April 19, 2008

Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery

Head Coach Steve Spurrier
“It was somewhat like most of our spring games around here. We did have some scoring, although defense scored a few here and there. We almost set the spring game record for interceptions in the first half, we may have set it. Defense made some good plays. We were hoping there would be some good defensive plays and some pretty good offensive plays, and go from there.”

“We got a ways to go. Kenny McKinley wasn’t out there and undoubtedly, he is our best receiver. It was practice. We have a ways to go with some of our guys. We will evaluate where we are on all the positions.”

“Overall, it was hopefully entertaining for our fans, a little bit more than last year’s game, certainly. I was a little bit disappointed that we couldn’t complete a higher percentage than what we did. It’s history now, and we’re getting ready for the off season.”

On naming a starting quarterback
“We’re not going to name one. I thought maybe we would after spring, but I don’t think that’s what we need to do right now. We need to go through preseason practice. I found through all my years in coaching that some quarterbacks can really get better through the summer.”

“The quarterbacks need a lot of work this summer and I hope they’ll do it, but it’s against the rules for the coaches to be with them. They have to do it on their own. We can’t be there and watch them. We can give them a piece of paper and say `here is what I would like you to do,’ but I don’t know how much they all do. At some point, one of the quarterbacks has to really show a strong commitment level to really want to be good. Right now, I don’t think that any quarterback that we have here knows what really playing well is all about.”

“That is the first time we have hit the off of the bench play. You see it every spring – we get him wide open, but usually the quarterback can’t get it. Scottie caught it on the run. That was encouraging that this year we hit the off of the bench play. That’s spring football.”

Tommy Beecher
“I thought we moved the ball well the whole day. There were definitely some mistakes. I thought the offense played hard.”

“The three interceptions we had are something Coach [Spurrier] doesn’t like to see. We will just keep working hard during fall camp.”

Chris Culliver
On playing two or three covers
“It was kind of cheating, but whatever Coach wants is what we have to do.

On his touchdown celebration
“He [Coach Spurrier] approved dances, but not the flip. Oh yeah, I had to make up my own thing; a little celebration for the fans.”

“Defensive backs have been working hard. Coach [Ron] Cooper and Coach [Shane] Beamer have just been pushing us. We have just been [playing hard] all the time, looking at films trying to get better.”

Dion LeCorn
“This game was confidence boosting, but we threw a lot of interceptions. But, we looked good as a team.”

“I can’t wait for the season to start. I think it will be pretty good for us. Kenny (McKinley) is the No. 1 receiver, but all of us are pretty good and can step in there and be No. 2. All of us are pretty good.”

“I did pretty well, but there is always room for improvement.”

Ryan Succop
“It is fun to come out here, and they [fans] want to see some action. Just that small part of it is really a blessing.”

“I think everyone was hustling, and everyone worked hard this spring. We’re just ready to get going. Obviously there are things we need to improve on, but overall it was a good day.”

“It is a lot more upbeat this year. Coach Ray [Rychleski] has come in, and he’s got a good bit to do with [the attitude change]. It feels great with every one hustling and working hard.”

Brian Maddox
“I’m going to keep working hard like I said. I was out to prove what I can do in front of a bigger crowd then what I was used to.

“I know the offense very well this year. It is right there in front of me, and I can do it. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season, I’m very excited. This is what I have dreamed about to play college football, and I’m getting my opportunity to do that this year.”

Weslye Saunders
On the tight end duo of him and Jared Cook
“I would like to think (we did well). We’ve been working hard in the off season. We complement each other well. We’re going to make it tough (on the coaches). Neither one of us is going to let up. We’re going to make it hard on them.”

Chris Smelley
On what went wrong today
“I don’t know if I can put a finger on one thing. There were a couple of bad decisions by me. I feel like I played well this spring. It just didn’t come together today.”

“I don’t think I had five interceptions all spring. It’s not (representative) of how I’ve done this spring.”

“It was a combination of things. Some were good plays by the DB’s, some were tipped and some were bad decisions by me. The good thing is that it wasn’t (against) N.C. State.”

On him and Tommy Beecher
“We both played well this spring. We’ll battle it out, keep doing what we’re doing and see what happens in the preseason.”

Mark Barnes
“It felt great to get back on the field. We’ve learned a lot, and we’re looking forward to the season. I told the team, `I promised you two (interceptions).’ When the ball’s in the air, call for the ball.”

On moving from offense to defense
“At first I wasn’t comfortable. Everything was new to me. Coach [Ron] Cooper worked with me, and now I’m feeling more comfortable on the defensive side of the ball.”

“Coach Ellis [Johnson’s] style is good for our defense. There was a lot of improvement on the defense’s part. It’s time to let everyone know that the defense is back.”