Dave Ragone Chat Wrap

August 5, 2002

David Ragone: I am here and ready to go!!

Andrew (lou.): hey dave, big time cards fan here. Just was wondering if you think there's any chance for louisville making it to a big time bowl game this year?

David Ragone: We really don't think of it as a team at making something like that. We figure if we play every game as hard as we can it will take care of itself. We have goals and they are the same every year.

Corey (Louisville): Hi Dave I know you know that the stellar defense will have your back in the upcoming season, but how do you think the offense is coming along?

David Ragone: Before we even started practice it was great. The receivers have really picked up the routes and everyone has been here all summer working. It's one of those things, you don't what you have until you start.

James Daugherty(Louisville): Dave, Have you gained or lost weight for the up coming season?

David Ragone: I'm at 254, so it's about a 4 lb. increase. I should be able to maintain it. I played at 250 last season.

Matt (Chicago): Hey Mr. Ragone, I was just wondering if you get a chance to read your fan mail? Have a great season and continue the great work!

David Ragone: To a point .. sometimes I just don't get all of it. My mom takes care of some of it though.

Wallace (Westampton, NJ): Replacing 4 starters on the O-Line is a very hard task. What have you seen in these 4 new starters that gives you, the coaches, and the rest of the offense confidence for this season?

David Ragone: They all have been watching film and working out very hard. Until you start to it you can't really say. We will be fine. You can't teach experience but they have put in a lot of hard work. I'm just as excited as everyone else to see what we have.

Nick, Louisville: Hello Dave, My question is which WR/WR'S are you looking to be your favorite target with the departure of Parker and Branch? Thanks

Go Cards!! Beat FSU!!

David Ragone: We have a lot of guys. Dorsey, Russell, Branch, Ghent. Two of them are young guys. They will all be stars when it is said and done.

Michael Drane (Holly Hill, FL): Upon your perusal of the 2002 schedule, which team do you see as presenting Louisville the greatest matchup problems (offensively and defensively)?

David Ragone: Well, the first game against Kentucky is always tough. You don't really know how you will respond to adversity. Colorado St. and FSU are also big games. Those will be a big test. Southern Miss and Cincy will pose problems. But those are all predictions.

Andrew (Louisville): Dave, are you being hounded by agents all the time and how are you handling it?

David Ragone: Oh yeah. They are around. It's about how much you want to indulge in it. I push them off and don't really deal with it. After the season then I will talk to them. They are just a distraction right now.

Derfla Nocab(Austin,TX): Hey Dave, How do you feel about your chances of winning the Heisman this year?

David Ragone: Honestly I'm a realist. We have to be 12-0 and I have to play well on all the TV games. If I'm not invited to NY I won't lose any sleep over it. It's just not that big a deal to me.

Mike, The 'Ville: What's the deal with our running game, has anyone stepped up and become a frontrunner at the RB position?

David Ragone: They all have worked out really hard... Miller, Gates and Patterson could form a three-headed monster this year. They will take the load. One guy will probably step up but there is no clear cut favorite right now.

Mike (New Orleans): Hey Dave, take it easy on my Southern Miss Golden Eagles this year. They want to win the title again. What are some of your pre-game rituals you go through in the locker room to prepare yourself for games?

David Ragone: I really don't have too many superstistions. I try to do the same thing each game. Play out things in my head and quiz myself before the game. I do throw a couple balls before I go in to a certain player .. I guess that is kind of a superstision.

Robert (New Albany): Two questions...First, realizing you're not from Kentucky, how important is it to you personally to beat the Wildcats? And second, in the past, Coach Smith has used the Kentucky game as a motivator during summer workouts, for example "Do another rep/run another lap for Kentucky." Is that still the case this year, and/or does Florida State figure into your mindset now? Thanks a bunch and Go Cards!!!

David Ragone: Before I got here I didn't know much about it but living in Louisville for 4 years I hate them just as much as anyone else. But you have to respect them. They have some good talent over there.

And yes, it's still a motivator. That game sets the tone for the whole season. You throw records out because you don't' know what you have. They will be a good team though. It should be a great game and I'm very excited to play them.

Mike (Louisville): Dave, How can we offset Florida State's team speed and strength up front in order to win this game?

David Ragone: Obviousley we would have to play a great game. But they have to come here on a short week. The distractions outside of playing are in our favor. But I don't know how we will respond in any of our games. Our defense right now is comparable to FSU speed wise. Not many teams are faster to the ball than us.

Tim, Charlotte: If you played defense, what position would you like to play? See you in Durham!

David Ragone: I'm probably stupid enough to play linebacker. Sometimes I just want to do stupid things after I make a bad play .. I get very emotional. I don't know how successful I would be but I would try.

steve, Taylorsville: I have two questions. 1. Can you get me one of your bobblehead dolls. 2. If roles were reversed and you could pick what NFL team you wanted to play for who would it be?

David Ragone: I do have a bobblehead .. I guess when you have a bobblehead and a website you have made it. I think it comes out here soon .. a week before the Kentucky game I think.

Redbird (South Bend): Hi Dave good luck this year. What are your goals for this year both individually and possible best record for the team. Thank you and I will be watching.

David Ragone: It's just team goals. We want to send the seniors out as winners. We want to try and win our conference and go to a bowl game and win it. It's internalized goals but if you get each one in the order they are in, you will have a pretty successful year. It's a formula that has worked well for us.

Joe in Nashville: Can the new line block well enough for the Cards to establish a running game? Wouldn't a running game take a lot of pressure off you and, at the same time, open up the passing game?

David Ragone: Definitely. Anytime you establish the run game it opens things up. We haven't had the greatest running stats recently but we find ways to get first downs and move the chains. We have more talent up front than we have ever had. Once they find that confidence everything will come together. We will find a way to win whether we rush for 20 yards or 200 yards.

David Ragone: Thanks for all the questions .. I appreciate it. We look forward to have a successful season. We'll see you at the games.

Take care.

University of Louisville Athletics

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