino era. We want to see what the practices are going to be like and what the schedule is going to be like. It’s about getting back into the groove of things. We have one down and many, many more to go. I think everyone got better today.”
Q: What is your message to the people who say the season is over?
A: “There are a lot of people saying that. In the face of adversity, you have to rise to the occasion. I know for myself, I set goals for myself and my team before any of this came out. My goals have not changed one bit and I still expect to win a lot of games here. I still expect to go out and have a dominating defense and I expect Bobby Petrino’s offense to shock everybody because he does it to us in practice time after time. This scheme that he’s brining here was not built for Mike (Vick) to sit around and run. It was built for a guy to sit back in the pocket and throw the ball. That’s what Mike begged for, that’s what he wanted and that’s why the coach’s came in and gave it to him. No matter who is back there, I think he’ll have success no matter what.”
