University of Houston Athletics
Dimel Quotes
8/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2002
"The key elements of the finer points of our football team right now is that the first think we have to look at is that what we do on the ground as far as running the football and on the ground defending the run are going to be two critical aspects of the success of this football team."
Defensive Line and Linebackers
"We have to be good in our defense front seven in stopping the run game. We have added a lot of personnel and have some younger as well as older players that will help us in our front seven. "
"We are really looking for the seniors who have been here for three years whose talent is there to step up in the front seven. There is no doubt that the talent level, size, strength, the speed -- is all there. They have to learn to apply it and to stop the run and be winners, and that's the big thing."
"Some young, talented high school players and seven junior college transfers are going to help a bit on the front seven. As I look at those seven, I thing we can be a very strong football team across our front and go from taking what was a weakness for us to being a definite strength. "
"We are also comfortable where our secondary is as far as starters. Roland Cola, who was a very highly recruited defensive back two years ago that we had to redshirt because of a hamstring injury last year, should be real solid for us in the corner spot."
"We have a battle at the other corner spot because Victor Malone did a great job there and is a very good player for us and is our starter there, but we have some young, talented corners -- Delenell Reid, Stanford Routt-- that can push us to have some versatility of moving Victor into the safety position. He is a proven entity in our back field."
Safeties
"We have Jesse Sowells at the strong safety, Hanick Milligan at the free safety, and Jermain Woodard at weak safety. Milligan has really got himself into shape and is going to threaten to be an All-American candidate."
"When you look at those three as your starters, and you see you are very strong; by putting Victor in to a position at one of those safeties, you are more versatile and can expand the nickel package."
Offense
"It is important for us to run the football and run it effectively. We are not going to be a smash mouth and grind it out. In college football today you have to be able to throw the football as well to have success. We have to be balanced in what we do."
"I would feel that Joffrey Reynolds is one of the top 10 or 15 running backs in the country. He had 818 yards last year, and I think Joffrey can have an outstanding season for us and get us back to an offense that has 1,000 yard rushers."
"Tim Feathers is a senior, 250-lb. fullback that can run and get in the one back and do some things there. "
"The wide receiver position has three starters: Brian Robinson, Keykowa Bell, and Brandon Middleton. They have all proven themselves and we have to find ways to get them the football in our games. They are seniors and good leaders on this team as well."
"We would love to get the ball to the four tight ends we have in the system right now. There will be a lot of improvement at that position."
Quarterback
"We have four quarterbacks on this team that are very good athletes and football players. Nick Eddy is the frontrunner right now but is going to be pushed by the other guys. Nick is in very good shape and has a lot of ability to run this team. He needs to take that talent and apply it to the football field."
"After this scrimmage Wednesday, we need to decide on two quarterbacks and they have to be the guys. "
