8/19/2003 - Football
Transcript Of Kicker Geoff Blumenfeld's Press Conference

Transcript of Kicker Geoff Blumenfelds Press Conference

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Q. The first depth chart came out yesterday and you were listed number one.

First off, does that mean anything to you or do you think it doesnt mean

anything until August 30th?

A. Well no, it always means something. Eric (Rolfs) and I are great friends

and we are always helping each other out, always working, and I think after

going through the groin injury last year and seeing how Eric did and knowing

that there was a lot of improvement we had to make, sure being number one is

always great, but now that Im there I have to keep looking forward and keep

doing what got me to that spot and keep working hard. If I can keep it,

thats absolutely great. If not, Im totally confident that Eric can step

up.

Q. You were pretty much hobbled all last year with your groin injury werent

you?

A. Absolutely. It was one of those things where Eric and I last spring and

even in two-a-days were battling back and forth and it was a great kicking

dual. I didnt want to just set out and let him take it so I just kept

kicking and kept kicking and unfortunately it never healed right. Im

feeling great now, a lot more confidenr, it just feels great to come out

here because my leg is feeling great and Im trying to take care of it the

best I can.

Q. What did you think you needed to work on over the summer? Did you have

any particular area that you felt like you needed to improve upon kicking

wise? Was it accuracy, certain distances, leg strength?

A. Probably about two major things. One I think was to become a little bit

more accurate, I mean even in the media guide it says I have a little bit

stronger leg but not quite as accurate as Eric, so I wanted to really hone

that in (laughter).

Q. Was that Scotts (Strasemeier) critique or the coaches (laughter)?

A. I dont know, was it you Scott (laughter)? No, I think Ive done a nice

job with that and the other thing was last year I was a sophomore and

everything was still pretty new as far as traveling and all that. I have

more confidence that I can come out and make the kick or kick the kickoff

where the coaches want it. Its something that I think I had for part of

the season but not all.

Q. Just being out on the field with the crowd and all that?

A. Absolutely. I can remember early on dressing for certain games and

walking out of the locker room and looking at the crowd and by the end of

the season last year it didnt phase me like it did in the early games. I

think thats going to help me, because kicking is so mental.

Q. Now you did kick in games last year right?

A. Yeah, I did. I kicked in a number of them. I think I was only out for

three or four games. Eric and I split a lot of time. I got a decent amount

of kicks. I scored about 20 points, two field goals and 14 extra-points,

and I did most of the kickoffs so I got some good experience, which will

help me this year.

Q. How about the freshmen? Coach seems to think there are some good ones.

Have they been pushing you and Eric?

A. It makes for great competition. In any kicking position if you miss a

kick or two, I think its just the nature of the position, you are going to

start looking for guys that can get it done every time and no exception

here. I know last year when Eric and I werent kicking quite the way we

should have we had guys coming out from the Brigade wanting to kick so I

think as far as that goes Eric and I really understand that and we are used

to having guys come out and push us and on the other side its great to be

pushed. If we had to rest on our laurels we wouldnt do as well or be as

focused as what we are and the freshmen are kicking great. I remember when

I was a freshman. Its real tough going through plebe summer. You dont

have your legs, youre just kind of beat down and you just want a break but

you have to go right into football, which is a whole new challenge. They

are kicking well and we are trying to help them as much as we can.

Q. Would you agree that placekicking is an area that could be improved this

year? I thought there were times last year that Navy was in field goal

range but coach didnt go for a field goal, he would go for it on fourth

down and three or four. I would imagine you want to give him the confidence

that if youre 40 yards and in that you can say lets go for the field goal

because well make it.

A. Absolutely, I think any player wants their coach to have the confidence

in them that at any point or time, where its a major point in the game,

that the coach can look at that player and say, >=hey, go make a play and

help the team out.<= coach="" has="" come="" over="" and="" watched="" us="" a="" few="" times="" in="">

spring and during two-a-days and I think hes starting to get that

confidence. I know Eric and I are kicking longer, were kicking accurate

and I think we are really showing him that he can have that confidence in us

and hopefully this year we will be able to attempt more field goals, but I

would have no problem kicking 35 or 40 extra-points either. If thats what

our offense could do that would be fantastic.