Head Coach Doug Marrone - Spring Practice
March 30, 2009
How did you make the decision about Ryan Nassib being the starter and what does he bring to the table?
“We made the decision through evaluations and, even though he was up there, it was just a matter of getting those first team repetitions. With Cam (Dantley) being behind him, he's still an ankle away from being a starter. Ryan (Nassib) is someone who can get the ball out quickly, has some athletic ability at the position and has really done a good job, the best job, to a point. Rather than going out there in the evaluation process and making the reps even, he's earned the right to earn more reps and he's going to get more reps and we're going to get him ready to play."
You also decided to move Andrew Robinson, a former quarterback, to tight end just like Cody Catalina. Could you talk about that thought process?
“Cody (Catalina's) switch was made earlier in the year and that's already been discussed. With Andrew (Robinson), we felt it was best for our team to go ahead and put him in a position that will help us. And, we are really looking for him to help us on special teams, also."
What was his (Andrew’s) reaction?
“He was positive, very positive."
What is it that you've seen from Ryan (Nassib) to put him in this position?
“I think everyone who has been out there to watch the last few practices has seen a good, quick release, good arm strength and a good decision maker. Now, we just have to get him as many reps as possible to get him ready and he has to continue to earn that position. It's one that he's earned so far and put him out there. Like I've said before, if I put him out there and tell you we're going through an evaluation process and he's taken the most reps, then I wouldn't be telling the truth. The truth is he's earned the right to take more reps right now, so we're going to try and get him ready to play."
What is the value of making this decision now as opposed to letting the players go another week?
“I think it's extremely valuable. There are not many practices until we play the first game and my job is to get the best players on the field, the best 11. Right now, that's the position we wanted to solidify right away and I can get him more reps and make him a better player for when we come in the fall."
What has Ryan (Nassib) done to elevate himself?
“It's the same thing. Anyone who has been out there the first week of practice can see. A good release, good mechanics, a player who is going to develop, good decision making, high accuracy, I mean everything you want out of a quarterback he's shown."
Is it his to lose now or does it open up again in the fall when Charley Loeb comes to campus?
“It's his to lose."
Just being out there in the weather today, obviously there are good things and bad things about it. What are the things that make it difficult out there in the those conditions?
“I just think it's great. It really is because to be able to go through spring practice and be able to hit all of the elements you're going to see in the season is good. Cold weather, hot weather, snow, rain and all those elements you see. Now you will not be sitting there saying when you play that first away game if it rains 'I wonder how the ball will be thrown if it's wet or if it's cold'. We have a unique situation where we can still get all of those elements in the spring."
How did Ryan (Nassib) handle practice being your first team guy?
“The thing I was impressed with was that Ryan was the same. He went out there and competed and continued to get better. Cam (Dantley) went out there and had a great day today. I'm impressed with the way those two have handled it to this point. But, it's been short, so we'll have to see how it goes out through spring football. They both handled it professionally and they've both done a good job. I wasn't too concerned about the way they were going to handle it."
Did it have an intended effect? Did you see what you wanted to see out there?
“No, I don't think it was an intended effect. I think we're doing that with a lot positions. When we see something and we're ready to go, that person's going to get more reps. He's going to get more reps at that position. We feel he's the best player for us, Ryan, in developing and he's earned that. We've put him there and he's going to get more reps so we can get him ready to play. You know, we don't have a lot of practices before we play. Our job is to make those decisions and get the players that we feel are the best 11 and develop them as fast as we can so we can out there and win. The faster we can make those evaluations, the faster those players will be developed."
In terms of Andrew (Robinson), it's still day one, but what did you see him from him today and what's involved in the transition for him?
“He's a strong kid and very athletic for that position. He can move and obviously he knows the offense, so that transition won't be as difficult. Probably more the one-on-one battles inside when he is on the line, but we'll be able to move him around and really grow within that position."
How did he take the news?
“He was great, just great."
