University of North Carolina Athletics
Player Press Conference Quotes
August 27, 2007 | Football
Aug. 27, 2007
Player Quotes
Strong Safety Trimane Goddard
On the challenge of being an inexperienced team:
"Maybe a little bit at first, mainly in spring ball with guys having to learn a new system. As far as training camp, you have the base terms and knowledge all down. All the players have been playing together real well, we just have not had any on-field experience."
How long does it take to feel comfortable and experienced:
"Your going to be nervous for the first couple of games, but once the game starts you just have to let it come to you and play your own game. The more you feel comfortable in what your doing the better you are, if your unprepared your going to feel a lot more nervous and make a lot more mistakes."
On expecting opponents to challenge the young secondary:
"Of course teams are going to test you, if you have an inexperienced secondary. Teams want to see if they can shake you up and see how you respond. I expect to be challenged, but I expect to respond as well. We have talented receivers on our team and covering them all camp helps prepare our defense."
On what make Coach Davis so successful in his past:
"He demands everything you have from each player and is a big disciplinarian. He does everything like it is a game situation, he wants everything fast and crisp. He puts us in game situations in practice often, so we will know how to respond. He knows how to coach and is just a great coach."
Biggest difference between Coach Bunting and Coach Davis:
"I think the biggest difference is the way we practice. We get a lot done in a little amount of time and I feel like we are a more efficient team because of that. I think there is more trust between the team from a year ago."
Wide Receiver Brandon Tate
On the inexperience of the Tar Heels:
"Since training camp our young guys have been maturing everyday. Studying their playbook and knowing their assignments, so come Saturday everyone is going to have a show to see from all the young guys."
On relationship with Linebacker and high school teammate Durell Mapp:
"Durell and I have been friends for a long time and coming to school here made us click even more. We talk all the time on and off the field. It has been a long journey from high school, we did not think we would end up here. We ended up here and now we are just trying to stay focused."
On the new NCAA rule of kicking off from the 30 yard line:
"I expect to field a lot more kicks this year and I am going to try to return a lot as well."
On his impact of field position:
"I think I am a threat to the other team if they kick it to me, I am going to try to get us in good field position or score. You have to read the field and follow your blocks. The person who scores the touchdown is going to stand out more than the person who returns it 20 to 25 yards. I feel as though if I can score and keep the offense off the field it will be great."
On Coach Shoop's thoughts for the quarterback to get the ball to his freaks:
"The quarterback looks at all the wide receivers for an opportunity to make a big play. All the receivers are freaks, that is what we call ourselves. The ball is going to be spread around to just about everybody at receiver. Even the running backs might have a catch or two."
On being a team jokester:
"I am just a happy person. If I am sad, I still try to joke around. I just try to keep everybody laughing on the team. I like to joke all the time."
