Coach Pasqualoni's Weekly Press Conference Transcript (Aug. 30, 2004)
On the starting quarterback:
“We’ve chosen the direction we’re going, but we’ll wait and make that announcement later this week. I think it gives us this week to really finalize what we’re doing. It is what we’re comfortable with, so it makes sense for us to do that.”
On advantage that Purdue has knowing the starting quarterback:
“I would say that Purdue has a very good idea of who Perry is, a very good idea of who Xavier is and a very good idea of who Joe Fields is. There is not a ton of film of those kids in games, but let’s not be naïve enough to think that people aren’t working hard to figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are. You can do that. We do it.”
On whether Xzavier Gaines is still in the running for the starting job:
“Xzavier is in there, he’s in there. And, we would announce that later in the week.”
On the differences in the quarterbacks:
“I think that all three are different. There are things that each of them do well. They are each obviously different and that is part of the challenge of this game.”
On if the starting quarterback will play the whole game:
“Ideally, you would like to start a guy and you’d like to finish with that guy. Now I am not going to say that is going to happen. You never know any game you start if you’re going to finish with that guy. Ideally, we are not looking to go into this game with a rotation of quarterbacks. We are looking to go into this game, start a guy and, hopefully, he plays well and he finishes. That being said, we wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever we have to do.”
On counter-attacking when teams stack the box:
“I think there is a philosophy on offense that says you have to be balanced in what you do. You have to be able to run the ball and you have to be able to throw the ball. That’s the reason that you have to be able to do those things and be balanced. We have a very simple philosophy that says when they put so many in there, you can’t run and you have to throw it to a wide receiver. That’s what you have to be able to do.”
On stopping Purdue’s balanced attack:
“What Purdue does, I think better than anybody in the country, is they spread you out. They isolate receivers on defenders and try to create their strength against your weakness. They will come into the game and they will try to run the ball. If they can run the ball and be successful in doing that you may never see them spread the field, because they might run the ball. With Purdue, you have this perception that they throw the ball every down, but there are games when they run the ball.”
“We’re fortunate in our system that we have nickel and dime packages and we’ve played those over the years. We certainly go into the Purdue game with nickel and dime, that’s for sure. With the nickel you go with a fifth DB and we have the flexibility to go with either a safety or a corner. The same goes for our dime coverage. We have some numbers in the defensive backfield, so we can do that.”
On the other corner position, opposite Tanard Jackson:
“We are working through that this week. We have some very serious competition going on. I would hope that by Thursday, maybe Friday, this week we would have a rotation. I would like to have it done, but I think we have some kids there that are talented. I like the group that we are working with and I think in fairness to that inexperience in that group, we just need to give them a chance to really compete so we can figure who the best guy is there.”
On Jerry Mackey as the middle linebacker:
“Jerry Mackey will be the middle linebacker. From the start of spring practice, Jerry has improved every single day. He has a great work ethic. He is really studying what he needs to do and what the adjustments are. He has been able to go out there one day at time and really minimize mistakes. He has shown excellent communication skills in getting people lined up and getting the adjustments made, which is a big part of that position. He is getting help from both Kellen (Pruitt) and K.J. (Kelvin Smith), who are on either side of him there. Jerry understands what the approach has to be, so he deserves to start this game.”
On opening at Purdue and the comparison to opening at BYU:
“Fortunately, we are not going that far and the altitude is different. I don’t think it is as difficult a trip as the long trip to BYU. I would say that Purdue is like BYU, one of those upper echelon programs from a different conference. Purdue has a great quarterback and a tradition of being great on offense. They don’t get the credit they deserve on defense. This is a very challenging first game, maybe as challenging as the Tennessee game back in 1998. This is a top 25 team.”
On how Purdue will get information on the quarterbacks and SU team:
“Gary Emanuel was on this staff, he’s a Connecticut guy, he has great ties. Lou Anarumo was on this staff, he’s now the defensive secondary coach. David Mitchell coached the running backs here for a couple of years, he’s on that staff. So don’t worry about Purdue having any problems finding anything out Syracuse that they don’t already know with the playbook sitting in front of them on both sides of the ball. Purdue will find out everything they need to find out.”
On whether or not any BIG EAST teams are similar to Purdue:
“West Virginia -- they spread you out, along the lines of how Purdue does. Temple spreads you out, as well. What Purdue does a great job of is running the football. It is not just go out and throw the ball every play. They force you to prepare for a lot of offense.”
On Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton:
“He is much more mobile than you might think, he can really hurt you if he gets outside. He can run for first down. Every Purdue first down is not a completed pass. He is extremely capable of running for a first down. He manages the game and their system very well. He gets them in and out of plays they want to be in. He is excellent at recognizing the blitz. He knows exactly where he wants to go with the ball. He is a very good athlete with a very quick release and a very accurate throw. This kid has the whole deal.”
On the intimidation factor for a young quarterback:
“Certainly there will be some pre-game jitters and anxiety. My experience with kids at this level is once the ball is kicked off they want to compete and play. I think that is what will happen. There is obviously going to be some nervousness, but hopefully if we can move the ball and make some first downs, that will settle the quarterback down and give him some confidence.”
On having Joe Fields in mix at this point:
“I enjoy it, I think that they (Joe Fields, Perry Patterson and Xzavier Gaines) have all worked so hard. Each day in preseason camp there have been days that Xzavier has looked great and days when Perry has looked phenomenal, and days when Joe has look very, very good. I like the guys that we’re working with, I really do.”
On the injury to Rice Moss and the SU receivers:
“The injury to Rice really hurts, because he is a very good freshman. He is an unusual guy because he is so mature. There was no big transition issue in moving away from home and coming here. He wasn’t overwhelmed by the playbook. He sat in the meeting, then he went out on the field and watch the older guy do it. Then he got in the huddle and lined up in the right spot and he did what he is supposed to do. And on top of that he is a very physical player and highly competitive guy who plays and can make the tough catch. So it makes hard to lose him. I am very pleased with Jared Jones and how hard he is working. Landel (Bembo) and Andre Fontenette are really busting their fannies in there. I like the young guys. I like Q. Brown. J.J. Bedle is learning the system, although he is not quite ready to go yet, he has a chance to make the travel squad. I like our core of guys. We put Steve Gregory over there as a fast quick guy and he is all of those things. He runs in the 4.2’s and can change direction very quickly. I like the guys we’re working with. It would have been nice to have Rice and the extra depth.”
On running back situation:
“It is very feasible to play two and difficult to play three, sometimes. I don’t think there is any problem playing two. You need the third as we learn every year. For us to have the two guys we have and to be able to play the way we want to play in the third and fourth quarters, is positive. Damien is going to make Walter better and Walter makes Damien better. So, I think we are very fortunate there.”
On how Damien Rhodes came into camp off his injury:
“Damien came into focused on a couple things. He is very special running the football on the perimeter. I think like all young backs the development of the inside running is something that you really look for in coaching. Damien has worked hard at being a great inside runner. He has worked very hard in his blocking, and very hard in his protections. He is much bigger than he’s ever been, he’s probably up around 214, 215 pounds. He’s as fast as he’s ever been. He’s been extremely focused and trying to become the complete back. He has to have a big year this year and he knows that. I think he has put himself in position to do that.”
On Walter wearing #44:
“I don’t have a scheduled meeting to talk with Walter about it, but I certainly feel that Walter is in that cut of cloth. I would certainly sit down and talk to him about it.”
On if winning this game puts Syracuse back on the map:
“A win in this game is a step in the right direction, I don’t know if any one game puts anybody on the map. Purdue is a very good team. If we play well and win this game it certainly puts us in the right direction, there is no question about that.”
On what position on the team has surprised him the most during pre-season:
“As a continuation from Spring practice, we’re happy with the tight ends. I think that they have done a fine job. We have a nice group of four guys. I think the guys on the defense are really gelling together and trying to be a unit and overcome the loss of the seniors from last year.”
On what worries him the most:
“I hope that we’re able to match up with Purdue defensively and get some pressure on the quarterback. Sometimes with a team like this you try to defend everything and end up defending nothing. I just hope we can slow the run down and do a good job against the pass. And that our young quarterback can have some success early in the game.”
On new long snapper Joe Neumann helping Brendan Carney get punts off quicker:
“I think he helps the kickers, because his snaps are accurate and fast. As a punter you’re not worried about where the ball is going to be. He can just focus on his steps and get the ball away. Joe helps them a lot.”
