Gary Patterson Media Luncheon Quotes
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2004
FORT WORTH, Texas(On his young defensive backs): "Two big plays were given up because of them against Houston. They're young, athletic and they can make plays. We played seven defensive backs in lots of situations. Pretty soon, you have to use them."
(On cornerback Drew Coleman's performance against Houston): "He's a very good football player. He had an interception and two tackles for losses. Quincy Butler played better with him in there. He listens to Drew. Drew Coleman is a very smart player. He would be a great guy for wide receiver sweeps, punt returns or what we call our jet package. Our kids get excited about him being out there. He likes to play the game and does the things we try to teach everyday."
(On keeping Houston's passing game in check): "The offenses are good in our league. You have to try to control them. We can build on this performance. There's not a more difficult scheme to defend than what Houston does. We had to run our defense on the field before their offense was there to be ready. It took a lot more practice to get ready for them."
(On Cincinnati): "Cincinnati runs the football very well. Their coach inherited nine starters from defense and got a senior quarterback. He had a group coming back that was already a good football team. Cincinnati is hard to beat when they don't turn the ball over. Their only loss at home was to UAB and they had five turnovers in that game. Their other two home games they scored over 30 points by halftime. Cincinnati plays a lot better at home."
(On Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli): "It was fun to talk to him at media day this year. It's fun when you're around players during their career and you get to know them. He's a good football player and very good when he's hot. We have to get him out of rhythm like we did against Kevin Kolb [Houston]. We need to move him around and blitz. But, the bottom line is we must stop the run or we'll have a long day."
(On getting a bowl bid): "We have to get to six (wins). Cincinnati is in that situation and Tulane is as well. We have a lot of work ahead and control our own destiny."
(On confusing Cincinnati's quarterback): "We did it to them a year ago. It helped that we scored on defense and a blocked punt. He does a great job running the offense. He's very good on the edge because he runs around well and makes plays doing it. He dropped back a lot last year and he's not as good when he does that."
(On TCU's pass defense): "People talk about being last in the conference (in pass defense). Houston was first in pass defense. Who do you think played better pass defense the other night? It's all about what you are good at and what you need to get better at. Somebody who reads that stuff isn't going to go far. Our kids have a lot of pride. You have to hold the rope and not fall to the ground when you're climbing a mountain. You have to get to the top."
(On John Braziel's improved punting): "He's doing well and I'm not talking to him. He punts better at home than on the road. Cincinnati will be a big game for him."
(On TCU's quarterback situation): "They're both so competitive that they're always prepared. There's no in between with them. When you have two guys at the same position that can start you only get into trouble when you're not telling the truth. I've always been up front about it. As long as you handle kids that way it works out to be a positive. They're like each other's coach on the sidelines. They tell each other what they see. They've really become students of the game. A younger player might watch the stands and look around when he's on the sidelines. Brandon and Tye know they might be the next guy in."
(On Robert Merrill against Houston): "Robert picked a good game to come out of his haze. He was a little bothered by his asthma. It's not like it was his fourth game with 30 carries. I was pleased with the performance of Kenny Boyd as well. He got himself prepared and had two or three runs for first downs. Robert is as close to 100 percent as he's probably going to be this season."
(On Brandon Hassell's health): "Brandon's ankle is a lot better than it was three days ago. He'll either play through it or he won't. It's not one of those things where he can't walk. Most guys forget that stuff in ballgames. Harrell played the other night and his shoulder still hurts."
(On whether Reggie Harrell will start): "We haven't talked about Reggie starting."
(On the defensive line emerging): "Jared Kesler has been a guy who's made a big difference. Raynorris Ray, Jamison Newby, Chris Hayes and Jesse Hejny are playing well. Guys play a lot better when they find their roles."
(On the cornerbacks and linebackers): "We're thin in terms of experience. Martin Patterson is the only guy who is an experienced linebacker. Mark Walker is a senior (cornerback) and Jerome Braziel has played a little bit. Marvin Godbolt is a senior. If you look across the nation at how many teams are playing with that young of a defense and winning you need to figure out why. We've been able to do that and I attribute it to my staff and what they do."
(On whether or not he has been paying attention to Utah): "I've been watching it. Urban Meyer is a good friend. I know how hard Utah works. He deserves to be given credit. I'm glad to see what he's done. Their defense is really, really good. There aren't many better out there. Their wide receivers are good and they make plays on special teams. One of the best things he did was keep Kyle Whittingham as defensive coordinator. They've been able to turn things around quickly that way."
