Temple University Athletics
Spring Practice #12 Recap
4.13.09 | Football
April 13, 2009
PHILADELPHIA-- After each remaining spring practice session, a member of the Temple coaching staff will give an assessment about his unit's progress. Today Paul Williams, defensive backs coach, gives his perspective.
The football team closes out spring practice this week. The Owls remaining practices are slated for April 14 and 16 before hosting the annual Cherry & White Spring Game on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. at the Edberg-Olson Complex.
The team will also host its Second Annual Bone Marrow Donor Drive on Wednesday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Howard Gittis Student Center (Room 200).
Paul Williams Quotes
What were you impressions of spring practice so far?
We have two safeties-- Dominique Harris and Jaiquawn Jarrett-- who have played a lot of football. With those two guys, it a pleasure to have them back there. They get everybody lined up. They do a good job. They're a solid core for us.
What do you want the secondary to accomplish this spring?
Going into the spring, the one thing were disappointed in (last year) was our opportunities for interceptions. So that's one of the biggest things we've been trying to do-- increase our interceptions. We just dropped too many. We blew too many opportunities that we had. We just want to get better every day. Those are our two biggest goals.
Who do you think has shown the most improvement?
I would say Jaiquawn Jarrett. He's becoming a really, really good football player. He was a good player last year, but he's really good spring. I'm really impressed. He's smart, very instinctive. He does a good job.
Talk about your other returners, including Jamal Schulters and Anthony Ferla:
Jamal is a talented kid. He's played a lot of football for us. Having him back there, he's a really good player. It's a pleasure to coach him. Anthony's a smart football player. He understands things and he's a great communicator. And he's a been here for four years, so he gives us leadership.
Talk about your younger players, Kevin Kroboth and several freshmen:
The biggest thing with those guys is the one thing we didn't have-- and we haven't had it since we've been here-- is depth. Having Kroboth, Marlin Terrell, Marquise Liverpool, Deonte Parker, and Wilbert Brinson helps us with depth. Over the years, that's something he did not have. When someone did get hurt, we were worried about who would provide depth. Having those guys go through spring ball and get a lot of reps is going to make us a better team and make us a better secondary.
Marquise Liverpool switched to DB after playing offense for two seasons. How has he adjusted?
I think he's going to be fine. He's a solid player. It's going to be a great fit.
Talk about the return of DB Daryl Robinson:
He's talented. He walked on (the team) to come back. He's a talented kid. If he stays with the process, he will definitely help us. He's had a good spring.
I think the biggest thing is having depth. We've never had any depth. No we do have that and we can develop those guys. It's going to make us a better team, because now you have competition. That's the biggest thing.
