Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football enters final week of spring ball
04/12/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
April 12, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois head football coach Dale Lennon met with the media prior to Monday's practice at McAndrew Stadium.
Q: Could you talk about what you hope to see in the final week of spring practice?
"This week we're just working on getting game ready. Hopefully by the time we do get to the spring game you see a team that looks like it is game ready, we're executing at a high level, the mental assignments are sharp and we not making the errors that can be costly in the game. That's the big thing this week is to polish things up so hopefully come Saturday we're looking like we know what we're doing."
Q: How do you go about getting game ready when you're not in a typical fall season situation when you're in a game-week routine?
"Well you just put them in certain situations in practice and do things like you do in a game. Sideline management is something that we'll be working on. How we get the play called in, how we take the field and how we break the huddle. We're at a point where we're working on refining a lot of the things that we do, but have a little more sense of why we do what we do. That's the message this week."
Q: Is there any part of the offense that has distinguished itself?
"I think our short passing game is something that our players feel pretty good about. We have a lot of different ways to get the ball to a lot of different players so I think there, the versatility of the offense has really jumped out."
Q: How sharp would you say Chris Dieker looks and Paul McIntosh?
"Both Chris and Paul have had their moments and I think they've adapted well to the new offensive concepts, and visiting with them, they are starting to feel really comfortable in what we are asking them to do. That's the big thing I wanted to accomplish by the end of spring ball was that the offense was going to feel pretty natural at that time and the concerns that they may have had coming into spring ball no longer exist."
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the balance on both sides of the ball?
"I think the identity that we are developing is going to be a team-first identity where we may not have the big name player that we had last year, but at the same time, we got a lot of players that can contribute. I think the team concept is going to be a strong concept within us and is something that we'll be working on during pre-fall to develop because I think if we're playing well as a team, it's not about one person carrying the load. That will be the key to our success."
Q: Can you talk about Jayson DiManche and the play of the outside linebackers?
"Jayson's in with that crew where some young players needed to step up and it's their turn to play. He's very comfortable now with the defensive package, he's been in it for two years and has been behind some very good players, so he's been able to learn a lot from them. I think now you are just seeing the end result and we're going to look for him to be one of our top outside backers. That's the same with Travis Littles and Robert Spann. They have all had good springs and it's just a matter of them taking advantage of the opportunity in front of them."
Q: You are hosting a women's football clinic this Friday, why is doing something like that important?
"I think it's just having fun with the game. Football is a fun game. It's a team game. I think it is the one ultimate team game that exists where it doesn't matter your size or speed, anybody can participate in the game and I think anyone can be a fan of the game. We just try to provide a form where people can come out and have a chance to mix it up with the coaches and have a little fun with football."
Q: You're team had 23 interceptions last year, do you like the experience you have in the secondary this year?
"We return enough experience in the secondary that will help with the younger players coming in. I think that's the one thing, we do have a good balance of returning experience that should hopefully educate the younger players on how we do things and kind of help them live up to the expectations that we have with the package."
Q: Does Mike McElroy's role differ this year in any way?
"I think he's going to be more visible. I think he'll be more of a vocal leader just because he's been through the battles. He's played since his true freshman year and he is a guy that can lead the way for us.
