April 6, 2006

Q. I understand that (Greg) Thrasher broke his leg on Monday.

A. Yep and Zerbin Singleton broke his arm.

Q. Is that disappointing when that happens in the spring?

A. It's frustrating for them. There's no good time to get hurt, but better in the spring than in the fall.

Q. Did someone fall on Thrasher?

A. He took a leg whip I think. Someone fell into him.

Q. How did Zerb break his arm?

A. I think he was blocking somebody. Actually, I think he broke it on Saturday and still tried to practice today. He's a tough little kid.

Q. They will be back in the fall though.

A. Oh yeah.

Q. Has there been anyone on either side of the ball that has emerged in your eyes that wasn't a factor last year?

A. I haven't seen anybody yet. Not consistently.

Q. Has (Eric) Kettani shown you something?

A. At times and at times he has to be more physical and a better blocker. Adam (Ballard) actually blocked pretty good today. I hesitate to say that, but he did.

Q. Ballard blocked well. I'm writing that down. Does Ballard have a chance this spring to really separate himself from the pack at fullback? It's unfortunate for Matt (Hall) that he got hurt, but you would think that Ballard would have a chance to separate himself.

A. Ballard has a chance to get a lot better this spring. Knowing the kind of kid that Matt (Hall) is he's going to work and it's going to be a battle in the fall and I think Adam knows Matt well enough to know that. It's good. Competition makes them all better.

Q. Do you think that Matt Hall can come back and be an effective runner next year?

A. Sure he could. He was playing pretty well last year when he got hurt.

Q. What's shaking at quarterback? I'm trying to catch up. I was sick last week.

A. I don't know. It's hard to say. Brian (Hampton) is doing some things okay and some things not so good. He's clearly ahead of the other guys.

Q. He's the clear number one?

A. I think so.

Q. Has anybody stepped up for number two?

A. I don't think so. Troy Goss has done some good things and Kaipo has done some good things. They each have their days. Joe Taylor has made some plays. Jarrod (Bryant) didn't have a great day today, but he's had some days. It's too early to tell about that.

Q. Are you keeping Kaipo at quarterback?

A. Until we see if he's going to be the quarterback or not, yeah.

Q. Have you moved anyone during the spring?

A. Oh yeah, we've moved lots of people.

Q. Anybody in particular?

A. Nobody that's caught my eye.

Q. But you experiment during the spring with different positions?

A. We experiment during the fall too. If a guy isn't playing at a certain position, if he's third team, and we think he's a good player, why not give him a chance to play somewhere else? What's the worst thing that could happen to him there? Be on the third team?

Q. You told us a few guys you were moving around before spring ball started, but have you moved any guys since spring ball started?

A. Not right now.

Q. So you will wait until the end of spring to make any decisions?

A. The spring goes so fast. Gosh, we have had what, six practices already. Friday we will be halfway through. It goes really fast.

Q. Has it been productive in your eyes?

A. Oh yeah, I think we've gotten some things done.

Q. Are you finding you have to do less teaching?

A. No. I don't think that ever changes.

Q. Any pleasant surprises?

A. In spots. I haven't seen any superstars out here if that's what you're asking.