Boston College Athletics
Football Heads Into Second Week of Practice
August 11, 2006 | Football
Aug. 11, 2006
Football Heads Into Second Week Of Practice
As the Boston College football team heads into its second full week of practice, several players take time to give their thoughts on the upcoming season.
Matt Ryan
(On the ACC)
"It's a tough conference. It's really a tough conference. I think that when we went down to Clemson, the first away game on the road, we learned the type of environment you are going into in the ACC, and it's tough. The players you go against are very good players. There is a lot of speed, but I think we found out that we can hold our own in that conference and we're confident going into this season. We know we've got a lot of talent, a lot of good guys, and we're excited about our chances."
(On losing teammates to the NFL)
"It's tough to replace guys who are first-round draft picks, like Mathias (Kiwanuka), and then second-round guys like Jeremy Trueblood and then guys later in the draft like Will (Blackmon). But, we've done a great job, the coaches have done a great job recruiting. We've got a lot of young talent, a lot of speed, so we just have to have young guys step up, go out there and make good plays, including myself. If you put together a couple of good plays at a time, that helps your chances."
Josh Beekman
(On the upcoming season) "I just want to come out and play as physically as possible."
(On being considered for the Outland Trophy) "For me, yes, I was flattered. As a lineman, you're one of the guys who battles though the trenches. Usually, there are more offensive honors given out, like to quarterbacks and running backs"
(On whether he feels pressure to fill the holes left on defense) "It's not really pressure, I just think we are going to have to guide our young guys. They're going to come into their own at their own time but right now, the beginning of the season is right around the corner so now they know they have to be at a level where they have to push themselves just as far as you do."
Tony Gonzalez
(After losing some receivers, who has to step up?) "In my opinion, we all do. Everyone is going to get in the game at some time and when you are in the game you are a starter. We all have knowledge of the game."
Kevin Challenger
(On his role with the team) "I go out to work hard and I just feel I'm consistent and I can get the job done even though there is competition with some of the other guys but I feel like I am a reliable guy."
(On what he feels he has improved upon) "One thing that I feel was important when I was coming here was what you know about the game, what kind of experience you have and I feel that I had a good grasp of the offense coming in, I understand the system, I understand what the coaches are trying to do. I feel that I have a good knowledge of the game."
Brian Toal
(On being back from injury) "I am really excited about the upcoming season. I missed the end of last year, so it's good to be back. Right now I am ready to go and it's the first time in awhile that I feel 100%."
(On how he feels physically) "I am ready to go. I can't wait to get out there, and I am excited about this year, and I feel that we've got a good team that can do big things this season."
(On how he thinks the team will do) "We are very optimistic. We did lose some players but everyone has been working really hard this summer and we've got a chance to be a really good football team."
(On Matt Ryan) "Matt's a real confident kid and to have him leading the team is going to be a lot of fun. With Matt, I think we're going to be able to put up more points than we have in the past."
(On being in the ACC for the second year) "The second time around, we are not going to surprise anyone. I think we caught a couple of people off-guard last year. Everyone knows what to expect for this year. We just have to worry about ourselves and get ready."
Jamie Silva
(On the upcoming season) "I am looking forward to getting back out on the field, putting the pads on and playing."
(On what he can improve on) "I have been trying to work on certain things. I have been watching film so I can see what I have to improve on."
(On the team) "I think we have a young team but there is also a lot of experience, so I think that we will do well on both sides of the ball."
(On losing key players on defense) "We know that we don't have guys from last year that made big plays for us but we think that we can do something special this year."
(On the ACC) "I think that it is a tough conference. Everyone seems a little faster, a little more physical but we are here to play football and we want to be in the best conference."
