Hartford Colonials Q&A with Head Coach Chris Palmer and QB Josh McCown
September 22, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release
Q: Talk about overall execution of your team last week?
COACH PALMER: "Players did a great job offensively, defensively, and special teams. The block punt was big. I thought our defense ran to the ball and played their defensive responsibilities well. Offensively, we executed pretty well there. I was happy with that. But like any coach, there's room for improvement."
Q: Talk about playing last week and what it felt like and winning the offensive award in the process?
JOSH McCOWN: "First and foremost, it was awesome to play and I had a blast playing ball. It was a fun and special environment to be involved in just with the guys and the group coach put together. It was neat considering the first game in Hartford, and that this franchise didn't win a game last year. It was special and anytime you go in between the stripes and compete, you want to come out a winner. That was a great feeling. The offensive award is a reflection of the offense execution, not just me by everybody. Lorenzo Booker takes a screen that I threw about 6 yards in the air, 80 yards for a touchdown. Some of that stuff that goes into the numbers, I can't take some of that credit. He did a great job and so did the lineman. It was a great effort, and I am thankful for the individual award but I think it reflects more on our offensive preparation and execution."
Q: Talk about who has the advantage going into Week 1 considering you have played already but Omaha has had a bye?
COACH PALMER: "I would say they have an advantage because we have no idea what they are doing. You know what I mean? We have shown our cards, they have not shown their cards. Obviously, I know Coach Jags is a big zone running team. I know Garcia is a West Coast passing guy. Defensively, I know they have to play a four-man line but we have no idea what their core coverage is going to be. I rather be in their spot not showing anything and seeing what the opponent has done. So, I think the advantage is with Omaha."
Q: Where would you like to see some improvement this week?
COACH PALMER: "Well, we had seven penalties and I think we can cut down on that. I wasn't happy with those penalties, we got 2 holding calls with some runs were descent. We had a personal foul where the ball was clearly overthrown, and we should not have done what we did. The penalty was correct. Then we had a retaliation penalty that there always going to get the second guy. I think there is improvement there. I thought our 4th down and I think we can do a better job on our run game. I was pleased with our passing game. Defensively, I thought there were too many times when we ran beyond the quarterback. We have to keep the pocket tighter. Those are just all coaching things that you're looking to improve on."
Q: What are your thoughts on the Omaha defense?
JOSH McCOWN: "As I look at their defensive roster, I played with and against a lot of those guys. They are a veteran group that is different than what we faced last week. Execution and assignment wise, they will be on top of that because that's what a veteran player does. So for us we've got to be able to match that. Being focused on what we have to do has been a focus of practice. Offensively, being where we have to be because without film to game plan, you have to do what you do well. They are a veteran team and we're expecting high energy and good execution from their standpoint."
Q: Talk about the Hartford crowd and with an anticipated big crown in Omaha, how fun is it to play in that atmosphere?
COACH PALMER: "Our crowd in Hartford I thought was fun. One reporter said it looked like there was only one person in a car because there were so many cars that tailgated in the parking lot and had a great time. We have a high five line when the players run out, there were having such a good time in the parking lot with the mechanical bull, they didn't want to go on the field. Our crowd was into it, they stayed to the end. After the game, our players went over and thanked them by the gate. It was a special night. Now to go out to Omaha, which I think is tremendous to sell out the first game. That's great for the league and the players. Here we are in the second league, and Omaha is a sellout. You look at what a great job they do at the College World Series, and now to go there, I'm really excited to go to Omaha and look around."
Q: Could you talk about the different approaches Omaha and Hartford did in assembling their teams? It seems like Omaha is a veteran group while Hartford went with younger players.
COACH PALMER: "When you see a veteran group, you know they know how to play the game. When I started putting this team together, I wanted a veteran quarterback. Las Vegas and Orlando were successful last year with a veteran quarterback. Then I wanted a younger quarterback to back him up and see how much they grown. When you get veterans, it's a little easier because they know how to play the game. I tried to have some veteran guys and some young guys that would help us form a nucleus of a team that would have good balance. I was in Houston with a veteran team and I think the worse we were 10-6, 11-5, 12-4. When you have veterans guy, they don't make the mistakes like the rookies do. Today in practice, we had some young guys make mistakes. You try to teach them the game. The veterans are good and hopefully the blending of the two will allow us to grow and get better as the season goes on. With a veteran team, what you see is what you will get. It's not going to get much better, and it's not going to get much worse because they know how to play the game."
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