News Conference
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:39 pmSMUMustangs.com should have the audio already...
Just got back from the press conference (as I will be unable to make it to the Mercury Grille)- a hoarse Coach Bennett extolled the virtues of our new class with a reserved panache. It wasn't the excited rabble-rousing Bennett that we (young'ens) see at the Young Alumni kickoff parties, but an almost professorial coach Bennett.
While implicitly saying he wasn't taking a shot at the recruiting services, he did take the opportunity to knock them down a peg, saying that "after 27 years in the business, I trust myself [more than any recruiting service]."
Bennett expressed excitement over the fact that all of our o-line recruits were former SMU campers. Going to show his motto, once we get 'em on campus, we've got a shot. He was high on all of our o-linemen, but seemed even more enthused when talking about Enright and Allison.
Emanuel Sanders looks to be the big receiver we've been looking for, and should be complemented greatly by Columbus Givens. Coach Bennett was reluctant to state that Givens would definitely be a wideout, but he leaned heavily toward that eventuality. He also bandied about the idea of him being an RB, or possibly a QB (slim chance). However, I think it's pretty safe to say Coach is pretty darned excited about Givens at wideout.
At QB, Bennett was extremely impressed with both players. Giving much credit to the less heralded Eric Johnson. Stating that Johnson simply put his team in a position to win. He felt that Johnson didn't have the best supporting cast, thus making what he did with Plano West all the more impressive. As for Willis, he made the Tom Brady comparison. Good decisions. A winner. Also, he noted that Willis can throw a verry pretty deep ball. Coach Bennett said that Willis and Emmanuel Sanders recruited each other... going on to comment that that kind of off the field relationship could end up to be very exciting on the field.
As many people on this board have done before, Coach Bennett compared James Mapps to Shan'Derrick Charles. He spoke about his cutting ability, and the fact that he doesn't take the big hit. Bennett also delved into Rocye City's decision to move him, "their best player", to quarterback, thus leading them to the semi-finals in their first playoff trip in years. Bennett seemed to be excited by the guy, in spite his height (5'9") and his speed (4.5), leading me to believe that the kid must have real mental toughness.
Bennett began the day talking about the JuCos, and ended the day by saying that each one is going to immediately compete for a position. Of special note was Clayton Cox... speaking, in general, about the entirety of the defense, and specifically the JuCos, he stated that this group allows the coaching staff to implement multiple schemes- say for example, Cox who would normally line up at linebacker, lining up at defensive end on 3rd and 10+ situations.
In conclusion, Bennett feels that he has the opportunity to redshirt the entire class with the exception of one or two players. The only name he gave as player who might "be able to play right away", was Chase Smith. At 6'4" 280, Coach feels that Smith already has the size and physicality of Division 1 player. Adding, however, that this says nothing of his mental maturity- thus giving us an example of a player who might be on the field next year, but not painting himself into a corner on this kid specifically.
Bennett reiterated his goal of making the team more mature, and three deep at every position- with the thid player, in most instances, a red shirt. He spoke specifically about our opponents average age being about 21, while ours has been 19. Bennett is serious about getting the kids some experience, reps, before putting them on the field.
Todd Alexander, Adrian Dizer, and Josh Hickman will all "gray shirt" and enroll January of '06. All three (apparently) due to injury.
Bennett credited Curtiss Powell's stay with an SMU professor as a big reason we landed the Fork Union product. Powell, at 6 foot, reminds Bennett
Just got back from the press conference (as I will be unable to make it to the Mercury Grille)- a hoarse Coach Bennett extolled the virtues of our new class with a reserved panache. It wasn't the excited rabble-rousing Bennett that we (young'ens) see at the Young Alumni kickoff parties, but an almost professorial coach Bennett.
While implicitly saying he wasn't taking a shot at the recruiting services, he did take the opportunity to knock them down a peg, saying that "after 27 years in the business, I trust myself [more than any recruiting service]."
Bennett expressed excitement over the fact that all of our o-line recruits were former SMU campers. Going to show his motto, once we get 'em on campus, we've got a shot. He was high on all of our o-linemen, but seemed even more enthused when talking about Enright and Allison.
Emanuel Sanders looks to be the big receiver we've been looking for, and should be complemented greatly by Columbus Givens. Coach Bennett was reluctant to state that Givens would definitely be a wideout, but he leaned heavily toward that eventuality. He also bandied about the idea of him being an RB, or possibly a QB (slim chance). However, I think it's pretty safe to say Coach is pretty darned excited about Givens at wideout.
At QB, Bennett was extremely impressed with both players. Giving much credit to the less heralded Eric Johnson. Stating that Johnson simply put his team in a position to win. He felt that Johnson didn't have the best supporting cast, thus making what he did with Plano West all the more impressive. As for Willis, he made the Tom Brady comparison. Good decisions. A winner. Also, he noted that Willis can throw a verry pretty deep ball. Coach Bennett said that Willis and Emmanuel Sanders recruited each other... going on to comment that that kind of off the field relationship could end up to be very exciting on the field.
As many people on this board have done before, Coach Bennett compared James Mapps to Shan'Derrick Charles. He spoke about his cutting ability, and the fact that he doesn't take the big hit. Bennett also delved into Rocye City's decision to move him, "their best player", to quarterback, thus leading them to the semi-finals in their first playoff trip in years. Bennett seemed to be excited by the guy, in spite his height (5'9") and his speed (4.5), leading me to believe that the kid must have real mental toughness.
Bennett began the day talking about the JuCos, and ended the day by saying that each one is going to immediately compete for a position. Of special note was Clayton Cox... speaking, in general, about the entirety of the defense, and specifically the JuCos, he stated that this group allows the coaching staff to implement multiple schemes- say for example, Cox who would normally line up at linebacker, lining up at defensive end on 3rd and 10+ situations.
In conclusion, Bennett feels that he has the opportunity to redshirt the entire class with the exception of one or two players. The only name he gave as player who might "be able to play right away", was Chase Smith. At 6'4" 280, Coach feels that Smith already has the size and physicality of Division 1 player. Adding, however, that this says nothing of his mental maturity- thus giving us an example of a player who might be on the field next year, but not painting himself into a corner on this kid specifically.
Bennett reiterated his goal of making the team more mature, and three deep at every position- with the thid player, in most instances, a red shirt. He spoke specifically about our opponents average age being about 21, while ours has been 19. Bennett is serious about getting the kids some experience, reps, before putting them on the field.
Todd Alexander, Adrian Dizer, and Josh Hickman will all "gray shirt" and enroll January of '06. All three (apparently) due to injury.
Bennett credited Curtiss Powell's stay with an SMU professor as a big reason we landed the Fork Union product. Powell, at 6 foot, reminds Bennett
show me the rule. quote it from the NAZI rule book (otherwise known as the NCAA).