Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Presser, Crank it up Edition

Here's the weekly presser for this week. Its a little short because there was no game this week, so we got to skip making excuses about that game just talk about Buffalo. As always, smart aleck remarks are in orange.

Coach Brandon has three key words for Friday's game.

"Crank it up."

Or, I guess, "Crank it up!"

Anyway, the team plans to do that, and he thinks the fans should too. He urges fans to forget the cold (its November, he tells us) get there and well, crank it up.

Don't worry. I'll be there and I'll be hoarse on Saturday. I hope we get a good crowd. I have another post on this, though, and I'm not optimistic.

The media pointed out to Coach that he had the scenario he was looking for, with Temple and Akron losing and now we are "back in control" of our destiny.

To tell you the truth, I don't think anyone said destiny. Its a little strong. Maybe "fate" would be better.

He said it is a win out scenario like it was two weeks ago (which it was not, but, you know), and that the kids can feel it and sense it, and this game is why they came to BG to play for a championship. He points out that some of them played in the UT game where the Falcons lost the East title in OT at the Doyt.

He spent the week off watching film off Buffalo. The players did not practice a whole lot. He says that "more is not better at this point" in terms of repeating plays, and that you need them fresh and focused.

"If you ain't ready now, you ain't gonna be ready," he said. (I wonder if Woody Hayes had this philosophy?)

He was asked if the bye week broke their momentum, and he didn't think so, The team was "relieved" to win at OU (fans can share this emotion for sure), and the rest was good for them.

He also said that if we were 5-1 we would have still needed this game. That got me thinking, because its an interesting way to look at the season. He's right, I guess. We'd have a two game lead, and Buffalo could still catch us.

Next, they talked about Buffalo, noting that two years ago Roosevelt and Starks lit us up, but we defended him OK this year. Coach predicts they will get their yards, noting that Starks had 50 touches against Akron.

He also said he watched the Akron game, but not in his office. We were also privileged to learn that he will powernap on the couch in his office, but he won't sleep there.

He said Willy is a Senior QB who takes care of the ball which often means "isn't really very good."

When asked what we had to do on offense, he (finally) admitted that it would sound stupid, but we would need to "score." In fact, it does not sound stupid. If we don't finish drives against Buffalo, we won't win. (No time like now to finally get it "cranked up" Falcons!)

He also repeated that the offense is better, not as good as Coach would like.

He was mum on Freddie, Willie and AT. They are practicing, but no word on their availability.

We were also reminded that BG QB Coach Jim Hofher was the Head Coach at Buffalo, and Coach says Hofher wants to win more than many of them do.

He said their defense is active, quick, etc, and getting turnovers. And improving....they are improving.

With that, he asked "You good?" a Coachspeak version of "May I be excused now?" And he was.



No comments :