In the previous two issues, The Daily Helmsman has previewed Memphis football on offense and defense. Below are some of the best quotes that didn’t make it into those stories or simply did not fit — aka clearing out the notebook.
Memphis coach Justin Fuente on the addition of Navy to the American Athletic Conference, AAC East and West divisions (the Tigers are in the West) and the new AAC conference championship game.
“I love divisions. I think the championship game is fantastic. I like the way it’s set up that it’s a home site. Navy is an incredible opponent, a very difficult (one) obviously. I think someone told me the other day they’ve made 10 bowl games in 11 seasons. That’ll be an incredible challenge for us. A really quality program and they’re going to beat people.”
Fuente discussing how far along he is in rebuilding the Tiger program.
“When your players turnover it never really gets finished. You lose guys and you bring a whole new bunch of guys in and as much as we try to educate in recruiting, they have no clue what they are getting into. It’s always a process. Obviously we are taking steps in the right direction to get it done, but we have certainly of progress yet to be made.”
Memphis redshirt junior quarterback Paxton Lynch on avoiding compliancy this season.
“It’s definitely dangerous for teams to get complacent when they have a big season, especially one like we had (last year), but I think the biggest thing we need to realize is that this isn’t last year’s team, this is this year’s team.”
Junior athlete Sam Craft on whether leaders are born or not?
“I’m sure there are a lot of superstars in the NFL who weren’t leaders at a young age, but eventually they were able to become leaders. I feel like the more experience you got, the way carry yourself on and off the field and being a good friend to people, just like the young kids need someone to look up to and show them the correct way.”
Junior cornerback Dontrell Nelson on accepting a bigger role this season, and the challenge he and his teammates face of replacing 11 seniors from last season’s defense.
“I’ve been ready to get this started. To get a bigger role in the team has been something that has occurred this year. I’m just ready to prove not only to my teammates, but to everyone that I can accept that challenge and I mean of course we have a lot of work to do. We lost a lot of great guys, but I feel like we have a lot of young guys who are ready to accept that challenge to. We’re just ready to get it started.”
Junior linebacker Jackson Dillon on pressure.
“I don’t like pressure. I don’t like to understand the term pressure. The way I see it you have to go out there every game and give it your best. You should play to be your best. I think everyone understands that.”
