|
Chat Reel: Ken Simonton
'Strength will definitely be our depth'
Latest: Wednesday August 16, 2000 04:58 PM
| |
"You should be in it to win it, so we're shooting for the Rose Bowl," says Ken Simonton of Oregon State. Donald Miralle/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Thank you for joining our chat with Ken Simonton. Welcome Ken!
Ken Simonton: No problem
From StateOfOrange: Ken, How did your O-line look today in first practice with pads?
Ken Simonton: Real aggressive. They did a good job of knowing their assignments and executing them with intensity today.
From Ken: I have been to several practices this fall, and the Beavers seem to be a lot farther ahead than last year, and they have a better team also. Why do you think the media isn't giving you the respect you deserve?
Ken Simonton: Really, who cares? All the media is gonna do is bring more attention to what we've got going. It's just up to us is to prepare ourselves, the only pressure on us is what we put on ourselves
From BeaverFan: Ken, the 7-5 record was one of the great success stories in college football last season. How important is it to better that mark and where do you set your sights as far as number of victories and a bowl game are concerned?
Ken Simonton: Definitely. I was not satisfied with 7-5. It was a good start, but not a great ending. You should be in it to win it, so we're shooting for the Rose Bowl.
From Jonathan McGowan Portland, Ore.: Will it be a tough adjustment for you with regards to sharing time with Patrick McCall in the backfield? Your carries should be down.
Ken Simonton: I would hope so. The only thing that matters is the Beavers and the only stat that matters is winning. So however that gets done, it gets done. I don't care about seeing my name in box score, just the W's. Patrick and I are big fans of each other's abilities. We just try to top each other with each run each day
From DBeav: What will the strength of our offense be this year?
Ken Simonton: The strength will definitely be our depth, we're three-deep with running backs. We've got a lot of good recruits in at receiver. We just have to pay attention to the offense.
From DBeav: How's Chad Johnson look?
Ken Simonton: He's the most explosive receiver in the Pac-10. Period.
From Mike Purcell in Portland, Ore.: Also, how does a team work on not turning the ball over, drills etc.?
Ken Simonton: I think it's more mental focus than anything. We can run all the drills we want to, we just have to have the mental awareness every day that we're going to hold on to the ball. And that goes for everyone.
From Steve Rusch in Sacramento, Calif.: Ken, I know that your father was a great major leaguer, and that you yourself are an accomplished baseball player (I have heard that you entertained thoughts of playing two sports at OSU). But I want to know if your Dad ever played football.
Ken Simonton: Yes, my father actually went to University of Arizona for two years. I came here with full intentions of playing both sports, but this staff has been a little more reluctant in being lenient about that. My heart is definitely with baseball right now.
From Derek: What's the difference in attitude from last year's fall camp to this years?
Ken Simonton: It's the expectancy level. After seeing the amazing feat this staff put together last year, we know it's the team that puts together the best chemistry. It doesn't necessarily have to be the best team, just the team with the best chemistry
From DCBeaver: Are you concerned about the loss of Keith Didominico at Center and the O-line being so young?
Ken Simonton: Not at all. I got a young, greedy offensive line, they love eating up yardage. I'm not worried about them. Coach Smith is one of the best line coaches I've been around, so you can't really worry about the losses. I wish Keith the best, but we definitely gotta focus on what we're doing
From Believer: What game are you most looking forward to this year? Perhaps a repeat of the '98 Civil War?
Ken Simonton: You don't want to look too far ahead, so the game I'm most looking forward to is Eastern Washington. But as the weeks go on, the one in the back of my mind is USC. That's a big game for us.
From DBeav: Since you practice against them day in and day out, what are your impressions of the Beaver defense?
Ken Simonton: Once again, they're the most underrated defense in the Pac-10 and the secondary is one of the most underrated in the country. Speed is their game. Speed and hitting.
From Dennis: Ken, how do you think the suspensions of the receivers is going to affect both the offense and the impact it has on the team?
Ken Simonton: I think the biggest adjustment will come when they get back -- where everybody fits in. As far as right now, they still practice with us so it's no big deal at all.
From StateOfOrange: What is your schedule like during this fall camp? Mostly 2 a days and resting up?
Ken Simonton: Busy. You get two breaks basically from about 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. And another one from about 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. And everything between is football and meetings.
From DBeav: Last year, Dennis Weathersby emerged out of nowhere as a star. Any predictions on who might emerge as a surprise star this year?
Ken Simonton: Well I think Dennis got a lot of his spotlight because they didn't want to test anyone else. But I think Chad is definitely a player to look for on offense. And Richard Siegler is a guy to look for on defense, an impact guy maybe some people don't know about yet. As well as Terrell Roberts. Look for Terrell Roberts. If he can find a way to get into the lineup, he'll be All-Pac 10 this year.
From Studke: How do you feel about the improvement of Terrance Caroll? Is he the leader in the secondary?
Ken Simonton: T.C. has been the leader on that secondary for the last 3 years, and we've been upset that he definitely did not get the respect. He's been the backbone of the defense for some time, we're hoping to send him out with a breakout year
From BeaverFan: Ken, how is the quarterback situation? Is the job up in the air (Smith vs. House) or does Jonathan have the job locked up?
Ken Simonton: Jonathan is getting some good competition, but it's still his job. House and Thomas have been making it competitive, but it's still his job.
From StateOfOrange: What do you think about year-round training table? Would you rather have the money to spend on your own?
Ken Simonton: There's no competition to a year-round training table. Because that little $10 or $15 extra doesn't make a difference. We're the only conference in the planet that doesn't have a year-round training table.
From Mike: Who is your toughest competion this year in the Pac 10?
Ken Simonton: It's hard to say. The beauty about the Pac-10 is no team will ever dominate it. It's week in, week out everyone has to play. You want to look to the USC and Washington, but you can never count out an Oregon or Cal.
From DBeav: What is the most gratifying thing about playing for Oregon State?
Ken Simonton: Glorifying my loyalty to Jesus Christ day in and day out. It's the most gratifying thing I can imagine doing.
From DCBeaver: Has the OSU Athletic Department signaled an interest in marketing you as a Heisman candidate this year (or next)??
Ken Simonton: No, maybe pushing for the Doak Walker, that may be a possibility, but not a lot of Heisman talk at all.
From BeaverFan: What do you like and dislike the most about Corvallis?
Ken Simonton: I love it because it's what I asked for. I needed a place to just focus and relax, with not a lot of distractions. It's definitely been that. On the other hand, coming from the Bay Area, or Houston, there's not a lot for us to do out here. It's a big spotlight to have in a little town, so you have to be careful
From Dennis: Ken, how does McCall's running style compare to yours?
Ken Simonton: Real similar. Great vision, runs hard. Good cutting ability. Man has some real fresh legs right now, so he's real explosive.
From Mike: What do think of Michael Vick and his play?
Ken Simonton: I think he's the most dangerous man in the NCAA right now. Period.
From StateOfOrange: Do you think there is a pressure to win this year more than last year? To improve upon last year and help recruiting efforts?
Ken Simonton: We kind of leave all that to the coaches. The only pressure we allow is the pressure we put on ourselves. The pressure is great because we want to be where Stanford was last year. You always have to be willing to accept the pressure you put on yourself.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Ken. Thank you for joining us and good luck this season!
Ken Simonton: No problem, thank you much
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
