Buckeyes Hold Football Media Day – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Thursday afternoon, the Ohio State football team held its annual media day at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes met with media to answer questions about the upcoming season and took team photos. The following are quotes from head coach Jim Tressel and student-athletes.
Jim Tressel, head coach
On the new turf field
“It’s going to be a very hot playing surface. We have two noon games this year and it’s going to be a challenge for us. The heat we have right now is going to prepare us well for those games.”
On the possibility of being penalized for a weak schedule
“The only way to get penalized for your schedule is to lose games. If we win our games, we’ll be fine. If we lose games, we won’t be okay.”
On the emergence of Brian Robiskie at wide receiver
“Brian has been around football his entire life. I think he’s anxious to step up into that leading receiver role because he may see some double coverage. His development will be a key to our success.”
Chris Wells, sophomore tailback
On getting back to camp
“I’m excited to be back and get started. I’m doing extra weights and conditioning and I feel 100 percent prepared for the season. I can’t wait to put the pads on and see what everybody can do.”
On what he learned from his freshman season
“I think early on I was really focused on myself and my own performance. The second half of the year, I saw it as more of a team game and I’m going to carry that into this year.”
Maurice Wells, junior tailback
On his role in the offense
“I feel confident in whatever situation the coaches ask me to do. When I do have the chance to step up and help the team, I have to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Brandon Saine, freshman tailback
On his first impressions of Ohio State
“It’s been amazing for me. I made the choice to come here and it’s been worth it. Camp has been tough both mentally and physically but I’m doing pretty well.”
James Laurinaitis, junior linebacker
On the defense’s strength
“It’s our depth. We have a lot of guys to rotate in and out of the lineup. We know the guy behind us can fill in so we can play our hardest every time. Overall, I have a better concept of the defense and the system we want to run. This year, I know I need to be more physical and attack more.”
On the offense
“Our offense is very talented. We’re not looking at what the offense from last year could do. This is a new offense, so we’re looking at what its strengths are and things are really starting to click.”
On preseason rankings
“We lost a ton of guys from last year and that may be why we dropped in the rankings. All we need to focus on is what we can do as a team because all that matters is winning at the end of the season. Last year, we were ranked No. 1 and received all these laurels but didn’t win the national championship game.”
Curtis Terry, senior linebacker
On Ohio State’s depth
“We have seven or eight linebackers that can play anywhere. There’s no drop off between the first and second lines which strengthens the team. It’s going to help us out a lot this year.”
Larry Grant, senior linebacker
On Ohio State’s football program
“I’ve learned so much about the history and the traditions are starting to become a part of me after only one year. I’ve never been on a team where I’ve done everything as a team. This team is my second family now.”
A.J. Trapasso, junior punter
On continuing the tradition of strong special teams play
“It’s an honor to be a part of it and step in the shoes of those who have played here before, like (Tom) Tupa, (Andy) Groom, and (B.J.) Sander. I can only hope to attain what those guys achieved.”
On his goals for the upcoming season
“My main goal is the team’s goal and that is to lead the Big Ten in net punt average. Winning individual awards on top of that is just gravy.”
Aaron Pettrey, sophomore kicker
On continuing the tradition of strong special teams play
“I take a lot of pride in being a part of it. After Josh (Huston) and Mike (Nugent) went through here, the standard has been set pretty high.”
On his mindset after having completed his first season
“Last year, I came in trying to prove myself but this year I feel a lot more comfortable.”
Brian Robiskie, junior wide receiver
On losing Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez
“We have a lot of guys here who are very talented and they will step up. I think we have a good group of guys coming back and I’m excited.”
On assuming a leadership role
“I’ve been preparing for that all off-season. I have taken it upon myself to take on that role for this team.”
On mentoring the younger receivers
“They can always ask me anything they want but I try to lead by example.”
Albert Dukes, junior wide receiver
On losing Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez
“I feel like there’s going to be a lot of opportunity for new guys to step up. Once you get that opportunity, you have to make the best of it because it’s only going to be there for so long.”
On trying to fill the shoes of Ginn and Gonzalez
“They are big shoes to fill but we have to play our own game because we have a lot of potential to do some great things our way.”
Brian Hartline, sophomore wide receiver
On losing Ted Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez
”I really haven’t thought much about it. I thought I would be thinking more about it, like what if they were still here,’ but I haven’t been.”
On entering his second season
“I’m a lot more confident and because of that I have less dropped balls and less hesitation.”
On the team’s quarterbacks
“I feel great about them. Last year we weren’t always practicing with Troy (Smith), so there’s not going to be that much of a transition.”
Alex Boone, junior offensive tackle
On returning from last season
“I think we’ve fixed a lot of the problems we had last year. We have some great players coming back, so I’m confident about this upcoming season.”
Kirk Barton, senior offensive tackle
On Ohio State
“We’ve got plenty of talent this year. Half of our team was All-Americans so it’ll be hard to replace them, but you can’t match the upcoming players with those from last. (Todd) Boeckman needs to play like Boeckman and (Alex) Boone needs to play his best. They can’t be compared to previous players.”
On the 2007 schedule
“Our coaches have done a great job preparing us for the upcoming season. Not every team plays Texas for game two, I think it scares people. We have to have that kind of excitement for every game this season.”
Marcus Freeman, senior linebacker
On the defense
“We want our defensive tradition to continue. We have set our goals and we want to keep them.”
Rory Nicol, senior tight end
On the upcoming season
“We lost a lot of guys that we need to replace. It’s a challenge to see who steps up to the next level.”
Lawrence Wilson, junior defensive end
On teammates
“It’s time to step up and depend on each other. We’re so close with each other and enthusiastic for each other that we all play hard for one another.”
On the Buckeye defense
“There’s no pressure on us for defense. I get goosebumps just thinking about our defense.”
Dexter Larimore, sophomore defensive tackle
On how high school wrestling helps in football
“Wrestling is physically tolling and mentally tiring. A lot of guys mentally break, but wrestling helped prepare me for that. It’s about pushing yourself and working to get better.”
On playing time
“Coach wants the best players in the game. If I’m not the best, that’s fine. I just want to help the team out as much as I can.”
Vernon Gohlston, senior defensive line
On his goals for the season
“Become a better player, improve overall game, give effort and just be the best player I can be.”
On his role on the defense
“I take on double teams to make room for the other players.”
On the upcoming season
“Last season we were left with a sour taste in our mouth, so we are looking forward to getting out there.”
On how practices are going
“It feels good to be back in pads and on the field. It’s our job to put up with the heat. Football is all about testing each other during camp.”
On the 2007 season
“Personally, my goal is to improve as much as possible for the upcoming season. As a team, we need to leave last season behind and look ahead. With hard work and dedication it’s only a matter of time.”
Lawrence Wilson, junior defensive end
On his impressions of the team
“The team feels different. Everyone is eager to play. We’re trying to find our identity.”
Todd Denlinger, junior defensive tackle
On the past season
“I learned a lot last season, had my ups and downs and I’ve learned from my mistakes.”
“I worked hard as a sophomore and the fact that I could possibly be a starter this season is exciting, almost unreal.”
On the defense
“Our defense is named the silver bullet from tradition and we don’t rebuild we reload. We play to win.”
Todd Boeckman, junior quarterback
On being a veteran quarterback
“I’ve been here quite awhile (4 years) and it was tough waiting but it has been my all-time goal. It’s nice knowing that there is not an established player in front of you. I have a great opportunity to make the best of it. Experience is everything.”
On his strengths
“We have lots of young guys so my experience is beneficial. I know all the plays.”
On the season
“We are trying to stay focused on Youngstown state right now.”
On practice
“Practice has been going well but it has been really hard getting after it in the 90-95 degree weather. We have been playing hard and will be ready. I’m ready to get to hit. I can’t wait to put on the pads on Saturday. You don’t know how good you are until the guys are coming at you full speed.”
On possibly starting at quarterback
“It has been a long time since I have gotten a chance to start a game. I’m excited about this year and getting more playing time.”
Rob Schoenhoft, sophomore quarterback
On being a back up last season
“It has been a good learning experience and I have learned so much from all of the great quarterbacks that have come through here.
On getting more playing time
“The scarlet and gray (spring) game this year was the first real snaps I have taken since the scarlet and gray game in 2006. The chance to get on the field more and play is invaluable.”
On the difference between this year and last
“Things have changed so much. I have grown up a lot. I feel more mature. I have a much better relationship with all of teammate.”
Anderson Russell, sophomore defensive back
On his injury
“It feels great. I’m ready to play and I’m now just working on getting back to the same level I was last season.”
On the 2006 season
“I got the chance to learn things that otherwise I never would have learned. I got to learn about all of the game, not just my position.”
On coming back from injury
“I’m not sure I’m all the way back but I’m really close. The summer workout program I’ve been on has improved my durability and strength. I’m ready to strap on the pads and get after it.”
Malcolm Jenkins, junior defensive back
On being a leader
“Last year, I was more of leader on the defense. Now, I have to step up and be a leader for the whole team. It is completely different.”
On the secondary
“Things have been going great. The older guys have really stepped up and the younger guys have done a good job filling in.”
Donald Washington, sophomore defensive back
On goals for this season
“My goal this season is really just to do the best I can to improve this team and make us as good as we can be.”
