Tommy Bowden Press Conference Notes

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Tue Aug 29 11:31:17 GMT-04:00 2006

Press Conference Audio from Tommy Bowden: Windows Media

Player Audio

QB Will Proctor: Windows Media

OL Marion Dukes: Windows Media

DE Gaines Adams: Windows Media

LB Anthony Waters: Windows Media

OL Dustin Fry: Windows Media

Highlights from Coach Bowden's Tuesday Press Conference:

- This weekend is Hall of Fame induction weekend.

- 19 freshman and redshirt freshman expected to play vs. Florida Atlantic. One walk-on (Punter Jimmy Maners). Six sophomores starting on defense. Numbers would be the same regardless if opener was against Florida Atlantic or a conference team.

- Lot of questions, including a new punt protection scheme. Anxious to see what happens. Opening with a game like this hopefully there's a little more margin for error.

- Wonder about sense of urgency, since this isn't an opening game vs. a nationally-ranked or conference opponent.

- Only history with Coach Schnellenberger came as a young graduate assistant at Florida State. Haven't coached with him or against him.

- So much has been made about team's fate being determined after three games in a 12-game schedule, I'll have to address that with the team. There will still be nine games left.

- Shots downfield: Every pass play has about five options, including a downfield throw. Better understanding of the offense this year will allow for better reads and more opportunities downfield.

- Biggest areas of concern are punt protection and performance of the young defensive line. Then you worry about six sophomores on defense, how Will Proctor handles being a starting quarterback, overall youth. There are four or five things right there.

- Going into game in good condition. Relatively healthy.

- New timing rules: Bigger burden will be on the offenses. Minor adjustment for defenses. But offense used to having TV timeouts or more time to talk on sideline before going out to play. Now the ready to play signal will come much more quickly, so it will be an adjustment...Potential delay of games because it's something college football hasn't experienced.

- Loss of Tremaine Billie: Can't replace his speed. Speed and quickness the No. 1 athlete. You're losing a 100m champion, a 200m champion. You're replacing him with a good football player, but one not as experienced.

- C.J. Spiller's role: He's adapted well and his role will be significant.

- Saturday game plan: Not holding anything back, not holding back any formation or defensive calls. No hidden secrets.

- Spiller and Jacoby Ford: The two fastest guys in the state of Florida the past two years will be back there returning kicks. That's pretty exciting.

- Florida Atlantic is in a position where if they get a win, or even if they're really competitive in the first four games, it gives them instant credibility.

- Rebuilding a program: If I was 70-something years old and they paid me a couple hundred thousand dollars to live in the state of Florida and start up a football program, I'd enjoy that.

- Gaines Adams working on strength at the point of attack and taking on larger guys.

- Anthony Waters is very emotional, very enthusiastic. That's good. You don't want everybody to be like that...It's good to see a guy play with great emotion.

Quotes

Tommy Bowden on concerns for the Florida Atlantic game:

"The biggest concern I'm going to have is the number of young people, freshmen and red-shirt freshmen, we have playing in this game. There are going to be about 19 freshmen and red-shirt freshmen playing and 20 altogether including walk-on (punter) Jimmy Maners. I need to find out answers about those players and how much they contribute. Also, there are six sophomores starting on defense which has not happened since 1994 (over the course of a season), so the inexperience will be a concern. We also have a quarterback making just his second start. What I hope to find out from this game is how much these guys contribute."

Tommy Bowden on opening with Florida Atlantic:

"There are pros and cons. Last year our players had a greater sense of urgency for the Texas A&M game simply because they were nationally ranked. Florida Atlantic is not, so the players need to feel the same kind of urgency and that is not always possible."

Tommy Bowden on coaching against Howard Schnellenberger:

"I was familiar with him when he was at Miami (FL) and I was a graduate assistant at Florida State for my father. I know he is a very respected coach and has been successful teaching sound fundamentals. But, I have never coached against him as a head coach.

Tommy Bowden on Clemson's preseason national ranking:

"The hype may be a motivating factor, but by the first snap and collision, that is usually diminished and the experience comes out. Those sophomores and freshmen haven't experienced the hype, and it may benefit them, but after the game starts, it will be minimal."

Tommy Bowden on his anxiety level for the game:

"I will get a little antsy before this particular opening game because of the inexperience of our quarterback, a lot of young guys will be playing, new punt protection, and playing a team where the media has predicted us to win. Yeah, I usually lose sleep that Friday."

Tommy Bowden on the summer and fall workouts:

"What this team has traditionally done well in the summer and around this time is they work extremely hard. We've got a lot of confidence in our ability to play a 60-minute game and a 12-game schedule. So we have a comfort zone there that we will go into this game in pretty good shape and we're healthy with the exception of Tramaine Billie (senior linebacker who started last year). Having five starters back on the offensive line is a comfort zone."

Tommy Bowden on the new rules changes in regards to running the clock:

"The bigger burden is going to be on the offenses. The amount of time will be changed. We're use to a lot of time for TV timeouts on the sideline, going out and getting set, then starting ready for play. Since that ready for play signal is going to be a lot sooner, I think that the defense will be insignificant to the amount of change they have to make. We've practice it in the practice field and the stadium and made it as much a game type situation as we could without actually being in the game. There may be some potential delay of games penalties simply because college football hasn't experienced this."

Tommy Bowden on the loss of linebacker Tramaine Billie due to injury:

"We can't replace his speed, it's a game of speed and quickness, and is a big attribute in football no matter the level whether it is high school, college or the NFL. The loss of speed will hurt us a little bit. Also, we're replacing a senior with a sophomore so the experience factor will hurt."

Tommy Bowden on the WestZone Project:

"I think it is great for the fans. Right now the part that is completed is fan friendly. The guys that bought the seats will have a great experience. They're great seats and the luxuries they have with that area are outstanding. It will be fan friendly especially if it is a hot day."

Tommy Bowden on defensive end Gaines Adams and his decision to return for his senior season:

"One of the number one reasons that he wanted his stay was because he wanted to graduate, which he is in line to do in December. That's not a surprise because he's never been in trouble academically. I've never had a report from study hall, class attendance, or anything. I think another thing is he is trying to build up strength at the point of attack and rushing. He wants to be fundamentally sound when taking on larger guys."