Copperheads Coach's corner
July 10, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Texas Copperheads News Release
Each week txcopperheads.com talks with Head Coach Ollie Guidry about everything Copperheads. If you have a question for Coach Guidry, email it to cronquillo@texascopperheads.com. Next week, Coach Guidry might answer your question!
This week Coach Guidry addresses the week 14 home loss to Austin and looks forward to this week's foe, Central Valley.
On Texas' June 28th 41-38 loss at Austin: "We did a good job of competing for 60 minutes. We kind of controlled the game in the first half. In the second half it went back and forth. We took the lead late in the 4th quarter and we had a chance. Unfortunately they made one more big play than we did. The guys competed well. We played the game as a team."
On the Copperheads improved pass rush at Austin: "I don't care who we play or who we face, if we put pressure on the QB, obviously he has to make some quick decisions. With our secondary, the way those guys have been playing all year, they've been solid and making some plays, it gives us a chance to stay in the ball game."
On reserve DB Dez Abrams who stepped in for Armar Watson who had to leave the game early at Austin due to injury: "Coach (Ed) Jenkins and I have been high on Dez. We knew he had the ability once he learned this game. He's a rookie. Just imagine a guy like Dez playing with Armar (Watson) and James Todd and getting Darius (Pettigrew) rotated in there, we can be very good.
On the status of injured players LB Keith Holden and DB/WR/KR Armar Watson: "We're going to take it day by day but right now there is a good chance that Keith is going to play for us. I know he's been anxious to get back. He's been in IR for several weeks now. We're excited to have him back because he can contribute at the LB position and defensive line position as well. He's going to be an impact player for us this weekend if he suits up, I'm certain of that. Armar is day to day but he looks a lot better. There was a question mark in the Austin game but we suited him up and he pulled up on that first play on a kick return and couldn't go any more. But there's a good chance he should be full go' for this week's game. Obviously we'll be excited to have him back."
On new DL/LB Gathan McGinnis who debuted against Austin: "Earlier in the year we talked about putting pressure on the QB, fortunately for us we've found somebody. He came in and made some plays. He put pressure on the QB. He got to the QB and made the QB go through his progressions a lot quicker than he normally would. It was fortunate for us to have a guy like that make in impact in his first game."
On the switch to QB Stephen Wasil last week at Austin: "Steve, kind of like he did before when he played for us against Corpus, Austin and Arkansas, managed the game very well. He tries to limit the turnovers and make some good choices. Right now we are not where I want to be in terms of points scored per game and production and stuff like this, but the thing I want to minimize is turnovers. We need someone behind center who is going to make some good choices and give our receivers a chance to make plays. We gave (former starter) Rudy (Carlton) a great opportunity but at this point of the season where obviously we are not going to the playoffs I wanted to give Steve a chance. I feel pretty good about Stephen and the direction we are going to be going with him. With his ability to manage the game and his ability to have poise in critical situations I feel pretty good about Steve and his ability to lead us to a few more victories before this season is over with.
On the play of RB David Kennebrew and WR Tim Riley: "You look at Tim and look at David and look at their work ethic and it's very indicative of their performance on game day. Those guys come out and work hard every day in practice. Those are the kind of guys you can build teams around....guys you can depend on. So you put those guys in positions to be successful and they are going to deliver for you. We've been very fortunate and very pleased with their performance over the last several weeks."
On the team's approach to the final 3 games: "We talked about this in week 1. You play the game with heart and passion. You don't ever step on the football field and not give your best. There is a thousand reasons why you should come out and perform every week. Whether it's personal or team goals...but there are a million reasons why you should go out there and practice and play hard and give it your best. Some guys are looking for a chance to move up next year. Obviously, with the connections we have here, whether it's AFL or even higher leagues, guys will have opportunities. It's up to them to take advantage of it. I can tell you one thing. I would never put my stamp (of approval) to somebody on this football team who is not going to work hard, who is not going to give their best. And I'm not going to give a guy a chance to come back next year who's not going to work hard."
On this week's opponent, Central Valley: I know Fred (CV Head Coach Fred Biletnikoff Jr.) for three years now and we've been talking for quite some time. I know him as a coach, I know his style and I know what he's trying to do and accomplish. Central Valley is a good football team. They have some good veteran players. They have a very good pass rush. We're definitely going to have our hands full this week, but we are going to be excited to get out there and play in front of our fans for the last home game this year. It's going to be a lot of fun. We are going to score some points and go make some more plays."
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