Just listened to Al Golden being interviewed by Joe Rose on WQAM:
Some key points:
*The quarterback decision between junior Stephen Morris and redshirt sophomore Ryan Williams could come this afternoon.
Golden: "The players are off this morning, we're in the middle of reviewing the tape and getting our grades and quality control and everything done. The players will be over here in that 1:30 to 4:30 range, so if we're going to have a decision today it's going to in that time frame. I don't want to do anything without sitting down with [offensive coordinator] Jedd [Fisch] and the staff and then certainly the student-athletes.
"It's been really close. What has made it really close is Ryan William's accuracy in camp has been superb. I think he has been 78 percent in camp. And clearly Stephen has not even a hint that he had back surgery in spring. Really came back in great condition. His core is solid. His velocity has been excellent, so we're pleased with the direction that's going.''
Rose: "So we could know something between the next 24 or 48 hours on the quarterback position?"
Golden: "We could. We really could.''
*On OT Seantrel Henderson:
"We're trying to get him back. He's 12 practices behind, which is difficult. He has a funeral he has to attend this week, so hopefully that will be an up and back deal, for someone in his family. Hopefully we'll get him out here.That's the biggest thing right now. We're losing time and in his absence -- we've already talked about Ereck Flowers -- Jermaine Johnson has been playing probably the best football of his career. and Ben Jones has really done a nice job. We've got to get Seantrel to the point where he has some consistency to be the same guy every day.''
* On freshman right OT Ereck Flowers, who is right now slated to start at right tackle, where Henderson was expected to start:
"When you think about it, he wasn't one of those four or five star guys. He was kind of under the radar a little bit. He was a basketball player that ended up being a football player. But he's strong -- 24, 25 reps [at 225 pounds] as a freshman. He's 315 pounds [and 6-6]. He's got excellent feet. You have to be smart and you have to be really disiciplined to be the starter at right tackle as a freshman for 12 practices and play the way he has played."
*On freshman cornerback Tracy Howard wearing the black jersey of a starter:
"I'm not surprised because of the way he competes and way he studies. He talks the game. He's in the hallways talking the game, asking questions about the game. He brings energy. He is the same guy everyday. If you're at his position, you better bring it everyday or you're going to get beat out."
*On how many true freshman Golden can see getting playing time at Boston College opener:
"There's going to be a lot. In the first game I'm sure there is going to be 15 or more. As the season goes on it could be 18.''
*On freshman running back Duke Johnson:
"He has been good. [Running backs coach] Terry Richardson said it best. He had no idea Duke was this serious about football. Duke is very humble but he's kind of a prankster when he's not going and he's got that smile. But man, oh man, when he crosses that line he's just one of theose guys. He works so hard and prepares. We had no idea that he was like that."
*On the positions that concern him most?
Linebacker certainly because we're not as deep there as we need to be. Josh Witt had to retire [concussions] earlier this summer which hurt our depth, and our experience wasn't great there anyway. We need to stay healthy there and we need some guys to come back and help us out." Golden said Eddie Johnson, Gionni Paul have been injured, "and Thurston Armbrister was having a great camp and then he got a finger in the eye and was out three days. But I think he'll be fine.
"Other than [defensive end] Chick [Anthony Chickillo], right now that defensive line needs to really take shape. Chick is playing at a high level and Shayon Green has been doing a nice job but we need some inside guys to step up and say, 'You know what, I'm the star, I'm the guy. You're not going to want to take me out.'''
*Who did Golden vote for No. 1 in the Coaches' Poll?
"I don't even know who I have. I can't remember. It was either USC or LSU. I can't even remember. I don't have it in front of me, but I did it two weeks ago. My mind is on nothing but camp. But the first one is a tossup between whoever has the most talent coming back and that kind of thing. And obviously USC with their quarterback -- he's a difference maker.''
* On kicker Jake Wieclaw, who hit field goals of 51 and 56 yards in scrimmage:
"Last year I told him we'd have to get inside the 32 or 30 for me to really feel comfortable and then yesterday the ball was on the 39 and I called for him right away because he has just been banging them, and it would have been good from 62. A really nice job from Jake.''
SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
