Head Coach Mike Smith, Aug. 4
Q: How did the guys look today?
A: “Well it was good to get them back. We had a chance as a staff to evaluate the first week. It was a good opportunity to meet with the players last night and we talked about things we accomplished in the first week and things we need to get better at. I think the guys had a real good understanding of where we think we’re at right now. ”
Q: When you talk to the guys do you say ‘these are the things we did really well’ and not pay too much attention to the things that may not have gone so well?
A: “I think that you have to accentuate the positives, but they have to be aware of the things that we have to improve on.”
Q: What do you expect out of Michael Boley?
A: “We anticipate that Michael is going to have a big year. He’s done some things that are really exciting in terms of his athleticism and ability to play the run. He does things that we like as a coaching staff. Our expectations are that he’s going to continue to get better.”
Q: What does Coy Wire add to the mix?
A: “The guy that showed the most and flashed the most both Friday and Saturday was Coy Wire. He really did a nice job and he had only been with us for a week. It will be a great story. He had an issue with his neck. He is healthy now and has the green light to go and play. He’s very smart and an instinctive player.”
Q: How key was it getting a veteran free agent like Alex Stepanovich that can play a lot of different spots on the line for you?
A: “I think it’s very important for us as a football team because there are going to be injuries throughout the season. It’s very important that we cross train all of our players. The guys that are going to be back-ups have to be able to play multiple positions. Alex has done a nice job with Todd (McClure) being out at the center position. He will also get some work at guard as we get healthier during the preseason.”
Q: On Jamaal Anderson’s expectations and play last year.
A: “I think that everyone on our team has to understand that they’ve got a job to do. If they do their job schematically the way the defense is put together, they’re going to have opportunities to make plays. What I mean by that is they’re going to have opportunities, but they’re still going to have to make them. But, we don’t need to go out and try to make plays. The plays will come to us. I think sometimes sacks are overrated. For big guys like Jamaal it’s important that he’s getting up in the quarterback’s face and forcing him to go somewhere else. I think that’s important and the sacks will come. He’s really come back well from his hamstring injury.”
Q: What did you see when you evaluated the tape of Jamaal (Anderson)?
A: “I saw a big, physical guy that had the measurables that you look for in a defensive guy. I thought he had opportunities to make plays when they presented themselves and when they did he just wasn’t able to finish them off. I think that just comes with maturity and understanding how you try to attack a blocker when you’re rushing the passer.”
Q: On injury updates.
A: “From what I’m aware of right now, I don’t think that there is anything major. After those things settle down you’ll get a better feeling. These are the dog days and hopefully as we get to the end of the week and get ready to play in games these guys will start getting back. Martrez (Milner) has multiple things happening on one leg. He has a toe and an ankle (injury) so those are things we’re going to have to watch and see. We were light today in the defensive tackle position as Babineaux and Moorehead were held out. We only had three healthy tight ends. Those are areas that got hit.”
Q: Lawyer (Milloy) said some good things about you over the weekend about how you handle the team in a professional manner. They respect you. Did you sense when you met with the team that there was some shell shock from last year?
A: “I think you have to be cognizant of the past, but we have never talked about what happen in 2007. This is 2008. I really wanted our guys to know that we have a plan that is systematic in how we approach things. I think the players have seen that. Saturday we wanted our guys to go through the process of game day. We took them in at half time, sat them down and told them, ‘hey guys this is where we’re going to sit, this is what is going to happen and if you need to take care of personal things, take care of them the first minute or two, then you’re going to be addressed by the coordinators, then the position coaches and then at the two minute warning, I will come.’ We talked about the importance of half time. The teams that are successful in this League are the teams that make adjustments at half time so we wanted our guys to understand how we’re going to do things. So it’s not the first game and we’re just doing it.”
Q: Is (Todd) McClure closer to practicing again?
A: “I think so. We’re certainly hoping that he’s going to get back here sooner than later."
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage from 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- NOTEBOOK: Stepanovich happy to step in on offensive line
- RELEASE: Tight end Cooper re-joins Falcons
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Harry Douglas | Jonathan Babineaux
- WINGIN' IT: Wes and Dave talk a little training camp
- FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Sights and sounds from the first scrimmage
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Hey, I Know You!
- TWIG'S BLOG: High Definition Falcons
