August 6, 2010

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo football team opened training camp on Friday morning at a sun-splashed UB stadium. While the players were without pads, the mood was still intense with new head coach Jeff Quinn. When asked how the first day of practice went, the perfectionist leader didn't shy away from criticism. "We're trying to transition from what we did from summer to where we are today and obviously we were very sloppy," Quinn said.

 

Although some parts of practice didn't go as smoothly as he would like, Quinn couldn't help but enjoy his first big moment of being the Bulls' head coach. "It's special because with being the head coach, there is a lot more on my plate," Quinn said. "I have taken some notes and will share my ideas on how we can get better."

 

The big question heading into camp is who the starting quarterback will be. Quinn feels it is wide open. "Right now it is an open position," Quinn said. "We are going to allow Jerry Davis and Alex Dennison to compete for the job, but we also brought in a couple of freshmen who I feel are very strong quarterbacks in their own right. But they are going to have to get used to the terminology and the signaling and all the things that are going on at that position. We are a work in progress at the quarterback position."

 

He also would be willing to play two quarterbacks, stating Davis and Dennison are "both great winners and great kids."

 

One aspect of the team Quinn is excited about is the experience on defense. "With nine seniors on defense and five in the defensive back position, in all my years of coaching there have been very few years where we have gone in with five senior defensive backs," Quinn said. "We also have two inside linebacker seniors and two defensive line seniors, so I feel very strong about our leadership on that side of the ball."

 

The Bulls will be back on the field again Saturday morning for their second day of practice in preparation for the season-opening game against Rhode Island on September 2nd.