



Mark Richt and a few players after Thursday's practice (plus a little video of Malcolm Lewis)

Head Coach Mark Richt

Opening Statement…



"Very short and sweet practice today, day after the scrimmage. Tomorrow we're going to have a full fundamental day again, so we wanted to give them a little bit of a break. We basically did most everything we normally do, we just kind of condensed the time of it. We also had some orientation meetings with a lot of our freshmen today, so that's why we're doing it in this certain window. We had Dr. [Julio] Frenk address us and Blake James, our Athletics Director, address us - the entire athletic community, I think that was at nine o'clock this morning. We started a little later because of that. It worked out - this is just what we needed."

On the message from President Frenk…

"Just how much he appreciates athletics as it relates to a university setting, and our responsibility to do things right - do things within the NCAA, ACC and university policy. Let's work together. We are a community, we are the U Family. That was mainly the message. He thanked everybody for our hard work, but also, 'help keep us accountable to doing things right.'"

On any takeaways from the team’s second scrimmage…

"I think we got our money's worth as coaches. It was a pretty long scrimmage. I thought the players just gave it up - you go back and watch the tape, there's very little...I just don't see much loafing around. Usually somebody is dogging it out there and you have to get on them, but that part has been probably the most pleasing thing of camp, is the effort of these guys every day. A lot of it is coaching and being on the same page, and sending the same message every day. Don't one day say this is okay and the next day you decide that you're going to get mad at it. Just be consistent. But as far as the scrimmage overall, I would say by tomorrow we'll give you the stats as our staff put them together. It's late news, but it might be interesting for the fans."

On which players he has seen take on leadership roles defensively…

"[Rayshawn] Jenkins definitely. I like what Corn [Elder] is doing. I'm watching guys practice hard and take coaching. Sometimes, when everybody is going hard and everybody is doing their thing, there's not a whole lot of work to lead. Like I'm saying, I don't have to get everybody to go. I don't see anybody feel like he has to grab his teammate and get them to go. They're all doing it, and I think they enjoy that. I think they respect each other enough to do that. It's early, it's the first year, I don't know how many games we'll win, but we're working hard and I'm proud of it, in that area."

On the improvement of the defense from a tackling perspective…

"There's no question. Tackling in the box, most everybody can tackle in the box. It's when people get out in space when you miss tackles. That's mostly defensive backs - safeties, corners - offensively, the goal is to block everybody but a safety or a backside corner on a stretch play...if you do break it out, somebody has to defeat a block and go close that space and corral that guy and get him on the ground. Usually you can't do that by yourself. You do that because of team hustle and taking proper angles. Just the approach of the open-field tackles have made a huge difference."

On if he gained any clarity on the back-up quarterback role

"Yeah, but I haven't told those guys yet. By tomorrow, we'll know who's at least battling or still in the battle. I won't name a No. 2, but I'll narrow it down."

On if he sees Darrion Owens playing in the season opener, and Michael Pinckney’s injury…

"I hope so. I don't know what [Darrion] used to look like. But he looks, still, he doesn't look like he's flying around, 100 percent full speed every snap. Maybe just kind of getting to trust it again. I don't know. Pinckney, I would hope yes. He's just had a hamstring issue that’s been bothering him.''

Some Of Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz's impressions after scrimmage

***On DT Gerald Willis: “That evaluation is ongoing. He knows the things he has to continue to work on. Part of it is the ability to make a play, and there’s also the issue of not being where you’re supposed to be and giving up plays. Sometimes your playing time in a way is not dependent on how much good you can do, it’s dependent on how little bad you can do. He’s one of those guys that is certainly trying to focus in on, first, not burning the house down before we worry about how we attack the other people.’’

***On scrimmage sacks: “I think it was five.”

***On what it was like for his first-team D-line to go after backup quarterbacks who had shed their no-contact jerseys and were allowed to be hit: “I think they thought there would be [more sacks], but fear is a great motivating factor, so that ball came out sometimes differently than it did before.’’

***On Jamie Gordinier, who is playing first-team weak-side linebacker in place of the injured Michael Pinckney (hamstring): “The biggest thing with Jamie…is his confidence in himself. When you’re a young guy and you’re trying to learn everything and be perfect, that’s really hard. So, what we’re trying to talk to him about is, ‘Trust yourself. Let the game come to you. And just let it go.’ I think he’s got a really bright future. I think he’s physically gifted but it’s just at-bats, that’s all it is, and persistence will turn him into a good player.’’

***On freshman cornerback Malek Young: “He’s fast, and fast players know they’re fast, so that affects their confidence in terms of how they cover; and…he’s tough. He’s a willing tackler, so the arrow is pointing up on Malek Young.’’

Head coach Mark Richt said he’ll name the top two contenders for the backup quarterback job on Friday…The Canes practiced for about an hour Thursday on the heels of the scrimmage…UM President Julio Frenk addressed the team and athletics personnel in the morning…Richt praised Elder and safety Rayshawn Jenkins for their leadership roles on defense…Weak-side linebacker Darrion Owens has not played in either of the scrimmages. “I don’t know what [Darrion] used to look like,’’ Richt said, “but he doesn’t look like he’s flying around, 100-percent full speed every snap.’’…Richt said he is hoping Pinckney will be well enough to play in the opener.

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Linebacker Darrion Owens

On missing time due to knee injury…

“I love the game. I want to be out there. I wish I could be out there with them, playing along with them. I’ve been playing this since I’ve been young. It is hard, just watching them going out there. But it’s better than sitting in the training room, wondering what they’re doing. It’s still a good feeling to be out here with them.”

On what he gains from watching from the sideline…

“When you’re watching, I think I can see how certain people deal with certain situations, and how some younger guys grow up and step up to adversity.”

On the team’s trio of freshmen linebackers – Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud…

“They don’t act like freshmen. All the freshmen linebackers, I have a good relationship with them and all of them carry themselves not like usual freshmen would. They work hard, they have a good head on their shoulders…they’re going to have a great future. I’m excited to see them play this year and from now on. They’re all going to be great.”







Defensive Back Rayshawn Jenkins (above picture by SMD: Rayshawn with Jaquan Johnson)

On how the defense played in the second scrimmage…

“There were definitely some good plays, but then again, there were definitely bad plays. We still have room for improvement, but that’s what practice is for. We have jut about two weeks before the game, and we have to get some things fixed.”

On how the defense stands compared to this point in camps of the past few years…

“In my opinion, it’s definitely better than in recent years we’ve been here, but it’s still not where we want it to be. There’s some stuff, like I said, that we still need to clean up, and we’ll move from there.”

On if he has seen the defense get beat on big plays…

“Not at all. It’s just little stuff – techniques, guys are getting accustomed to this new defense. Just a lot of technique errors, footwork…we’ll get it down.”

On where he sees the strengths and weaknesses of the defense…

“Definitely tackling. We tackle really well. And competing, just as an overall group. Like I said, technique – there’s not very much we need to improve on, in my opinion. Just bringing those younger guys along, because we’re going to need them at some point down the road.”







Linebacker Jamie Gordinier

On the aggressiveness of the defense…

“We just put in that new third down ‘prowler’ package. It’s exciting to get to the quarterback. It’s a lot of fun. We have guys lining up in all different sorts of places and once the ball is snapped, it’s just kind of letting loose and playing backyard football.”

On the challenges of camp…

“The coaches are setting a really high standard for us. We were doing some extra stuff after practice for things we didn’t do right in the scrimmage. Everyone is kind of sore and tired, but that shouldn’t stop us right now.”

On learning the new defensive scheme…

“It wasn’t very difficult picking this defense up. He made it simple for that reason, so we could pick it up a lot easier.”

On his mentality as he’s worked with the first team…

“My mentality is to give it my all. If I mess up on one play, I need to know that I need to attack the next rep and not think about what I just did wrong.”

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN