Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Owners, bring around questions.
00:03 >> Senator, good seeing you.
00:04 Too early to tell what the identity of this team has been after fall camp.
00:07 Is it getting ready for this first game of the season or is it still work in progress?
00:11 >> Definitely still working, always looking to be better.
00:15 Very happy with what we've accomplished so far in camp.
00:18 Really hopeful, hopeful this could be a good year for us.
00:21 Really excited about the progression that some of the young guys are making and
00:24 really just building the team together.
00:26 But always looking to get better, always looking to improve.
00:29 >> What specifically have you seen this offensive line progress in the last
00:34 couple of months, especially during fall camp?
00:37 >> So I think the progression of the offensive line,
00:40 I think the biggest would have to be some of the guys that I guess maybe didn't play
00:44 a lot last year.
00:45 So watching some of those guys that are sophomores and juniors kind of start to
00:50 step up and really find their footing and be able to play some really good ball.
00:54 I'm really excited about those guys.
00:56 You talk about the Jerry Wilsons, the Dylan Fairchilds, the Michael Morris,
01:00 even Monroe Frill and all of those guys, man.
01:04 It's really exciting just to see them come and find their footing, man.
01:09 It's really amazing.
01:09 >> Yeah, over the course of fall camp and working with Carson so
01:14 much this offseason, how has your guys' relationship developed,
01:17 especially in terms of calling things out and
01:19 working on that communication that a quarterback and center have?
01:22 >> Yeah, of course.
01:23 So I would say that it's more of a, so it's obviously a different relationship,
01:28 because I think everybody's different and
01:30 everybody has their own unique set of ways they like to do things.
01:33 So I think when we're working with Carson,
01:36 the biggest thing has just been making sure that we're both seeing things,
01:39 communicating the body.
01:40 I think a lot of times on the field,
01:42 kind of get into a funk where you may just get caught up in doing your job.
01:45 And I think it's really important to make sure that you're communicating with the guy
01:48 behind you and in his case, in front of you.
01:50 To make sure that you're both kind of seeing things,
01:53 really familiar with each other, came in together.
01:56 So it's been pretty good.
01:57 I've really enjoyed it.
01:59 He jokingly says that we're back reunited.
02:01 So it's really good to just have him back there and work with him.
02:04 >> You said it, typically when you're having to replace both tackles,
02:10 it's not a small deal in the SEC.
02:13 You've been part of some really good lines here the last couple years,
02:16 obviously, but do you have a feeling about how this group has come together and
02:23 have heard positive things?
02:24 Do you feel like it has a chance to be as good as some of those others,
02:27 or do you look at it like that?
02:28 >> Well, obviously, we wanna pay respects to the guys that came before us,
02:31 some amazing people, players, and to be honest, groups that came together here.
02:35 And to be honest with you, I'm hopeful that we can be good, but
02:39 ultimately, all we can do is just strive to be better every day.
02:42 So I mean, I really think it starts with not taking things for granted.
02:46 Because you start to realize,
02:47 although we may have had people who played last year, it's a totally different group.
02:51 You have to have that cohesion, guys gotta know how they're gonna play a double team
02:55 together, how they may see a certain twist, pass different things off.
02:58 So although you may have that experience of playing,
03:00 it's a whole different group once you have certain new guys in the lineup.
03:03 So it's really just making sure that you're not taking things for granted and
03:06 that you're taking those reps so that you get the cohesion with all the other guys
03:09 that may have stepped in at some point.
03:12 >> Yes, with Nas Stackhouse having played no stack here for so long and
03:16 you playing center, the way y'all practice, probably not a football player,
03:20 you've taken more reps against than Nas Stackhouse.
03:24 So what would you say about his game?
03:25 How would you describe y'all's relationship?
03:28 >> So I go back to immediately our freshman year.
03:32 So my freshman year, my roommates were Warren Brinson,
03:36 Jalen Carter, Nas Stackhouse.
03:37 And we all lived together for about a year and a half, right?
03:40 So very familiar with Nas, that's my guy.
03:43 But if I had to describe his game, I would say that he's ridiculously strong, but
03:48 also deceptively quick.
03:49 So a lot of the times, I think he's really good with moving his shoulders and
03:54 lowering his pad level, but it's very subtle.
03:58 So you may not know that you may think that he's playing high, but
04:00 really he's dipping his shoulder and
04:02 different things like that that he may do in the run game, but also pass.
04:05 So I really think that with Nas, I think a lot of people look at him as a stout
04:08 run stopper, but I think a lot of people don't realize that he has a subtle
04:12 quickness to him as well that kinda catches you off guard if you aren't aware of it.
04:16 >> Senator, how many of you guys have found motivation from slights or
04:21 any perceived slights in the game day analyst on Alabama to win the SEC?
04:28 Do you hear about that?
04:28 What do you make of it?
04:31 >> If I'm being 100% honest with you, I have not seen it.
04:35 To be honest with you, we've been trying to just focus on making sure that we're
04:39 doing all that we can to protect us and
04:42 make sure that we're doing what we can to be the best team as possible.
04:44 But I mean, at the end of the day, they have their opinion and we respect it, but
04:48 all we can do is just work and try to have the best results for us.
04:51 >> Senator, I don't know how much you've looked into, obviously,
04:57 your upcoming opponent, but I did wanna ask you about Dalyn Dotson for UT Martin.
05:02 What have you seen from him and how are you and
05:04 the rest of the offensive line preparing for their leading pass rusher?
05:07 >> So I think the guy you're talking about is number one, right?
05:10 >> Yes, number one.
05:11 >> So I've seen him and he's really, really quick.
05:15 Likes to really move around, likes to make explosive plays.
05:19 I think that he's a guy that if you take your eyes off him,
05:22 he can make a quick play, maybe a swim move, things like that.
05:26 So definitely take into account what he can bring in a run and pass game.
05:30 So definitely making sure that we're taking it very serious.
05:33 I like what UT Martin does up front.
05:35 They're a really good up front team.
05:38 I think they play hard.
05:39 I think they're really talented.
05:40 So looking forward to just making sure that we come into practice,
05:43 watch all the film, make sure that we're taking the proper reps that we need to
05:46 make sure that we're prepared for the game, because he's a very talented player.
05:48 >> Yes, Cedric, one of the guys we talked to this fall mentioned you as
05:54 the overall leader of the team.
05:56 And his last question, I'm just wondering if that's a role you feel like you've
05:59 taken on and how have you tried to embrace that over the past
06:01 70 months since last season ended?
06:05 >> So if I'm being honest, that was kind of a role that I was kind of
06:09 setting into last year a bit.
06:10 I was trying to make sure that I was doing all that I can to help lead this team.
06:14 Well, lead that team, excuse me.
06:16 So really for me, it's just making sure that I'm staying on top of what I need to
06:20 do so that I can hold other people accountable.
06:22 I think that's the biggest thing when trying to be a leader is
06:25 the moment that you select, everybody's looking, everybody's making sure at
06:28 the point that I'm telling you.
06:29 So it's not giving people that chance so
06:31 that they have no choice but to uphold their standards, if that makes sense.
06:34 Because the one moment that you don't, you kind of lose all your credibility.
06:37 And I know it may seem unfair that you may do things right a million times, and
06:41 the one time you mess it up, you kind of lose all your credibility.
06:43 But that's the reality of being a leader.
06:45 So I would say more so I've been embracing the role of just making sure
06:50 that I'm being consistent, if that makes sense.
06:53 >> Ced, you come back from year four.
06:56 Obviously, part of the reason is to improve your NFL draft stock.
07:00 When you went back and watched yourself last year,
07:02 what are those areas of improvement that you need to make?
07:04 >> Yeah, so I think I may have talked about this before, but
07:08 my biggest thing was just technique.
07:10 That was my biggest thing.
07:11 I was definitely a guy out there just playing football, having fun.
07:14 Did not really care to try with technique.
07:17 I was definitely one of those guys that technique in practice, but
07:21 when it's game time, you go out there and play.
07:23 After you get the job done, it's how you get the job done.
07:25 So I would think that this year I'm looking to play with more technique,
07:29 show more of, I guess, a slower paced game.
07:32 Because I think that, to be honest with you,
07:34 in a lot of situations that helps.
07:35 That's what they wanna see on the next level.
07:37 So that's really the biggest thing for me is making sure that I can kind of slow
07:40 down a bit and make sure that I'm playing with the right steps, right hand placement,
07:44 head placement, things like that.
07:46 >> Hey Cedric, Kirby had said one of the reasons why Carson got a starting
07:52 quarterback job is just his familiarity with the offense and experience level.
07:56 What have you seen from him just in terms of his comfort level with the offense and
08:00 just being a leader for you guys on that side of the ball?
08:03 >> Absolutely, so I think one thing that Carson does well is really just
08:07 recognizing coverages.
08:08 I think he does that pretty well in making anticipatory throws.
08:12 I think that's one thing that he really does well,
08:14 is understanding the concept that we're in, understanding what the defense is in.
08:18 And kinda, I don't wanna say predetermining, but
08:20 I guess having an idea of where the ball should go.
08:23 So I think he does a really good job of doing that, and
08:25 I think that he does an amazing job of, every once in a while,
08:28 even though he's not a very vocal guy, he's not the guy that's gonna go out there and
08:32 yell at everybody.
08:33 But when the time is needed and he feels like he has to step up,
08:36 I think he does a good job of making sure he's that guy for the offense.
08:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]
08:42 >> Cedric, who's backing you up at center, and
08:44 what can you tell us about Austin Blastine and Erskine?
08:48 >> So I'll leave that question for Coach Searles, about who's backing me up.
08:53 But one thing I will say is I have extreme confidence in any guy that
08:57 may have to play center in the future, during this season,
09:02 whatever it may be the situation.
09:04 I have extreme confidence in any of those guys.
09:07 But I will say what Ernest Green and Austin Blastine,
09:09 they both have competed really, really well.
09:11 I'm excited to see them both play.
09:13 I think this will be the first time that either one of them really gets a chance to
09:17 potentially go out there and start and make some plays for the team.
09:19 So I'm really excited for both of them,
09:21 because I've watched them both work so hard since they've gotten here.
09:25 And to kind of see that come into fruition for
09:27 them is really a beautiful thing, so I'm looking forward to seeing them.
09:30 >> Got time for two more questions.
09:32 >> I'll say that obviously, first game since his loss of Devin.
09:36 What way, what kind of things you guys are gonna try to do this year to honor
09:41 his memory, as far as that number 77 is concerned?
09:44 Y'all plan on doing anything special with that,
09:46 on like a little weekly base or anything like that to remember him?
09:48 >> So to be honest with you, we've talked about a bunch of different things.
09:54 Nothing's really set in stone.
09:56 It's kinda hard to, I guess, fully commemorate somebody that you feel like
10:01 you came in with, and this is supposed to be the senior season.
10:02 So when you do it, you wanna make sure that you do it right.
10:05 So we've definitely talked about a few things.
10:08 We haven't set something in stone yet, but I think with something like that,
10:12 it has to be organic, it has to be natural.
10:13 So I think when it hits your heart and it feels right for everybody,
10:17 you get that conviction, and that's what it is.
10:19 >> Why has Ernest Green kind of put himself in positions to possibly start?
10:24 I know last year he was coming off of a horse injury as well.
10:27 But where does he bring the team?
10:29 >> So I think with Ernest, I think the very unique thing, excuse me,
10:32 about him has to be, one, his work ethic, but also, two, he has really good feet.
10:37 I know a lot of people, because of his size, they may see him as an interior
10:41 player, but to be honest with you, he has really good feet that allows him to excel
10:45 on the outside, so I think that's kind of what has put him in a position,
10:49 outside of his, obviously, his hard work, to be able to possibly take that role.
10:55 It's just the fact that he has really, really good feet.
10:57 He's able to stay in front of everybody.
10:59 He's able to always stay in phase and pass pro, and second in for
11:02 the backs like that.
11:03 So I would say the thing that really helps him to be able to possibly take that role
11:08 would be just his exceptional feet.
11:11 >> Thanks, Cedric.
11:12 >> Thank you all.
11:13 God bless you all.
11:14 >> Thank you.
11:14 - Thank you.