Post by Carolina on Jan 25, 2008 15:58:09 GMT -5
Mobile, Alabama- Following Friday's final practice for the Senior Bowl, new Colonels Head Coach Mike Martz sat down with James Thompson, who is the senior editor for the Colonels Report. The following is a transcript of their interview.
JT: Coach, even though I gave you an official welcome less than two weeks ago, let me again say how great it is to have you as our coach.
MM: Thanks James, I look forward to working with you throughout the year.
JT: I will ask you about these Senior prospects in a minute, but when I saw you last night you told me that you had a major announcement that you wanted to make. What is it?
MM: Well, I want to take this opportunity to formally announce that Mike Haluchak will be the Defensive Coordinator for our team.
JT: Wow, that is a huge announcement. Now, I know that you and Mike have worked together in the past, is that the main reason that you brought him in?
MM: There is no doubt that the 3 seasons we spent together in St. Louis were great, and I got to see first hand how hard Mike worked. But, more importantly than that is the fact that I understand how well Mike knows the game, and how he can relate to players.
JT: Owner Daniel Casey spoke publicly about his desire for the team to run the 3-4 defense this year. With Mike's experience with the 3-4 in Cleveland, do you think it will be easier to implement it this year?
MM: Oh yeah, and that is another reason that I brought Mike in. Personally, I my coaching style is to focus on the offensive side of the ball, and to let the defensive coaches do their job without my interference. I believe that Mike knows how to use the 3-4, and it will most definitely meet the desires that Mr. Casey has for this team.
JT: Turning to the draft, there are rumors that the Colonels will focus their draft efforts on the defensive side of the ball, and in particular on the defensive secondary. Can you shed any light on these rumors?
MM: From a strictly depth chart position, yeah, we need some players in the secondary. Of course, that doesn't mean that we will fill those empty spots with draft picks. We still plan to make some moves in Free Agency, so we will wait and see how that works out.
JT: Is there one physical attribute that you look for players to have?
MM: I'm glad you asked that question. Without a shadow of a doubt, I consider speed to be the most important physical characteristic to measure when evaluating a player. Coach Haluchak feels the same way, and while I have been evaluating offensive players this week, he has been doing the same on the defensive side of the ball...
JT: Coach, I know that you have to go soon, but if I may ask one more question, I am wondering, are there any plans to announce the rest of the coaching staff within the next week or so?
MM: Maybe. I am still going through applications and making phone calls. Mr. Casey and I have met with several coaches in the last 2 weeks, and some of those coaches will receive formal offers this week. I can confirm that my son Tim will be joining the staff as Wide Receivers coach, and I am very happy to have him working with me again.
JT: Coach, once again, thanks for your time, and I look forward to talking with you in the coming months.
MM: Yes sir, it was my pleasure.
JT: Coach, even though I gave you an official welcome less than two weeks ago, let me again say how great it is to have you as our coach.
MM: Thanks James, I look forward to working with you throughout the year.
JT: I will ask you about these Senior prospects in a minute, but when I saw you last night you told me that you had a major announcement that you wanted to make. What is it?
MM: Well, I want to take this opportunity to formally announce that Mike Haluchak will be the Defensive Coordinator for our team.
JT: Wow, that is a huge announcement. Now, I know that you and Mike have worked together in the past, is that the main reason that you brought him in?
MM: There is no doubt that the 3 seasons we spent together in St. Louis were great, and I got to see first hand how hard Mike worked. But, more importantly than that is the fact that I understand how well Mike knows the game, and how he can relate to players.
JT: Owner Daniel Casey spoke publicly about his desire for the team to run the 3-4 defense this year. With Mike's experience with the 3-4 in Cleveland, do you think it will be easier to implement it this year?
MM: Oh yeah, and that is another reason that I brought Mike in. Personally, I my coaching style is to focus on the offensive side of the ball, and to let the defensive coaches do their job without my interference. I believe that Mike knows how to use the 3-4, and it will most definitely meet the desires that Mr. Casey has for this team.
JT: Turning to the draft, there are rumors that the Colonels will focus their draft efforts on the defensive side of the ball, and in particular on the defensive secondary. Can you shed any light on these rumors?
MM: From a strictly depth chart position, yeah, we need some players in the secondary. Of course, that doesn't mean that we will fill those empty spots with draft picks. We still plan to make some moves in Free Agency, so we will wait and see how that works out.
JT: Is there one physical attribute that you look for players to have?
MM: I'm glad you asked that question. Without a shadow of a doubt, I consider speed to be the most important physical characteristic to measure when evaluating a player. Coach Haluchak feels the same way, and while I have been evaluating offensive players this week, he has been doing the same on the defensive side of the ball...
JT: Coach, I know that you have to go soon, but if I may ask one more question, I am wondering, are there any plans to announce the rest of the coaching staff within the next week or so?
MM: Maybe. I am still going through applications and making phone calls. Mr. Casey and I have met with several coaches in the last 2 weeks, and some of those coaches will receive formal offers this week. I can confirm that my son Tim will be joining the staff as Wide Receivers coach, and I am very happy to have him working with me again.
JT: Coach, once again, thanks for your time, and I look forward to talking with you in the coming months.
MM: Yes sir, it was my pleasure.