Walt Harris Quotes
Camp Day 4
August 15, 2003
On the defensive ends:
“Azzie (Beagnyam) played quite a bit for us last year because Claude (Harriott) was injured and was struggling at times. Azzie got a lot of playing time. He is one of the strongest guys on our team and he runs extremely well. He and (Charles) Sallet, even though he is undersized, can be factors on putting some pressure on the passer. Beyond those guys, we aren’t very deep. At the other side, we have Thomas Smith. He has shown a lot of courage because he just got surgery two weeks ago and he’s already been practicing. He had some lose particles (in his knee). It wasn’t major-major, but if it was on your knee it’s major. He’s come back and he’s practiced. We held him out today because it swelled a little bit. I think he’s shown a lot of maturity. It’s very exciting for us. He’s worked hard on getting stronger, which is a big area he’s needs to improve and get in better shape. Hopefully, he’ll continue to improve. Kyle Smith is learning how to play the position along with Keith Hill. Kyle is gaining a lot out of our weight program this offseason. He’s one of our stronger guys.
“Claude didn’t have what (you) would regard was an outstanding year and yet he was still a fifth-round draft pick because he played so dominantly as a junior. That was a big part of when it was third down and a passing situation. He put a lot of heat on the quarterback and sacked him.
On injuries sustained by offensive lineman Mike McGlynn and tailback Marcus Furman:
“We’re holding on those guys. We are not real sure. Hopefully they can all be back in time. We don’t think they are seriously hurt but we also don’t know that.”
On the injuries in camp with pads on:
“That’s when more guys get hurt when you turn up the excitement. This is what’s called playing football now. We are not quite there yet, but we’re almost there.”
On defensive end Thomas Smith:
“He didn’t practice today. It was precautionary. His knee swelled a little bit so we are going to try and give him a day’s rest.”
On getting into full pads on Monday:
“We’ll probably scrimmage a little bit at the end of practice tomorrow.”
On the quarterbacks:
“The more they practice, the more they have an opportunity to get better and the more I get an opportunity to evaluate their consistency. It’s interesting because we have a lot of young receivers and those guys (quarterbacks) want to play with the guys that know what to do. There is so much comfort for them to be under the center when they are with guys who know what to do. They can better relate than before. I don’t think before they could relate with it.”
On wide receiver Joe DelSardo:
“Joe is one of those guys that is consistent. He’s consistent at the other position. We didn’t have a consistent player because we had those young guys running around that are still trying to learn what to do. Joe gets in there and moves one day and I don’t think he made a mistake. He is small and undersized.”
On wide receiver Greg Lee:
“He took a big step last year. Initially, our receivers coach thought he was the least ready of the couple ones we were looking at. I had a difference of opinion and as time went on I think it was right. He is a good football player. He came on and did some nice things for us. I think he’s taken the next step. He’s been hurt so he hasn’t been full speed yet.”
On evaluating the quarterbacks:
“I think I mentioned at the press conference that they are both (Tyler Palko and Luke Getsy) good leaders, but I think they both had their hands tied behind their backs because they are not the starter. We’ll improve our leadership once the starter has been named. They are both trying. Yesterday they were a little too concerned with everyone else and started making some mistakes themselves, but today they were much, much improved.”
Camp Day 4
August 15, 2003
On the defensive ends:
“Azzie (Beagnyam) played quite a bit for us last year because Claude (Harriott) was injured and was struggling at times. Azzie got a lot of playing time. He is one of the strongest guys on our team and he runs extremely well. He and (Charles) Sallet, even though he is undersized, can be factors on putting some pressure on the passer. Beyond those guys, we aren’t very deep. At the other side, we have Thomas Smith. He has shown a lot of courage because he just got surgery two weeks ago and he’s already been practicing. He had some lose particles (in his knee). It wasn’t major-major, but if it was on your knee it’s major. He’s come back and he’s practiced. We held him out today because it swelled a little bit. I think he’s shown a lot of maturity. It’s very exciting for us. He’s worked hard on getting stronger, which is a big area he’s needs to improve and get in better shape. Hopefully, he’ll continue to improve. Kyle Smith is learning how to play the position along with Keith Hill. Kyle is gaining a lot out of our weight program this offseason. He’s one of our stronger guys.
“Claude didn’t have what (you) would regard was an outstanding year and yet he was still a fifth-round draft pick because he played so dominantly as a junior. That was a big part of when it was third down and a passing situation. He put a lot of heat on the quarterback and sacked him.
On injuries sustained by offensive lineman Mike McGlynn and tailback Marcus Furman:
“We’re holding on those guys. We are not real sure. Hopefully they can all be back in time. We don’t think they are seriously hurt but we also don’t know that.”
On the injuries in camp with pads on:
“That’s when more guys get hurt when you turn up the excitement. This is what’s called playing football now. We are not quite there yet, but we’re almost there.”
On defensive end Thomas Smith:
“He didn’t practice today. It was precautionary. His knee swelled a little bit so we are going to try and give him a day’s rest.”
On getting into full pads on Monday:
“We’ll probably scrimmage a little bit at the end of practice tomorrow.”
On the quarterbacks:
“The more they practice, the more they have an opportunity to get better and the more I get an opportunity to evaluate their consistency. It’s interesting because we have a lot of young receivers and those guys (quarterbacks) want to play with the guys that know what to do. There is so much comfort for them to be under the center when they are with guys who know what to do. They can better relate than before. I don’t think before they could relate with it.”
On wide receiver Joe DelSardo:
“Joe is one of those guys that is consistent. He’s consistent at the other position. We didn’t have a consistent player because we had those young guys running around that are still trying to learn what to do. Joe gets in there and moves one day and I don’t think he made a mistake. He is small and undersized.”
On wide receiver Greg Lee:
“He took a big step last year. Initially, our receivers coach thought he was the least ready of the couple ones we were looking at. I had a difference of opinion and as time went on I think it was right. He is a good football player. He came on and did some nice things for us. I think he’s taken the next step. He’s been hurt so he hasn’t been full speed yet.”
On evaluating the quarterbacks:
“I think I mentioned at the press conference that they are both (Tyler Palko and Luke Getsy) good leaders, but I think they both had their hands tied behind their backs because they are not the starter. We’ll improve our leadership once the starter has been named. They are both trying. Yesterday they were a little too concerned with everyone else and started making some mistakes themselves, but today they were much, much improved.”
