July 21, 2008
TCU head football coach Gary Patterson and seniors Jason Phillips and Blake Schlueter are in Las Vegas this week for the annual Mountain West Conference media days, which are being held for the second straight year at Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, Nev.
In addition to numerous print, radio and television interviews, the three Horned Frogs spent Monday morning addressing the media contingent in attendance during a short press conference. The following is a portion of what the group covered.
Head Coach Gary Patterson
Opening statement:
"It's always great to get to this time of year, because you know when media day is here it's about time for football season. We're excited. It's been a short time, it seems, since we played in the Texas Bowl. I felt that we played a lot better in the second half of the season. We had a great spring and summer. We're really excited to get things kicked off. We have a tough opener at New Mexico, but it makes you get ready in the preseason and become a better football team."
On having a large break between the first and second conference games:
"It's just something you live with. If you do win, it is definitely a positive. It's one of those eight games you don't have to worry about anymore. We understand what we have in front of us. We know New Mexico is very tough at home. Every time we have started on the road, we seem to have a better year. The team has had to grow up."
On TCU's preseason MWC award winners:
"Both of our guys (Jason Phillips and Blake Schlueter) here are fifth-year seniors and will graduate in December in 4 ½ years. They are great people. Both of them have started since they were younger. Braylon Broughton is an unknown entity, but he definitely has a lot of talent. We redshirted 18 in our freshman class last year. A lot of them, especially on the defensive side of the ball, have outstanding athletic ability. How fast they can help our football team will really come down to how quick they can become football players. If they can all come along and give us depth, it will make us a better team."
On changing preparations for the season with a conference opener:
"We have had games the last couple years where we were playing a Texas Tech or Baylor early in the season. Those are what I like to call emotional games because we were playing against Texas kids. We have been at a high level getting ready for games anyway. I don't think this will be any different. I think we will be on the same level again for New Mexico."
Jason Phillips
On taking on a leadership role as a fifth-year senior:
"It just comes with the territory. I know a lot of the younger players look up to guys like Blake and me and just watch how we work. We just need to lead by example and work hard. If they see us working hard, they will hopefully follow what we are doing."
On being named MWC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
"I was a little surprised. The talent on the defensive side in the Mountain West Conference is very good. It goes back to what we have always said. It's not what they are saying about you in August, but what they are saying in December. It's a good feeling, but it's not something that we are too concerned with. It doesn't mean anything until you go out and play."
Blake Schlueter
On leading the TCU offensive line:
"Being a fifth-year senior, I just need to take more of a leadership role. We were a young group last season, but we continued to grow as the season went along. This spring, I felt that we had some players step up on the offensive line and we had a chance to gel together."
