Michigan Wolverines: Coach Rich Rodriguez Monday Press Conference

Notes from today's presser:

• Likes to mix up the run and pass in his spread.
• There are good teams and good players in all divisions.  Players want to go where they can play.  FCS has good teams and good players.
• ND had a bear front, which covers all the Michigan offensive lineman to stop the run game. 
• You learn a lot on the road.  Nobody was worried when ND hit a big play.
• Regarding Denard Robinson's touches:  We will do what it takes to win, Robinson can handle it.
• Hoping to get Junior Hemingway back this week, don't know but it would help—he was having a great camp before he got hurt.
• Rankings don't matter now, didn't matter two weeks ago when they were 80th or something. 
• Getting compliments are good and take them but they are like poison just don't drink them.  (or believe you are too good)
• Hot seat question: Same guy he was two weeks ago.  Same team. 
• Try to put kids in high pressure situations in camp so they are used to them in the game.  Robinson has showed that the last two weeks.
• Cullen Christian's penalty was a freshman mistake.
• Three interceptions from the defense was huge. 
• Expecting a big crowd from the student try out today.  Maybe another Kovacs.  There should be plenty of kickers.
• Place kicking is still open, and not worried about Will Hagerup's punting.

David Molk

• Robinson is the best person to handle this fame, he can handle it, and he doesn't like it.  Doesn't like interviews or the media.
• Running backs are performing, and will step up and be big.
• Rather not be ranked, doesn't like the attention.
• Being 20 gives them a bigger target—nothing they can't handle.
• Team is more mature, knows the playbook, and defenses.
• Offensive line is doing well and can improve.
• Snap the ball and hit people.
• Got stronger as a group, when the offense started to stall or got behind.

James Rodgers

• Need to stay humble and will prepare the same way this week.
• Don't know much about UMass and will start to get the scouting report today.
• Just go out and have fun, doesn't have anything to lose.
• Prepared well for ND WR's and new their routes.
• Watch as much film as you can.
• Robinson is a great kid, just a sophomore and leader.
• Help young players learn the system.
• Secondary is young, just need to have fun and play.
• Needed to pick up his leadership after Troy Woolfolk went down.
• Cameron Gordon is a hard worker and the biggest critic is himself and will watch film to get better.
• Robinson is a speedster.

JT Floyd

• Robinson competed every play.
• Seen positive things with James Rogers.  Just needed experience
• Want to Win for Michigan—worked hard in summer.
• This is a step in the right direction—still lots of work to do.
• We accept each challenge each week.
• ND most exciting game he has ever been a part of
• Thought secondary did well, wish they could have a couple of big plays back by ND
• Getting his first pick was a weight of his shoulders.
• Secondary needs to prove themselves each week, group only has a few starts
• Jonas Mouton is a strong communicator and he enjoys playing with him.

Greg Banks

• Doesn't look at rankings.
• Doesn't take any team lightly.
• Need to earn every one's respect back.
• 80th in the country motivates the team (to start the season).
• Had to flush that long pass and move to the next play.
• Stay in the moment.
• UConn and ND had good offensive lines.
• ND is big every year.
• Defensive line is getting better and finding an identity as a team.
• Can't replace Brandon Graham, talks to him a lot.
• Graham is a great friend and a lifetime friend.
• Always wants the line to get better.

Denard Robinson (smiled the entire time)

• Heard from his family to keep going, this is the start not the end.
• Mom raised me to be humble.
• The prize is winning for Michigan.
• A little sore but you have to get through it.
• When he was recruited by other teams to play WR or defense.  Michigan was one of the only schools that gave him a chance to play QB.
• Looked up to Charles Woodson and some Florida guys like Peter Warrick.
• Doesn't like to punt but here at Michigan the QB has to be able to punt.
• RB's want to win so they aren't complaining about carries.
• Shaw is a tough dude, real good guy, tells him to make the read and go.
• Doesn't pay attention to Heisman talk, he doesn't have cable, doesn't get on the web. 
• Likes the comparison to Pat White, likes that White was a difference-maker.
• Classmates don't say too much.
• Stronger and faster since he got to college, can read defenses better, run the ball better.
• Michigan is one happy family.  Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner were happy after the game, we are all brothers.
• Lots of people doubted me last year.
• My whole family smiles.
• Desmond and Denard call each other twins.