Florida head coach Billy Napier’s monthly Wednesday press conference was canceled due to the hurricane, which is expected to make landfall this evening. Napier nevertheless attended the SEC’s teleconference on Wednesday morning.
Here’s what Napier had to say ahead of Florida’s Week 7 road game against Tennessee.
Napier: “Before we get started, please keep all those affected by the disaster in your thoughts and prayers. Our squad, which includes a number of athletes and families, will be right in the center of this. Certainly thinking of everyone involved. Our crew is very excited about the opportunity to compete in this historic event. We are currently in the middle of preparation. Our timetable will be slightly altered over the next three days, but we are excited about our team.”
What did you see defensively from Oklahoma and Arkansas against the Vol offense?
“Overall, I believe both teams play strong defense. I believe T-Will and his crew have done an excellent job at Arkansas. I believe in Coach Venables, his defensive history, effort, basics, and philosophy. I believe they both played excellent gap integrity, were effective at all three levels of defense, and tackled well. Created favorable down and distances, and had the opportunity to influence the quarterback. Overall, just really solid foundational play at all three levels of the defense, and I think I have a lot of respect for how both of those teams play defense.”
What’s changed this week from your normal routine with the hurricane coming in?
Napier: “Our guys do not have school today or tomorrow. I believe we have changed the timetable up today to attempt to get everyone here sheltered before the storm arrives, and tomorrow will be chosen based on the scenario when we get up in the morning. Overall, we expect to move things up today and back down little tomorrow.We are currently outside of the storm’s eye and expect to see additional tropical storm-like conditions.
How do you keep players in a mentally okay state when you don’t know what’s coming to you and you don’t know what’s coming to their families?
Napier: “I’d say you try to keep them as up to date as possible, and supply them with the most recent information a couple of times per day. Obviously, we have our athletic department and operations staff meeting with university officials. We can provide them with up-to-date news and information several times per day. The most difficult aspect is that many of these individuals’ family are directly involved in the conflict down south. We’ve been communicating with them throughout the week, attempting to present them with the most up-to-date information. We’ve done a lot of planning on what they need to do here to prepare for what’s coming, and then we’ll be there as an organization and athletic department to completely support the players and any family circumstances that may arise. The hurricane will undoubtedly have a big impact on a large number of individuals.
What impresses you the most about Tennessee’s defensive front?
Napier: “It’s a twitchy crowd. I believe they have a vertical, piercing style of play. They’ve done a good job of recruiting and developing those players. They’re definitely the deepest group we’ve seen in a long. They cycle a lot of players, and I believe they have good players on the edge and inside, with density, bulk, and power, who may be a problem in the run game, as well as some extremely interesting pass rushers. Accepting that challenge up front is a huge part of the challenge this week, and we need to be ready to go on the offensive line.
Where do you think your team has improved the most the last couple of weeks?
Napier: “I believe that the mix of basics and methods, as well as the whole alignment, assignment, and communication process, on defense. I believe we have a somewhat improved mindset; I believe the thinking has shifted slightly. The open date was beneficial, albeit it was really competitive, and I believe we attacked the task last week. We need to do the same this week.
