Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Q: What do you like about QB Joey Harrington?
A: “First, I like his knowledge of the game and he understands what the defense is trying to do. He does a good job in his post and pre-snap reads, being able to see how the safeties and linebackers move after the ball. I think he is really going to be able to execute our offense and distribute the ball where it needs to be. That’s going to help us in our run game when you understand the defenses and the fronts like that. He has a real good sense of timing as well. Unfortunately, guys don’t get very open so you have to hit them when they are open. I think that’s a good starting point and he has a really good since of timing.”
Q: Did you watch any of his games from Detroit?
A: “No, we didn’t go back that far.”
Q: What are the reasons that guys succeed in college and not on the professional level?
A: “I think anytime you throw a young man in there as a rookie and not on a great team they are going to struggle a little bit. If you watch the history of the guys that get to sit and watch for a while before they get thrown into the fire, they usually do a little bit better. When they get hit it’s hard to keep your eyes down field and I think that is hard on a guy when you are young. I think he has learned a lot from the experience. I think he’s learned a lot on not only how to play the game of football but also how to manage everything else. Also, I think he is excited about the opportunity.”
Q: Do you think that Joey Harrington is overwhelmed?
A: “No I don’t think that he is overwhelmed at all because you’re talking about a guy that came out as the third pick in the draft and had a lot put on his shoulders, so I think he’s just excited about the opportunity.”
Q: What about the tailbacks that are getting some snaps?
A: “They are working at it. I like what I see out of running back Jason Snelling, it’s going to be a question as to how well he does in the preseason games but he has real good vision and makes nice cuts. We’re hoping that he has some power when he runs with the ball and that he’s able to run through some tackles.”
Q: Are there any things that have to be taken out of the offense with Michael Vick’s absence?
A: “We don’t know that yet. I’ve always believed that you put in the entire offense and you mold it to what (Joey Harrington) does best and what he doesn’t do well. We are starting to understand some of his strengths and we will keep working on some of his weaknesses to make sure he still gets the opportunities. You don’t want to throw anything out to soon.”
Q: Is the weather a concern to you?
A: “I’m actually starting to worry about it. I’d love to see it nice, hot and humid because we have to go to Jacksonville and play at 1 p.m. the second game of the year. We need some heat and humidity. It’s been pretty easy on them so far.”
Q: Was it a surprise to see linebacker Demorrio Williams out there?
A: “Well not really because he worked so hard to get back. We have to tame him to make sure he doesn’t extend his arm trying to hit. I think that’s been the hardest part on him. It’s good to see that speed out there running.”
Q: What about Jerious Norwood and the amount of reps he’s getting?
A: “There is no question that the more reps you get, the more understanding you have of our offense. Really, I think he’s just starting to pick up on the details of playing at the running back position, particularly in a new offense. We have a lot more runs that he has to get used to doing.”
Q: How is the battle for the No. 2 quarterback spot coming?
A: “They are both still working hard at it. Right now, it’s consistency that concerns me. One day, one guy has a good practice and then the next day another guy has a good practice. Day-in and day-out they have to be consistent with not only throwing the ball, but managing the offense.”
Q: How does the quarterback’s role change from the No. 2 string to number the No. 3 string?
A: “Well it changes quite a bit. The third string is not active (on game day) so the second string has to be ready. There are two of them and right now we have to give them a lot of reps. When you get closer to the season the third string hardly has any reps. He basically manages the scout team. The second string is basically left to do it mentally. So, the amount of reps that they have to take advantage of is the biggest thing.”
