Here are a few notables from today’s press conference with Turner Gill, Robert Wimberly, and Joe Dailey as they look back at the Jacksonville State game and look ahead to this weekend’s match-up with Robert Morris:
1. BUCKSHOT CALVERT HAS BEEN NAMED THE STARTING QB.
Coach Gill announced that Calvert will start against Robert Morris. “We’re going to start Stephen Calvert as our starting quarterback in this ball game.”
Calvert will get all the reps with the 1st team this week. “Getting him reps with the entire 1 group all week is going to be really, really good,” Coach Dailey said. “The past 4 weeks, he’s been splitting reps with the 1 group between himself and Stephon. So, to have him exclusively with the 1 group with him will be really good just for timing purposes and familiarity with the communication process that takes place.”
Masha’s lack of production has proved too critical to keep going with him. He had 4 opportunities, and he could not get it done evidenced by his 7 interceptions.
2. STEPHON MASHA COULD SEE PLAYING TIME AS A WILDCAT QB.
There’s currently no specific plan that Masha will get any playing time, but when asked if he could have some packages as a wildcat type quarterback, Gill said it’s a possibility. “That’s a possibility, no question about that as far as his availability. It’s not a going back and forth every play. Stephon, there’s no set deal that he’s going to get in the game. But that is a possibility, he could have that role, just implement him in all different areas.”
3. THE SAME 5 OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ARE STARTING FOR THE 2ND CONSECUTIVE WEEK.
That doesn’t feel like a big deal, but it’s a first for the Flames this season. With the same group starting, Liberty’s coaching staff is hopeful they will get some continuity to help the run game.
“We’re going to go with the same lineup we had last week,” Gill said. “So, hopefully, we’ll have some continuity in our line. I think our running backs run hard. They have shown that they run very hard in every ball game. So, I don’t think that’s an issue. If you don’t have any place to run, you don’t have any place to run. So, we’ll continue to work on that, and I believe we will get it going as we move forward the rest of the season.”
4. ROBERT MORRIS’ OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION IS VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT.
Of course, the coaching staff didn’t say this, but the facts are the facts. The Colonials have scored 34 points all season, and 14 of those points came from the return game. They have played 2 quarterbacks so far this season, and they use several different variations in their personnel groupings.
5. THE TEAM IS NOT MAKING EXCUSES.
After a poor performance against Jacksonville State and starting the season 1-3, no one is making excuses.
“These young men are not making excuses,” Wimberly said. “When you have young men calling you on Sunday morning, or you have young men shooting you a text and saying ‘Coach, everything you said I got to listen,’ or ‘I got to listen to Coach Singletary,’ or ‘I got to listen to Coach Roberts.’ To me, that’s when you’re growing. Young men are not trying to make excuses. They’re looking at the film and saying, ‘Coach, I should have known I had that corner coming from that side of the field. I over ran it.’ To me, once you can identify your own issues, and I’m talking about our players, now you’re willing to learn.”
6. WIMBERLY COMPARED JUWAN WELLS TO ROBERT MATHIS.
Robert Mathis is an outside linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts. He played his college football at Alabama A&M, and was drafted by the Colts in the 5th round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He set an NCAA I-AA record with 20 sacks during his senior season at A&M.
“I will say this, I had the opportunity at Alabama A&M to play with Robert Mathis,” Wimberly stated. “He (Wells) has a chance to be special. He’s just got to stay focused. He’s got to make sure he continues to listen to Coach Singletary…Juwan Wells has that it factor. I’m telling you, we probably have 4 or 5 guys on this defense that has that it factor. So, that’s why I say I’m real excited about the future.
As a true sophomore, Wells is leading the team with 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also has 4 tackles for loss.
7. INJURY REPORT.
Tight end Will Johnson is out this week with a lower body injury. Cornerback Malik Matthews is doubtful with an upper body injury. Running back Todd Macon is questionable with a lower body injury though Coach Gill said he anticipates Macon to play. Macon was seen with a boot on his left foot.
