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LES MILES PRESS CONFERENCE
August 27, 2012
HEAD COACH LES MILES
On Hurricane Isaac ...
"Coincidentally, it was North Texas in the exact same set up. A very novice LSU coach in this position, virtually seven or eight years ago. The good news is we had great leadership and the decisions were made very quickly to benefit all. I suspect that will happen again if need be, and we'll be prepared to play certainly. We'll be on that, and I won't really have much for you until the storm comes."
On backup quarterbacks ...
"Stephen Rivers is certainly number two, and I think Rob Bolden is competing extremely well. I think he's a guy that will get in the game and have an opportunity to play if needed."
On Steve Kragthorpe moving down to the field ...
"I think it's good for the quarterbacks to have a quick, clean head and no problems with communication. We'll see how it goes. If it benefits us, then certainly we want to do that. I would anticipate that this is going to be a good change."
On Zach Mettenberger's demeanor on the team ...
"I think it's a great challenge to him to just do the job that he has to do. I think because of the fact that the team really depends on his abilities, he has not only attempted to play the position, but to really acquire leadership and be responsible for the fact that it's played well and that the receiving core and he operate all in the same page. I think he's done a great job, I can see exactly what he's saying. When you're disposed, if you will, from your team and really looking for a place, I can see where that would be a real problem for him. He's a really social guy, and he enjoys his teammates."
On Jalen Mills earning a starting position at corner ...
"I think (Jalen) Mills and (Jalen) Collins both play a lot of football. I think both guys can play. What I expect from them is just to play like we've always played. Our corners play a very aggressive style of defense. They understand the checks and certainly where their help is over the top with the safeties. We expect that they'd play exactly the same way."
On the most improved player ...
"Barkevious Mingo. I think he's got great speed, and I think he'll anticipate making some of the plays he made last year. It's great. It's always a really interesting piece. Those guys have had great years, and Kiki really improved routinely through last fall. Those guys that have that kind of experience, when they come back to the fall, they've done this once and now they recognize it more quickly. Suddenly they say a greater recognition of the play and a greater speed to the ball. Of course "Ke-ke" has great speed and he's gotten faster and he's stronger. Honestly, I really could've answered with a lot of guys. I could have said Eric Reid, which Eric Reid continues to improve. That's the kind of player that has great, great years."
On Alex Hurst and Chris Faulk as a tackle tandem ...
"I like our tackles a lot. Both of them are very healthy. They've been practicing for a week or so more. Both have taken every snap in practice for four or five days. There are no issues there. It's always nice to have a veteran tackle that understands footwork and knows how to protect and can step in there and really give you push at the point of attack, and both guys can. I like both of those. Frankly, I like our young tackle too. I think Vadal Alexander is going to be a really nice addition. We expect that if he had an opportunity, he'd come in and expel those guys, really on either side."
On the advantages of having veterans play alongside newcomers ...
"When you're an offensive lineman or in the secondary where adjustments are tremendously important, movement and change of assignment that is based on the alignment of the offense or defense requires an adjustment within the play and communication's between at least two guys. It's always nice when that veteran who's very sure of the call and understands what adjustment has to be made is next to that younger player so that he can tell him, simply put, 'Yeah, you remember.' That younger player does not play with the same confidence as that veteran does. That veteran understands that when they get to a stacked position, we're really going to botch this or we're going to do exactly the adjustment, and where that new player can sit there and go, "Now is this when..." and that can be always just a little too late. Beside a young player, it's nice to have that veteran that understands exactly what's going on, that's been there before and that has no issue with his confidence. He's ready to play dominant football, and that generally brings legitimate guys along quicker."
On renovations to Tiger Stadium ...
"I haven't really seen the Championship Plaza yet complete, I'm going to reserve. I can tell you that it would lead me to believe that's where I'd want to meet my friends and family at a game, somewhere in there and enjoy some socialization. Those lights at night, I'm telling you right now, that purple and gold underneath the underbelly of that stadium...Wow. It's great looking. I have not seen the letters up, but I can't imagine they don't do anything but add to the stature of grand place."
On Kevin Minter ...
"He was a guy that really improved from last fall. If you looked at the start of the season and where he was at when we played Georgia, he was just so come on and just understood more what he was responsible to do. He's a physical, bright, been-through-it linebacker. He gives us leadership, he's quiet, unassuming, and he has a great presence on the field. He'll make a tackle, and he'll be in the exact right place of coverage. He's that style of guy that you want every player to be. He's gotten better every day, and he continues to improve. If he does so, he'll be as good as the rest."
On how team members have opened his eyes ...
"Kwon Alexander, Tahj Jones, I think those two guys by and large have taken coaching fast enough to get to the field. I think as much as anything that's the key piece. In other words, all six guys are very talented guys. All six guys can probably play some special teams, but it's the guys that learn it the fastest that allows them to go on the field on defense. I think that both of those two have done that."
On starting a game and playing time ...
"I can tell you that it's never been about starting, I think that's a great point. It's always been about the contribution and how many snaps you get. So many times you go onto the field with a set. If the opponent plays full wide, and we're going with a dime set, that's not necessarily reflective of the full play of the game. We're really just developing. This is the place we start at. If a player is capable and ready to start, we take a majority of the staff, so be it. But if he's going to play bit roll, and if it just so happens that role is the first play or second play of the game, then so be it. That's never been a focus of ours. It's been that way for me since I've been in coaching. I really want the best players on the field, period. I want to give them the greatest opportunity to compete, and I want them to go to the field with regularity so that we can see who that best player is. Generally speaking, you win the position in games. Seldom do you win the position in a practice schedule."
On James Wright ...
"Our receiving core's much improved. We're going to depend on these guys to make receptions game in a game out, series after series. Guys like James Wright, Kadron Boone and Russell Shepard certainly Landry and Beckham. Those guys better step in and be ready to step in and play down after down and make plays down after down. We're excited about James Wright. We think he's had a great camp, and he's ready to make some plays it appears.
On team preparation for Hurricane Isaac ...
"That will be a part of today's conversation. Certainly what we'll do tomorrow when they arrive at the building is have very specific orders and suggestions. It's a pretty simple view, given some choices of where they might stay and hunker down. Let's see what happens after. I don't think anybody can predict what will happen, the only thing that we can predict is that we'll make an adjustment that will work as we've done in the past."
On Kadron Boone and Kenny Hilliard ...
"I think both guys had really good fall camps. I think their summer work has brought them in really great shape. I think they've carried the ball a number of times and shown great ball security. Kenny Hilliard is a physical back with a great first step, and he's a knifing running back. I think Blue is a tremendous target out of the backfield, a six-foot-two 220 pound back that's running really better than he has and much more effective. Without the meaning of the guys, they've had the best camps, and that's who we're starting. I really think that both backs have gotten a lot of training in pass protection in the preseason."
On a closer relationship between teammates and quarterback Zach Mettenberger...
"I think there's a real want and enjoyment for the quarterback that we have now, period. I think there's a relationship that has developed in every practice that we've gone to that really will supersede anything that we had last year in any way. It's always about this team, the next snap, the next play. I think that you'll find that there's improved chemistry there. My opinion is that Mettenberger is just one. They come together a little bit more ambitious, maybe."
On Josh Dworaczyk and Josh Downs ...
"Josh (Dworaczyk) gives us some special teams experience. It really makes a nice, comfortable addition to our offensive line across the line. He can really play every spot. He can play center, both guards and both tackles. He's one of those guys that can come in and give us time at any spot. I think he'll play a number of spots through the fall and probably this Saturday. I think he's going out at left guard first. Joshua Downs is playing in his final season. He's a guy with great quickness for his position and looking forward to staying healthy and playing snap after snap over time for a season as opposed to in-and-out. If he can avoid any injury bug, that would be great for him and for us."
