University of North Carolina Athletics
Tuesday's Player Quotes
September 2, 2003 | Football
Sept. 2, 2003
Senior cornerback Derrick Johnson
What is your analysis of the defensive play on Saturday?
"I think it was a breakdown of the fundamentals; tackling and missing assignments. A lot of times we were in a position to make plays and we just didn't make them."
Can you describe your emotions after the game given you have worked on the fundamentals in camp and preseason?
"It's frustrating but at the same time it gives us something to work on for this weekend's game. For a lot of the guys it was their first shot at live action since spring training. So, against a good team like Florida State, some players might have had nerve issues. But, hopefully this week all of that is out of the way. We've got our first game in and we can get back on track with a win against Syracuse."
Are you surprised the game went as rough as it did?
"I was a little surprised given that we have practiced so well. Our line assignments in practice went well and the way guys competed in practice was real good. I was disappointed that we played the way we did Saturday. I was not expecting it."
Was it hard to simulate Florida State in practice?
"Oh yes, it really was. With their great team speed and their athletes, it's hard to simulate that type of look in practice. That's where it comes to game experience with teams like FSU. Once you've played them you know what you're up against the rest of the season."
Do you guys talk about losing seven home games in a row?
"Yes we talk about it but that's not our main concern. Our main concern is just to win the game. Winning at home is important but our main concern is getting better as a team and winning some ballgames and then obviously wins at home will come."
What was it like looking into the stands during the middle of the third quarter and seeing that most of the fans had left the stadium and gone home?
"That's another thing that's kind of frustrating just to see the fans leaving. They, the fans, have high expectations and they are disappointed because we are not playing or representing North Carolina like it should be represented. That's something we just have to pick up and work hard at in practice so we can get the win and see the stands filled the entire game."
What was the talk among you guys, the players, since Saturday night?
"A lot of the things. We talked about basically going over what went wrong during the game. Again, what went wrong was a lot of the fundamental things including dropped balls and missed tackles."
Coach Bunting said that you played well. What do feel like you have improved on the most and what did you do well the other night?
"I think just being out there and getting more snaps, helps me to be more comfortable and gain more confidence. Going up against a team like Florida State my freshman year was a rough outing. Having that experience just stuck inside me which causes me to work harder and more aggressively."
What do you older players have to do in order to inspire this team?
"Basically, we have to get the guys to come along and try to tackle better. We, of course, have to lead by example. Not vocally, but by example and hopefully it just catches on and if they don't understand what is going on we have to help the younger players understand the game better."
Junior wide receiver Jarwarski Pollock
What's the morale like for the team?
"It's still the same morale. It's a winning morale. We want to go out and compete every game and do out best and win."
How do you get the guys to focus on not dropping passes in clutch situations?
"Just work on it in practice. Concentrate on it in practice and just catch all the passes in practice. That's the only way I know to make it happen."
How do feel about the way you played against Florida State?
"I feel that I played okay but not as well as I should have played. But it was alright."
Who stepped up during the game?
"I felt that I stepped up and took over the number one spot or the go-to guy and I'm looking forward to it for the rest of the season."
Do you see a connection between your success and practice?
"Yes, because we are always staying after practice and working on certain things and watching films together."
Were you disappointed in the return game without having the opportunity to return any kicks?
"It wasn't that disappointing because it was just part of the game. They have a good kicker who didn't give us a chance for any returns."
Even though you had a big game against Florida State, because of your size, do you feel that you have to keep proving yourself every game?
"No doubt. There will always be questions about my size. I have to just out and prove myself every game."
Does it bother you that people feel that way - that people doubt you?
"No, no, not at all because it's gone on every since I've been in high school so it's no big deal to me.
Have you and Darian Durant talked about you being the number one go-to guy?
"We haven't talked about it but you can tell in practice he's always looking to give me the ball on certain plays."
Coach Bunting talked about not getting into the end zone and finishing. What can you do to contribute to getting into the end zone?
"We just have to make more plays when we get the opportunity. We had a few opportunities when we could have gotten into the end zone but we just didn't capitalize. We just have to capitalize on them in practice this week so that we can perform in the game on Saturday."
Syracuse has a pretty aggressive defense. How do make them pay when they do a lot of blitzing?
"We have to go deep and make plays on them like we did last year. That's what we talked about last night in our meeting. If they are going to blitz we are going to go deep on them."
What's your favorite pass pattern?
"A post corner."
