Coach Stoops and Players on UAB

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and select players met with the media at the weekly football press conference on Tuesday.

The Sooners host UAB on Saturday to open the 2006 season.

View Sooner Gameday Central for complete broadcast options, information on the teams and important regulations for fans attending the game.

HEAD COACH BOB STOOPS
"We're all excited starting the season off here in the game week and opening here at home with UAB. We're really looking forward to getting on the field and seeing the progress we've made through the last month.

"We're playing a good football team. UAB is a team, year in and year out in their conference, that always does really well. Coach Watson Brown and his staff have done a great job through the years.

Photo Gallery | Game Notes | Sooner Gameday Central

"You look at a lot of games they've played in the past; their opener last year against Tennessee was a very good game, 17-10. They played Georgia very close a year before.

"Year in and year out they're always a good football team with good athletes. You look at their talent across the board-- they are very sound in what they do. It's a challenge we have to be ready for.

"Hopefully we've made significant progress here through our two-a-days and our camp getting ready for this season.

"You have to get out there on the field and play with some discipline and toughness and effort. That's really what we're looking for. We want to see our guys come out and play in a disciplined and physical way and play with great effort.

"Play smart, that is what we have to do, especially early on. A year ago, we did not do that. Hopefully, we're a little more schooled in how we play fundamentally to start the season. If we do, we've got a chance to have a good year."

On media speculation about the team:
"Perception doesn't much matter. There has been a perception other years that we weren't very good and we were awfully good. There was a perception a year ago that we were going to be awfully good to start with and we weren't.

"The bottom line is a lot of people got carried away with what might have been at some point in the future. We hadn't seen that yet. When we left a year ago, we were an 8-4 team. Our quarterback threw 10 interceptions and 10 touchdown passes.

"I'm not taking anything away from anybody but that isn't exactly lighting it up. The year before, Jason White threw for roughly 40 touchdowns and 7 interceptions-- now that's something to replace. In the end, I think people's perceptions were skewed of what may have been at some point in the future and it's fair to say at this point what might not have been.

"What we see in Paul is a guy that has taken snaps for four years and is a fifth year senior. There is maturity there. There's physically strength and ability. I see a supporting cast around him that I believe will be better to start the year than was a year ago. All of those things put together, we still believe Paul is a very good quarterback with a chance to be great if the players around him will play that way.

"I think it's fair to say when we started out a year ago, the supporting cast around wasn't very supportive. So I think Paul took a lot of unjust criticism directing just at him, when there was quite a number of players that didn't play to level we're used to."

On the offensive strategy:
"I don't know that there's a change. There is just an evolution of what we are doing. I am very confident and pleased with Coach Wilson, Coach Sumlin and the offensive coaches and how they've handled the situation and their thought processes. They have a lot of experience and diversity. They are smart. We have played to our talent for the most part in a pretty good way through the years and hopefully we're able to do that again this year."

On the immediate impact of new freshmen:
"Gresham is definitely in the position that he will play. We're close to making the decision on Gerald McCoy. We'll see. He's close. I'm incredibly pleased with Gerald. He's been fabulous and he's working in a really good way."

On protecting Paul Thompson from injury:
"I think we've got to be smart in how much he runs the football. But let's face it, look at the NFL and look at everyone in college - usually, when you lose your starter, usually the back up guy isn't the same or isn't as experienced or isn't quite as ready. It's different. I don't know that we're in any different position than probably 80 percent of the other teams out there. I think Joey (Halzle) has the chance to be really good. He's working that way, the more experience he gets and the more and more he's on the field."

On tailoring the offense to Thompson:
"We have everything that our line and quarterbacks are able to handle going into the game. Everybody builds as you go through the year. Going into this year, we worked hard all through camp of tailoring things that Paul's comfortable with and fit what we do. Hopefully it will make a difference for him.

On UAB:
"They love to run the football. They have three really good backs that he works a lot. You'll see a lot of option. Three backs in the backfield or one back with the second coming in and running option stuff and misdirection plays and almost wishbone plays. They'll also spread it out to try and throw the football. Defensively, they are structurally very sound. Last year they did a lot of quarter and half-field coverages and mixing their men, which many good defenses do."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SENIOR QB PAUL THOMPSON
Are you excited to see how well you can play? You haven't played quarterback in a year, are you the least bit curious about how well you are going to play?
I am definitely excited to get back out there. I know what I can do. I have jumped back in it pretty quickly compared to what I might of thought I would be at this point, being in the situation I was in. I look forward to being out there to make plays and I think I can do that. I feel I will play well and the team will play well.

Do you take a different mindset into this year knowing that you are the starting quarterback?
Much more relaxed. I have taken a lot more pressure off myself. When you are in a race, as I was last year, when you make throws, when you make reads, you want to be perfect on it and feel that if you don't, you put a lot more pressure on yourself. This year I feel like I am more relaxed, more comfortable, and know that if I make a mistake I can put it off easier and move on to the next play.

There is a common theory in the NFL that a quarterback has to play in order to improve. I don't know if that filters down to the college level or not, but would you agree with that for you to get remarkably better as a quarterback, you are going to go game-to-game, as to where you are going to make the biggest differences?
Definitely, and that is for any position. You can see that in our team last year how we improved from game to game. Especially at quarterback, going through reads, feeling more comfortable with your receivers, sitting in the pocket, is something that progresses game to game no matter what level you are at. Each game, you learn a little bit and you improve.

Despite the fact that you weren't at the position for eight months, would you say you are a better quarterback today than you were at this same time last year?
Probably so. I am definitely more comfortable, more relaxed. I don't know if that is because of the situation I am in, with being the guy. It is my senior year, I am going all out, not that I haven't before, but this is pretty much my last go around here. I'm not holding anything back, I don't have any worries, not worried about what everyone else has to say. I'm just focused on this team, and I think we will be real successful.

Looking at UAB last season, do you feel comfortable in what they are going to throw at you:
Yes, definitely, Coach Heupel has done a good job. Because of my schedule, I have a lot more time to watch film. From the end of two-a-days until now, I have been in the film room everyday for hours, with time during practice, after practice, as well as before. So I feel comfortable with what they are bringing and the coaches have done a real good job of preparing us.

What are some of your strengths at the quarterback position? What are some things you like to do?
I enjoy bootin' out, getting outside the pocket on a lot of passing plays, as well as dropping back. I definitely enjoy getting around on the edge, being able to make plays, as well as throwing on the run.

Difference working with Kevin Wilson as opposed to Chuck Long:
With Coach Wilson I can relay things back and forth to him as far as what I like. I have a lot more time with my class schedule this year to meet with offensive coaches on their time and go through the plays that I enjoy and feel comfortable with. It's more of a two-way street than it has been in the past and I feel they are tailoring things more towards me, as well as the offense and what we do well.

Were you trying to be Jason White too much last year instead of Paul Thompson as far as the offense you were leading?
Last year, the offense had changed a little bit. It was more tailored last year than it had been in the past, but definitely I feel like my word has a bigger effect on what direction this offense goes in this year.

Any new wrinkles from the offense?
As far as play calling, Coach Wilson is good at play calling and we know the history of Coach Stoops as well. We are definitely going to have some different wrinkles in there. Things are pretty similar than they were in the spring. Things haven't really changed too much. There are some different wrinkles. Again, I have gone in and talked with the coaches and let them know things I like. We have put in some new things that fit me better. We are going to go from there.

Emotions going into this year's game compared to last year?
Pretty much the same as far as having the question of where I stand as a quarterback. I definitely went into that game feeling confident and felt good. I wasn't too worried or nervous, just real anxious to get out there and play. That is a lot of how I feel this year. I feel real comfortable of dealing with the short game. I have a lot of experience at quarterback, and a lot of it has come back real naturally.

On UAB:
A real strong team defensively. Real strong up front and have some returners, and they are not afraid to step outside and make us beat them one-on-one. We are going to take advantage of that. They have a lot of returners coming back and some good guys up front.

Any hesitation of moving back to quarterback or what might have been staying at receiver?
Not really. I shifted my focus to receiver. I felt really comfortable at that position. I kind of cancelled quarterback out. Not that I didn't feel like I couldn't play that position, but for me and what I wanted to do, I thought it would be best for me.

How much help is it going to be to have more experience at the receiver position?
With our freshmen last year, true freshmen, they were great athletes then. Now with another year of summer conditioning, going through spring and going through the offense, it is just even more of an advantage for us. Going through two-a-days I felt real comfortable throwing it out there to them. They have made big plays, gone up and made great catches throughout two-a-days, and they will continue to do better.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SENIOR DE CALVIN THIBODEAUX
On the importance of starting:
"We all know we're going to get the same amount of snaps with the rotation going on. We all know we'll contribute pretty much the same amount."

On Saturday's game:
"We have to go out there and do the things we know we can do and play disciplined. We need to do what coach asks us to do, play our style and everything else will pretty much take care of itself. When you turn on the film, there is always something that you can improve but we definitely want to go out there and play smart and disciplined football."

On UAB:
"They are a good team with a lot of talent. We have to go out there and execute in order to get a victory."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SENIOR LB ZACH LATIMER
On the pressure on defense:
"I don't feel like there is more pressure on us. Whether we have him or any other quarterback, we still have to go out there and get off the field (for the offense to play). Try to get three-and-outs, turnovers or whatever. It just so happens that Paul Thompson is back there, who was playing receiver last year and we have the utmost confidence that he's going to get it done. We're going to try to get him the ball as much as possible."

On practicing against the offense:
"The offense is great. They are a great running team. With Paul throwing the ball--he is making better reads and getting better everyday. It's something we have to see everyday that prepares us for the season.

"There is no job security around here. If you don't show up during practice or you're not performing well, someone else is going to step into do it. So you better get your stuff right or you'll be standing on the sideline next to Coach Venables. You don't ever want to be on the sidelines."

On the defense:
"I feel more experienced to get out there and start barking out some calls, starting saying what I feel and I'm just having fun now. The thinking is out of it, I'm going out there to have fun and do what I do.

"Experience makes us better this year. There were a lot of first-time guys out there including myself. It's about communicating with each other and talking to each other, telling what you see and help the next guys recognize the formations and process it. Once you keep seeing it, it starts to come to you and becomes second nature. I think you become a better defense like that. Everyday in practice, it's someone different making big plays. You know when you see that you're going to be alright."

On facing UAB:
"(UAB has a) big, physical line and big, physical runners. They lost a lot of receivers, but I think they're going to come in here and try to establish the run game. They throw a lot of different formations at you."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SOPHOMORE OL JON COOPER
How is your health?
I am feeling really good. I am ready to play. I am so anxious to play right now, nothing could stop me. I would have to re-break it to get me off the field.

Did the rest this weekend help?
The rest really helped. This week we are going to really get after it and get ready for UAB. I'll be ready to go.

How much do you put on yourself to be stable for Paul in his first game back as QB?
It will be a big deal for all of us on the offensive line. We will protect him every play.

Has protecting Paul become second nature for you all?
Definitely, I have snapped with Paul before. It is not a big deal anymore. We have not had a bad snap all camp. It has worked out well. It has been second nature for both of us.

How much confidence do you have in the offensive line?
I have 100% confidence in all my guys. We are a young crowd, but we are big strong physical guys that get after it every play of every game.

Is there a strength of the offensive line?
We are all very athletic guys. We all have the right attitude. We are all ready to get out there and be road graders for AD, and get him some holes.

How excited are you to get back out there in front of 85,000 people?
It is going to mean a lot for me because I have missed so much. It is not a foreign thing for me, but it will be new again because it has been so long.

About the question marks of the offensive line. Are you going to be better than people thing?
Definitely, people question us because they haven't seen us play. There won't be any question marks at the end of the season, maybe even at the end of the first couple of games. We have a lot of youth, but a lot of talent and a lot of capability on this offensive line.

How excited are you guys to get back out on the field and be Oklahoma again?
We are very motivated. We have the right attitude, and I can tell by the first weeks of practice that we have the attitude to go out and win.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

R-FRESHMAN DB KEENAN CLAYTON
How good is this offense going to be?
"The offense is good. I think they are going to be just as good. I think the offense is going to be ready to go."

Ready to put opening loss last year behind them?
"It still lingers around because people are going to mention it, but we have to let is go and come out and show everyone that we are ready to go this year and that we aren't playing around."

On confidence going into the season?
"I am pretty confident. The defense is a lot better. I know what is going on a lot better than what I did. I am a lot more confident for myself. I am probably going to be worried because I haven't taken a snap yet as a college player. But I am not worried about it, I am ready to go."

On being named as a starter:
"I really took it the same way as if I was a part of the second string. Day in and day out you have to go hard or you are going to lose your spot. I knew that if I was in the second spot I would still have to go hard either way to try and earn a starting spot."

On his coverage ability:
"We have some of the best wide-receivers out there and I cover them every day. They make me better as a cover guy. So I believe I will be able to cover very well. People don't see me as a cover guy because my highlights are more big hits, but I think my cover skill are just as good as they need to be."

On UAB:
"I believe they are a good offensive team. They are going to hit us with a lot of different schemes and personnel packages. Coach Wright is going to have us ready to go. He has us in there studying film, which is just part of it. We are going to be ready to go."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors