Orchard Park, NY (WGR 550) -- Demetrius Bell was back to work today as only Drayton Florence, Spencer Johnson and Derek Fine missed practice. Terrell Owens made a circus catch down the sideline grabbing it behind his back in full stride. He then came over to the cameras to see who captured the moment.
Bell said he was slated to practice on a limited basis, but he wound up going full speed. Bell said, "I went the whole way during practice today. It felt pretty good. It's not tight right now and I was having issues with it being tight before." Bell does not seem intimidated by getting the starting job despite never playing a down in the NFL. He said he's a much better player than last year, "Well first off, I got strong in the offseason. I got into my playbook before the OTA's, pass sets looked good, run blocking got better. I think that overall, everything has gotten better from last year. I watched film from 2008, and I started laughing when I turned the film on. I think overall I got better at everything."
Dick Jauron obviously has a belief in Bell or he wouldn't have cut Langston Walker. Jauron said, "He's had good OTA's with us. He had a good training camp until he got the injury and was doing really well. He's athletic. He's got a great desire to get it done. He's got the ability. Clearly doesn't have the experience and he's going to quickly get some."
His coach Sean Kugler said, "Of course. With all three of those young guys as far as being in a game setting in the National Football League in the regular season, it is going to be new to them, but they're guys that we're confident with what they've shown to us in the offseason on the field, in the meeting rooms and their communication, so that's what we're looking forward to with them."
As far as Walker goes I've known for awhile Walker has had a poor attitude. It didn't change when his friend Derrick Dockery got cut. It really went down the tubes when he was asked to move to LT. He always would say things like it wasn't for him to like the move and he'd do it because he has to. Listening to players and coaches today it was obvious to me Walker is gone mostly because of his attitude. Dick Jauron said two things. The first was about Walker's desire to be in Buffalo, "No. Quite frankly I didn't sense that." (That he didn't want to be here) When the question turned to if they over estimated his ability Jauron said, "Yeah probably. We clearly thought we could move him and he'd do the job, and he just wasn't playing up to our expectations and so felt like it was time to make that move."
Kugler was very curt about Walker and wanted nothing to do with the subject other than to say, "In respect to Langston we're moving forward. And in respect to Demetrius, is what he showed us as a player. He's very athletic. He has the ability to recover when he is out of position. He's a competitive kid and he works at it. He loves the game of football and those are the guys we're moving forward with. He fits right in there. He's a finisher. He's a kid, again, that loves the game of football and that's what we're moving forward with - guys that love to play the game of football." I find the last comment very interesting.
Fred Jackson wasn't asked about Walker but the offense in general and working at it, "That's the number one thing about it. If you don't want to be here, then you shouldn't be here. (There's that comment again!) The group of guys that we have here, everybody wants to be here and everybody wants to win. I think that's going to play a tremendous role in our season this year, with everybody wanting to be on the same page and getting things started in a different way. We've got to work past a couple of seasons and I think we want to put that behind us and make a name for ourselves."
I don't think Trent Edwards is worried about three first year starters, "On paper I think you're asking them a lot. I think from an outsiders' perspective, from where you guys are standing right now I think that it's asking a lot, but from my perspective I don't think it's asking a lot at all. Those guys were drafted and Demetrius Bell was drafted last year. I think they're bright eyed rookies that are willing to work and willing to fight. They're going to make their mistakes like everyone else is, but they are guys that will respond to those mistakes and get up the next play, dust themselves off and fight another down. That's what I like about those guys."
The players gave an indication that things are different under Alex Van Pelt, Jackson said, "I think the biggest change I've seen is the speed of the offense. We're moving a lot faster with the no-huddle, I think we're getting plays off seven-eight seconds faster than we were before and I think a lot of the guys are buying into it. We know what we're doing now." Terrell Owens added, Well, we're throwing the ball down the field. From my assessment just sitting out the three preseason games, I noticed that we didn't do a lot of that. When Trent and the guys played the Bears, I think he went 10 for 10, but if you look at those passes, four to six of those were 10 yard selects. I think that for this offense and the weapons that we have, we have to stretch the field. A lot of that comes with protection, a lot of that comes with the reach from the quarterback and we have to help the quarterbacks with our routes. We have to stretch the field and let those guys go through their progressions and make it happen."
BILLS HEAD COACH DICK JAURON
Wednesday - September 9, 2009
Opening Statement:
It was good to get back to work. It was kind of like the extra game in
preseason. Obviously a good year for us to have it because we need the
work, we need the work together. We had a real good day at practice. I
think we've had three good days of practice now in preparation. We're
really excited about the opportunity and we know it's a great challenge,
there's no doubt how good this team is that we're playing. They've been
that way for quite awhile and they're very talented and very well
coached. Very excited about it and I believe our guys are, I know you've
already talked to them, so I know you know they are.
On if he overestimated the abilities of Langston Walker:
Yeah probably. We clearly thought we could move him and he'd do the job,
and he just wasn't playing up to our expectations and so felt like it
was time to make that move.
On if that move was delayed because T Demetrius Bell was hurt:
There's a lot of reasons. As in any decision, personnel or otherwise, we
try to consider every possible aspect of it and keep looking at it. It
went the way it went for a lot of reasons.
On if the worry level increases with three inexperienced players on the
line:
There's a lot of worry. You worry about everything though in this
position. So yeah you worry about it. As I've said often, I really like
the guys. I think we've come a long way and we'll find out on Monday
night how far we've come. It's not going to be easy there's no doubt
about that, so there's a lot of worry.
On communication being important up front:
I wouldn't say it just for this offense. Communication up front is
crucial for any offense because eventually any line in the league gets
to the line of scrimmage and they have to communicate at the line of
scrimmage. So in that regard I don't think there's any difference
between what we do and what our opponents all do at the line. But
communication is critical. They're (offensive linemen) really good in
that regard, they are. They do a nice job of communicating. Geoff
(Hangartner) inside has been terrific for us. He's really smart, he's
experienced. Brad (Butler) at the right tackle very smart, he's an
experienced player; they communicate very well, and they'll have to,
they'll really have to.
On if all of these sudden changes will disrupt the focus of this team:
On the contrary I see them more focused. Again, I repeat myself, but
they're really a good group of guys. They work through about anything.
They're pretty close as a group is of this size, they're close, so I
find them more focused.
On sensing that Langston Walker maybe didn't want to be with this
organization:
No. Quite frankly I didn't sense that.
On what Demetrius Bell brings:
He's had good OTA's with us. He had a good training camp until he got
the injury and was doing really well. He's athletic. He's got a great
desire to get it done. He's got the ability. Clearly doesn't have the
experience and he's going to quickly get some.
On if they can bring an element of surprise to the Patriots Monday night
with being a difficult team to scout:
I don't think there's a lot that any team can do to surprise them.
They've (Patriots) been together a long time. Got a real good idea of
what they're doing and what they're trying to do to you. They do it with
speed and they execute it well. We're not going to beat them by
surprise. Our guys are going to have to play and play hard. We're going
to have to make some plays. We're going to have to get some bounces and
that's the way that really you beat any team, certainly a team as
talented and as good as they are. We're not going to surprise them.
On if the Patriots could be vulnerable with QB Tom Brady back in the
lineup:
We've all seen him perform in the past and he's been very, very
productive and they're very talented, so we'll see on Monday night, but
he's good. He's very, very good.
On if Brady will have any kind of rust coming back off of his injury:
Those are questions that I certainly can't answer, but I suspect you'll
get a chance to talk to him, but I wouldn't venture to guess. All I know
is that he looked good in preseason.
On three players not practicing today and if they'll play on Monday:
No I believe that we don't do any of our injury stuff until tomorrow so
I won't comment on anybody that did or didn't practice today.
On what's taken so long for this franchise to develop any sense of an
identity:
Don't know the answer to that. We're certainly trying and we're
certainly working at it.
On what he can do to prepare for the Patriots defense when they
constantly switch up their defense:
They're very capable of switching and they do. They switch up on you and
they do a great job with it, so we've got to prepare for both.
On if he marvels at how Belichick is able to change things in multiple:
You have to take your hat off to them as an organization, to Bill
(Belichick) in particular as a coach, and to their players. They've done
a terrific job over the course of a number of years.
On the overall influence of WR Terrell Owens:
The first thing you notice about him is his professionalism; his
approach to practice, his approach to conditioning, his approach to
route running, his approach to the offense. That's the first thing that
stands out. The second thing would just be his ability. It's pretty
clear when you've been around him a little bit that there's reason why
he's caught 951 balls. He's driven to do it, he's got the talent to do
it, and he uses it. He applies himself. And then the third thing that
you notice pretty quickly is that it's purely football on the field,
it's football. That's what it's about. He's talking to his teammates -
I'm not saying they don't laugh and kid around occasionally, but it's
pretty directed. It's about the game. Again which indicates why he's had
the success that he's had in the business, and then when you're around
him every day, and I've said it before, you notice his sheer physical
size - big man, big strong man.
On Owens have a sense of confidence among him:
He definitely has confidence. When you have those numbers in the
National Football League, there's not many people that ever have, you
should be confident in your ability to do it and he is.
On if his experience in Chicago gives him a better understanding that
you can make changes and move forward:
I honestly never thought of that until you just raised that so I
wouldn't say that. Probably like everybody in this room, I'm a believer
that what's happened to you affects you somehow down the road, it all
accumulates, but I know I never thought about it.
On making dramatic changes over the last two games:
Yes we did.
On Owens' Monday Night Football success giving him the ability to step
up on the big stage:
I would say I'm a believer in his abilities on that stage or any stage
because he hasn't caught 951 just on Monday night. That's a lot of
catches in the league so yeah I believe in him. I definitely do that.
On if they need DE Aaron Maybin:
We do need him, we do. We drafted him to give us some more speed off the
edge and I think we've all seen it in preseason. Preseason as much as
we'll tell Aaron, preseason is not like the regular season, it's just
not. It's maybe faster than any game he's ever played in but it's going
to be a lot faster on Monday night. It'll be a great challenge for him,
too.
BILLS OFFENSIVE LINE COACH SEAN KUGLER
Wednesday - September 9, 2009
On having some more changes to adapt to in his line:
We like the group that we have and we're moving forward. We're focused
with this group. We're getting ready for New England and the games
beyond that. One day at a time, one drill at a time, but we're pleased
with the group that we have.
On being comfortable with what he knows T Demetrius Bell can do:
Of course. With all three of those young guys as far as being in a game
setting in the National Football League in the regular season, it is
going to be new to them, but they're guys that we're confident with what
they've shown to us in the offseason on the field, in the meeting rooms
and their communication, so that's what we're looking forward to with
them.
On the decision to moving Bell up:
In respect to Langston (Walker) we're moving forward. And in respect to
Demetrius, is what he showed us as a player.
On what Bell has shown him:
He's very athletic. He has the ability to recover when he is out of
position. He's a competitive kid and he works at it. He loves the game
of football and those are the guys we're moving forward with.
On how Bell fits in with the guys:
He fits right in there. He's a finisher. He's a kid, again, that loves
the game of football and that's what we're moving forward with - guys
that love to play the game of football.
On if not fitting in was an issue with Walker:
Right now we're moving forward with the group that we have, so in
respect to Langston, I'm not talking about Langston. I'm talking about
where we're going from here and that's the group that we're going with.
On how quickly they can get a guy like Bell up to speed:
Hopefully by Sunday and Monday and Tuesday (jokingly). It's going to be
a day-to-day thing, but we've got to get going. We've got to get going
quick. We play New England on Monday night and we've got to be ready.
That's our focus right now.
On how the Green Bay and Pittsburgh games will help the inexperienced
guys go up against the Patriots:
As many looks as they can get, not only from the teams that we've
played, but from our own defense, the more things that they can
experience and see, the better it's going to help them down the road.
On if Bell seems overwhelmed:
No, I think Demetrius has got a good football demeanor and he knows it's
going to be intense and he knows it's going to be difficult. But I think
he's prepared for that challenge, he's excited about it and I'm excited
for him along with the rest of the group.
On if they're tougher than what he's had in the past:
Well, they're inexperienced, but I'll say it again, I like the group. I
like their mentality. How quickly they gel? I'm hoping, again, the
sooner the better, but they work at it, so if you work at it you're
going to gel quicker. I'm very pleased with this group. This is the
group that we're moving forward with and I think the Buffalo Bills will
be proud of this group, not only for now but for years to come.
QUARTERBACK TRENT EDWARDS
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On the changes in the team and if it is a distraction:
Change has been the running theme around here, and I think it makes your
guys' job a lot more exciting. It makes it a lot more exciting in having
to answer a lot more questions, but I really am very happy with where
it's at. A lot of these decisions really aren't in my control, but I'm
very close with the people that are making these decisions and I have
full trust that they are doing that for the best for our team and for us
to win football games. That's what this is going to be for us and you
can only let it be a distraction if you let it negatively affect you.
And I think the guys we have on this team aren't going to let it
negatively affect them.
On having rookies OL Eric Wood and Andy Levitre and second-year player
Demetrius Bell starting on the offense:
On paper I think you're asking them a lot. I think from an outsiders'
perspective, from where you guys are standing right now I think that
it's asking a lot, but from my perspective I don't think it's asking a
lot at all. Those guys were drafted and Demetrius Bell was drafted last
year. I think they're bright eyed rookies that are willing to work and
willing to fight. They're going to make their mistakes like everyone
else is, but they are guys that will respond to those mistakes and get
up the next play, dust themselves off and fight another down. That's
what I like about those guys.
On if there is an expectation of a learning curve with the new offensive
line:
I was in the same position. I started I believe my fourth game my rookie
year. I was kind of thrown into the mix, I wasn't expecting to play, but
that's kind of what this business is. You have to be ready for the
opportunity when it knocks and I think Demetrius is going to be ready. I
know Eric and Andy will be ready to go and it's exciting. I think with
those guys, they're going to be nervous and are going to have those
butterflies. It's going to be fun to be out there with those guys. I was
in the same position that they were at New England, in Foxborough my
first year and that is the same place that these guys are getting their
first start, so it will be a lot of fun.
On his expectations for the season in terms of his weapons:
I said this I believe last year, and I believe that this helps our team
out a lot is that our skill position guys we have right now are the same
guys I threw to last year, besides Terrell Owens. I've been working with
Derek Schouman quite awhile now, with Fred Jackson quite awhile now,
with Lee (Evans) and Josh (Reed) and Roscoe (Parrish). Now you bring
Terrell into the mix and Shawn Nelson into the mix, I really feel
comfortable with those guys and I'm very excited with those weapons and
I'm excited for the five guys up front too. As of right now I think
we're going in the right direction. I don't feel like we can let any of
this be a distraction to us and I don't think we're going to let it be a
distraction. We're going to be ready to fight on Monday night.
On if he feels he has made progress in the right direction for Monday's
game:
I was really happy with the way practice went today, I felt like there
was a high level of intensity, there were guys playing with a lot of
assertiveness and passion and aggression and that's kind of what we need
when we're getting ready to go Monday night. I think the Patriots are
going to be playing with that type of intensity and we have to be able
to match it. I saw a lot of that on the practice field today and
hopefully we'll get more of that in the next couple days.
On if Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Alex Van Pelt is making
positive changes:
We just put in the gameplan and kind of got it finalized today, our run
game and our pass game. I was very pleased with where it was at. A lot
of it had to do with my input, a lot of it had to do with the other
coaches' input and that's kind of what we need around here. I feel like
we have great coaches on this coaching staff and all those guys are
getting input and all those guys Alex is listening to, including myself,
so that's just going to make for a better gameplan. I think that's what
we have this week and hopefully will get in weeks to come.
On having his future in his hands with the no-huddle:
I think that the position I am in with two years under my belt, with a
lot of say in the way this offense goes, a lot of the reason this
offense is going to be where it needs to be is because of me. I think
that's a great opportunity for me. I feel like I'm close with the guys
calling plays, I'm close with the guys I'm throwing to and I think a lot
of that comes with experience, I think a lot of that comes with off the
field getting closer with guys and that's kind of the position I'm in.
I'm very fortunate to be where I'm at right now and hopefully at the end
of the season I'm very fortunate to be where I'm at then too.
On if there is a burden carrying the load of an offense that is in his
hands:
Not at all. I have 10 other guys on the offense right now that are
feeling that "burden" if that's what you want to call it and they're all
excited for Monday night. I think that our defense has been playing well
all preseason, and our special team is some of the best in this league.
For me, as long as we put points on the board and don't turn the ball
over, every week we can give our defense and special teams a chance.
We're going to be in football games and I don't think of that as a
burden at all.
On if he feels the spotlight of being a quarterback "burn" at all:
No. It is the same as last year and it is the same as the year before.
When you're in this position, when you're in college, high school, it's
the same situation. I don't feel any more of a burden. If that's what
you're asking, I think I'm older, expectations are a little higher, but
not necessarily more of a burden at all.
On if he takes it personal that critics are not rating the team high:
I honestly don't follow too closely. We've been in the same position
here the last two years. The Bills are usually favored to be at the
bottom of the AFC East and that's what people are thinking right now
based on our preseason. I'm fully confident, I'm fully excited and
despite all the changes we've had, there is no reason we can't go out
there and compete and play football and be ready to go against the
Patriots.
On if it will be different since the Patriots have made changes too:
I don't know. I think that they're making changes over there for the
better of their team, just like we are, and regardless of who they have
out there they're going to be playing at a high level. Regardless of the
last names on the back of their jerseys, where they've been, how long
they've played, how long their careers have been, I think they're still
going to be ready to go just like we are. They're going to have a
different look, just like we're going to have a different look out
there, but we'll be ready to go.
WIDE RECIEVER TERRELL OWENS
Wednesday September 9, 2009
On his previous statement that "we're not going to make this an easy
game for New England" and if he still feels that way after the offensive
changes:
Yeah, same assessment. I'm looking forward to it. It's Monday night.
On what gives him the confidence to have the same assessment:
Number one I believe in myself. That's number one and obviously, the
confidence that I can help and bring to this team. Obviously I hope it's
contagious. I have a lot of confidence in the guys, they have confidence
in me and we're practicing hard. We've been practicing hard, preseason
is over and everybody knows this is the real deal, so we're going to
play it like it's the real deal.
On if it is a distraction with the changes being made:
Not at all. Somebody just has to step up and fill in. The guys that are
in there now, they've played on the offensive line before. It's just an
opportunity for that person filling in and we're looking forward to it.
We're not going in there expecting any handouts, by any means, and we'll
be ready.
On if there are differences with Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Coach Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator:
Well, we're throwing the ball down the field. From my assessment just
sitting out the three preseason games, I noticed that we didn't do a lot
of that. When Trent (Edwards) and the guys played the Bears, I think he
went 10 for 10, but if you look at those passes, four to six of those
were 10 yard selects. I think that for this offense and the weapons that
we have, we have to stretch the field. A lot of that comes with
protection, a lot of that comes with the reach from the quarterback and
we have to help the quarterbacks with our routes. We have to stretch the
field and let those guys go through their progressions and make it
happen.
On if he brings the ability to stretch the field:
Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be here.
On if he feels like New England CB Shawn Springs is following him around
the league:
Well, hey, I'm here no matter what. I've had some history with Shawn
(Springs), and I'm not going to get into it, but you can check the
stats. I'm looking forward to the opportunity. Shawn is a great
cornerback and we've had some great matchups. He's a physical guy and he
presents a challenge.
On the fact that the numbers against Springs are in his favor:
I intend to continue that. Every time we come up against each other it's
very, very competitive. I expect nothing less from Shawn and I'm sure he
expects the same from me.
On having another opening day and if he is nervous for Monday night:
No, not on opening day. I think I'm more nervous now during the week of
practice. By the time game time comes, my Mom says it best, 'when the
lights come on, then I'm ready to shine.' Even when I was in Chattanooga
and Coach Frankie DeBusk, when he had to assess me when I was getting
ready for the draft, he told the coaches 'hey, when the lights are on
this guy comes to play.' I've always kind of lived up to that.
On if he is excited for the season and what he thinks about critics who
are knocking the team and his ability to perform:
Only God can control that. They have a job as commentators, and give
their opinions, opinions. I've been playing this game for 14 years and
I'm still doing that to the best of my ability. The guys that are giving
their opinions, they're in there commentating about me because they
can't do it anymore.
On the ability of the team to produce and put points on the board:
Of course, why not? Otherwise, like I said, I wouldn't be here. I've
been given an opportunity by the Buffalo Bills to come in and try to
create some energy, a buzz and so far I've done that. The other part of
that is going out there and producing on the football field and I plan
to do that.
On the growing curves of a young offensive line:
We have to help those guys out with our quick game. We have some things
in store to help those guys out as they go through those learning
curves. Obviously we know that, and this will be a time that they're
going to have to gel and they're going to have to grow up real fast. We
are looking forward to that and Eric Wood and those young guys, they
know what's expected of them.
On if he is aware of the 11-game winning streak that the Patriots have
over the Bills:
I live in the present.
On if he got another season with his reality show:
Yeah, it does, season two coming. Right now, I'm focused on the T.O.
Show on the field.
On playing in Toronto on Thursday night football in December:
Looking forward to that too. Get ready Toronto, here we come.
TACKLE DEMETRIUS BELL
Wednesday September 9, 2009
On if former teammate Langston Walker called him to let him of his
release:
I got a call from Langston (Walker) last night and he told me he was
being released. The situation was, he just told me he was being released
and he said he was coming to clean out his locker. He told me to have a
good year. From what I talked to him, he took it pretty good. He said
he's pretty sure he'll get on a team somewhere, but we really didn't
just talk.
On how he feels about being a starter:
It feels great. I came a long way, but I still have a long way to go.
I'm not going to put pressure on myself that I didn't have before I got
here. I'm going to keep going with what it took to get here.
On if he was surprised by the opportunity:
I wouldn't say surprised or caught off guard, but at the same time, I
was taking reps with the ones during the last two games of preseason. I
think I had a good training camp to prepare for the season and it
happened in my favor.
On if he is comfortable next to Andy Levitre in terms of communication:
During preseason we took some snaps. I don't want to say I took every
snap, but in training camp, those add up too. I'm comfortable beside him
and when we get a game or two under our belt, it'll be close to working
every time.
On never having taken an NFL snap and what the expectations should be:
I really don't think it should be anything different. No different
expectations from us being young to us being veterans. I think we can
get the job done just as well as anybody else. They put us in this
situation for a reason and we just have to take advantage.
On the biggest improvements in his game:
Well first off, I got strong in the offseason. I got into my playbook
before the OTA's, pass sets looked good, run blocking got better. I
think that overall, everything has gotten better from last year. I
watched film from 2008, and I started laughing when I turned the film
on. I think overall I got better at everything.
On if he is anxious to have his first start:
No, I just told someone, I'm not going to get myself overexcited and
over exhaust myself. It's a normal week for me and I think we'll be all
right.
On how his back feels:
I went the whole way during practice today. It felt pretty good. It's
not tight right now and I was having issues with it being tight before.
On his work ethic and how far he has come:
I came a long way, but I haven't had time to look at it and say, oh
yeah, I have come a long way other than just watching film.
RUNNING BACK FRED JACKSON
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On having three young players starting on the offensive line:
They're all guys that can play the position. I'm excited about it. They
know what they're doing and they know the offense. I'm not too worried
about it at all. I think they're ready, I think they're going to go out
and make some holes for me.
On the o-line having to overcome inexperience and how long that will
take:
All guys are different, but I think its something that they'll deal
with. They'll get a good test this weekend, this Monday and I think that
will help them speed up they're process. They'll pick up some things in
that game and move forward.
On if he is excited about Monday Night Football:
Without a doubt. Everybody is watching and it's a great place to go out
and make some plays. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to help us as a
team get started on the right path. We've got New England and Tom Brady
is back, so everyone will be watching that game to see what he can do.
What better place for us to go out and make a statement for ourselves?
On how much ground they need to make up with the changes:
I don't think a lot for anybody. It's different for us, without a doubt,
but for an offensive unit as a whole, we've just kind of accepted it for
what it was and moved on. I think we're ready to play, I think with the
guys that we do have here now, it's just about going out and playing
football and operating as an offensive unit. I think we're capable of
doing that.
On how big of a statement it would be to beat the Patriots:
You guys read newspapers, you guys write for newspapers. We don't get a
lot of respect out there in our offensive unit. If we can come out with
a win, it's going to send out a buzz through the whole NFL.
On if the 11-game winning streak that the Patriots hold over the Bills
gets talked about:
I wouldn't say it's something that's talked about a lot, but it's
something that we are aware of and it's something that as a team we want
to change. We're going to go out and do our best, and we know that they
are a great team and that they're going to be ready to play too. We just
have to go out and make plays ourselves.
On if he has seen specific changes in the offense since Offensive
Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Alex Van Pelt took over as offensive
coordinator:
I think the biggest change I've seen is the speed of the offense. We're
moving a lot faster with the no-huddle, I think we're getting plays off
seven-eight seconds faster than we were before and I think a lot of the
guys are buying into it. We know what we're doing now.
On what he has done differently:
You can say simplification, but I think it's just that guys buy more
into the scheme now. I think that we have something to prove. With
everything that's taken place, with all of the people being let go and
some of the things with the changes on offensive line we know that we
have to step up to the next level. And I think that's just the result of
the fact that we know what we have to do and we're doing it.
On what has changed:
I wouldn't say anything was stopping us, but now the season is upon us.
In preseason, things aren't always going to look the best that you want
them to, and we've come to the realization that the season is here. To
get to the place where we want to be, we have to make plays.
On the desire to work and how important that is for the offensive unit:
That's the number one thing about it. If you don't want to be here, then
you shouldn't be here. The group of guys that we have here, everybody
wants to be here and everybody wants to win. I think that's going to
play a tremendous role in our season this year, with everybody wanting
to be on the same page and getting things started in a different way.
We've got to work past a couple of seasons and I think we want to put
that behind us and make a name for ourselves.
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