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Gruden Pleased With First Week Of Camp

August 21, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010-On Saturday the Florida Tuskers concluded their first week of training camp with a brisk two hour practice on Saturday morning, that concluded with a 14-play scrimmage. With the first week of training camp in the books, Florida Tuskers head coach Jay Gruden took time out to reflect on the opening of camp

Q: Coach, one week down, what were your impressions of the first week of training Camp? Gruden: "We're happy with our progress so far, but obviously we have a long way to go. We've made great progress and some guys are stepping up to the forefront quite evidently a lot of the veterans are and some of the new guys like [Safety] J.R. Reid are having a great camp and some other guys are being noticed. The competition is good and it is where it should be right now."

Q: You concluded today's practice with a 14-play scrimmage, how did that go? Gruden: "It was at the end of practice as opposed to the beginning so we got a little tired. I was impressed with our defense they have been doing a good job all camp of creating a line of scrimmage all camp they've pushed our offensive line around a little bit. We did some good things offensively, we got a couple of runs in there, but defensively I'm very impressed with the way they can run and the way the defensive line is playing very physical. We have to do a better job on the front on offense to have some success."

Q: You brought four running backs with substantial NFL experience into camp, how has that battle been going? Gruden: "Avieon Cason has really impressed us and is probably playing just as well if not better than Dominic Rhodes and Tatum Bell. They've all shown flashes of being great and then one of them screws up. So we're looking for the most consistent back, the guy that can catch the ball out of the backfield and get the tough yards; not just the easy yards."

Q: Has anyone really stood out in week one? Gruden: "A lot of these guys are sticking out to right now; at receiver Nick Moore is doing a great job and John Standeford is a young kid playing like a veteran. We've got some young corners with Simeon Castille and J.R. Reid, who's not really a young guy but he's having as good of a camp as any safety I can remember. We have a lot of young guys on the offensive line trying to learn their way and [Quarterback] Matt Grothe has done some good things, but he has a long way to go to learn the offense. So young guys, veterans, whatever you want to call them right now they're all Tuskers and we're looking for the best 52."

Q: Although it wasn't during the live drill, Simeon Castille put a pretty good lick on Jayson Foster today, is that something you notice? Gruden: "It was good to see him lay the wood a little bit and it's good for our receivers in the red zone the zones are tight and the receivers are going to get hit. Our receivers need to get used to it or they're going to get the alligator arms on game day so I was glad to see them get knocked around a little bit. Jayson made the catch and held on as usual for the touchdown. It's been a real spirited camp we've had some great bright spots and some downers so that's what we expect."

Q How has the offensive line looked so far? Gruden: "They're doing a good job of picking up the system, but the offensive line is usually the last group to pick everything up and play together. One screw up by one guy out of five and a play looks miserable. That's what has happened out here we've had three or four good slot blocks or double teams, but it's a back-side guy here a pull guy here and all five of them have yet to really put it together. Everybody has done some good things just not all at the same time."

Q: What areas have you liked so far and are there any areas that concern you right now? Gruden: "Secondary-wise we're very pleased and I'm ecstatic about our linebackers. Defensive line, Bryan Save has come out here and made our offensive line work hard. McKinley Boykin has had a great camp and coach Bresnahan has the whole defense playing hard and buying into his system. Offensively we're a little behind that's to be expected the first few days of camp. We're doing some good things and I'm happy with our defense right now. One guy screws up on defense we might be able to hide it, but one guy screws up on offense the whole play looks bad. Once our offensive guys pick up the terminology I think we will be alright."

TUSKER CAMP NOTES SATURDAY: Coach Gruden drew applause prior to Saturday's practice by announcing that with a solid workout, Saturday night's meeting and Sunday's practice would be cancelled...the Tuskers released offensive lineman Charles Spencer, who was a regular on the line last season...the team also released punter Jeremy Schatz...cornerback Fakhir Brown reported to camp and will practice Monday.

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