Longhorns UT press conference recaps (new pressers added Wednesday)

[Aaron Carrara]

Matt's on-hand at Strong's first of many weekly Game Day Pressers.

 

Follow Matt on Twitter - @MLCotcher - for updates.  

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

And Matt's camera was a little blurry on this one but, the message is still there from David Ash.

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Juan]

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[Lukus Alderman]

Good stuff!

[Aaron Carrara]

And this from the Texas starting QB:

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

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[HornEsch]

So ready for this season to start.

 

#cleanSlate

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Lukus Alderman]

I love the confidence.

[Aaron Carrara]

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— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[HornEsch]

"Coach is straightforward. Whatever he says he's gonna do, happens."

 

I bet that is a nice change of pace for these guys,

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Aaron Carrara]

Ced Reed is ready to play.

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

[Lukus Alderman]

One thing I've noticed is that these guys are doing a lot of looking back and comparing to years past. It's time to move forward and forget about those years.

[Topstarr]

Yes, I am ready for play and #LetsRide

[Matt Cotcher]

If you're on Twitter or on the board during the Monday press conferences, join us. We'll do the same type of arrangement throughout the season.

 

 

Some final thoughts from talking with the players....

 

- Quandre Diggs, Malcolm Brown, Johnathan Gray, Malcom Brown & Dom Espinosa are all well-versed in coachspeak. They're not 100% coaching platitudes, but those 5 are not the first guys I'd look to for a quote.

 

- Jordan Hicks & Cedric Reed on the other hand......let's just say that I didn't walk away from either player wondering how they really felt.

 

- "Sack City" (see Ced Reed's tweet above) is great. The media absolutely ate it up. After today, it's something that I expect we'll hear all season long.

 

- David Ash is so genuine. At first you hear some of the things he says and think they're too good to be true. Then he looks you in the eye and keeps right on with it and you know it's truthful - it's him. I don't have a daughter, but he's the kind of guy that I'd hope she brings home one day.

 

- It sounds trite, but the amount of pride this Senior class has is astounding. If they impart half of it on the younger guys, this team will be set for the future.

 

- 8 players were made available today and, to a man, each one of them commented on how difficult and physical practices were.

 

- Surprisingly there were quite a few comments about how "fun" the coaching staff is. It may not be their public persona but it's there.

 

- The level of buy-in between the coaches and players is significant. Not to be too Disney, but this isn't a motto or a bracelet, these guys are lining up and playing for each other.

 

 

And thoughts from listening to Charlie Strong...

 

- Coach Strong seems genuinely excited about Saturday. Beneath the toughness, I think he's quietly confident about this team. That's not because of the talent level, it's because of the way the players have responded to everything that's been thrown at them.

 

- Coach Strong deflected it, but the players readily admitted that Saturday would be significant because a new era of Texas football is starting.

 

- Coach Strong confirmed that Jason Hall, Armanti Foreman, and Lorenzo Joe will all play on Saturday. He also said they'd consider playing the other freshmen wideouts as well as a couple other guys that have stood out, but no decisions have been made.

 

- I got the feeling that Strong was a bit surprised at the level of acceptance from the players with the culture change. He mentioned the lack of resentment from players enough times that it made a lasting impression on me.

 

(if you prefer to read a transcript, it's HERE)

[Chitownhorn]

 

- I got the feeling that Strong was a bit surprised at the level of acceptance from the players with the culture change. He mentioned the lack of resentment from players enough times that it made a lasting impression on me.

 

(if you prefer to read a transcript, it's HERE)

I think that is an indication that Texas had the players all along. The thing about college athletes is most of them want to be pushed and challenged. Even leaders need to be shown what it takes to be a leader and what it means to lead and I think Coach Strong is doing just that. 

[Chris Flanagan]

This first week is the worst for college football fans in terms of anticipation.

 

At least in June or July, you might find something to occupy your mind and body but this week every year always takes FOREVER.

[HornEsch]

Chris, I wholeheartedly agree!! Especially considering I am literally in a chair 23 hours a day recovery right now from surgery. It is like watching paint dry over and over and over again!!! Saturday can't get here fast enough.

 

HS Team, Great job with the coverage!

[Matt Cotcher]

FYI - I'll be back at Moncrief-Neuhaus today to meet with Coordinators and Assistant Coaches. We'll post updates here.

[Aaron Carrara]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011