Patterson Holds Weekly Press Conference
8/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2003
TCU head football coach Gary Patterson sat down with members of the media this afternoon at the John Justin Athletic Center to discuss the Horned Frogs upcoming season opener versus Tulane. Here are some excerpts:
(On whether or not the Tulane game will be decided by TCU's wide receivers versus the Green Wave's backfield): "I think it's more their wide receivers versus our defensive backs. We're more of a running team. It still comes down to the same thing: we can't let them run the football, whether it's a catch or a handoff. You'll still see them throw the ball vertical, but where they can beat you is when the quarterback runs when you're playing a hard zone."
(On whether or not Brandon Hassell will be scripted into some series): "Yes. Our goal has always been to get ourselves into the second half of the season. We did the same thing with Tye (Gunn) last year. I don't know what series it will be, but it will be early.
"Brandon had to be our top quarterback in the spring. He's a prime example of not giving a kid enough recruiting because you thought he was a great player but he didn't get enough reps and finally got his chance and became what you thought he was. Now, he can manage the football and our offense."
(On true freshman that may play this season): "There are possibly three that may play, but none are starters. Right now, Matty Lindner is the two-deep at offensive line. Jamison Newby is a backup defensive end and Marcus Draper is a fullback."
(On how much action Tye Gunn will see against Tulane): "I don't know yet. He and I haven't sat down and talked about it. Last night was the best his leg has felt since he has been in camp. But, I'd say for sure that Brandon (Hassell) will get in a least one series in the first half and the second half.
"I said Tye was going to play in the first one last year and he didn't, and then in the second game he came in and had a great game against Northwestern. Sometimes it helps when you're the starting guy and you can see what's going on from the sidelines."
(On redshirt freshman cornerback Eric Buchanan): "He's a very physical player. He's a redshirt freshman, which means he just needs reps. He will play Saturday."
(On the status of junior college transfer defensive back Larry Bradford): "Because of summer school, he came in a little overweight. He's gotten better. You really can't count on junior college guys until about the fifth or sixth game of the season. You only get about a year and a half with them unless they're something special."
(On the biggest surprise of fall practice): "For freshman, Jamison Newby at defensive end. I wasn't surprised with Bo (Schobel) or Bobby (Robert Pollard). They've come back and played the way they're supposed to as seniors. Quentily Harmon has really stepped up."
(On the players he's hardest on): "Safeties. To play safety in our defense is harder than playing quarterback on offense and this is why. When you get three downs and make a mistake, you get to punt. When you make a mistake at safety, because of the way we check things, there are cannons going off and bands playing. It's a situation where we coach defense about as close to offense as we can, as far as assignment-oriented things go. And you still have to be a reaction player. If you do things the way you're supposed to only 75 percent of the time, you'll be giving up a lot of points, especially in our league where teams can throw the ball down the field.
"My biggest nightmare is every three years when I have to get young safeties. I can live with any other position being young, but not safeties. The good thing about it is the three starting safeties we have-(Jeremy) Modkins has played, Brandon Williams is a senior and Marvin (Godbolt) is experienced.
"Again, why am I coaching someone like Flander Malone? Because he's a No. 2. You have to coach guys like that because you're only one play away from losing a ballgame because of them."
(On any disappointments this fall): "For me, defensively, it's just attention to detail. My biggest question about this football team is how hungry we are, not the talent."
(On the type of leaders the team has): "We have a lot of leaders by example. We have names of guys on a board called "Count Me In" for those who display leadership qualities. They don't have to be great players. They just have to do their job and be leaders. Right now, with 105 guys in camp, we have around 30. For us to be the kind of team we want to be we need about 60. So, by the middle of the season we have to keep growing up. Every day at practice, we have to bring our hardhats and pails and be ready to go to work."
