Q: Is seeing Stephens play on Saturday against Northern Illinois part of the evaluation?
CLAWSON: Yeah, I think so. Regardless of how it plays out this week, I think were going to get Nick in there, whether he starts the game or plays at a certain point. If he performs well in practice this week and runs the offense well, and manages the huddle well and makes the reads right, I think at some point weve got to get him going and play him. And again, were saying all this, and then we havent had one snap of practice yet, either. Exactly how were going to do it, its too early to say that.
Q: Can Crompton and Stephens run the same things?
CLAWSON: They have basically the same skill set. Its not like youre dealing with a pro-style quarterback and an option quarterback. The things that Jonathan does well and Nick does well, you would do the same things offensively with both of them.
Q: Would the offensive package be more limited with Stephens?
CLAWSON: The package, youve got to have enough in that we have answers. Its the same thing I say every week. You can only make it so simple, and then you become easy to defend. And yet, if it gets too big and guys dont understand it, thats always the challenge of game-planning.
Q: What were your initial thoughts on Nick Stephens when you arrived at UT, and how much have they changed since?
CLAWSON: When I came here, I was really wide open. I had not worked with any of those guys before. I had not watched any of them on film, except what I saw in practice. Nick has a real quick release. Hes got a lot of confidence. Sometimes hell force some things in there. Nick probably has more of those times where youre saying, No, no, no, and then youre saying, Great ball. But you just cant let the defense get their hands on the ball. As much as we have not played well on offense, if wed eliminated some of those costly turnovers, wed probably be in a little bit different position right now.
Q: How has Stephens grasped your offense?
CLAWSON: Hes gotten a lot of reps, and hes improved a lot. The reason we are opening this up and having them compete isnt just because Jonathan has struggled. Nick has made some great strides in these last three or four weeks.
Q: Has Stephens improved in learning his passing route progressions?
CLAWSON:Hes improved from the spring. Its tough in the face of a rush, and youve got blitzes, and hot (routes), and protection adjustments. Thats just playing quarterback today. Fifteen years ago, it was easy. It was two-deep (zone), three-deep (zone), and man. Now you see everything.