Petrino Provides Update Heading into the Start of Fall Camp
July 17, 2014 | Football
July 17, 2014
Petrino Press Conference
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- As the calendar hits the midway point of July, the 2014 University of Louisville football season is rapidly approaching. Head coach Bobby Petrino took a break during his busy summer to provide an update of his football team as the Cardinals approach the start of fall camp on Aug. 5.
The Cardinals are in the midst of summer workouts and are gearing up for their first season in the ACC, which begins with the Sept. 1 opener against the Hurricanes of Miami.
With 12 starters back from a squad that went 12-1 last season, there is a lot to be excited about in Petrino's return to the Derby City.
Petrino said he's "excited" about the progress the Cardinals have made in preparation for the season, and singled out senior offensive lineman Jamon Brown as an example. Petrino said Brown, a 6-foot-6 senior, has lost over 20 pounds in the past six months, dropping from 348 to 327.
"We felt like for him to play four quarters at the highest level and be able to win games in the fourth quarter, we needed to get his weight down," Petrino said. "So that's very good. That's a real commitment on his part to eat properly and get extra conditioning and I'm real excited about him at that weight because I think he'll be a much better player."
Brown started all 13 games at tackle last season and needed drop a few pounds to be able to seal off the outside rushers and be a little more athletic with his feet. One area that concerned Petrino in the spring was the offensive front. The Cardinals were missing key pieces on the offensive line due to injuries, but many of the injured guys have returned, and the Cardinals added a piece who was a starter last season.
Starting offensive tackle Ryan Mack, T.C. Klusman and Chris Acosta, all of whom missed spring practice, are back, and Kelby Johnson and Lukayus McNeil were added in the signing class. Acosta, who graduated last year, returned to campus and provides depth on the line.
"I do feel a lot better about our depth and the competition we'll have there when we get going in the fall," Petrino said. "I'm very excited about the depth we have now and the look we have on our offensive front."
The Cardinals lost three first-round draft picks in Marcus Smith, Calvin Pryor and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. While all three are difficult to replace, the biggest piece will be at quarterback and trying to replace one of the top quarterbacks last season.
Sophomore Will Gardner, who will step in for Bridgewater, has little game experience, but did have a good spring in Petrino's offense. He threw for 112 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2013 and all eyes will be on him this fall. Four players may be in the mix for the No. 2 spot -- freshman Reggie Bonnafon, transfer Tyler Ferguson, redshirt freshman Kyle Bolin and senior Brett Nelson.
"Obviously, quarterback is the No. 1 concern," Petrino said. "We're replacing a guy who played the game at a very, very high level. And not only the starter, but who's going to be the backup. That's a huge issue for us."
There are a lot concerns heading into fall camp, but one player Petrino isn't worried about senior wide receiver DeVante Parker, who led the Cardinals with 55 receptions for 885 yards and 12 touchdowns, but should explode in Petrino's wide open offense.
"DeVante is an exceptional talent," Petrino said. "I've been very impressed with everything he has done to this point. I've had the opportunity to coach a lot of great wide receivers. He is quiet. He doesn't talk a lot, but when he steps on the practice field, he works very hard."
Petrino, Parker and senior Lorenzo Mauldin will represent the Cardinals at the ACC Kickoff this weekend in Greensboro, N.C. The players will face the media on Sunday, while Petrino will meet the media on Monday.
Petrino will also be a part of the ESPN Football Coaches Car Wash on July 28 on the ESPN campus. Stay tuned to @UofLFootball for updates during the week's media activities.
