Terrell on quarterback battle: "I don't really pay attention to who's throwing the ball"
After practice yesterday, we caught up with A.J. Terrell to find out about how the spring was going and what it's like to compete against some of the top wideouts in America.
Some of the guys that were here last year were always in the film room and always studying the film. Is there something you can take from the way they study the game and implement it (into) how you do it?
"Yeah, basically, they come in watch film, you just got to love the game, so you'll know what to do and you got to find time to put in the extra work even when folks go home and come in and watch film. That's something I got to pick up on, I haven't really been doing it, but that's something I got to pick up on going into this year."
We keep hearing that the quarterbacks are pretty even. Is that kind of what you observed being in there, not a lot of drop off from Kelly (Bryant) to those other guys?
"I mean the quarterbacks, they do what they do. I don't really know. My job is to guard the receiver. I don't really pay attention to who's throwing the ball, I just focus on the receiver.
Who's been the toughest matchup for you?
"It's a lot of competition going on. I don't really know. We've got a whole bunch of talented receivers out there. Anybody I line up against, I don't take no one for granted."
Does it help knowing you're going up against one of the nation's top wide receiving corps?
"Most definitely. Like I said, we've got a lot of talent out there. I don't think no receiver will overwhelm us from our competition out here."
Going back to boxing gloves and boxing. You guys have been a punching bag for Brent Venables, he's said he's disappointed with your level of play. Dabo said it's because of your depth, though. What kind of difficulties have you guys faced this season when you're still waiting on a couple guys to round out your room?
"I already know we're down in depth and everything but, like I said, it's not really an excuse. We've still got to do our part. We've gotta play, the coaches can coach. They've gotta do our part, We've gotta do our part."
Do you take it personal at all and try to really improve when you hear him (Brent Venables) come out and say some of the stuff about the defensive backs?
"Yeah, I do get offended. We all get offended sometimes, you know. We try to take that and motivate us for the next practice and not let it keep going on and on and change our whole mindset. I go out there, I do my part. Sometimes I give up big plays here and there, but you have to come back stronger and have a short-term memory."
He's (Venables) not a guy that just hands out compliments like candy. Did you know that coming in or was that something to kind of get used to as you went along last season?
"Most definitely. During the recruiting process, coaches show love. He still shows love and everything but when it's time to coach, he's gotta do his part, I gotta do my part.
What were your expectations coming in last year? Do you feel like what you matched what you were hoping to do?
"Yeah last year, I wanted to come in, gain more weight. Just wanted to see the corners that left last year and see how they prepared and I really paid attention to them."
As far as playing time, was the production was still good?
"Yeah, I got some playing time. It was all valuable reps. I ain't gonna complain about it, you just gotta move on."