Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Big 12 Football Media Day Quotes
July 31, 2003 | Football
July 31, 2003
Head Coach Mike Leach
On QB B.J. Symons:
"There's certain things each quarterback likes to do. He throws well down the field, both him and Kingsbury complete many passes and they throw very high percentage wise. Our conference was the best quarterback conference in the country last year and the best ones graduated. It was a good cycle. Anytime a quarterback is lost it's like the sky is falling and whenever a new guy starts things are usually alright. He's not a guy who's new to the deal, he's thrown to these guys for years. I don't think it's a big adjustment for the team. It's similar to playing in the middle of the game instead of starting at the end. A quarterback is a guy who you're asking to make the guys around him better. It's a mental exercise in that. There sometimes tend to be growing pains. If you have a guy that's been around, you try to make him comfortable. He knows everyone, watched a lot of film, and he seems very comfortable. It's going to be a painless transition."
On being touted as an underdog by the media:
"Everyone has frustrating times with the media, sometimes after a tough game or if someone asked the wrong questions. But, one of the most important things in college sports is the media. With that said, perspective gets lost; fansmanship gets in the way sometimes. There are more computers, ball-point pens, and television stations anywhere in the country other than Lubbock."
On defensive goals:
"There's not a specific number that were going to try to hold our opponents to, but more than likely we're going to try to get as close to the number zero as possible, sometimes you'll have a game where that will go north of that. There are various goals we do have that will try to make us improve, and the biggest goal is to try to improve everyday. The least common denominator is just trying to coach your players to have great focus and tempo in practice and to translate that into games. Your ability to do that will pay dividends down the line."
SS Ryan Aycock
On being the little guy:
"People always tell me I am undersized, but I think it is the size of the heart that counts and how hard we work. When we are on the field on Saturdays, those guys on offense will feel me. It does not matter how big I am, they will know that I am there and I will hit them again and again."
On having a new defensive coordinator:
"Our defense is a little similar to what we had last year. We have similar tactics, but this defense is a more aggressive in your face type defense."
On Rashaun Woods and other receivers in the Big 12:
"He is just a great athlete. He is just a great playmaker. He goes up and gets the ball and does not drop too many. He is one of those guys that likes to get the ball in his hands so that he can make plays. You just have to be aggressive with a receiver of that caliber."
WR Wes Welker
On being the little guy:
"I hear jokes about how small I am and things of that nature. It is fun to sit around and tease about it. A lot of people overlook my size, but I try to overwhelm the other team by the things I do on the field.
On getting the chance to play college football:
"It has been fun. I am excited about the progress our whole team has made. It seems like we are always the underdog and we kind of enjoy that role. People were just kind of surprised by us at times and we will experience the same role again this year. We just have to go out there and earn respect."
On quarterback B.J. Symons:
"I think our offense will be just fine. We always produced with Kliff (Kingsbury) back there, but B.J. (Symons) has been here just as long as Kliff has. B.J. has a strong arm and he fires the ball in there and he has come a long way as far as decision making.
