2015 #CanesCamp Report Day 1
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football program opened its 2015 #CanesCamp Thursday on the Greentree Practice Fields.
Every member of the 2015 Hurricanes was back to work on Thursday morning, participating in the opening day of practice. But head coach Al Golden says the players spent a lot of time together this offseason in preparation for the beginning of training camp and the upcoming season.
“There’s a big difference between being out here in the summer and coming out collectively,” Golden said. “They enjoy being out here more than most teams I’ve been around. They enjoy being around the building and being around each other, so that’s good.”
The Canes, who open the 2015 season on Sept. 5 against Bethune-Cookman, were in helmets to begin their 2015 preseason camp. Due to the mandatory NCAA five-day acclimatization period, Miami will spend the first two days of camp in helmets, before spending the next two days in helmets and shoulder pads and adopting full pads on the fifth day of camp.
Season tickets to the 2015 Miami Hurricanes football season start for as low as $140 – visit CanesTix.com or call (305) 284-2263 for more information.
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2015 Miami Hurricanes Fall Camp Quotes – Aug. 6
Head coach Al Golden
Do you embrace the symbolism of the first day of camp?
“No they enjoy it, there’s a big difference between being out here in the summer and coming out collectively they enjoy being out here and more than most teams I’ve been around they enjoy being around the building and being around each other so that’s good.”
How do you temper the load for Brad Kaaya with his name being out there so much?
“I’m not worried about Brad [Kaaya]. He’s too busy doing the things you’re supposed to do to worry about the things going on the outside. He’s the ultimate team player and worker. I think part of that comes from the fact that everybody understands that he’s leading by example everyday. He’s putting the work in and he’s made a lot of progress.”
Is there a difference in Kaaya this year from last year?
“No comparison. He elevates the whole building not only his confidence, the confidence everyone has in him. There are no question marks, better command, presence and he’s a better leader. It’s his team, it’s certainly his offense. You can’t even compare his body physically (from last year).”
What’s the challenge with this group?
“There’s so many, but if we don’t become a smarter and more disciplined team we’re going to continue to have the same results. We finished last in penalties. We went 825 yards in the wrong direction. We didn’t operate really well on third down and we have to do better there by being a smarter team. It’s hard to win like that and that’s been the challenge since January 12. I’m hopeful that these guys understand what they need to do to play good ball.”
WR Braxton Berrios
Coach Golden says there is a lot of work to do.
“Yeah, there is a lot of work to do. I didn’t ask him how he’s feeling today, but there is a lot of work to do. It’s the first day of camp and there are a lot of things you don’t go through in the summer that you have to go through. Everything is new, but it was good I thought. There was great energy, we worked hard and we look forward to cleaning it up.”
Last fall you weren’t at full strength obviously, talk about the difference between you now and last fall.
“It’s a huge difference. I finally got a whole summer to strength-train and speed-train, and do all that stuff. I wasn’t in rehab every day for three hours, so it’s a huge difference.”
What is your body composition, did you lose weight?
“I lost a lot of weight and gained a lot of muscle. I weigh 180, 181 [pounds], just right around there.”
DB Deon Bush
Let’s start with your thoughts on the first day; you guys have been out here working for a while, but to be back on the field for a full practice, what are your thoughts on the first day?
“It was a good day. You see a lot of the young guys flying around, all the vets flying around. Everyone was bonding together. It was a good first day.”
It’s your fourth first day, how does this one feel compare to the others?
“It felt good being here for the fourth time, being able to coach our younger guys. It’s just a blessing to be here and I’m happy to be here.”
What are your thoughts on the team chemistry?
“I feel really good about this team, everybody bonding and this is the tightest we’ve ever been since we’ve been here. There is really no side stuff going on, everybody is focused on our goal and everybody is just looking straight forward.”
How is your health?
“I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my whole career. I’m 100-percent right now.”
How do the receivers look? Without [Phil] Dorsett and Clive [Walford], there are big shoes to fill.
“The receivers and tight ends look great out there. We have a lot of veterans out there, and we even have young guys that played a lot for us last year. A lot of those guys are really stepping it up.”
What’s the biggest hurdle for this team to overcome?
“I can’t tell you what our biggest hurdle is yet, right now we’re just trying to stay focused on winning and coming out here every day and putting 100-percent. Hopefully everything pans out how we want it to pan out.”
DL Demetrius Jackson
How have you adjusted to your new weight?
“Good, I can move faster, I’m down to 244, 245 so no pressure. I feel like I could do some of the same things I did in high school, I’m still running with my weight,”
What’s the expectation for the defense?
“Me, Quan [Al-Quadin Muhammad], Trent [Harris], think our defense is going to make a big impact this year. We think we could be the top defense in the nation.”
What do you guys have to do to be the best defense in the nation?
“We’re out here practicing. We not out here practicing just to be mediocre. We out here practicing to be great. We’re going to show you, it’s easier said than done, but we’re going to show you.”
Who would you say are the leaders on defense?
“Raphael Kirby and Dallas Crawford, but right now the whole defense is stepping up and taking charge. Everybody is telling everybody what to do, putting egos to the side. I feel like the whole defense is leading.”
Is this your time?
“I feel like it’s our time, the team time. Team, that’s what we’ve been emphasizing team, team, team. Coach is going to put us in place to make plays.”
WR Rashawn Scott
What do you think of [Lawrence] Cager?
“He’s young, so he’s just got to get the playbook down, but he’s very smooth on the field. He’s just got to get used to this heat, this ain’t Baltimore.”
What do you see out of Braxton [Berrios], how has he improved?
“Very smart, very consistent, that’s what I see in him. He competes a lot.”
QB Brad Kaaya
It’s been eight months since the end of the season, explain how far you guys have come since January?
“It feels like we have come a long way. Both sides of the ball are improving pretty well. To come out here and be able to play fast the way that we did today, so it’s good. I think we put ourselves in a good position to be a good team.”
Explain the excitement the team feels about the first real practice
“Guys are just going all out. Guys are just waiting to be out there. Of course we have similar workouts but guys are waiting to prove themselves.”
What have the last 48 hours been like for you personally, waiting to get out here?
“I’ve been studying everyday this summer, but in the last 48 hours I’ve been going over the plays, going over the play calls, doing checks, putting in any last minute plays.”
What can Rashawn Scott and add to the receiving end?
“He’s just a really physical receiver, we have him out at z, and he matches up on the field corners. He’s just a bigger receiver than most, he’s still pretty fast, he still has his speed. I don’t think his injuries hampered him too much this summer.”
What do you see out of that tight end group?
“They’re really working hard right now; we’re all pushing each other. It’s a lot of competition and we’re pushing each other hard. Coach Scott pushes them every practice. He has them doing the right thing in terms of run blocking and pass blocking and receiving the ball.”
LB Raphael Kirby
How do you think your other guys look? Specifically Jermaine Grace?
“He’s great; another guy that made an impact for us last year… Tyriq McCord, all those guys, Marques Gayot, Juwon Young is emerging. We’ve got a lot of guys that’s playing well for us, it’s all about executing”
What does Grace do well?
“He can play the run and pass, he’s a very fast linebacker.”
Are you confident that the defense is going to take another step forward this season?
“We have to make sure that guys are not playing selfishly, that we are playing as a team as one. I feel like when we have a team like that nobody cares who gets the credit, everybody does their job. It’s Just getting better from last year. It wasn’t an issue last year but it’s just getting better.
What really changed for you guys to gel and become one?
“We just started this summer doing more things together. The other day we went paintballing, whether it’s going to the beach, going out to eat together. Dping those things together, its just a great look.
What has it been like getting ready in the last 48 hours? Was it more exciting or business like?
“Everybody was excited to be back, everybody was excited to be out on the field. I heard a lot of guys couldn’t even sleep last night…. The mindset of the team right now, we just want to come out here and work hard everyday. As a leader, that makes me happy.”
DL Chad Thomas
On how it feels to be back:
“It feels great. I came out here with my brothers and my coaches and we got to work.
On the frequency of water breaks
“Coach Golden…that’s what I appreciate from him. [The fact that] he keeps us hydrated. Because, we’re in Miami, South Florida, so the sun is right over us.”
On what the team needs to improve the most to get over the hump that they’ve been in for years
“Just coming closer as a team. Just being brothers, trusting in each other, and trusting in our coaches.”
WR Herb Waters
What are your thoughts on the positive vibes surrounding the team?
“It’s been going great with the vibe. Everybody is keeping a positive attitude, we’re bonding together, and we’re just staying happy waiting for that day to come.”
Does it feel different here from his previous years?
“Oh yes, very different. We’re not cliqued up any more. Everybody’s staying as one family, and everybody’s hanging with each other, so that’s a good thing.”
On making up for crucial receiving corps losses?
“We just take it one day at a time. The receiving corps and the offense, we just take it one day at a time and we’re getting better. We’re progressing every day and when that time comes we’ll just see how it goes.”
