BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Clark takes control of inexperienced offense

April 22, 2009

BWI Staff

Meeting with the media via teleconference this afternoon in preview of Saturday's spring practice finale, the Blue White Game, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark tackled a host of topics, including how his role has changed with a host of inexperienced players stepping up this spring.

Check out the complete transcript of Clark's conversation with the media this afternoon below!

*** Q&A ***

Were you always as confident and collected as you are now?

I think it's something that developed. I wasn't always like this but I mean, playing quarterback, that's something that you have to have. It's something that I learned from Mike (Robinson) when he was here. Coming into this big role that I'm going to have to partake in this season, last season helped me out a lot because I didn't have to do it all by myself and it just gave me a year to develop more to become a leader both vocally and example-wise for this football team. I think so far, I've been really displaying that.

How much of this offense is going to resemble what you guys did last year?

I think pretty much everything. We have weapons all over the place just as we did this last season so I don't think anything is going to change. The wideouts have been proving that they are going to be some playmakers for us. They're going to make big plays for us. We're not hurting at the running back situation. Our offensive line is coming along strong. Obviously, it takes a little time for the O-Line to gel when you get new bodies in there but they're on the up and up. They're showing strengths and I'm real proud of those guys. I'm real thrilled and real excited about this season coming up.

How would you assess how effectively this year's personnel is picking up on the Spread HD compared to last year?

The only thing that's going to be different this year is experience at the wideout position and experience on the offensive line at some spots. The other guys, the quarterback, the running backs, we've played through an entire season so we know what to expect, we know how to get things done. I think we've done a pretty good job of getting the guys that haven't played as much on task and on the same type of focus in order to get wins with the guys that haven't played yet. We're all on the same even keel and it's been going real good. These guys come into practice every day willing to work. I don't think there's been a practice all spring where we've taken a step backwards so that's always a good sign.

How is Kevin Newsome coming along? Is he a competitive guy?

Oh yeah, it's real evident that he's competitive and he's developed a lot. He's way more on time with his passes than he was when he first came out at the start of spring practice so that's always good. Yeah, the defensive line - our defensive line is one of the best in the country - they did a good job of getting after him a little bit and getting him frustrated at times. And you know, he's young so that's natural. It's important that one of the older guys like myself got to him and let him know that hey, everything's going to be all right. You have to stay focused and you have to remain the most calm on the football field. But, he's a work in progress but he's doing very well now. Honestly, I think he's going to play very, very well on Saturday. I think he's going to light the scoreboard up.

Is it inevitable that you'll go through some struggles on the offensive line early in the season?

Well naturally you don't want to shy away from the fact that it may happen but if it does, we'll just have to adjust accordingly. That's why we're working out the kinks now. For me, I believe that the offensive line takes the longest to gel in any unit on the football field and that's why us working now is very beneficial for us. It's only going to get better. They're going to work constantly for us in the summer and in pre-season camp. So, if anything happens at the beginning of the season, we're not going to panic at all because I know those guys are definitely going to pick it up and when it counts, they'll make plays for us.

How would you compare your off-season work with these wideouts to maybe a year ago with the three seniors?

I think it was really beneficial. I think it was real high-paced and we worked at least three-to-four times a week on just throwing the ball and working on our timing. Everyone on the wideout corps has heard that the problem with us this year is going to be the lack of experience and those guys are not really going to play as well as the other ones did this past season but these guys are coming into practice like that's not going to be true. They have some big shoes to fill but they're not afraid of that and it shows at practice every day. These guys are making blocks downfield after a run, making catches, big catches, just jumping up, making catches, one-handed catches... anything you can name, these guys have done this off-season and it's only going to get better. These guys are confident and very excited about this season and so am I. We're really, really excited to get going and proving some more people wrong. That's been our motto for the past two years.

What's one thing you think maybe you learned about this offense during the spring workouts?

I was told by Joe one time that it's going to take a little while before you get absolutely positively comfortable back there so you have to remain patient and it's important that when things happen that don't go your way, you have to speak up. In situations that don't go so well, I have to be the guy that steps up and speaks to everyone. My style is the type of style that any individual problem, I'll call them to the side. I'll never call them out in front of everyone but if need-be, that's what I'll have to do. I know now that we're a little inexperienced in certain areas on the offense but through repetition and through plays and through games, it will all get better. I'm real confident about this season. I'm real confident about these guys that I'm playing in front of.

Anybody on offense that has stood out to you or surprised you?

Up until he hurt his ankle, I'd have to say Chaz has really come on strong. Andrew Quarless has really come on strong. Mickey, those guys know they have to be a leader and they've been practicing like leaders. And the wideout corps in general has really stepped up because they know that they're going to be depended on a whole lot.

How much has Chaz been practicing lately and what happened to his ankle?

Someone fell on it kind of awkward a couple of practices ago. He's in a green cross now. I'm really not sure how many plays he's going to play Saturday because of it. But, you know, they're just taking it day to day. I think he rolled it pretty good but before then, he was really making a lot of plays. He was upbeat at practice, asking questions in meetings and just doing what he has to because he's going to be a guy that we're going to have to call on too to make plays for us. I think he knows that now along with Derek Moye, Brett Brackett, Graham Zug, (James) McDonald, and Pat Mauti and A.J. Price. These guys are really getting it in their mindset, you are the guys that are going to have to make plays for us. There's no one else.

How difficult would it be to avoid ever being around alcohol or anyone even using alcohol on a college campus?

No, I don't think that would be a tough thing to do. Situate yourself with people that don't associate themselves with alcohol almost every day of the week. Stay in your room. I mean, I feel that for me, I know, who really doesn't drink, I'm never around it unless I decide to go out, which is on weekends. So, I don't think that's a problem at all.

With the success you had on the offense last year, how much more trust do Jay and Galen have in you directing this on your own this season even though you have some new parts there?

We have a couple of plays now we're running where I can make some check with me's at the line and check into some pass plays that I feel will work against a certain defense. So, it's pretty evident that those guys have really gained more trust and maybe it'll get a little better or more trust will be developed as spring and summer and pre-season go on.

Are the receivers around you quickly getting your trust?

Yeah, I think so. I think the offense in general has responded to me pretty well. They know that I'm a player that comes focused to practice every day and makes them realize how important each practice is. We have no time to waste to be the best team and to be back in the situation that we were in this past season. And, if not, be better. Obviously, going in, we have the big-time goal which is the national championship. There's no doubt that we can do it.

What do you have to do to get better from last year and what did the Rose Bowl do for you?

The Rose Bowl experience, after watching the film after that game made me realize that a couple of plays here and there and we could have easily been in that game and the outcome could have been a lot better. We could have won that game. We went against a very, very worthy opponent, very great team. And, it was just a little humbling but it's something that you'll never forget because obviously is the national championship this season and is something we've been working on. And, I just want to be a step quicker in every single thing I do. As far as reads, understanding where these guys are going to be, what coverages they're going to be in and what route is most likely going to be open according to scheme. Just deliver the ball on time and throw a lot more passes with the whole body instead of my arm. Basically, mostly being mechanically sound and just being a vocal leader is what I've worked on mainly.

Have you set established goals for yourself statistically, thresholds you'd like to meet or any other challenges you'd like to hit this season?

I don't really set statistics goals. The only stat that I care about is wins. No matter how we get it. Obviously, some passing has to be done, some running has to be done, but I never set numbers. Other things are way more important as far as getting the team to gel as one unit and the chemistry has to be there in order to get wins so that's more important than anything.

Is Newsome taking most of the reps with the second team and are you concerned at all about the depth at the position?

No, I'm not really concerned about that because Kevin is a work in progress. He's getting better every day so him being the backup I feel is not going to be a problem at all. And yes, he has been taking a majority of the No. 2 team reps and McGloin is a guy that mixes in as well and sometimes, Kevin will take the No. 1 reps to see how he responds to that. So, it's a little mix-up in there. McGloin is doing a pretty good job himself. I think those guys are really going to make some things happen on Saturday. I'm excited to see these guys play. I'm excited to play. Overall, in general, ultimately I'm ready and excited for this season.

How much will you play Saturday? Will you have a red jersey on? What do you think the QB situation we'll see will be on Saturday?

That I don't know as of yet. I haven't spoken to Jay about it. I do know I'll be wearing the red jersey. I really don't know how many plays I'll play. Hopefully I'll be able to play a lot. I don't really want to take any breaks or anything like that but I hope to play a whole lot. Everyone is going to get a shot. The quarterbacks are going to get a lot of reps. I really don't know how many numbers are going to happen. I think we'll discuss that on Friday.

Biggest difference between last year's spring practice and this year? Also, how much has Derek Moye improved from last year to this year?

I think he's improved tremendously over a short amount of time. Him knowing that he's going to be one of our two go-to guys. He's a bigger target, very fast and he can catch. He's very attentive in meetings and that's really good to see. He's always asking questions about what to do better. He's always looking to get better so I'm very excited to see him play against teams other than ourselves. As far as anything that's different, I think now I'm a little more experienced. Going into it, I just want to make sure everything is polished and not be too nervous like I was last year going into games. Worry about the most important things as far as moving the chains and getting first downs, just taking what they give you, the checklist I go through each and every game. I'm just trying my best to keep it simple and keep it the same way, just knowing what's going to happen and what's going to come will help a little bit.

Does the depth at QB worry you or make you play any differently?

Nah, man. I think this year going into the season I'm going to really work on protecting my body. Some hits that I took last year I'm going to try not to take those hits - slide or get out of bounds because I can't afford to have another concussion. I want to be in every play of the season. I feel like I'm important to this team, I want to be important to this team and I want to help, not hurt, this football team. So, I've evaluated some of that and thought a little bit about what I have to do in order to preserve the body.

Are you working on the act of sliding?

No, that's just a mental rep. My coaches, John Allen, Jay Paterno, the guys that are on the offensive side have spoken to me about we need to work on making sure you don't take as many unnecessary hits as you did last year, just to be on the safe side, which is true. Because as I've said earlier, I want to play each play, every game.

Are you reaching out to Navorro and trying to help him through all of this?

Yeah. You know what, I really didn't know what was supposed to happen today. It was all news to me but I have Navorro's number and I speak to him every now and then just letting him know that we're here for him and if there's anything he needs, I will be more than happy to be able to help him out. He's in our prayers and I'm pretty sure everything will go well for him. But, everything that has happened was pretty much news to me. I really didn't know the whole deal.

Can you relate to some of the scrutiny the receivers are getting right now having been in a similar position last year?

Oh, absolutely. 100 percent. The only thing that's different is I'm a quarterback and they're wide receivers. One of the only reasons why I think people feel that way is because they haven't really played. No one has seen Derek Moye or Brett Brackett or Graham make as many plays as the three-headed monster last year. But, they won't be able to see that until September 5th and going on through the remainder of the season. But, they'll be shocked. I guarantee it. For the people that don't believe in those guys making plays, they'll be shocked, definitely because these guys are working super hard to be the best they can for this football team.

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