Nashville Kats Luncheon Quotes
June 13, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
NASHVILLE KATS HEAD COACH PAT SPERDUTO
On what he expects from Kansas City given they have already made the 2007 AFL Playoffs
They're fighting to win the division so this is a big game for them. They have Chicago next week and they need this one (game). It's important for them and we know that they're going to come out fighting and we're going to give them everything that we've got.
On having DL Anthony Herron, Aaron McConnell, Joe Minucci and James Baron all healthy
To have them all back for us is huge. If you would've said to me at the beginning of the year that we were going to have those four defensive linemen I would've said that we're probably going to break records for sacks. The dilemma is that we haven't had those guys with us. That's not an excuse because that is our job as coaches to get the next guys ready and some of our players did a pretty good job when they were called upon. Guys like Brenden (Givan) and Brian (Howard); I give just as much credit for stepping up for us. They're not as savvy and seasoned and don't have the same continuity that those other guys have but they are great young players. It's good to have them back together....They're working hard. It's funny to see them all still in knee braces but they'll be fine. Hopefully, they pick it up another level this coming week.
On growing a playoff beard
I started growing it during the bye week and Sofia (daughter) didn't want me to cut it so I kept it on. Then they ganged up on me so I kept it. When they say cut, it I'll cut it. When it starts to bother them when we wrestle and things like that then I'll cut it off. Right now, they kind of like the feeling since they can't touch the hair on my head they can touch the hair on my face (laugh).
On the Week 15 victory over Las Vegas and if it was easy
Those players (in Las Vegas) are fighting for jobs; they're fighting to stay on the roster. They came out and they played well, they came out after us early and we kind of went toe to toe with them and once we pulled away we kind of secured ourselves. It's a credit to our offense that really clicked well. On defense we had to adjust a little bit because they did some good things.
On QB Jeff Smoker's progression on being a leader from start of season to now
Jeff kind of has that mentality that nothing bothers him and I've said that all along. Sometimes that can be good and sometimes that can be bad. What he's going to do and where he's going to go in this league will be a great thing. All three of our quarterbacks (Matt Kohn, Andy Hall) are really good guys and hard working guys. If you ask me what his strong suit is? He's not afraid to get extra work in, he's done it and I'm real happy for him.
On DB Ahmad Hawkins tying the AFL record for interceptions in a season with 13
I don't think he cares...I really don't. I think he cares more about a victory and getting to play next week. That's what this is all about. All of those personal accolades really don't matter. The only thing that matters is going as far as we can with the team accolades. That's how you reward them, by putting rings on their fingers, going deep into the playoffs and putting themselves in a position to look like a very successful football team.
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