Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Q: How are you going to incorporate Grady Jackson now that he is recovering from his injury?
A: “First thing is to make sure he’s in condition. I think he’s in good condition but we have to make sure we don’t have any set backs with the knee. He’s glad to be back though because he’s smiling and having fun out there.”
Q: How’s Alge Crumpler coming?
A: “He’s working through it and he’s starting to get back to full speed. He’s determined not to miss any of the practices that he’s suppose to be in. We would not have him participate in two a days but he’s determined not to miss any of the other ones either.”
Q: Jimmy Williams and Chris Crocker are competing for spots, how are they doing?
A: “They are both getting better and learning the package. Chris is also playing a lot of nickel for us and doing a good job. Jimmy is showing the range that we thought he would in terms of getting to the ball. It’s going to be fun to see these guys get into the preseason and see how Jimmy comes down hill. They are both competing for the starting position and we really have no timetable to make a decision as to who will be the starter.”
Q: How are the receivers coming?
A: “I feel good about them. You have Joe Horn out there who gives us all the energy and competes every day. I think Roddy White has had a really good camp so far. He’s thinner, he’s faster and he’s showing us he can catch the ball well. We are starting to figure out how to utilize Michael Jenkins and he’s very confident in catching the ball. The young rookie Laurent Robinson is showing a lot of ability to make plays and he is also very mature and smart so the offense has not been hard for him. Adam Jennings is doing more than I anticipated up to this point and he runs well after catches the ball. He is also a hard worker.”
Q: When you size up special teams, do you know what you are trying to do in terms of what players you are trying to keep?
A: “We have a game plan in terms of laying it out. I meet with the special teams coaches twice during the week, go through the depth chart and address the issues of how a guy will do on the 53-man roster. The players also understand that they have a chance of making the team based on how well they do on special teams.”
Q: How do you see John Abraham doing this year?
A: “He is a special player in the fact that he has the ability to rush the passer. He has unbelievable counter moves just based off how the tackle sets. I think I’ve been impressed with how well he reads the running games. We have to get him healthy so he can play 16 games. I think he will do a great job for us.”
Q: Can you talk about Rod Coleman and his injury?
A: “He’s a little bit ahead of the time that they set for him so we just have to be careful with him.”
Q: Can you talk about some of the younger tight ends at camp?
A: “Dwayne Blakely is doing a great job for us. I think he does a good job of blocking at the line. I like the way he catches the ball. Martrez Milner will be a good player for us but we have to make sure we don’t overwhelm him in trying to give him too much to do. Tight end is a tough position because you’re half receiver, half lineman and also half fullback so you could overwhelm them a little bit in what you ask him to do. We just have to be smart in finding out a small package for them to start the season and then expand it as the season progresses.”
