Head Coach Doug Marrone - Spring Game
April 3, 2009
How was this practice?
“We're implementing areas and phases of the game as we go through this spring. Today was an emphasis on the tight red zone. Every time we put a phase in of what we're doing, you still see the same thing. You may see some good individual things going on. (Wide receier) Mike Williams went up and made some plays, but also you could see we have a long way to go. It's hard development to be effective in that area of the field."
Didn't the offense punch it in pretty good there in end?
“There were some, but again, in my mind there are always areas to attack a defense or attack an offense. Obviously, with a limited amount of installation, I know some things will be taken away by scheme."
How was (quarterback) Ryan (Nassib)'s composure down there at that end of the field?
“I thought it was very good. The play clock ran on us once, for sure, and that was the one thing I was trying to keep track of, the tempo and the awareness of everything that's going on, knowing when you get in the red zone, wherever you are, things happen a lot faster in that area of the field."
Did you see some improvement from (quarterback) Ryan (Nassib) down there?
“Do I see progression in him? Yes. I do. But, do I see areas he needs to work on? Yes, absolutely. One of the things Coach (Rob) Spence is spending as much time as he can with the quarterbacks, working on their footwork. You see Ryan getting up on his toes a little bit, but you can say that about every position. He's no different than any other position as far as his development."
(Tight end) Cody (Catalina) was big in the red zone. Are you looking to him a lot in the passing game?
“It all depends. We're looking for all of our receivers to contribute in the passing game. If you were to sit here and say you're playing 'X' team and this is what they're doing red zone coverage wise, and he's in a position to take advantage of it, I would say yes. Do we like to get the ball to the tight ends in the red zone? We like to get the ball to the guy that's open in the red zone. I'm very pleased with his ball skills. I think he's done a very good job of catching the ball. He's made a lot of tough catches in areas all over his body and then we still need to improve in other aspects of the game, the route running, the finishing, so we're able to advance the football."
How did the defense hold up in there?
“I do see some better things out of the defense as far as chemistry and more communication. What happens when you install a system, all of a sudden everyone gets out there and they just start trying to play. Now, you're starting to see some communications and you're starting to see players pick them up. We've worked very hard in tackling. We're taking baby steps there in improvement. The more coverages we get in, the more things we can do defensively and that'll help them in that area of the field. You don't want to be too vanilla in that area of the field."
Even in the nine-on-nine stuff, they took that away pretty good except for the one Antwon Bailey broke out. Did you feel as if your linebackers and safeties were where they were supposed to be?
“I think what you're seeing is an emphasis on read-react-hit. That's what we're trying to get done and you can see the individual drills. We're working on them, getting downhill, working on them, being aggressive. In some certain situations, you'll see those things come up. You'll see good things where they are able to do that. Now, it has to carry over when it's 11-on-11, and that's what we're looking for."
A lot of jumping offsides today at one point…
“That is a way to lose football games and that's not what we're here to do. I will not tolerate mistakes. I call those unforced errors, jumping offsides. They're not acceptable in my mind."
Is that a lack of discipline – the cadence system?
“That's a lack of focus."
What was the purpose of having the officials today?
“Any time you can get the officials here, it's good for our players and it's good for our coaches. The officials are a great part of our game and I'm a big believer that the officials have the job, as we as coaches do, to make sure the integrity of the game is intact. I have a lot of respect for what the do, especially as a coach. We call a play, we watch a play, we look at a play, but they have to see something instantaneously and make a call. You like to get them out there because you want to make sure what you're teaching is right, and you not only hear it from the coaches but you hear it from the officials. The officials are here to make us better as coaches. It's just two groups of people working together to make the game better."
Do you have an evaluation of your offensive line? You put (tackle) Nick Speller up there in the first group a little bit. What's going on there?
“You can either move up for having a good practice, which is Nick's case, or you can move people up for competition, to see how they react to different types of competition. Nick was moved up because he's been playing well and he has to continue that. If he does, he has the chance to be a starter for us, if he doesn't, he won't be the starter."
