Head Coach Doug Marrone - Spring Practice
April 6, 2009
At the end of the practice, what did you like that done or didn’t get done with the scrimmage work?
“We were in a practice, I don’t want to use the word scrimmage. What I told them was there were points during practice where the competition really picked up. I think anyone that was there could see that, the enthusiasm for 'X' amount of plays. What we have to do is be able to sustain that type of enthusiasm throughout the whole practice. That’s our goal. So it’s taken us nine practices to get to a step where you can start seeing that enthusiasm at times during the practice and we’ll be able to build on it and get more plays with that type of enthusiastic level as we go, which we only have six more practices left.”
What did you think about some of the collisions with the defensive backs or some of the blows they were dishing out?
“Like I said, we're on the right track and we have a long way to go, but the theme of becoming tougher and more physical football team, it starts with the players and you're starting to see more of that. Again, it's baby steps and we still have a long way to go, but you can see it right now. Drills are starting to convert a little bit onto the field and that's a good sign."
I didn't see (linebacker) Dan Sheeran out there today. Is everything okay with him?
“Danny met with me today and I excused him from practice."
You got (linebacker) Mike Mele back today and I know he wasn't able to do a lot, but how'd he do?
“He's starting to come back in a limited role, working his way back into practice."
How far is he behind having missed everything so far?
“Mentally, he shouldn't be behind. Physically, it's just a matter of getting back into football."
It's been a week since you've named (quarterback) Ryan (Nassib) the starter. Do you like what you've seen so far?
“I like it. That's why I named him the starter."
Was he a little inconsistent throwing the ball today?
“Well, there are times that you'll see, at every position, at times, some inconsistency. That's what we work on in practice to create a more consistent player at every position. The whole offense overall, in the third down phase of it, struggled in the beginning that then made some plays and the defense did a nice job early on."
Could you talk about the offensive line and if anybody's emerged in that group yet?
“We're still working on it. We're still looking for the best five."
What did you think about (quarterback) Ryan (Nassib) running the ball today? He kept his feet on the bootleg and the option keepers nicely…
“We look for some mobility from our quarterback and we look for ways where he can attack the defense, also."
But what did you think of his mobility?
“He's the starting quarterback. I felt comfortable with the mobility that he has for that position."
What have you seen from (defensive end) Chandler Jones this spring?
“I've seen a player who has really done some nice things. I'm happy with the progression I've seen, but he has a long way to go. We need a more consistent effort throughout the whole course of a scrimmage. I'm talking specifically about the scrimmage. I see a player who is developing and the potential to be a very good football player for us, if he continues to develop."
What about (wide receiver) Mike Williams now that this is his first practice in quite awhile?
“I would say I've been quite pleased after having been out of football for a whole year and coming back with the way he's practiced and the production at that position. But, you can see a lot of the technical issues where we need to get better with him. He's been working extremely hard and every day you something more and more out of him, so I'm pleased with Mike's progression."
(Running backs) Delone Carter and Antown Bailey had some nice, physical runs today. Could you talk a little bit about those two players?
“Yes, and Averin Collier had a couple nice runs, too. When you create competition at a position and you have that type of player, those players like that competition. Right now, they're feeding off each other and, really, I feel very comfortable about the way they're progressing and developing. We talk about the physicality of our offense, defense and special teams and there are glimpses of it coming along."
(Safety) Max Suter made a couple plays today…
“Yes, yes, he did and that's always good to see. Max works extremely hard in the weight room and extremely hard off the field and that's the whole key as a player. When you put all that work in, you want to see those results on the field and Max had some good plays today."
You mentioned (running back) Averin (Collier). What is it you've specifically seen of him?
“I've seen someone who has good footwork and I've seen someone work hard at what he does. He's developing himself and becoming a part of the mix and has the ability to step on the field in some type of role for us."
Was that your high school coach standing next to you out there today?
“Yes, yes it was. That was my high school coach, Carmine Colasanto, who, if any of you guys have heard me speak before, it all started with him. Then it went from him and it was passed on from Coach (Dick) MacPherson. Those two coaches are an extremely important part of who I am today."
What was it like having your former coach watch you out there coaching?
“(smiling) I'm sure he's going to grade me on it when I see him at dinner tonight. It's always good to have people around and it's always good to have you (the media) around. It really is. And the fans who want to come out and see practice. We don't have anything to hide. We're putting out a football team that we all want to be proud of. I want everyone to make sure they know how hard these players work to achieve success on Saturdays."
(Tight end) Andrew Robinson had a couple nice plays at tight end today. How have you noticed his progression?
“I think he's progressing well. Again, it's a position change, but he's a very, very professional type of player from the standpoint of how he handles his business. It doesn't surprise me that he's made some plays today and it won't surprise me if had a tremendous role for our team in some capacity, as long as he keeps developing."
What has (running back) Delone (Carter) shown after going through a tough season last year?
“I think he's done a tremendous job. What we don't see is the hard work that went into where he is today. In the weight room, with the rehabilitation, with our trainers. He's put a lot of time in and it's something that you don't see because it's more off-the-field, behind-the-scenes type stuff, but he's really done a tremendous job. I applaud him for that and that's not an easy thing to do."
