Colt For Heisman

Fall practice is finally upon us. Check out the photo below of our boy Colt McCoy directing the team at one of the Longhorns’ first practices of the 2007 season:

Gameday can’t get here soon enough. Hook ‘em!

On how it was getting back out on the field: It was fine. We have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I think we handled it well and we’re ready for tomorrow.

On the chemistry with the receivers: The receivers look great out there. The first day is always tough with everyone out there wanting to do their best and show off for the coaches and show the work that they have put in over the summer. The work that we put in with the receivers was great. I felt like we had a great day and like I said we’re ready for tomorrow.

On comparing the first day this year versus last year: I’m definitely more comfortable. I’m excited because I know the potential that we have and the offensive line and receivers did great. I think overall for a first day we did really well. I definitely wasn’t as nervous as last year coming into this practice. I have the respect of my teammates and my coaches. It’s going to be a lot of fun this year.

On Jamaal Charles: You can’t tell much from the first work out, but with Jamaal he looks very fast. He carried the ball well and had no fumbles and that’s what you expect out of him.

On the mind frame of the team after the summer off the field issues: We’re positive. Everything about this team is positive energy. We’re not dwelling on anything negative. We hope the best for those guys. Coach Brown addressed us yesterday and talked about it, but it’s all behind us now and we’re looking forward.

On the offensive line: Cedric Dockery being back is going to help us a lot. There are a lot of young guys fighting for those upfront spots and Coach McWhorter is going to have someone ready to go. I felt like today they gelled and meshed together well.

On the back up quarterbacks separating: I think they will over time. You’re not going to be able to see anything the first couple of days. We’re not really doing anything really hard that is going to allow one of them to separate from the other. Right now they’re doing well, they’re understanding, they’re paying attention in meetings, and one of them will be ready to go.

On his performance today: I felt like it was good. My arm felt good. I played well. We didn’t do much, but overall it was good.

On how eager he and the others were to get out on the field: We were ready to go. I think we may have been a little over eager. We had everyone out there wanting to do their best and wanting to show off, but it was fun and that’s what you expect the first day.

On being able to spare some reps for the younger guys: I definitely feel like I can do that. I have a lot of stuff that I need to work on, a lot of things in my game that I need to tweak to make myself that much better, but at the same time the younger guys need a lot of reps. I feel like they’re doing really well. You can’t tell separation in the first couple days or weeks, but they’re doing fine right now. We may see both of them this year. Who knows?

On the announcement of Coach Rucker being diagnosed with prostate cancer: Everyone was very emotional. We’re behind Coach Rucker 100 percent. I can’t imagine what he’s going through, but for him to be able to stay around and coach us while he’s sick that shows you that this team is a family and that everyone cares for each other. We hope the best for Coach Rucker. It’s pretty motivating; he is one of the most emotional coaches and inspirational guys on our team. He is always there for everyone and to know that he is sick is a real downer for everyone, but we’re all positive and we’re not dwelling on anything negative. Coach Rucker is going to get through this and we’re all behind him.

On if he feels any pressure being rated the number four team in the country: No, not at all we have high expectations for ourselves. We don’t really pay attention to those, but we’re right where we want to be.

On Jermichael Finley: Jermichael is extremely important to our offense. He puts another dimension as a receiver, but he is also able to block. I know that he spent a lot of time in the weight room and with Coach Madden.

On working out this summer: I spent a lot of time in the weight room trying to put on some weight and get bigger so I can take a few more hits. You know you’re going to get rocked in the Big 12 so you have to be ready. I still feel comfortable and feel like I have the same speed.

On what the team is capable of: We’re looking forward to the first game. We understand that if we come together and play together, the expectations and potential for this team is very high. If we do the things that are going to take us to the top then that’s where we’re going to be, but right now we’re looking forward to Arkansas State.

On the team leadership: I feel like we have a lot of leaders on this team. We’re a team, everyone is going to speak up, everyone is going to play hard, there are definitely leaders on this team that people follow and look up to. They’re the older guys and when the older guys are doing right, the younger guys are going to follow them. We feel confident. We have made some mistakes, but we’re not focusing on that. We’re looking forward and staying positive and want to win games.

On the defense: I thought that today the defense played really well. Coach Akina has them doing great. I could tell there was a lot of a difference in the secondary and upfront they are looking really solid right now. They’re moving around and doing a lot of different things. I feel like they’re going to be right where they need to be.

On judging the team chemistry: We’ve played together all summer and I think what Coach Brown is talking about is the coaches and all the players coming together and getting a chemistry at the end of the week. That is a true statement, but as far as us being around each other and playing together this summer, to go out there the first day, it’s hard to build chemistry, but all the preparation that we’ve done this summer has got us ready.

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