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HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER**
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(on Vince Young's development allowing the offense to expand the playbook)
We're doing a lot more this year with him at this point than we've done in years past. All of that work, everything that he's doing is going to allow us to do more, but we've got to get everybody on the same page. That's why his commitment thus far has been good.
(on Young's leadership showing)
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Yeah, you know, last year when he got the opportunity, he kind of switched gears and took advantage of the opportunity. The production, the wins, speak for themselves.
(on how much the rookie class needs to contribute this year)
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It's kind of like last year's class. We felt like they're going to contribute in some way. Obviously, Derrick (Morgan) is going to play because we feel like he's ready to play. You know, we have our return—now we're not in pads yet and a long ways away—but it looks like we may have our return search complete. We've got options there. We've got some guys that we feel like can clearly help us on special teams. It's created real good competition in a lot of areas.
(on if Young is past the point where he thinks he has to make plays on his own)
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There were a few games last year where he started relying on people getting to the right place, just going through his progression and making his plays, recognizing things. For example, man coverage, an opportunity to run, pull it down and run for a first down. So yeah, anytime the better you surround a quarterback with players, the more success he's going to have.
(on how third-round pick Damian Williams has looked)
He's a smart young man. He's got good hand-eye coordination. He can catch, he's explosive, and he can field kicks. It's still early. He's still learning. He's only been on the field a couple days now with the other guys, but I think he's got a lot of room for improvement and he's got the ability to make a big play.
(on how the rookie group has handled being with the veteran players)
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They've handled it fine. Monday they got to interact with them, met them, got to train with them. Then yesterday we allowed them to introduce themselves to the veterans. Now with two days under their belt, they're fine. Next week will be big because we've got a couple more OTAs, and then the next two weeks in June are big because we're without OTAs and we're just here training. When we come back and resume our June OTAs, I think they'll have a lot of that behind them.
(on the second cornerback battle and if he anticipates the competition lasting through training camp)
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We're going to have to take advantage of the preseason reps. I don't think it's going to be a case where we're going to make a decision right away. It's a good group. The draft choice (Alterraun Verner) can play out there as well. You know, he showed some really good things out there. We'll probably wait, and then if someone really steps out and shows us, then maybe perhaps the middle of the preseason or the last game, you make that decision.
(on a leader for that second cornerback job)
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No, we're just rotating, giving them opportunities. It's very competitive.
(on the positives from the two practices this week)
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We added a lot more off of last week. We've got two-minute drills going. The run game's hard to get going, but the play-action game is going well. Guys are making plays, younger players—Lavelle Hawkins, Paul Williams, Craig Stevens—those guys that need to be making plays are making plays now.
(on how the team ended up with such academically impressive rookies)
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It was their grades on the (draft) board, and then it just so happened that they were Ivy Leaguers. But they are. I've heard the coaches numerous times here the last couple days speak on the IQ of this rookie class, and my response is, 'Well, do I need to get new coaches?' I have to get some smarter coaches in.
(on wanting the rookies to learn in the first year and contribute more in their second season)
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I think they understand patience, but there's also a lot to be said for, 'What can you do for us right now?' Our focus is on the opener. We have a lot of time between now and then. That's the luxury of the OTAs and them coming in the offseason program.
