BATON ROUGE — Fan Day activities, which were scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. in Tiger Stadium, have been moved to the LSU Indoor Practice Facility due to rain. Fans are encouraged to join the Tigers for an autograph session between 4:45 and 5:30 p.m. rather than at 2:30 due to capacity limitations in the indoor facility.
Those planning to attend the autograph session at 4:45 should park at the Special Olympics pool across the street from the LSU Vet School on Skip Bertman Drive (formerly South Stadium Drive).
LSU head coach Nick Saban, along with coordinators Jimbo Fisher and Gary Gibbs, addressed the local and regional media on Sunday morning on Media Day.
Members of LSUsports.tv can watch video footage of the 2001 Football Media Day Press Conference now by using the “LSUsports.tv Remote Control,” then selecting “Coaches’ Shows” then “Press Conferences” then “August 11, 2001.”
After lunch and after the 105-player football team took its full-squad and individual pictures, the media had the opportunity to speak to members of the team one-on-one. Player quotes are available below.
Head Coach Nick Saban:
“We’ve had two really good practices so far. I am very pleased with the increasing level that the team came back with, 70 percent of the guys on the team passed the conditioning test. Several other guys had slight injuries that kept them from competing in some part of the test probably would have passed as well relative to the parts they took. We have a very small percentage of the team that didn’t come in well prepared for the season. This is probably the best I’ve ever seem a freshman class come in relative to their conditioning level. We had more guys in that class that are probably in good enough shape to compete and sustain the performance level through this two-a-day practice thing than what I am used to being around or what is normal. I think that speaks volume for the character and quality they have regardless of their ability. We need to make sure our players understand relative to all the predictions going into this season that predictions are done according to performance relative to having success. And we want to continue to be able to focus on consistency and performance which is focusing on the process of the things that are going to help us be successful so that we have the best chance for this team to reach its full potential. I’ve also told the players, the fact that we play seven bowl teams from last year and two teams picked in the top 10 and one that is picked number one in a lot of polls means that we could have a really good team but not have the kind of success that some people think if we’re not playing our best football every time we line up to play. We have a very talented team in the first game. What we are trying to focus on in this two-a-day camp is getting the hard core fundamentals of our football, our discipline, the intangible things that will help us get better execution and solve some of the problems that could make us a better team. And I am talking about being a better third down team defensively, running the ball a little bit better on offense, stopping the ball a little bit better, not giving up quite so many big plays, making more big plays on offense, not having quite so many penalties especially on special teams. We need a little better execution by our specialists so we can be more consistent. I felt like our special teams were good last year, but we could be better. But, for us to have really good special teams, we need more consistent performance by our specialists. This group of players, actually, has been uplifting to me as a coach. Last year at this time, the coaches were doing a lot of things to try to get the players to do what they needed to do. This group of players to this point, whether its been spring practice, summer program, offseason program, whatever part you want to talk about, their attitude about trying to do the things we like for a team to do to have a chance to be successful they have wanted to do it. You haven’t had to try to bother them to do it. Whenever you have a group of guys like that it always makes coaching that kind of team a lot of fun. We obviously have some problems on our team that we need to get solved, mostly depth type problems. We need the offensive line to come together a little bit. We need one of our back up quarterbacks to continue to make the kind of progress that if he is called on to play that we could still have the opportunity to win the game and move the ball offensively. We are not displeased with any of those guys development right now. But none of them have really ever played in a game and until they do that we won’t fully understand whether they can do it. We need to replace Reggie Robinson outside as a skill guy, but we have two what I would classify as starters coming back, and some other guys that have some potential and big-play ability that can do that. Defensively, we’re a little thinner in the back end and we are going to be called on four or five occasions this year to play teams, likely our first game, where we’ll have to play more than four defensive backs. So to have good depth in the secondary will be key to for us being able to play well against those type of teams. We certainly don’t want to take better players off the field to put defensive backs in that can’t probably play at the same level as the guys playing that we took out even though they don’t match up with the personnel that is in the game. You need about 16 or 17 starters in this day and age to play well defensively and we certainly can fill some spots in that regard.”
On last year’s success building good attitude for this season:
“I don’t think there is any question about (last year’s success leading to this year’s team attitude). There was some apprehension as when anytime you have a new system, a new coach, a new coaching staff. They are teaching you that maybe was never taught to them before and there was maybe some apprehension on their part as to whether this is really going to work. Anytime they apply those things and have a little success doing it, I think they buy into it, eventually take ownership for it. I really do believe one of the reasons this team has the attitude is probably the leadership. We have a few more seniors on this team that are going to contribute. We have some very good captains in Robert Royal, Rohan Davey and Trev Faulk. Two of those guys were captains on last year’s team. It makes it easier for the coach when you have players like that, that you have respect for that respect you and what you want and believe in it. They kind of carry that message to the rest of the team and really affect other players to do what you like for them to do. All of those factors I think contribute. But there is no question that if we wouldn’t have had some success last year. Anybody who doesn’t get some kind of positive reinforcement, some gratification for what they do, they think about changing. These players have bought into it. I think they believe in the offseason program, they believe in the fourth quarter program, they believe in the conditioning program. That is probably why we had more guys pass the test this year. Because they knew they could play in the fourth quarter. They saw what happened to some of the other teams we faced in the fourth quarter. It gave us a better opportunity to have success because they believe in it.
Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher:
Opening Comments:
“I am excited about our offense this year. I think we definitely have some guys coming back that can make some plays and can puts some points on the board. But our goal right now on offense, the thing we are striving for is consistency. We had some very good games last year offensively and we had some games where we didn’t perform as well. I think what we are trying to get our team to understand is that we need to play week in and week out, on a consistent basis. Being able to run the football a little better than we did. We improved from the year before, but we still need to improve and learn to control the line of scrimmage and get the ball to (LaBrandon) Toefield as much as we can, because he is a heck of a back, and Domanick (Davis) and those guys can do some things. It will take some pressure off (Rohan Davey) and let him get is feet settled and get things going and hopefully create some match ups outside that will let us win in that situation. If they can double Josh (Reed) and Robert (Royal) and Jerel (Myers) and all the wideouts then we’re in trouble. We have to keep a good balance on offense and that is what we are striving for. And to keep a more consistent offense week in and week out and not have the peaks and valleys. You can know that every week we are going to out there and know there are certain things we can achieve and kind of hang our hat on. That’s our biggest goal, keeping guys healthy, keeping things going, developing depth in the offensive line. If you can just find a consistent basis in the chemistry of 11 guys. It doesn’t matter how many great players you have, if the chemistry of 11 guys and everyone understands their role and what everyone expects of them week in and week out that’s the crucial point we have to get across to them. That’s our biggest emphasis in attention to detail. The way we’re trying to attain that this fall practice is that we’re not going to try to do anything different, but we’re going to try to do what we do better, get a lot of attention to detail. The guys have been in the system now for a year and they should know it more. So they can concentrate on little things more. Certain things should be habit for them: assignments and things like that. We can concentrate on technique and different approaches that people attacked us with last year. There is a lot more attention to detail in our fundamental approach to the game. We’ll kind of go from there.”
On the offensive line and the running game:
“I’m open and I think we can be (more physical running the football). We lost Brandon (Winey) and Louis (Williams), two guys who played a lot of football around here, but Rob Sale stepped up last year and came from nowhere, we didn’t expect him. He was on the scout team for about three weeks, but we gave him a shot and he did a great job at left guard, moved him into center and he really adapted well in the Spring. Where Brandon played, Jason Baggett is playing there now, Brad Smalling also, two guys who have played a lot of ball and been in a lot of situations. When we moved the center situation to Rob Sale, it created new guys at guard. John Young, Kade Comeaux and those guys are getting a lot of reps there. But, Rodney Reed will give us stability, Rob will give us stability. Dwayne Pierce is probably our strongest, most physical offensive lineman of the group and we have three guys coming back. The good thing about it is the right tackle position, both guys have played and you have our most physical guy beside him. The left guard position, he has two guys who have started on each side of him. Assignment wise, they can help him out until we get to the right people. I think we can.”
On the possibility of true freshman playing on the offensive line:
“We’re going to give them the opportunity, we have to. We move Stephen Peterman into guard who has done a good job the first couple days. He is also a big physical guy who’s up to 300 pounds now. We’re going to give those freshman a chance, we have to. We have to develop depth behind them and we’ll find out once we get into some contact. But we’ll definitely find out which one will step up and develop some depth. They have done a good job so far. Especially assignment wise. They have done a good job picking up our scheme. They are able to get a hat on a hat and that’s the first objective up front. If they can do that then their physical talent can take over.”
On the loss of players at the receiver position:
“Reggie (Robinson) had a great year last year, had a great summer, worked out and did a great job. That’s a big loss. Ed (Dangerfield) was coming off an injury is a very, very talented guy and we had some high hopes for him too. You have to look at it two ways. Now you can move a guy who is very talented like Devery (Henderson) out wide and get him on the field and get your best 11 folks on the field and create situations with him running the ball. Hopefully it will be as good an adventure as it was when we moved a running back named Josh Reed to wide out. Now move another one out there and hopefully it will turn out just as good. Sometimes that is a good situation. In today’s passing game you’re dinking the ball off and throwing a lot of controlled routes and letting the guys run with it after they get it. And then Devery has got great speed on top of that to be able to give you a true deep ball guy. I think it’s just an opportunity to let more of the younger guys shine and that is the way you have to look at it. Devery has done a great job. He’s gotten better both practices he has been out there.”
Defensive Coordinator Gary Gibbs:
Opening Comments:
“Sure we’re excited about the season upcoming. We have a number of starters and players returning who contributed last year in a variety of ways. They have a very solid understanding about our program and the roles we all need to try to play. They have a solid understanding of our mental preparation every week. They have a great understanding about the work ethic we believe in . They really have a good understanding about the mental toughness we need to play with each and every week. That’s not just from the first 10 players, but I think it’s across the board in terms of our overall defensive group. I look at this year as a new journey. Last year was an exciting year for us. We grew as a football team last year and we continue to grow. The journey began after the bowl game when we had the chance to go through the offseason, we had an opportunity to go through Spring training, and a summer conditioning program. Now the journey gets a little bit closer to what we are all looking forward to and that is the season. And we’ve got to go through fall camp. Fall camp is critical to our football team because we have to develop solid foundation across the board. We’ve got to continue to work hard during this period time. We’ve got to continue to work hard in terms of understanding our scheme, our roles. We need to continue to communicate and get a feel for our basic concepts and continue to develop players. It is critical that we continue to develop depth at every position and it’s important that we continue to grow as players in terms of understanding what we’re trying to do mentally, but also what we’ve got to do physically to be a better football team over last year. Our players are excited, I am excited and we are looking forward to the upcoming season.”
On the area needing the most depth development:
“I reckon you could look at every position. Certainly we want to play better against the run, we want to play better in third down situations. When you talk about improving those areas, you are taking about every position. Last year we were very fortunate that our linebackers stayed healthy throughout the season. It is critical that we build depth behind Trev (Faulk) and Bradie (James) and Jeremy (Lawrence). That is something we strived for during the course of Spring ball. We have to continue to do that. Certainly, we have to continue to do that in the secondary. You start talking about third-down situations, you’re talking about a variety of personnel situations where you have to play five, six, or maybe seven defensive backs. We have to develop players and depth there, not only in terms of back ups but really first teamers because of the different personnel groupings we’ll play against. The same thing factors into the defensive line. You know, you never win with 11 football players. You play with 16, 17, 18, 19 football players during the course of the year. Everybody will contribute. Some will contribute in short yardage and goal line situations, some will contribute in terms of third downs and long situations. Certainly, we understand special teams and so forth. But I think it’s critical that our defensive group understand that everyone will have a role. Everybody needs to prepare during the course of the week. Everybody needs to understand their role. But we’re going to need everybody to elevate their game. Guys who didn’t play last year, guys who redshirted, new players that are coming in, everybody has to elevate their game to help us win.”
On starting battles:
“I think we’ve got good competition across the board. We did start our camp yesterday. Kids flew around, buzzed around. The key thing is how will people withstand the grind. You know, everybody is excited the first day. How will we respond to the 10th, 11th, 12th day during camp and consequently how focused people can maintain themselves during that course of time will determine a lot of who we can count and who we can’t count on. But I don’t anticipate anybody falling off because I think everybody has a great understanding about who we are and what we are trying to be in terms of toughness and playing hard and preparing well. I think everybody will continue to get better.”
LSU PLAYER QUOTES- MEDIA DAY
LB BRADIE JAMES
“Having a guy of your caliber beside you makes you work harder, and it brings the best out of you. I think that it why we (James and Trev Faulk) are said to be the top linebacker corps in the nation. We push each other, and we won?t let each other settle for mediocrity. Every aspect of the game we have to work on. All teams go through the same thing at camp- we start from square one. If you can pick up on all the little things, it allows you to play well when it comes down to the big games. We have a lot of young guys, and we want to show them that it takes hard work and effort to go out there and compete every day. We are no longer the hunter, we are the hunted. The situation has now changed a little bit.”
LB TREV FAULK
“It is great coming in to the huddle and seeing a lot of the same faces that you went to war with last season. It is good to have a guy in front of you and behind you that you can count on. That along with our experience, and the knowledge of our defense makes things a lot easier coming into the season.”
FS RYAN CLARK
“I think I am in really good shape, but I work hard every day, just to make sure that I am ready in the fourth quarter to be effective. Overall, this is the best shape that the team has been in since I have been here. A lot of guys passed the conditioning tests, and I think the important thing is to have a whole team in good condition. You want every player to be able to go all day. The way both coach Moffit and coach Saban stress things is really good for us. I do not really have any individual goals for myself this season. I have done everything I can to make myself the best player I can be, and I want Saturdays to be fun. I understand that we have to have a work week and be serious, but when I come out here Saturday I want to be smiling. This is my last go around – I do not want to put pressure on myself, which is sometimes what I think I do. I want to just come out, have some fun, and play hard. (On playing Tulane in the season opener) I can?t see winning the game against Tulane being as big as winning the game against Florida, even being from New Orleans. I want to win the game, since it is a big rivalry, and I will be happy if we do. Bradie and Trev just love to hit. We do drills in the summer where they try to tackle me, and other coaches- and they just love to hit. I was joking with them and telling them that I think I have been making too many tackles, and that I am getting old. I am looking forward to making only like 50 tackles. They are best friends, and I am excited to have them on my team.”
DE JARVIS GREEN
“As a defensive line, we all have the scheme down more and more each day. We just need to move on and improve even more every day. We need to help the whole defense by getting pressure on the quarterback. I feel 100% now, this summer I had to get my tonsils out, so I was sick a lot, but now I feel better. I feel brand new, and I want to go out and have a good season.”
Josh Reed, WR
“We had a good recruiting class coming in and a lot of these guys have high expectations. They want to be a part. of this. With the talent we have combined with the coaching staff we are very confident around here. We are looking to do a lot of great things.”
“Losing Reggie was really unfortunate, but a lot of guys have gotten in there and stepped up and they want to play. It?s look like they?re gonna do the things they need to do to fill Reggie?s spot. I think all of the receivers have the potential to step up.”
“Winning does a lot of great things for confidence. We were able to get some good wins last year and went to the Peach Bowl. If we do the things we know we can do it will be a good season.”
Robert Royal, TE
“The attitude has changed tremendously. The team and the bond we have collectively is just tremendous. We had a lot of people work hard over the summer. A lot of freshmen have shown up with a great attitude. The mental disposition is on the right path.”
“Coach Fisher is a great offensive coordinator. Anytime he has a threat or he senses a mismatch he will try to take advantage of it. If we have a lot of talent and depth at one position he will try to utilize it in the offense. He adjust his schemes to the personel.”
“The challenge is just for ourselves. We just have to go in there and play day in and day out. We have a tough schedule. We have to go out there and work hard and understand that nothing will be handed to us.”
LeBrandon Toefield, RB
“I?ve been ready for this all summer. Everyone has been working hard. Just the atmosphere is incredible. Everybody is ready to play, but we have to go through camp first and take it from there.”
“I just want to stay healthy. If I stay healthy I think I have a better chance of helping this team out. I just want to help this team win.”
“I want to improve on my blocking and pass catching skills this year. I just want to help the team win.”
“Everybody?s attitude is basically the same. We?ve been talking about it all summer how we can?t wait to play. We talk about how the Georgia Tech game ended and we?re just really pumped up about this season. It?s going to be exciting.”
“They are going to have teams gunning for us. We can?t just sit back. We saw it last year against UAB. We just played sluggish and they took it to us. We have to just keep laying hard.”
Rohan Davey, QB
“I definitely have been waiting for this opportunity and it is definitely here. It is just a good position to be in. I consider myself the most fortunate quarterback in the country just because of the talent I am surrounded by. I don?t have to be the player that makes plays every game that influence the outcome. I just have to get the ball in the hands of guys so they can make plays and not make any mistakes.”
“When you have the notion that you have to this or you have to do that, you sometimes go out there and force it and you end up making mistakes. I have the luxury of just sitting back and picking my times and picking my spots and getting the ball into play makers hands.”
“It was never really a distraction (quarterback controversy). It was more of me just being on my toes and making sure I was prepared to win the starting role. I just think the competitive part of it really made me better, the mental part of it as for as watching film and retaining it really improved my game. But it is a better feeling not to have to look over your shoulder. If I throw an interception or make a bad read and worry about getting pulled.”