Football: April 1, 2011 Spring Practice Quotes

By Daniel Whitehead for WVUsports.com
April 01, 2011 08:39 PM

Bruce Irvin

On his role in the defense
The aggression is the same and my responsibilities are all the same, but I’m more than just a third-down player this year.

On Julian Miller
Julian has always been a great help to me and shown me the ropes of being a defensive end here at West Virginia. He’s a smart player and very helpful.

On the new offense
It’s a very fast, high-tempo offense. You have to be very conditioned to run it effectively. There seems to be a lot more hype than last year and the players are enjoying themselves a lot more. It’s just the second day of practice, though, and everyone has a long way to go. We’ll find out more when we put pads on how things are going.

On his leadership
I’ve never been a very vocal person on the field in terms of leadership. There are guys here that have been here for four or five years, and they’ve taken it upon themselves to yell signals and help guys out. I step back a little and let them handle that, but I’ll say something when I have to, if I can help someone out. I play my part when the opportunity arises. Guys like Julian (Miller), Najee (Goode) and Keith Tandy are vocal out there.

Tyler Urban

On his role with the new offense
I’m doing new things in this offense I hadn’t done before. I’ve been working out at H-back, and then I’ll be running tight end routes; I do what is asked of me. I have to know what my strengths are and play smart when I’m out there, getting a good start when the ball is snapped.

On the learning process
It’s been going well so far. I’m picking it up piece by piece and learning my new responsibilities. I’m doing the best I can, and all is going well so far.

On Coach (Shannon) Dawson
He wants me to have fun out there and do my job. That’s what he preaches the most: it’s a game, it’s football. Go full speed and look for your mistakes in the film room. He says to just go out there full speed and have fun.

On the transition to the new offense
They’re two completely different styles of play. The last one was tempo, but this one is tempo and constant movement. In practice, there’s never a rest. We’re rotating every play and getting fresh legs for every snap. You’re fresh, and you keep coming in and out. The offense seems a little simpler.

There’s definitely some buzz out there. Any time you bring in a new offense, there will be a new sense of excitement, and people are going to want to know what’s going on. Everyone is excited about it.

Geno Smith

On the new offense
We’re executing it better than the coaches thought we would be at this time. We’re just going out there and playing. I’m getting the rhythm down, getting more in shape, and I’m feeling better out on the field.

I love the new style of play. It’s fun to see everyone flying around and making plays. It’s day two, so we’re making mistakes, but we’re making corrections bit by bit, and we’re excited to learn. We’re going hard and working on our game.

On his injured foot
I’m feeling good, and the rehabilitation is coming along. I’m not having many pains, and I’m not really having any issues right now. I’m fully participating, and I think my foot’s coming along nicely.

On spring football
It’s great to be back out on the field and running around with the team. It was a long winter, and it drains on you mentally to not be out competing. When you’re out there, you can just vent and let all the emotions out. Being back with my teammates on the field is helping me out a lot.

On the younger quarterbacks
Those guys are going to be good. They’re in a position where I was when I first arrived. It’s a blessing to have them around and pushing you at all times.

On Coach Holgorsen
He’s a very laid-back guy. When we’re out there, he wants us to execute and put forth our maximum effort. He wants us to go full-speed at all times, and I believe that’s what we’re doing.

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