December 26, 2007
Texas A&M interim head coach Gary Darnell, along with seniors Mark Dodge and Red Bryant, met the press on Wednesday at the Aggies' Alamo Bowl "defensive" press conference at the Alamodome.
Audio is available through the link to the right. Selected quotes are listed below.
INTERIM HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR GARY DARNELL
Opening Statement...
"I'd like to first say 'howdy.' It's a Texas Aggie way of saying things and doing things and that's how the atmosphere goes -- is there and that's how we feel about being here with the Bowl. I just don't know of a better situation for us at this particular time to have been able to come here and play in a first-class bowl, and I think the big thing for us, you know, with our players, work the way through it is that they earned the right to be here and I know they took home one of the most difficult schedules in the BCS and we fought our way through it.
"They've maintained their poise and fight the whole way through and they've been rewarded with a really first-class week here and we take advantage of that. And, to their credit, at this point in time, we finished our last probably heavy workout today and with that -- you know, that concludes the heavy workout part of it, and I can't tell you how -- I couldn't be more pleased with how they've handled up to this point."
On readjusting to the Alamodome turf and some problems last time you where here...
"I really felt like it was a significant difference because it's one of the things -- that's my whole motive for being there yesterday was that -- because I know -- I think they just put it down. It was, like, brand new that week we played on it. If you watched our tapes, I know on the first play of the game against Army that year, we missed six tackles. The guys were just everywhere. So, normally, you work out in a place before you do it and we didn't, for whatever reason, in that one, and it was probably a mistake and I didn't want to make that mistake twice, you know, and so after -- it's warn a little bit more so now it's a little bit more normal, I would say, so we did fine with it."
On Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli and defending a guy who puts it up as much as he does...
"Well, I think, you know, collegiate football is what it is. One week, you know, you play Texas Tech and the next week you play Oklahoma and it pounds your head off, you know, and you have to be able to adjust every week. You know, much has been said about, you know, the infamous 4-2-5. Well, everybody does some form of the 4-2-5. That's our defensive style, and the reason being is for the adjustment part of it.
"And even during the course of the game, you know, I'm going to bridge to Galen as fast as I can get there. I mean, I know they throw that ball and they're power playing. God help us. That's how it's going to be and so -- but they're good enough that they stretch in both areas, and because of that -- and I think that's, you know, the beauty of collegiate football is that we have to be able to do both and when everybody gets hot -- you know, lots of times, it's a hot hand that day. You know, it's what it is and it's just not that way in the NFL.
"I think our last seven games, we played seven of the top 12 offenses in the country and so we've seen those things. That doesn't mean that we automatically will play well, but at least it's something we have seen and experienced."
On serving as an interim head coach and his experience replacing Penn State's Galen Hall as an interim at Florida...
"I know this, that I guess Coach Paterno will be getting excited because the last time I was there and coached, the team we played was the National Champions the next year. So, you know, we set the stage and they had a young team, very similar to what we're, you know, getting involved with here, and so it was -- we played Washington and our guys went through it and we played well up to a point and then that's the thing if I -- you know, I -- these guys will both tell you, the thing I've tried to implore on them as best I can is that, you know, this is a deal you may start off fast, but can you maintain and sustain the whole game long? And that's usually what's happened in most bowls. You know, someone finally kind of cracks in bowl games, normally, and -- as many as I've been around, anyway. And -- and that's the one thing -- if we can sustain for the whole 60 minutes, it doesn't matter because, I mean, we've played -- we've played against the very best this country has to offer this year, so it's -- you know, we understand how much it's left up to us if we'll just do what we're supposed to do."
On the importance of Jorvorskie Lane in your offense of being able to sustain a running attack to keep your defense off the field...
"Well, smart money will tell you you'd better stand two or three of them in the middle. You've got to start off, so -- if that happens, you know, if he can,you know, make you have to commit extra to the middle, then that's going to open the edges up, you know, and now you've got Stephen and then you've got Goodson and those things.
"You know, I don't really mess with offense. I do understand that style of offense, so -- and I watch the games, but I also know when you have a guy like Jorvorskie in the option team, particularly your triple option team, you've got to start from the dive out,and if that dive is as big as Jorvorskie, you've got to put some effort into it."
On the need for a consistent running attache to keep the Texas A&M defense rested...
"Well, I think, you know, in some of the games, our offense has certainly done that, but I'd like to think, also, we have quick strike capabilities, and if we do, I think we need to find that out. And I think this is a game, particularly the way it goes, I think we've got to just try to be as upscale as we can, as fast as we can, and we can't -- you know, it's like I've told -- Well, I told Coach Koenning -- I said, 'Les, I really don't believe the drive is going to be what wins this game, you know, the Texas game a couple of years ago.' I don't know -- I can't imagine us going out there and just being able to sustain drive after driveafter drive. That's not going to happen and anything good come out of it. So, you know, I think we've got to be able to control the ball, but at the same time, I think we've got to take our shots."
On his role with the offense as the interim head coach...
"Really, my role in -- I'm in game management, you know, and I'll be on the headset. I'll hear what they say, unless I'm busy with the defense, but my job will be game management, game control. Let's say we're on the 35-yard line. It's third and -- it's third and five. Okay? Then I need to be able to tell them -- say, 'Look, you've got two or you've got one.' You've got two plays to make five yards and make a first down because we're not going to kick it, or, You've got one and it's got one, and that means he's got one play to make five yards, so if he doesn't make it, we're going to kick it. So, I mean, that helps a play caller. So that's the only thing. Somebody's got to say if we're going to go to two or not. Somebody needs to say if we're going to go after a punt, you know. Someone needs to make that decision. I'll be doing that."
on whether this game could build momentum for next season...
"I don't know, you know, about that so much. I think I -- and I think you need to ask these guys that same question, but, you know, what I see is that there was momentum coming out of the Texas game and then there was cold water splashed on it and that got washed away too fast, and, for that, I'm disappointed, but as far as what this game could carry over to the next year, sure, with the fans and that sort of thing. For us personally, I think, you know -- and, again, I think these guys need to answer their own question on that one, but I think, at some point, you have to appreciate you've done what you're supposed to do and you did it as well as it could be done and it worked, and you can live and you can go do whatever the next thing is. And I think I've sensed that more than I do. We're doing this to carry on -- I think there'll be rhetoric about, you know, want to play well for the seniors and that sort of thing. There's a part of it that if each and every guy can come out of this game, I mean, coaches, players, every one of them, and just stand up there that next morning and look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'I did my personal best,' at that point, I don't know if you can do any better than that."
SENIOR LINEBACKER MARK DODGE
on whether or not Coach Darnell has changed since becoming interim head coach...
"I don't think so. He's been on our side of the ball during practices since the changes happened. Practices haven't changed defensively at all. We've been going and doing the same period and going through our different stuff since it switched over."
on where he's at as a senior and playing in his final collegiate game...
"It's just been an honor to be able to come and play for a university like this, especially with the teammates we have and just to be able to enjoy that, you know, and kind of taken this week and, you know, slowed it down a little bit and had fun at practice and just kind of joked around with some of the guys and just enjoyed it because we only have a couple more chances to be with each other."
on any second thoughts of hanging it up after the game is over...
"Not really. I've set a start date. I start January 16th, working up in Dallas, so, you know, I've just -- I've had a great career in football. It's been something that I'll never forget, something I can look back upon my entire life and just enjoy it. So I'm definitely ready to move on, but I want to definitely go out a winner. I want to do everything I can and have no regrets, like Red said, with my teammates and celebrate one last time with those guys as we walk off the field. I got engaged the 23rd up in Dallas, so I'm getting ready -- we'll be planning that stuff and moving there and, I guess, moving to the next chapter of my life. There's a lot of stuff you've got to prepare and arrange for that. So, you know, I had a great university prepare me for that and I'm ready to move on."
SENIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN RED BRYANT
on where he's at as a senior and playing in his final collegiate game...
"Well, my take, personally, is, you know, it was an up-and-down season. Each week, we played with all our heart. The coaches, they did their very best to prepare us well. No regrets, you know. A little bit on my career at A & M, I'm very pleased with the things I achieved while I was there, and I want to go out a winner and so I'm going to do whatever it takes, come Saturday, to help this team win. I imagine -- I know Dodge feels the same way."
on how he's changed over five years...
"I feel like, on the personal level, I've grown more as a man, as far as just understanding, you know, you might get a curve ball in life, you know, things aren't always as they seem. I've had some highs and I've had some lows, been injured, you know. I've been able to watch the team on the sidelines. I made mistakes and learned from them and just that, as a man, you know, I just feel like I've grown a lot and, like Coach Darnell was saying about Coach Fran, that was hard on me personally because, you know, when I was being recruited, my first recruiting trip was to Penn State, and I remember when I came home, Coach Fran came to my home in Jasper and he sat down and he told my mom 'If your son comes to A & M, I promise he will graduate.' And Coach Fran, he made sure all the pieces were in place for me to be successful.
"So for me, it's personal, personal from the standpoint of, I love Coach Fran. You know, I love him and it was tough to see him go through everything he went through in the end, but, you know, I just feel like me, personally, I done grown a lot over the five years, and like Dodge said, you know, I really thought about it all week. I've thought about the journey and I'm just enjoying it, you know. I'm not taking anything for granted and I'm ready to play."