Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Q: Comparing today’s practice to the practice yesterday
A: “I thought our guys practiced very well today. They were moving around pretty well at a much crisper pace. The difference for me is having a month off before you start the first practice, which means it gives us a little time to get in shape and also get into the grove of a good tempo. However, our focus is good and our players are working hard.”
Q: On the distractions from the first day of training camp?
A: “I really didn’t notice it a lot because when you are on the practice field the concentration has to be only focused towards that. It is nice in the morning when you don’t have everybody there watching the installation of every play and having to worry about who’s looking.”
Q: How have the quarterbacks progressed from day one to day two?
A: “I think the quarterbacks liked it very much today as opposed to yesterday when everything is thrown at them; pass protection, pass plays, and expanding what receivers get the free releases. Yesterday caused them to force the ball in there a little bit and today, it was nicer to see the free release patterns.”
Q: On the competition between the quarterbacks DJ Shockley and Chris Redman?
A: “It is very early to decide that because it will take all the way through the preseason to assess the second-string quarterback. We will see how they do in live action, and when the rush is live around it. As for DJ, we won’t know how well he does live until he is under pressure given his scramble capabilities. He is a player that can make plays without it being called.
Q: What is your challenge in having two quarterbacks with two different styles?
A: “I think the best course of action is installing the entire playbook, and then we try to mold into the quarterback. We have to assess what exactly he does well, and what he doesn’t do as well. And then from there you have to mold the playbook to the quarterback. The other part of it is utilizing the other quarterbacks and what they do well.”
Q: What are the differences from a right to left-handed quarterbacks?
A: “The ball spins the opposite way. If you’re a lefty, the receiver has to adjust to the different spin compared to a right-hander. The protection for a right handed quarterback has to be towards his back because most rush-ends are coming from that side. As for a left-hander, the protection is instructed towards his face side, so it’s a little advantage for lefties and their quality of vision.”
Q: On guard Justin Blalock and his first day?
A: “We really like Justin, his size and also his athletic ability especially for his position. He is a guy that learns fast and that part is very important to him. He is in there with the first team, and we just have one guy that is out with a foot problem. Those are the only two that are competing for that position. Other veterans like Wayne Gandy and Todd McClure will assist the rookies with any assignments they need as training camp progresses.”
Q: On linebacker Demorrio Williams and his recovery?
A: “He has really worked on getting back as soon as possible. That’s a credit to his rehab in working to get back on the field. Our biggest challenge is that we calm him down enough so that he doesn’t do too much too early, particularly contact-wise. He has to make sure he stays out of contact. He actually hit somebody today when he wasn’t supposed to.”
Q: Could you speak about linebacker Michael Boley’s versatility and what it does for the defense?
A: “The first thing about Michael is that he is a great cover guy and has the ability to understand routes and he also has great length. He has long arms as well as good size. He helps us in areas with his ability to cover. He can do things that a lot of guys cannot do. He’s a very good blitzer so we will utilize him as much as we can and try to find some match-ups with tackles, tight ends or backs. I think that his speed and flexibility is something that we have to take advantage of.”
