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Minnesota
Golden Gophers Football News
8-4-06
2006 GOPHER FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY MASON QUOTES
Mason opening statements:
“I start every year talking about how special this is for me
personally. I had a great summer and enjoyed myself more this past
summer than I have in awhile. With about a week and a half to go before
camp I found myself not wanting the summer to end. I was worried about
that because if you don’t have the right enthusiasm to enter this thing
there is something wrong. But the last weekend I couldn’t wait for
summer to be over with so we could get onto football. I love this time
of year and the start of two-a-day practices is probably the most
important.
“As we speak right now we have 102 guys in camp, 71 of them being
upperclassmen, 28 freshmen and three transfers.
“Some players who are not in camp include: Mark Mullaney; Nhemie
Theodore; Brandon Owens; Brian Moss; Pat McCarthy; Jason Lamers; Josh
Wiltsie; James Tindall; and Marcel Jones.
“I always get asked about position changes. Typically this time of year
there aren’t many, but there are two that I will mention. Freshman D.J.
Burris is a player we recruited to be an offensive lineman, but I’ve
decided to start him out on defense. I’ve talked long and hard about
not having the depth at running back we’ve all become accustomed to
around here, so yesterday I moved Alex Daniels to running back. We have
to get creative because we still want to run the football.
On quarterback Bryan Cupito:
“This year seems to be the year of the quarterback in the Big Ten
Conference. Nine or 10 teams return veteran quarterbacks and we happen
to be one of them. I look for Bryan Cupito to have an exceptional year
for us. He’s played pretty good football the last two years and during
spring practice he was far superior. He’s always been an accurate
passer. He’s been a smart and durable guy. He has an air of confidence
about him right now and an air of leadership and he’s throwing the ball
pretty well. We look for him to have an exceptional year.”
On the offensive line:
“We lost some good offensive linemen. I miss some of those guys even
more than I would have anticipated, not just because they were great
football players but because they were great people. But we will have a
good offensive line again. Maybe fortunate is the wrong word, but when
Joe Ainslie broke his hand in the opener against Tulsa, it really
allowed Steve Shidell to step in and gain some valuable experience. In
saying that, we really return three starters at that position which
gives us some flexibility and enabled us to move Tony Brinkhaus to
center. We have enough pieces there that I really believe we’ll be good
on the offensive line again.”
On the tight ends:
“Our tight end position is solid. Matt Spaeth is an exceptional tight
end. He’s a dominant blocker at that position and is a good pass
receiver as well. Hopefully we’ll throw more to him this year.”
On the wide receivers:
“I feel good about our wide receiving corps. We don’t have great
numbers there, but collectively they’re the best we’ve had. We have two
proven veterans in Ernie Wheelwright and Logan Payne, and the two young
guys I’m excited to see are Eric Decker and Mike Chambers. I
second-guessed myself from midway on that I probably should have played
them last year. They really could have helped us.”
On the running backs:
“We’ll have to see how they can collectively do as a group to pick up
where we’ve performed the last couple of years. Amir Pinnix appears to
be the heir apparent based on his performance in the past. Jay Thomas
is a guy we redshirted last year and then didn’t get to evaluate him in
the spring because he was hurt. Brylee Callender went through an
adjustment period, but he probably performed best during spring
practice. He worked tremendously hard this summer. I’m anxious to see
how he’ll perform. Justin Valentine has been used in a multitude of
positions and we may have even overused him. He might have to be one of
those running backs we’re talking about.
“As soon as I mention that you might see a little different offense
from us, people assume we’re going to go from run, run, run to pass,
pass, pass. We’re not going to do that. We’ve run the ball
exceptionally well, and if anything we’ve been underrated throwing the
ball. We haven’t utilized our passing game as much as we could have
because we’ve run the ball so effectively. When I look at us right now
I’m a little uncertain about the running back position, but I’m
confident in our quarterback and the decision he’ll make. I’m confident
in his throwing ability and I’m confident in our receivers, so that’s
why I think you’ll see us throw the ball more effectively.”
On the defense:
“I don’t know how many years I’ve stood up here and said we have to get
better on defense and that’s the truth. If we legitimately want to
compete for a championship in this league we have to play better
defense than we’ve been playing. That’s easier said than done. It’s
harder to play rock solid defense than it is to play rock solid
offense. On defense, you have to be strong across the board, because
the offenses in this league know where you’re weak and they’ll keep
exploiting it.
“We’re awfully young on defense, but at the same time I’m confident
we’ll be better. I liked what I saw during spring practice. There are
some guys coming of age. We had two freshmen, Willie VanDeSteeg and
Steve Davis, who played remarkably well as true freshmen. If you can
play well as a true freshman in the Big Ten Conference, you’re only
going to get better as time goes on.
“We’re taking on an all new look at the defensive tackle position. We
might have to be a little creative at that position just like at
tailback.
“We have more flexibility in the secondary. We have more experience
coming back and we have a lot of skill back there.”
On the kicking game:
“We return our punter and kicker so we should be better in that phase.
We spent an inordinate amount of time in spring practice to improve in
that area from a coaching perspective.”
On the linebackers:
“I feel pretty good if we can keep them healthy. Durability is a big
factor in the whole thing. We don’t have great depth at that position,
but John Shevlin, Mike Sherels and Mario Reese have played a lot of
football, so we’re returning a lot of experience there.”
On the supporting cast on offense:
“The question revolves around the ability we have had to run the
football. We’re going to have to be a little more wide open than that,
but we’ll be all right. Since I’ve been here we haven’t always had
pro-type running backs and yet were still effective at running the
football. Bryan Cupito is more capable than anybody we’ve had around
here to run our offense.”
On the running backs being able to hold up the entire season:
“The question regarding running backs always revolves around how
durable you are. At any level, a running back takes a beating. The
hardest thing in football is getting tackled.”
On his confidence in Tony Brinkhaus playing center:
“We were confident moving Brinkhaus to center because we know him so
well. It’s a tough position to play but he’s a smart guy. Is he going
to be the same as Greg Eslinger – no. Eslinger was the best I’ve ever
seen at that position with the things he was able to do. But I’m
comfortable with Brinkhaus because he’s determined and he’s mentally
stable. He’s not going to get down. We never saw any reason why it
wouldn’t work out.”
On the schedule:
“We’re going to open at Kent State on a Thursday night, which is good
because it will give us a little extra time to prepare for Cal, who
will be in everybody’s top-15. But I’ve never worried about going on
the road to play. Even now in the Big Ten, I love going on the road to
play to see the colorful settings. I don’t dread going to those places.
I’m not saying they’re not tough places to play because they are, but I
look forward to it.”
On where the leadership will come from:
“I’ve never been on a team that’s been good that hasn’t had good senior
leadership. But really the only thing you have to have to be a good
leader is some guts and courage. One of the things I’m really excited
about this year is that we have great kids with great character. This
group is even better. It goes back to how they approached winter
conditioning, spring practice, all the way down to their academics.
These guys are ready to prove everyone wrong. What is great about the
game of football is that if you can come together as team, it’s amazing
what you can accomplish, and that’s what we’re bound and determined to
do this year.”
2006 GOPHER FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY PLAYER QUOTES
Senior Quarterback Bryan Cupito
Q: On Minnesota’s success in the past with their running game and how
it will transition into a passing game. Does it matter to you?
BC: It doesn’t. If we run the ball well again, we’ll run the ball. Amir
Pinnix is our running back and we have four out of five offensive
linemen that are returning. Different positions, but they are returning
and we have a lot of experience. If we have to run the ball, we’ll run
the ball. If we have to pass the ball, we have great receivers and a
great tight end and we’ll do what we need to do to win.
Q: On being a veteran quarterback in the Big Ten Conference:
BC: I do feel confident, especially since my receivers did a great job
this offseason and in spring practice. We have the best tight end in
the Big Ten and I think the offensive line will be better than people
expect. If we have to pass the ball, you just have to have confidence
that we can do what we need to do.
Q: On losing Greg Eslinger, Laurence Maroney and Mark Setterstrom:
BC: It’s a big deal. They are obviously great players, but at the same
time we have some young guys that can replace them and they are going
to show what they can do. Amir Pinnix has been waiting his turn for a
long time and finally it’s his time to show what he can do. Tony
Brinkhaus moved over to center and we have confidence in all of those
guys. It’s definitely a big adjustment to lose type of quality players.
Q: On the wide receivers:
BC: Logan Payne and Ernie Wheelwright are our main receivers and our
two starting receivers. Ernie and I came in together and Logan came
about last year. We three have to stick together. We really have to
utilize Matt Spaeth in the passing game because he’s a big guy and can
catch the ball well. Then we have our young guys in Eric Decker and
Mike Chambers who have been working hard and are ready to get in the
game. When they get in the game they are going to have to make plays.
Then we also have to use Justin Valentine and Amir Pinnix in the
backfield so we have a lot of people that we can give the ball. We just
have to make sure we give the ball to each person at the right time.
Q: On the Big Ten and Ohio State being the favorite:
BC: The Big Ten is tough. There are a lot of teams that are equal this
year. Every game is going to be a big game. Last year, we beat
Michigan, then we lose to Penn State and Michigan beats Penn State.
Every week you have to be ready to play. I would say the favorite is
Ohio State, especially with the great quarterback they have. They are
the favorite, but we have to play them and I don’t know why we can’t be
in that mix somehow. We just need to focus on it game by game and
hopefully we’ll come out on top.
Q: On a tougher nonconference schedule:
BC: We’re going to California this year and they are in the top 10.
They are a great team and that’s a big game. We’re also at Kent State
for the first game and we’ll have some good games. Our nonconference is
tough, but I don’t mind that because it helps us get ready for the Big
Ten. We definitely have to be ready right away because we’ve got Kent
State on the road and Cal on the road this year and hopefully we’ll
come out of two-a-days ready to go.
Senior Tight End Matt Spaeth
Q: On passing game and his catching ability:
MS: This summer and offseason we knew we were going to have to throw
the ball a lot more. We realized that and we spent a lot of time as a
team throwing the ball and running routes. I spent a lot of time on my
own doing the little things to prepare myself for this and put a lot of
hard work in it during the summer and I’m really excited to see how it
pays off.
Q: On catching teams off guard who are used to the running game:
MS: As a team in general, we are off the radar. No one is really
expecting us to finish high in the Big Ten and that’s the way we like
it. I’d rather it be that way and that way we can come out and we don’t
have a target on our back. Hopefully we can surprise some people and be
the underdog.
Q: On the anticipation of the upcoming season:
MS: We know as a team what we are capable of and know the type of
players we’ve got. We don’t think we’re going to finish where everyone
else thinks we are, but at the same time we’ll let them think what they
want.
Q: On goals for himself:
MS: Everyone has to have some goals for themselves, but I feel that
individual goals go along with team goals if I do the best of what I
can do. If I take advantage of all the balls thrown to me, if I block,
those are my individual goals and that will pay off for the team.
Q: On the confidence in Bryan Cupito:
MS: High. Real high. I’ve always thought Bryan is a great quarterback
and he has had some ups and downs, but he’s matured and progressed
tremendously and is ready to have a good year.
Junior Running Back Amir Pinnix
Q: On the Gophers being more of a passing team this year and do you
read that?
AP: I try and stay out of that. We just have to come every game
prepared whether we are going to pass or run and just showcase our
talents in either way. Then people can throw out their perceptions they
want about our games.
Q: On being the No. 1 running back:
AP: It’s a childhood dream. I had to wait three or four years just to
get the opportunity and get a chance to go out and play and I had to be
patient. Patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait.
It is a childhood dream.
Q: Has the running style changed with the loss of Greg Eslinger?
AP: Not at all. The style hasn’t changed one bit. We have people coming
in for Greg. We have (Tony) Brinkhaus who is a great player and who can
play a variety of positions on the O-line. At this point in time, he’s
playing center and is doing a great job up front. I have the utmost
confidence in our offensive linemen.
Q: On the Big Ten Conference:
AP: We have a pretty tough schedule and that’s good for us. If we can
beat top-notch teams day in and day out we can prove some people wrong.
That’s good for the Gophers.
Q: Is it an exciting time of the year?
AP: Football is finally here.
Junior Linebacker John Shevlin
Q: How much did injuries affect the defense togetherness last year?
JS: We were banged up. It does affect the way you play as a unit
because you have new guys stepping in. Hopefully this year we can have
some luck. That being staying healthy - keeping the same guys in there
and being able to play and know what each person is doing.
Q: On trying to become one of the top defenses in the Big Ten:
JS: I think we have the talent to be that good. It’s just comes down to
whether we can do it. We take it upon our shoulders that we can do that
and just get it into our heads that we can be that good.
Q: On the linebackers leading the defense:
JS: At linebacker you always have to lead because you’re the heart and
soul of the defense. You are in the middle of everything. We definitely
have a lot of experience there and I think we just need to produce as
well.
Sophomore Safety Dominic Jones
Q: On defense coming into the year:
DJ: Coach Bray and Coach Criner have brought a totally different
attitude to our defensive unit. We have guys on our defense that want
to be great. They are not just satisfied with being good. The attitude
that Coach Bray has brought to secondary has been great. It is
different from last year. He has a cutthroat mentality, which we have
really responded to as a unit. We want to take pride in our defense
this year. We want to be on the field and make plays to help our team
win games. We want to be flying around making plays and be the backbone
of team. We are playing more as a team on defense this year. We bonded
a lot in the offseason and I think that helped us as a unit heading
into this year. We know that to be good we all have to succeed on the
field and play well as an entire unit.”
Q: On the expectations of the defense:
DJ: We have to have a chip on our shoulder. You think about the
Indianapolis Colts. They were offensively dominant and they brought
that new aggressive style to their defense and came together, clicked
and as a group you can see what they accomplished. That’s the kind of
thing that we can take now. Coach Bray and Coach Criner brought that
aggressive style. Kind of cutthroat, in your face and I think that’s
what we need. We need that discipline that we didn’t have last year. We
should be better.
Q: Have you emerged as a leader on defense?
DJ: It’s been crazy. It wasn’t anything intentionally, it’s just the
way I am. They respect me. It’s no different than high school or little
league. I was always a captain so there’s nothing different here.
That’s the passion.
Q: Who else will be a leader on defense?
DJ: That’s the thing. I really can’t give you another name. Last year,
I probably pinpointed a couple people. This year, we have a lot of
people that are coming together as one and are trying to make this
person better, make this person better. We’re saying stuff to each
other. There’s no hard feelings we’re letting each other know. We have
so many emerging leaders right now, it’s hard to just pick out one.
Q: On the tougher schedule:
DJ: If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s how I
feel. We’ve probably worked just as hard or harder than any of the
other Big Ten schools. We strap on our pads, we lace up our cleats just
as they do, but when that whistle blows, we have to go at them just
like they’re coming at us. The best team is going to come out
victorious.
Q: On going to a bowl game, but not to the Rose Bowl:
DJ: It’s always a disappointment. We want to win a big one, that’s what
we are here for. That’s part of the reason why I came here. I feel like
Minnesota is on the rise and we can lift that border up to that Rose
Bowl type level. So any time you don’t win that big one, it’s obviously
a disappointment. We just need to keep making progress as a team. By
the time I leave here I just want to make sure the program is at a
high, respectable level.
Sophomore Defensive End Steve Davis
Q: On his offseason:
SD: I did a lot of working out and eating well. I ran every morning and
lifted weights. I basically was trying to gain weight to get ready for
this year. I also looked at film of our opponents for this year to
start preparing to succeed this season.
Q: On the defensive unit this year:
SD: I expect us to be really good. Last year had a lot of hard workers
on the team, but we did not have as much fire, and people who worked
hard every play in every practice. We have guys now that won’t settle
for just playing well for part of the game, they want to be good the
whole game.
Q: On outside expectations on him heading into the season:
SD: Right now I knew there might be hype surrounding me from my
freshman year, but I know I have to worry about myself and continuing
to get better. If I do good things, I know it will draw attention, but
I just need to worry about myself and the team.
Q: On how he would describe the type of player he is:
SD: Basically I am a guy who is going to go out there and give 110
percent every time the ball is snapped. The play is not over until the
whistle blows. I call myself a runner and a hitter. So I got out there
and run as fast as I can. I label myself as a scrapper. I am going to
find who has the ball, go get it, and make a play. I feel like if I
keep doing that I can go out and make big plays.
Q: Why he likes to play defense:
SD: I love hitting people. When I strap on my helmet and my pads and I
get a good hit in a game, I get a chill in my spine. I love to make
plays - it feels so good, especially sacks.
Q: What advantages do you possess?
SD: I feel my advantage right now is my speed. I use my speed to get
off the ball quickly, get to the ball and make plays. Last year,
sometimes if I did things to fast I went to far into the play and took
myself out of it. Right now I am at the right mold to use my speed and
strength to be at the right place and right time.”
Q: On Minnesota’s defensive schemes:
SD: Coach Lockwood puts us in position to make plays. The scheme does
that. Last year we did not have much of a pass rush, but now they are
helping us to go out there and make plays. That is why I like the
scheme. It is not too much of wanting us to do this or be in a specific
place. It is more about getting to the ball and making a play. We know
what we have to do. Go out there and make plays.
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