News Conference

[ThadFilms]

SMUMustangs.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

[Mexmustang]

I was there...but, no way could I have composed such a complete report. Not good job, but a great job in summarizing the day!

[MrMustang1965]

PE83: GREAT SUMMARY! You beat me to it! I had to run a couple of errands before getting home to see if anyone had posted the info from the NC. Good to see ya there at the NC, too! Thanks for saying 'howdy'! Sorry you won't be able to make the Grille party! I'll be there, too!

GO MUSTANGS!

[ThadFilms]

Thanks.

I haven't gotten a chance to edit the above post for mistakes, I will do that when I finally get home this evening. Please forgive typos, as I am terribly busy today (except for the window I had available for the press conference).

__________________
PonyExpress83's just my name. Class of '01.

[WorldStang]

I'm overseas for work.. home on Friday.. thanks for the update!

[Ponymon]

PonyExpress83, you mean Chase Smith not David Chase, don't you?

[ThadFilms]

Just completed the edit of the above post. Way too many typos for my taste, my apologies.

I'll check the other posts to get a feel for the videos you guys saw at the Mercury.


______________
PonyExpress83's just my name. Class of '01.

[SWC2010]

From the out-of-towners, thanks for the update PE83!

[ThadFilms]

PonyExpress83, you mean Chase Smith not David Chase, don't you?

Yes. A friend brought up the Sopranos last night... did not mean to imply that the creator of said show was recruited by the Ponies. Besides, he's a little old.

Oh, and I edited the above text to reflect the change. Thanks for picking that one up.

[overcusser]

uhhh... you do realize that it's against NCAA rules for fans/boosters to attend the official signing day press conference??? Unless you are part of the "working media" they were breaking the rules by allowing you there. But than again SMU has never really been a stickler for rules now have we?

[MrMustang1965]

uhhh... you do realize that it's against NCAA rules for fans/boosters to attend the official signing day press conference??? Unless you are part of the "working media" they were breaking the rules by allowing you there. But than again SMU has never really been a stickler for rules now have we?

b.s. show me the rule. quote it from the NAZI rule book (otherwise known as the NCAA).

[EastStang]

Our newbie friend only read a portion of the rule I suspect. Its against NCAA rules to hold a press conference AT ALL to announce signings with one exception. Also, the School is permitted under Rule 13.11.8.1 to show video clips of recruits at a signing announcement.

Here is the rule:
"13.11.8.2.1 One-Time Exception -- Announcement of All Signings
An institution may make an announcement on the institution's campus for the sole purpose of presenting at one time to the media the names of all prospects who have accepted offers of admission and/or athletically related aid in a particular sport from that institution, with the understanding that no prospects (or their friends or relatives) may be in attendance. (Adopted: 8/25/04)"

As long as the guy who made the report is NOT a recruit he can be there.

[ThadFilms]

I am, indeed, not a recruit. Thanks for exonerating me EastStang.

Did a little research...

First of all, the only rule I could find anywhere close, was the rule about MEDIA not being allowed at a booster signing day party.

Secondly, even though overcusser refers to SMU as "we" in his above post, that is the first time he has done so. In his prior thirteen posts, he has refered to SMU's various home fields over the years, as "your" homefields. He has made a snide comment about our fight song, and he has defended UNT. I feel strongly our boy overcusser, is UNT fan just trying to ruffle a few feathers.

But in direct defense to his falsely based accusation, I did file a report on the event. Plus, my job description would land me, very loosely, in the "media" field.

[Ponymon]

PonyExpress83, I also forgot to thank you for your report. I only brought up the Chase name because we already have two brothers with that last name, which might have confused posters such as "overcusser".

[MeanGreenGem]

[quote="PonyExpress83"]I am, indeed, not a recruit. Thanks for exonerating me EastStang.

Did a little research...

First of all, the only rule I could find anywhere close, was the rule about MEDIA not being allowed at a booster signing day party.

Secondly, even though overcusser refers to SMU as "we" in his above post, that is the first time he has done so. In his prior thirteen posts, he has refered to SMU's various home fields over the years, as "your" homefields. He has made a snide comment about our fight song, and he has defended UNT. I feel strongly our boy overcusser, is UNT fan just trying to ruffle a few feathers.
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Well, first of all, it sure as hell wasn't me posting that equestrian non-sense, so don't go trying to pin this one on me, either, gol' darn it! Secondly, I didn't know Mustangs had feathers to ruffle!:)

Yet after all, I sorta' like that old tune "She'll Be Coming Round' The Mountain." BTW, I have yet to see any mountains in the Metroplex to this day; except for one particular night off Fry Street, and that is all I'm going to say about that.