BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Odrick returns to lead young defensive line

April 21, 2009

BWI Staff

Following the early departures of Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans, plus the graduation of Josh Gaines, defensive tackle Jared Odrick returns as the clear-cut leader on Penn State's defensive line this season.

What's the outlook for the talented group?

Odrick answers that question and a whole lot more in his conference call with the media last week.

Check out the complete transcript of it, below!

*** Transcript ***

How is the defensive line coming together this spring?

I think a lot of the times the young outside guys will feed off the older inside guys. We know a certain pace that Coach (Johnson) wants and we know how to just handle certain situations. Just sets and things thrown at us just by our offense. I just think that our ends really feed off of the inside guys' play and I think it will definitely play off.

Was there anything in the spring that you were looking to improve at individually?

What I try to do each practice is really focus on doing a certain thing good or a thing or two really good. I think, overall the whole spring, I just tried to focus on using my hands more and just being more violent overall instead of just trying to play the game or play right, just play violently.

What can you tell us about Jack Crawford?

Jack is an athletic guy. He's about 6-5, 260 and is just as fast as the guy who just left, Maybin. He's very athletic and he's got all the tools to be a great defensive end and he's just putting it all together right now.

When did you start to feel like you were hitting your stride and developing into a first-team All-Big Ten defensive tackle?

Well, I mean, I felt comfortable there my sophomore year. People always say that, Well, 2007 is the year that you got hurt. I still played six or seven games and I felt comfortable there. But I mean, when I really felt that D-tackle was my spot was when I got switched. But at the same time, I really felt good with the position switch.

How much thought did you put into going into the Draft especially with a couple other guys leaving early?

Well I thought about it at first. After evaluating what coach J had heard or just the buzz and then also getting the evaluation, it didn't really become that hard of a decision in the end. It was definitely enticing just to know that you have the opportunity to do it but I didn't want to go at that time I wanted to try to better my situation.

Can you analyze the offensive line so far this spring?

I think they're improving on their pass protection. I think Lou Eliades is doing real good and stepping up at the right guard spot. He's a big, strong dude. Their pass protection, what they've been doing the past couple of days has been kind of frustrating me a bit. Obviously, I guess they're doing a little bit better if I'm getting more frustrated. Nerraw McCormack and Johnnie Troutman have a really strong, physical presence on the run game and I'd probably say our strongest point are those two guys on the run game.

Do you think the front seven on defense helps the offense in developing?

Yeah, I think it helps a lot. I mean, just like A.Q. helped us and Rich Ohrnberger helped us and Gerald Cadogan. Even my freshman year with guys like Levi Brown, I think it definitely translates and the opposite side receiving some not just help but competition and knowing what you have to do to be successful in the Big Ten.

Are there any differences in how Evan Royster is playing this spring?

I don't think there's that much of a difference. I still see him as the real smooth running back that looks effortless in his running. That's just a credit to his great vision. I don't think there's anything really different about the way he runs. I didn't see a difference, maybe other people have.

Is he difficult to get a good hit on?

He can be but I think his strong points are in the open field and making cuts downfield. I would definitely say it's hard at that point but for a defensive tackle it's a whole lot different than a linebacker or secondary because we're at the line of scrimmage.

Could you maybe explain what you mean about getting more 'violent'? What does that mean down in and down out and what does it mean for the guys that go against you in practice?

Well, my whole goal was, yeah, to be more violent and use my hands more and be more aggressive and not save anything for the next play because I know I'm going to be out there for the next play. My whole reasoning for using the word violent is to have no reason to not, I don't want to say destroy the guy in front of me but just to give me any... I don't know how to word it but to actually take control of the opposition in any way possible, whether it's using speed and my hands and knocking hands down constantly or getting up in their chest and extending. Just, everything I do, just doing it more violently.

Last year did you feel yourself being able to impose your will on linemen as you got better throughout the course of the season?

I felt that way to a certain extent. There's different linemen who do different things and you have to play it different but definitely, you want to impose your will and play your own style to a certain extent but play within the defense.

What does Jack Crawford have to do to become a great defensive end? Were you surprised when you learned that he had just picked up organized football only in recent years?

One of the first times Jack Crawford ever came to Penn State as a recruit, he told me that he was real into basketball and that he had hardly played any football since coming to the states. It's not surprising now, no, but initially when I heard it, I was a little surprised. But, I had no idea what kind of talent he had. It's obvious what type of athlete he is and to be a good defensive end or a great defensive end, I think he just needs more and more practice, more and more repetition. He shows flashes of it and it's happening more and more. And not just him. Kevion is getting better. Pete Massaro is jumping leaps and bounds. Pete's going to get a lot of playing time this year just because of his capability of soaking everything up Coach J says and executing it.

Can you assess the depth behind you at the DT spot? Is there much of a drop-off?

No, I don't think so at all. Devon Still is a big, strong kid and is just as athletic as anybody and I think it's just the main thing for him is just getting used to playing in games again. He hasn't been able to play in any games other than a few plays in Michigan State, which is unfortunate just because of his injuries. But, he's a great defensive tackle and just athletic wise and strength wise, just him getting on the field is going to help him a lot. Abe and Ollie are obviously great defensive tackles and have proven that. Then also, Chima is making strides and Brandon Ware is getting better. I know Joe is always talking about his weight but Brandon Ware has been a great factor in spring practice and has been producing.

How imperative is it for you guys up front to be more dominant considering the youth in the secondary?

I think it's going to be real important. We got young guys back there, although I think they'll be ready but at the same time, the inside guys definitely want to get more pressure and I think just pressure up front without a blitz is going to help everybody and ease everybody's job. If we can do that and ease the pressure off our secondary and linebackers, then great. I think that's one thing we're going to try to focus on doing is really trying to get pressure with the four-man rush.

Joe credited you with calling him right after getting the citation to explain what happened right away. Did you do any dog house time in the spring or has that kind of blown over?

I mean, that situation is all dealt with. That's water under the bridge. Mistakes were made but that's really all that's going to be said about that.

Have you put the Rose Bowl experience behind you or is that something that kind of motivated you in the off-season?

I mean, the Rose Bowl experience wasn't too bad of a Rose Bowl experience. We made it there, we played hard and it's obvious it sucks that we lost but it's a learning experience and we'll treat it as that. But, the whole experience of being out there and being a part of that was great in itself. So no, I'm not really putting it behind me and looking to forget about it but at the same time, yeah, it can be motivation.

What would drills be like if Coach J had not come back and gone to Illinois?

That's a good question. I'm not sure. I know it'd be drastically different. Although, I think it would be drastically different just not having his presence there but at the same time, I think he's instilled in us just enough how to handle ourselves during drills and how to do drills and what drills to do. I don't think there would have been a drop off without him just because of all the guys that have been around so long with him throughout their careers. And me, I've been around like three years. I know all the Coach J drills and I really don't think there would be a drop-off of what drills we would do but it would definitely affect us with him not being here.

Do you think Brandon Ware is physically ready to see the field? Is weight an issue for him in your mind? Has he asked you for any advice about how to get better or deal with criticism Joe has sent his way?

Brandon, he's been working hard and he's actually lost a lot of weight since he's first got here. He's been working hard in that aspect. I mean, he doesn't really ask me too much because I know he doesn't let it affect him too much where he's really distraught over it. He knows what he has to do and he's been doing it. It's not an easy thing to do for anybody who's at that weight. Brandon takes criticism well and he's not really a guy who is going to get too distraught over Joe yelling at him but at the same time, he knows that he has a job to do and he's been doing it.

Do you think he could play right now or do you think he still needs to lose some more weight?

I think he could play right now but at the same time, I think overall getting better is a concern that any young player like himself would have. I think that's the main concern is getting better, no matter his weight.

Do you do anything more with a freshman quarterback like Kevin Newsome just to get him up to speed on what it's like to deal with defensive linemen in college football?

Yeah a few guys took him down. I gripped him up a few times. With Daryll, obviously it's pretty much a love tap or something like that, two-hand touch. If it's anything more with Daryll, you know, we'll get yelled at. I mean, with Kevin, a few guys are butting him up and taking him down. But, you know, he's an elusive quarterback. He's real athletic and he can move around. But once he's running around, he doesn't have a red jersey on so guys you know, sometimes try to light him up.

How has Kevin Newsome handled that pressure so far?

I think Kevin has handled it good. He got a little upset last practice but rightfully so. He was getting hit quite a bit but at the same time, I think he's been a good critic of himself and realizes where he's at. Just talking to him after practice and ask him how he's feeling, he'll tell you when he's feeling good and he'll tell you when he's doing bad. I think that's a good quality he has and realizing when things are his fault and not his fault and when to rally people around him. That's what you really want to see in a quarterback.

You guys on the line have always been able to have fun but still work hard and push each other. Do you feel like the younger guys are falling into that?

Yeah. I think so. I think the way you do that and have fun with your teammates and become a little bit more relaxed is when you have experience in what you're doing. I think that's one thing that Ollie, Abe and I have. Plus, we all came in together and stuff like that and that just builds on top of everything. I think the younger guys, I think you can kind of see it on their faces sometimes that they're so focused on getting better and they're so focused on doing the right thing and making a good play and things like that that they can get lost. Hey, this game is fun too and you can make it fun. We're just trying to show them that and like I said before, feeding off the inside guys. We just want them to see the same thing.

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