Earlier this week, quarterback coach Danny Barrett spoke about Justin Holman's first-game performance, the battle for the backup spot and the long trip to Stanford.
How pleased were you to see the passing game come along?
"Obviously going into a first game there's a lot of uncertainties you're dealing with. A new receiver corps and trying to be in sync with a quarterback, and the blocking schemes. We did some good things. There's a few things we left on the field in crucial situations, wish we would have executed better. Overall, we have something to build on so hopefully we can get better from that."
When the run game is struggling, how much more pressure does that put on Justin?
"I don't think it's on Justin as a whole, but more so on the whole skill unit. They understand that we've got to get open, we've got to hang on to the football and from a quarterback standpoint we have to make great decisions. Not good decisions, but great decisions because every play is crucial. Hopefully we can continue to do that to allow the continuity of our offensive line to gel, to get better and slowly but surely it'll come along the way we want it to."
How would you grade Justin on his first game out? I know there's been a lot of talk of how much he's improved since last year. I know there's improvement to be made, but looking back at his whole game, how do you think he did?
"I thought he did a good job. I really can't put a grade on it per se. My goal for every athlete is to get an A. That means we passed. Obviously doing that you've got to win the football game. We didn't get an A. That's all that matters in my book. I did think first time out, I did see some good things. Obviously at the end of the game he was disappointed, just like everybody else, that we didn't get that win. We gave ourselves an opportunity at the end, but it really shouldn't have come down to that. Having said that, we're working hard this week. We made some improvements already. Now it becomes more of a level of consistency. The same things we wanted to work on with Justin as an individual, now the offense as a whole."
Coach O'Leary talked about the confidence of the team being down, what do you tell Justin?
"Just be an example. It doesn't come down to hollering and screaming. Leave that to the coaches to get the players where they're supposed to be. Understand what we need to get done, on and off the field. A lot of that is preparation. That's key. Prepare each and every day to win the day. If he can do that, he'll go out and perform well on Saturday. I think that's the key for himself. Remaining confident in what he needs to do and having confidence in the players around him. If we do that, we'll be fine."
Justin Holman is your starting quarterback, but it looks like there was a tight competition during the preseason with Tyler Harris and Bo Schneider. Coach O'Leary has indicated he didn't really know if there was a clear cut backup. Has that been a tight race who would emerge if something did happen and you had to go to someone beyond Justin?
It has been, throughout training camp and even in the summer. We thought Bo came in and did a great job as far as understanding and grasping the offense and what we need to get done. Tyler has done a great job as well. It's very competitive. Both guys will be ready to play. The other night I thought Justin took a shot during the course of the game on one of those plays, so I told both guys, 'Get ready.' It'll be up to Coach O'Leary which one he wants to go to. Again, if it's one or two plays, or it's a prolonged type situation, you're always hoping the No. 1 guy can start and finish the game without injury. We're hoping for those days when you get a big lead and then everybody gets to play. That's my goal, let them all play and have fun."
Is this like one of those Montreal to Vancouver trips you had in the CFL?
"That's the toughest thing, when you get there you're gaining three hours. If it's an afternoon it's a great feeling. Being a night cap now, we have to get used to that and perform well with no excuses with a 10:30 start. When you're young, you never face those type of situations. We'll learn quickly once we get out there what we need to get done. Looking forward to it, for our guys and coaches as well to redeem ourselves to get that W. We need one."
Rest is pretty important this week. Any sort of self-imposed curfew?
"The biggest thing for us obviously in the way we practice in the morning is to make sure we stay off our feet in the afternoon. Once the classes are done, get back over there, study the film collectively as units. More guys together. Everybody is on the same page. Having said that, at night get your rest. Football is on last night late. It's going to be on Thursday night late. I tell those guys all the time, those guys have already earned theirs. Now we've got to earn ours, so let's do it the right way and get our rest."
