Opening statement … We got through spring. We saw some guys in different positions, we got a lot of good work in. We’ll evaluate the film and see, and then we’ll start putting pieces in place to get ready for fall camp. We have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball, we know that coming out of spring. Always have, always will. What we do between now and camp, getting in shape, becoming masters of our craft, studying film, those types of things. They are going to have to do a lot of work on their own. They’re going to have a lot of time on their own. We are looking to have good pieces to be a good football team. We made a lot of development in a lot of key areas, but we still have work to do in all areas.
On getting the freshmen/younger guys game-like experience …. The new guys gets out there and start to get a feel. [Spring game] is the closest things you can get to the simulation of the nerves you’re going to get in a real game, and it’s still going to be more than that. That’s part of growing up and not letting the adrenaline and things get to you and be able to keep your composure to be able to execute. And any time you can put guys in that situation, you need to.
On replacing Buddy Johnson … Tarian Lee has played great all spring, Edgerrin Cooper, all of those guys have done a really nice job. They are the next generation of guys that have to step in and that’s what they’re here for and I think they did a really nice job. I think we have good talent there, we just have to get them to mater everything that they’re doing, but you can see the ability they have.
