Aug. 3, 2006
On adjusting to preseason hype
I’ve seen it before, so I know the challenge that it brings, but I’m used to it.
On the development of Reggie Ball
Most importantly he is much more patient in the pocket. He’s much more mature and he’s playing his game, which is what got him here in the first place.
On the chemistry between him and Ball
On the field, I basically know when he’s going to come my way. We give each other a look in the huddle sometimes. Just playing together for so long, now it’s just natural for us to know what were thinking out there. Practicing and playing together for two years, you learn each other’s mentality.
He knows how I work in certain situations and I know how he works in certain situations.
On it becoming more evident this season
It gets better every year, so I definitely expect it to be better this year.
On the toughest game this year
Every game, starting with Notre Dame.
On the secondary
We have the whole month to prepare. They’re going to be ready. I agree with everything that Joe [Anoai] said, they are young, they are real talented, but they lack experience. I believe coach [John] Tenuta will have them ready for our first game.
On Tashard Choice taking over the tailback position
I saw what he could do last year, so I can’t wait for this year.
On personal goals
As long as I improve on last season’s performance, I will be satisfied.
On being the focal point of the offense
I really am not the one that stands up and talks, I just lead by example. I get my teammates in the right mindset then we will be all right.
On being humble
I remain calm. When something bad happens in a game, I don’t let that bother me. I just keep it out of my mind.
This is the way I have been since I was a little boy. Growing up I was always quiet and tried not to let anything bother me.
On getting a lot of attention from opposing team’s defenses
I love to play football and sometimes that happens. It doesn’t bother me at all, especially when I get to see my teammates making plays.
Biggest contributor(s) to success
My coaches, hard work and all the film study that we do.
On the experience of the offense
We have a lot of experience on offense this year, so we should be more productive. Everybody knows that our defense has been very dominant, so we’re looking to make some noise.
Defense is always going to be strong on this team, but with all the experience we have coming back on the offense, especially on the offensive line, we have a change to be really good.
On playing Notre Dame in game one
There going to be one of the top teams in the nation and they are coming into our house. It will be a great atmosphere and we will play our best.
I’ve been thinking about Notre Dame ever since the season ended. We’ve been anticipating it, working hard and now we can prepare for them in camp.
On winning that first game
That would be everything to us. Everybody has been anticipating that game, we’ve been working hard all summer long for it, we finally get to come to camp and get ready for it.
On Tech playing well against big time opponents in that first game
It’s been that way for the past couple of years. When we have a big game, we step up our intensity and a lot of times come out with a win.
We just really ramp up our intensity. We have to get more precision with that every game, but we’re definitely able to play to the next team’s level, and even above.
On Patrick Nix calling the plays
He’s done a real good job so far, from what we’ve seen and we can’t wait to test it out in a game.
On the capability of this team
I expect a lot of this team. More than any other season so far. We have a ton of experience. Our defense is always going to be good and I expect our offense to always be productive.
On the offense surprising people
The experience on the line, giving Reggie [Ball] time to find his receivers and blocking for Tashard [Choice]. The line is the number one thing that is going to lead to our success.
On what a win over Notre Dame would mean
It would be big. Not just for us, but for the fans and the school and everybody around Atlanta. It would widen our fan base, which is one thing we are tying to do right now.
