HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the first week of camp) * *
"Things have gone fairly well. We think we've got most things done we wanted to accomplish at this time. We certainly haven't done as well as we wouldlike, but that is what practice is for. But I think things are progressing nicely."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the goal of getting better day-by-day)
"One of the things we talk about is make certain we come out and have a little bit better day of practice than the one before, that is indeed the key. You do not want to repeat mistakes. And I think our team has done a pretty good job of minimizing those things. We are going to have a few busts here and there, but the closer we get to the game time, we want to eliminate those things that beat us. "
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the weather)
"It's not quite as warm. We would like to turn the heat up a little bit more, but we are starting to get some heat and I think it's going to service us well. We are going to practice in some afternoons in full pads and I think that will give us a real good sense of what we will face this season. "
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the weeks getting shorter)
"They sure do. Particularly in the way the things line up for us in terms of our preseason schedule. We start rolling next Friday and six days later we have another ballgame, so that kind of restricts the amount of pads you want to do in between, but then again this is training camp, so we'll probably do a little more than we ordinarily would. Guys will get a chance to get some work against some good teams. "
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on what he would call his defense)
"It is 'our' defense. Schematically, it's the same of what we've used over the years, we are just probably using a few things that maybe we haven't used as much, with a wrinkle or two here and there. (Defensive Coordinator) Larry (Coyer) obviously has his own flavor that he would like to add to it, so more so than anything else, the great majority of the defense is from the same bases we've had over the years."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the new coaches and players getting the job done)
"It is going along smoothly at this point. We are still getting an opportunity to work together for the first time, but most of the guys I know. Most of the guys I've worked with for an extended period of time, so that part of it is easy. Btu also, I'm in a little different role so they have to get accustomed to that as well."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if he is getting accustomed)
"I've adapted and adjusted, but obviously there will be some bumps in the road the rest of the way, but that is what this time is for, to work out the kinks."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on any areas that particularly impress him)
"Not yet. There are some areas where we think we have a lot of veterans and things work smoothly, because they've been around, have done it before and are professionals. But in terms of execution, that is the real key. It is a result-oriented business, and we have to keep getting better."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the mock game's scoring system)
"It's a little bit different. It is tilted a little bit toward the defense but gives them an opportunity to score points on three-and-outs and turnovers, so it makes the game interesting. It forces the offense to score touchdowns or the defense can rack up quite a few points fairly easily."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if the game is a fun way to wrap up the week)
"It is, but it also gives a chance to have a little competition in and also give us a sense of the flow of the game, and I think that is important."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the team's health coming out of last night's practice)
"We are in pretty good shape. We didn't have anything major so we are happy with our progress and we hope that continues so we can keep practicing tough and stay healthy."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if Dallas Clark hurt his hand)
"You probably saw him shaking his hand a little bit after he caught the touchdown, but he shook it off and its nothing that's going to keep him from moving along."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the importance of special teams practices)
"It gives us a chance to really focus in on a lot of the detail work that you might not get an opportunity to do at other times. We slow it down. It's almost like a meeting on the field, but still they can get their landmarks, they can still get all of the nuances in regards to each and every position. It gives (Special Teams Coach) Ray (Rychelski) an opportunity to kind of talk to them and spell it all out, show them where the ball is going to be. It is a great time period for us but the real key is to be able to focus and concentrate, and I think they are doing a good job of that."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on if a campus environment immerses the team)
"Overall, it gives us an opportunity as an entire team, not just a player-coach relationship but a player-player relationship as well. The dormitories make for a great proving ground for building cohesion, building continuity and camaraderie. This environment is great; Rose-Hulman is a splendid place to have our training camp. The guys are comfortable here and we seem to love this environment because we can get better here. "
