Indiana University Athletics
Quotes of Cam Cameron During Big Ten Teleconference
8/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 29, 2000
Quotes from Head Coach Cam Cameron During Big Ten Teleconference
Bloomington, Ind. -- The following is a transcript of Cam Cameron quotes from today's Big Ten teleconference:
Opening Statement:
Thank you (Big Ten's) Sue (Lister)., We just got back from Marshall, Indiana, where we run our training camp. Since we have been here we probably got more done in those nine days than any point in time over the last couple of years. With all that being said, we still have two weeks to go before we play North Carolina State. We've got a lot of work to get done--especially this week--in all three phases. We are still working to solidify our kicking game with Andy Payne and whomever becomes our punter. (Kicker) Adam Braucher has probably been the most pleasant surprise to this point. I think he's going to really help us this year and then offensively and defensively we are just focusing on fundamentals this week and then we will get into the game planning for North Carolina State next week. From an injury standpoint, we have no significant injuries as of today but we are still in preparation with two weeks to go. Questions?
On the move of Craig Osika from tight end to center:
He has really progressed the past week or so and ultimately we are going to find out how he handles it under game conditions. But he really has handled the transition well and I think, as Hal Hunter and I were talking just the other night, it's not like we are moving an offensive tackle under center. We're moving a guy that's an athlete number one. Secondly, he's a guy that has already played. Craig is doing an excellent job and he is going to be a guy that is just going to get better every snap. Here for a while I'm sure there will be some bumps along the road but he is doing everything we expect and probably a little bit more.
On Heisman Trophy candidate Antwaan Randle El and Tommy Jones:
I've challenged him just on the little things. He has done the big things so well the last two years, making plays basically out of nothing, and the scrambles, and all the exciting plays that you have seen. But you go back and analyze the tape and there is usually 7, 8, 10, 11 plays a game and maybe there has been an easy completion here and there that we could of had so we've really just focused on all the little things. Tommy Jones has continued to improve, especially in the last week or so. He has really stepped things up and, in all likelihood, you will see Antwaan doing some other things too in addition to just playing quarterback.
On Antwaan's possible role:
(South Bend Tribune's) Curt (Rallo), we are not the only two on the phone (laughs). Really, we were planning on doing that last year early in the season and then Tommy Jones broke his index finger in warmups (vs. North Carolina) so we couldn't use Antwaan as either a punt returner or as a receiver, or running back. We are still working those things out. It is really going to depend on how far Tommy Jones can come, not only over the next week or 10 days but over the course of the season. If he continues to elevate his level of play, that gives us more flexibility. At the same time, we'd be prepared for him to play quarterback every single snap in case Tommy gets hurt but I think Tommy Jones is going into his third year in this program you need to get your backup quarterback some playing time and were looking for ways to get him some experience in case something happens to Antwaan. There are several things that are involved here but we're just going to have to wait and see how quickly Tommy Jones comes along.
Talk about the similarities and differences between Antwaan Randle El and Tommy Jones:
Tommy is 6-4 and 235 pounds. He's a big kid but he's an excellent athlete too. The good thing for us is that we've been able, in the last 10 days, to really develop Antwaan probably more from a passing standpoint along the lines of what Tommy can do but then Tommy has come in and really been open minded to try to learn the things that Antwaan can do, whether it be running any of our option plays or any of those things. In the spring we basically had one package for Tommy and we did some other things with Antwaan. But now, we've evolved where we can run both packages with both guys which is ideal and I think that tells you a lot about both guys. They are both good athletes. They can both run. They can both throw. They are both smart. One is probably a little quicker than the other. The biggest difference is just size. Other than that, they can basically run our offense.
On Butkus Award candidate Justin Smith:
Justin is a heckuva story from the standpoint that he was a cornerback in high school. He came to Indiana and we moved him to safety. He's continued to grow and develop physically and now he's over 225 pounds and we've moved him from safety now into linebacker. He's an extremely bright young man who is going to wind up being a four-year starter who has played two or three different positions. We're expecting a great year out of him and he's one of the leaders of our defense. He has some extremely high goals from the standpoint that he would like to be a Rhodes Scholar and an orthopedic surgeon some day. You're talking about a really bright young man who is really having a heckuva career for us.
