The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Tracking the Longhorns: Aug. 25
08.25.2009 | Football
Aug. 25, 2009
LB Roddrick Muckelroy
On what has stood out in the scrimmages: A lot of players are making plays and a lot of the young players are coming along and getting involved and making plays. We had two good scrimmages, and we'll continue to move forward and do good things on the defense. We have seen a lot of players stepping up and making plays.
On seeing a difference in this year's defense compared to last year: It's about the same. There are days where the offense takes over practice and sometimes the defense takes over practice, but it's pretty much the same as last year. We have a lot more guys comfortable with the defense this year, so we just have to continue to get better each day.
On the defense being more complex compared to last season: We have a lot of different looks and a lot of different players. Once you know defense, you can adjust things, tweak thing here and there, do different things within the defense, so we can play with it a little bit this year compared to last year where we were still kind of learning the defense. We can adjust it a little.
On safeties Blake Gideon and Earl Thomas: They're stepping up to the plate and making plays just like last year. They are a lot more comfortable in the defense and that allows you to make more plays, so those two guys are going to be a key part in our defense this year and just continue to work hard.
On Mack Brown: He's doing a good job leading his team, making sure everybody is focused and doing the right thing and it filters down to us through the coaching staff. Coach Brown has been coach Brown since I've been here. He's always got energy, his energy is always up and he's mad when things don't go right and he's happy when we perform, it's the same coach Brown.
On getting ready for game week: You get an emotional high, especially when you get closer and closer to game week, but you know, you go one practice at a time and you want to focus on what you did wrong last practice and go out and fix it, so by game day, you hit the ground running. You try not to make the same mistakes and try to go out there and play without thinking on game day, plus you will be excited because it is game day. You just want to continue practicing the little things in practice and carrying them over to the field.
On being a veteran on the defense: It's a little bit easier because I know what to expect. I pretty much know the defense and know the coaches and it's been fun this last camp and going out trying to work hard and fix little things every day and just trying to be a better team.
QB Colt McCoy
On the end of camp being near: We're getting close. Camp is almost over and we're about to start school. It's kind of winding down, but we have to stay focused, and I think the intensity level is rising a little bit just because a game is right around the corner.
On ways to get better: I can tell individually the things that I've worked on as far as studying, as far as progressions, as far as things that I set for myself, goals that I set for myself and what I wanted to improve on. As a team, we go against each other so much, we see the first-team defense over and over and I think (evidence of the level of improvement) will really start to happen once we start playing other teams, once we start game planning, going against the scout team, I think you will see more and more of those things that you have worked on the whole time.
On the new guys getting ready for the first game: I think everybody has kind of found their position, found their role. We have one last scrimmage tomorrow, but at the same time, I think most guys know where they're going to play, where they're going to be lined up. We are really excited. We have two more days to finish off camp the right way, but we've come a long way. Our team is playing really well together. The offense and defense, there is competition every day, and it's time to play somebody else. That's kind of the feeling right now.
On seeing Sergio Kindle grow throughout his time at Texas: Sergio has grown up a lot. He was a great player last year and I think everybody in the locker room expects him to be an even better player this year. For me, personally, lining up against him every day, it's a challenge. You have to change protections to where he is so you can get a double team on him, but he's a big difference and is big, physical and tough to play against. After four years being here, it starts from the top and you have leadership from coach Brown, from the seniors in the locker room and after being with him for four years and the other seniors, we have really grown close to each other. For him, he has come a long way. He is a great guy and we are proud to have him on our team and definitely proud to have him on my team on Saturdays. I'm ready to see him get after somebody else.
On school beginning: When school starts tomorrow, it's going to be a different campus. There are going to be people everywhere and our team definitely has to stay focused. There are a lot of distractions out there, but I feel like we're ready and the good thing about it is that you know when school starts, you are about to play somebody else. It's pretty exciting.
On the defense playing the offense in camp: Our defense has grown up, especially our secondary. Our secondary is playing really well, they are competing with each other and every one of them wants to be on the field and they can't be, and I think that's going to make them really good. They are getting a lot better and they're playing better together, which makes it harder to throw the ball on them and it's hard to get completions in practice, and I think that's a good sign.
LB Sergio Kindle
On beginning to game plan for ULM: It'll be good because as many practices as we've had, I think we've figured each other out on both sides of the ball. We're getting close to being where we want to be, and that will help us roll into the game plan for our first game.
On if he still sees himself as a linebacker playing defensive end: I'll be whatever they want me to be as long as I can help get the team to where they want to be. I'll be in the middle, it doesn't matter.
On how comfortable he feels playing with his hand on the ground: Real comfortable. As many practices as we've had, I don't see why I wouldn't be comfortable. I feel like I'm acclimated to it, and I'm ready to go.
On what he worked on to become more comfortable playing defensive end: Basically I just worked on stance. Last year it was more of a pass rush deal for me. Working against our offensive line, they'll lean on you, so you're either going to get better or get run over most of the time. I work with those guys (after practice) whenever I have free time to get myself and them better.
On if the team is getting more tired as camp continues: The closer we get to the first game it's actually getting better and better in my opinion. We get to look at some film of a team besides ourselves, run over some different plays. It's going to be nice to defend plays that aren't our own.
On Will Muschamp and working hard to prepare for the season: Coach Muschamp's not the type that will build a guy up because he doesn't want anybody to get big headed. He wants it still to be a team deal. He wants me to work hard and that's what I'm doing. That's what everybody else is doing. They see me as the leader of the defense, and if I'm working hard I feel like those guys are going to mimic what I do and they'll work hard too.
On what type of work he does with tackles Adam Ulatoski and Kyle Hix after practice: I tell them that I'm getting run over, and to get in a stance and show me their run block or slide protection, just so when it does happen to me in a game against other linemen I'll be prepared for it.
On the progress of the freshmen: They're still trying to get acclimated to the playbook. It's thick. The coaches are on them because they're looking for guys to step up for second or third-team roles. That's the point they're at right now. Basically, they're trying to learn the plays so they can get in the first game.
