Rocco Talks to Media about Eagles Matchup
9/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
During his weekly press conference with the local Lynchburg media outlets, Liberty head coach Danny Rocco fielded questions about the Flames performance in Morgantown, W.Va., against West Virginia, while previewing Liberty's pending matchup with North Carolina Central.
The Saturday contest will mark Liberty's first-ever meeting with the Eagles, and the second of three first-time foes for the Flames in 2009. Both squads are coming off losses, as Liberty fell to the Mountaineers, 33-20, Saturday afternoon, while later in the evening, Hampton put together a late charge to overtake North Carolina Central, 31-24.
Below are the questions Rocco fielded from the media during the 30-minute press conference:
• Spoke about how anxious he is to put the West Virginia game behind him and move onto Phase Two of Liberty's 2009 season
• Reflected on the West Virginia game and how the team is dealing with a loss to open the season for the first time under Rocco
• Commented on the positives from the game, including the play of Mike Brown, Tommy Beecher, the offensive line and the wide receivers
• Talked about the team's need to correct its running efforts, by getting B.J. Hayes back on track and getting Aldreakis Allen additional playing time
• Spoke about the outstanding effort from his special teams units, specifically pointing out the play of Mike Brown, Matt Bevins and Mike Larsson
• Commented on his frustration with the effort from his defense, especially their inability to contain Noel Devine and Jarrett Brown
• Talked about what Liberty needed to do to win the game against West Virginia and the fact that Liberty did not need to play a "perfect game" to bring home a victory
• Was asked to comment about what lessons the team could take from the West Virginia game, both positive elements and areas of needed improvement
• Asked to talk about the call to go for it on fourth down in the second quarter, on a play which eventually led to Liberty's first touchdown and a tie game, 10-10
• Was asked to give feedback on what he saw in the game film that led to his disappointment with the Flames' defensive effort on Saturday
• Spoke about switching Josh Weaver and Justin Vargas on Liberty's offensive line and what brought about the change
• Commented on whether he thought his team gained confidence with their play in the game against West Virginia
• Remarked on the play of North Carolina Central quarterback Michael Johnson and how his style of game differs from the play of West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown
• Was asked to comment on the overall coaching performance of Brandon Streeter in his first game as the Flames offensive coordinator
• Spoke about whether or not he was concerned about the number of hits his quarterback Tommy Beecher took during the Flames' game with West Virginia
• Commented on the level of respect he saw Tommy Beecher gain from his fellow teammates, following the quarterback's first outing with the Flames
• Was asked to talk about the play of B.J. Hayes and Aldreakis Allen and what needs to be different this week in the Flames running efforts
• Commented on how he expects to keep his players' level of intensity up this week after playing a top-level FBS program
• Was asked to remark on what type of defensive schemes he expects to see from North Carolina Central this weekend
Liberty has won all three of its previous home openers during the Danny Rocco era of football and will be looking to improve on its 16-3 home record under the skipper on Saturday night, when the Flames take to the turf inside Williams Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Saturday contest will mark Liberty's first-ever meeting with the Eagles, and the second of three first-time foes for the Flames in 2009. Both squads are coming off losses, as Liberty fell to the Mountaineers, 33-20, Saturday afternoon, while later in the evening, Hampton put together a late charge to overtake North Carolina Central, 31-24.
Below are the questions Rocco fielded from the media during the 30-minute press conference:
• Spoke about how anxious he is to put the West Virginia game behind him and move onto Phase Two of Liberty's 2009 season
• Reflected on the West Virginia game and how the team is dealing with a loss to open the season for the first time under Rocco
• Commented on the positives from the game, including the play of Mike Brown, Tommy Beecher, the offensive line and the wide receivers
• Talked about the team's need to correct its running efforts, by getting B.J. Hayes back on track and getting Aldreakis Allen additional playing time
• Spoke about the outstanding effort from his special teams units, specifically pointing out the play of Mike Brown, Matt Bevins and Mike Larsson
• Commented on his frustration with the effort from his defense, especially their inability to contain Noel Devine and Jarrett Brown
• Talked about what Liberty needed to do to win the game against West Virginia and the fact that Liberty did not need to play a "perfect game" to bring home a victory
• Was asked to comment about what lessons the team could take from the West Virginia game, both positive elements and areas of needed improvement
• Asked to talk about the call to go for it on fourth down in the second quarter, on a play which eventually led to Liberty's first touchdown and a tie game, 10-10
• Was asked to give feedback on what he saw in the game film that led to his disappointment with the Flames' defensive effort on Saturday
• Spoke about switching Josh Weaver and Justin Vargas on Liberty's offensive line and what brought about the change
• Commented on whether he thought his team gained confidence with their play in the game against West Virginia
• Remarked on the play of North Carolina Central quarterback Michael Johnson and how his style of game differs from the play of West Virginia quarterback Jarrett Brown
• Was asked to comment on the overall coaching performance of Brandon Streeter in his first game as the Flames offensive coordinator
• Spoke about whether or not he was concerned about the number of hits his quarterback Tommy Beecher took during the Flames' game with West Virginia
• Commented on the level of respect he saw Tommy Beecher gain from his fellow teammates, following the quarterback's first outing with the Flames
• Was asked to talk about the play of B.J. Hayes and Aldreakis Allen and what needs to be different this week in the Flames running efforts
• Commented on how he expects to keep his players' level of intensity up this week after playing a top-level FBS program
• Was asked to remark on what type of defensive schemes he expects to see from North Carolina Central this weekend
Liberty has won all three of its previous home openers during the Danny Rocco era of football and will be looking to improve on its 16-3 home record under the skipper on Saturday night, when the Flames take to the turf inside Williams Stadium at 7 p.m.
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