Joe Bugel Is Not Concerned
Posted by Matt Terl on October 15, 2009 – 11:11 amhttp://p.castfire.com/1Ll7r/video/175273/redskins_2009-10-14-175823.flv
Offensive line coach Joe Bugel didn’t speak until fairly late yesterday, but his take was generally positive, as it usually is. (Bugel is a naturally positive guy, and hugely supportive of his players.)
For example, even though he acknowledged that starting four right guards in four weeks has “been kinda odd,” he professes complete and utter confidence in Sunday’s makeshift offensive line. “I don’t worry about this group,” he said, “I really don’t.”
Bugel also addressed Clinton Portis‘s comments from yesterday that the Chiefs would attack the injury-depleted offensive line on Sunday. “I know Clinton’s a great orator and that he has all the answers,” he said, “but we face that every week.”
A few more excerpts from Bugel’s presser:
On if it’s difficult to have three players at new positions after five weeks of the season:
“After 32 years nothing is difficult. If I was a first-year head coach I’d probably be standing in the corner shakin’. We know things happen. That’s a terrible injury bug we had the last couple years, you know, when you lose two super football players. Losing Chris Samuels, he’s All-Pro, he’s legit.
“Fortunately, the guy who’s really made tremendous improvement has been Mike Williams. I’ve been so proud of that guy, being able to play guard and tackle. I think he’s a rejuvenated person right now, and he’s a pleasure to coach.
“The thing is we’re playing musical chairs. We took Stephon [Heyer] from the right side to the left side, but he feels comfortable over there. Fortunately he played there, I think, his whole college career. I don’t think we have any problems as far as that goes. We don’t have a whole lot of depth right now. [Chad] Rinehart is a little bit bruised in the shoulder, so Will Montgomery is going to be our startin’ right guard, and I feel real good about him. If you’re going to go to battle, you want Will on your side. He’s a tough dude.”
On the responsibility for Stephon Heyer of playing left tackle:
“He understands that, he really does. You don’t even really have to remind kids about that. We try to coach them hard, we practice hard. Coming to practice, if you’re doom and gloom, I don’t want you around. We’ve got to be happy and enjoy this stuff because it’s every day and every week, we’ve got to tee it up. I have a lot of trust in Stephon, I really do. Both of the bookends this week, I don’t worry about them. Like I said, I’ll keep talking about Mike Williams because I think he’s light years from where he was even when he was a No. 1 draft pick. He’s in really good shape right now.”
On the depth of the offensive line:
“This past offseason I thought we brought in some good kids that are going to end up being good football players – talking about Will Montgomery. [D'Anthony] Batiste struggled last week in the ballgame. If we can get him straightened out – because he does a good job in practice; sometimes in the games he gets loose hands in there.
“We’ve got guys that work hard, and that’s all you can ask as a coach. It’s my job to develop the guys. I don’t care if you get them out of the trash barrel, you gotta develop them in the National Football League. That’s my job right there, so if we’re not playing good that’s my responsibility, it really is.”
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