On the team following its first day in pads:
“It was the first day of pads (helmets and shoulder pads), which is the way football is supposed to be played. It wasn’t complete (pads). We have a lot of guys that need to learn what to do. This is a hard time because we are trying to install a lot of our offense and defense. What happens is a lot of guys get confused. A lot of the older guys who have been around need to set the pace. We made some mistakes today that the only way to get better is by practicing.”
On only having one practice a day during camp:
“I think the new rules are what they are. I think they are hard. I don’t think it’s best for the players. That’s the way they are and we are trying to do the best we can. We never stayed out this long (three hours) but they force you because they take away your double days. We have to make the best of it. In some ways it’s harder on the field but they get so much time in between with just one practice. As a coach, it makes me feel like it is harder to prepare because of the lack of practice time.”
On tight end Erik Gill:
“Erik has played a lot. It’s his time to step up and be the way we know he can be and take over for a real good player (Kris Wilson). We’re still trying to check out what Erik can do that Kris did. Erik didn’t play some of the positions that Kris did so we are trying to watch Erik and see which ones we think he can best do, some that are similar to Kris and some that maybe we won’t do that Kris did. He’s (Erik) a lot bigger, 270 pounds and real strong. He should be a real physical blocker for us.”
On the running backs:
“I was real impressed so far with Ray Kirkley in practice. I think he’s really running with a lot of energy. In order for him to be a better player he needs to do two things. He needs to read the runs better and help make our blocking better by how he runs the plays, and the second thing is he needs to run with his pads down. If he runs with his pads down, he will be a good football player for us. He ran real hard today. I didn’t get to see Tim (Murphy) as much today. Tim didn’t have as many opportunities today as Ray did.”
On running back Marcus Furman:
“We are trying to do with him what his size allows him to do. His chances of being an every-down back with his size probably is not (possible), but he could be an every-down cornerback. It just didn’t work (on defense). It wasn’t good for his body. Fortunately we have a couple of years to get it right. He did some good things today, too. He also did some things he did that he better get better at. But he will. He’s smart. I think he’s running better, maybe quite a bit better, than he did before. And he has to get back to the feel of being a running back too. I think he’ll get it back and get it right.”
“It was the first day of pads (helmets and shoulder pads), which is the way football is supposed to be played. It wasn’t complete (pads). We have a lot of guys that need to learn what to do. This is a hard time because we are trying to install a lot of our offense and defense. What happens is a lot of guys get confused. A lot of the older guys who have been around need to set the pace. We made some mistakes today that the only way to get better is by practicing.”
On only having one practice a day during camp:
“I think the new rules are what they are. I think they are hard. I don’t think it’s best for the players. That’s the way they are and we are trying to do the best we can. We never stayed out this long (three hours) but they force you because they take away your double days. We have to make the best of it. In some ways it’s harder on the field but they get so much time in between with just one practice. As a coach, it makes me feel like it is harder to prepare because of the lack of practice time.”
On tight end Erik Gill:
“Erik has played a lot. It’s his time to step up and be the way we know he can be and take over for a real good player (Kris Wilson). We’re still trying to check out what Erik can do that Kris did. Erik didn’t play some of the positions that Kris did so we are trying to watch Erik and see which ones we think he can best do, some that are similar to Kris and some that maybe we won’t do that Kris did. He’s (Erik) a lot bigger, 270 pounds and real strong. He should be a real physical blocker for us.”
On the running backs:
“I was real impressed so far with Ray Kirkley in practice. I think he’s really running with a lot of energy. In order for him to be a better player he needs to do two things. He needs to read the runs better and help make our blocking better by how he runs the plays, and the second thing is he needs to run with his pads down. If he runs with his pads down, he will be a good football player for us. He ran real hard today. I didn’t get to see Tim (Murphy) as much today. Tim didn’t have as many opportunities today as Ray did.”
On running back Marcus Furman:
“We are trying to do with him what his size allows him to do. His chances of being an every-down back with his size probably is not (possible), but he could be an every-down cornerback. It just didn’t work (on defense). It wasn’t good for his body. Fortunately we have a couple of years to get it right. He did some good things today, too. He also did some things he did that he better get better at. But he will. He’s smart. I think he’s running better, maybe quite a bit better, than he did before. And he has to get back to the feel of being a running back too. I think he’ll get it back and get it right.”
