We have a baseline established. Now there's a clear reference point on truly where we are after working against someone else besides ourselves. It's my job now, with this coaching staff, to diagnose exactly what the areas are that need improvement, the players that need improvement, the areas of game management that can be handled better. |
We have an immediate need on special teams. As we evaluated our special teams, we determined it was important to find an experienced deep snapper. Matthew will help us fill that need. |
We have plenty to improve on. We didn't do our part as it relates to execution and that ultimately was it today. |
We look forward to competing this season with an improved football team, building off the success from last season. Whether we are on the road or here at Edwards Stadium, we'll be prepared to face each opponent with the effort, intensity and execution necessary to compete at the highest level. |
We never really took that away from them. Either way, they were attacking us through the air and that is where we were the most vulnerable and that is where they were the most successful today. |
We should get about 60 plays, and everyone will play. We want to make sure everyone gets some action. |
We're not ever out of it. This is an important game. But I'm not sure two losses won't win it at this point. |
Webb had over 250 yards against us with three passes over the top, so we made a concerted effort last year to make sure we had him contained. I believe he had three or four catches for not nearly the yardage, but that was after the fact of being exposed to what kind of an athlete he is. He shows that week in and week out. |
What's interesting is they're running the quarterback, running him effectively and running him often. Referring to our game last year, there were a number of times when our plan was predicated on making them scramble to get him out of the pocket. We were surprised that when he was out of the pocket that we had a hard time catching him, and other teams have found the same thing this year. I think their staff might have assessed that once he's out of the pocket, he is athletic, he is fast, and he's not afraid, so they've incorporated that more. |
When pressure was called, the defensive players were to completely abandon the run at any expense for getting pressure, ... I think we made enough plays at the right time to alter the game with that approach. |
With most teams I've had to guard against complacency with two weeks between games, |
You also do a self-analysis of your own team in the first two games, and it is important to correct things with your own squad that need fixing. |