|
 |
| MISSISSIPPI
STATE FOOTBALL NEWS |
|
|
|
|
Mississippi
State Football News
September 12, 2006
Croom comments/Tuesday press conference
Opening Comments
"We are getting ready to play our third game
and in our first two games we played very well defensively. I think we have
made some progress in some areas but there is still a lot of room for
improvement, especially on the offensive side of the football. We will
continue to do some adjustments with our schemes to try simplifying it for
our quarterback. I think he (Tray Rutland) made some strides the other day.
I thought our offensive line held up against a good Auburn defensive
football team much better than we have in the past. The only changes in the
line up right now on either side of the ball that I anticipate will be
(Anthony) Dixon starting at halfback with (Arnil) Stallworth being his back
up and possibly for the first time (Christian) Ducre would make an entrance
into the game as a third guy and in special teams situation. "
On simplifying game plan for Tray Rutland:
"It's reduced on what we ask him to do. We
didn't ask him to do a great deal last week and a lot of the things that we
worked on last week; we didn't necessarily get to during the course of the
ballgame."
On Tulane's offense:
"They really haven't changed over the last
two years. Offensively, they are a spread offense. They have their
quarterback Richard (Lester) back, so that gives them a good starting point.
He is a big guy, strong arm and has mobility even though he is not a run-
first kind of a guy. They have two pretty good running backs, (Matt) Forte
and Ade Tuyo. Those two guys can make some plays out in space, especially
Forte, he catches the ball out in space. They run screens and draws that
can create a lot of problems for you. Preston Brown is a big guy and their
number one target."
On Lance Long's progress
"For a long time I didn't know who Lance
Long was to be honest about it. The more catches he made and the plays he
makes, then you start to look at who they are. Lance just makes plays. He
is too short, too slow and not very strong, but he makes plays. He has been
valuable to us in the kicking game and just the way he works in practice in
setting the example. He is going to make a lot more plays before the season
is over."
On Anthony Dixon:
"He is not an ordinary freshman and hasn't
been since the day he got here. Physically, he was never intimidated. As
far as the mental work, he was never intimidated by what we asked him to do.
He studies the game; he is a student of the game and loves playing football.
He is an athlete that loves to compete and I think that is what makes him
special plus the way he was brought up at home by his mom who is a very
special lady. She is raising, I think four boys, by herself and doing an
outstanding job. The maturity that he has shown so far makes him a unique
individual combined with his physical skills. But what he did last week as
far as playing with that hand injury and not having a missed assignment,
considering that he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday - that is
exceptional."
|
|
Mississippi
State Store on Amazon
|
|
