Alge Crumpler
Q: How are you dealing with the training camp distractions?
A: “We’re just trying to come together and rally behind Joey Harrington as our quarterback. I understand everyone knows we are in a tough situation with Michael (Vick ) ultimately being out. I’ve played with Michael since the beginning and I support Michael. I’m hoping he can get through this tough ordeal, but the outlook isn’t the best right now. As far as what happens in this locker room, it’s under our control. That includes Lawyer, myself and some of the other guys. It’s in our hands and we still have a season to play. I expect our season to go well. It’s going to be a bump in the road as we go forward.”
Lawyer Milloy
Q: How are you dealing with the training camp distractions?
A: It’s going to be a big bump in the road. Everyone recognizes that. I watch Sports Center just like everyone else. It’s effecting not only the people in the locker room, the people in the organization but it’s effecting Mike (Vick). This is something that has nothing to do with football for my friend. He has to get through this and this is a tough time in his life. As for the team, we are moving forward today. I think what you saw on the field is a team that’s accepting the challenge. I think we have enough leaders here who can get us through this tough time. We have a guy in Joey Harrington that’s excited about this opportunity to get the job. The guys are rallying behind him. They are out there catching the ball and moving like clockwork. It definitely wasn’t as crisp as you would have liked it for the first day of training camp, but we’re moving forward.”
Q: Are you worried about a divided fan base?
A: “All we have to do is win ball games. When we win ball games, that’s how we give back to the fans.”
Alge Crumpler
Q: Are you worried about a divided fan base?
A: “It’s up to us to show our commitment to the fans by playing well and not letting this get to us. There is a grieving process for all of us and we are all going to have to go through it. We have to move forward to make this work.”
Q: Did you notice the plane circling around practice with its message?
A: “I was wondering when it was going to run out of gas.”
Lawyer Milloy
Q: Did you notice the plane circling around practice with its message?
A: “It was hard not to notice it. It’s unfortunate that someone would spend money to get on camera and take a negative opportunity to shine in the limelight. When I had dinner with Mr. (Arthur) Blank, he talked about how he wanted us to be the best in the community and what he wanted the team image to be. Believe me, it hurts me that it’s hurting him. It hurt me that it’s hurting our fans. It’s not a good situation, but we are getting through it.”
Alge Crumpler
Q: How concerned are you about the offense?
A: “Mike (Vick) had a great offseason and so did Joey (Harrington). Coach (Bobby Petrino) has a great mind. He’s put in countless hours to make sure we can function with anyone out there. That’s part of one of the reasons why Bobby was brought in here in the first place; to help us be able to function. To function with distractions and to function with guys who are injured. My faith is in my head coach as he leads us forward. We as players and the older guys will set the course and try to eliminate some of these distractions and move forward.
Lawyer Milloy
Q: What was the coach’s message about handling the situation?
A: “There is adversity and bumps in the road in any story. It’s about how you as a team and you as an individual approach it. Do you say woe is me or do you move on as an individual and as a team. I already gave a couple of examples and one that I know personally about some injuries that happened to some key players on teams. There was a player (Tom Brady) behind an injured player and the team rallied around him to make him feel comfortable. He ultimately went on to be successful and the team I was on won a championship. The individual that stepped in has probably had the best career out of anybody in his first five years. He was just trying to make a positive statement. I think the team was listening and we went out there and practiced hard.”
