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Press Conference Transcripts
Transcripts from
Wednesday’s Under Armour Senior Bowl Press Conference.
MOBILE,
Ala. (January 24, 2007) --
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach John
Gruden, North Team Head Coach:
We had a very good practice this morning,
a physical practice. I was really pleased we put the ball in the red
zone, we worked on some short yardage, put in our two-minute offense and
the players are working hard.
On Coaching The Senior Bowl Again:
I always look forward to this. You know if
you’re a coach this is really what you do. I think the skill level is a
little different, your team is never the same year after year. The rules
of this game don’t change so your installation is somewhat patterned.
We’re working hard as a staff to make ourselves available to the players
and to get them ready for the next step which is the National Football
League.
On Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker:
He’s a great big man, very powerful guy.
He’s got a chance to be a base defensive end in a 3-4 defense without
question. We’re looking at him as an under tackle played as a six
technique. Great motor, very powerful guy and pass rush. This guy’s
going to be a very good player in this league, no question bout that.
Ohio State quarterback gets set to throw
during a North team practice in preparation
for the 2007 Under Armour Senior Bowl.
On Heisman Trophy Winner Troy Smith:
I don’t have any preconceived notions. I
get a chance to coach a Heisman Trophy winner and that was worth the
trip down here. It’s a tremendous honor to win that award. I was around
Charles Woodson when I was with the Raiders, he has a flair for making
great plays. Troy’s a good kid. I think he’s eager to prove he can play
at the next level and I think he’s doing a really good job.
On Players Who Play In The Senior Bowl:
I think it says a lot about these guys.
Generally, in my opinion, the guys who play in this game are really the
guys who love football. They’re tough as hell, they’re not afraid of
competition. They’re very confident in their abilities to go out there
and perform in front of general managers and coaches throughout this
league. Those are some of the traits we look for in our football team.
On Louisville Defensive Tackle Amobi
Okoye:
He’s 19 years old. What can you say? This
guy’s mature beyond his years, not only mentally and emotionally but
physically. This guy’s hard to block he’s got a great motor. He’s a
tenacious; highly energized impressive man and when you watch him play
football you really don’t know that he’s 19. He’s getting up and after
some of these 22-year-old guys very, very well.
San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan,
South Team Head Coach:
Good practice today. Today was the second
padded practice and the last one until the game. I think the guys had a
lot of spirit. We practiced hard and had two very good days in pads.
Tomorrow we’ll go out in helmets and kind of try and perfect some of the
things we did. The next two days will be mental practices, but I thought
the guys finished up today very well and gave an opportunity for the
decision makers in the league to get a real good look at them today.
San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach George Warhop works with
Senior
Bowl South team members during practice.
This is the best of all the bowl game, no
questions, the Senior Bowl always has a tremendous amount of players.
There’s not another bowl at any time, even a national championship game,
where you have this many players that will either be drafted and make a
roster.
It says a lot about the game. I know last
year (Nolan and the 49ers also coached the South team) when there were
15 guys from this game that went first round. As the first round was
complete I learned right away that was the case and I was a little bit
struck and taken back because I thought there’s a lot of good players
there, nearly half of the first round came out of this game. That’s
pretty unique. I don’t what the record’s been (that was the record). I
wouldn’t be surprised this year if it was close to that, or even better.
This is a good group, I know our team has
some good players. I’m excited about the guys we have . Not only if we
get a chance to get them but their careers in the NFL will be good And
you’d have to bet the North squad is every bit as good. |
