Rich Rod's Monday Press Conference Notes

Hope to have Mike Martin in practice today.  He was limited last week in practice and that is why they held him out in the game after hurting his other ankle.

Denard is sore but should practice today.  Fell on his hip on the sideline, his knee bruise and his shoulder has been bothering him the past couple of weeks.

Will be sending in the personal penalty on the kick off to the Big Ten office this week.

Will try to help scheme with the defense this week.  Trying to simplify the defense so they can play faster.

On offense they can add a new play a week, can't do that on defense. 

Need faster and more athletic guys on defense.

Illinois is one of the most athletic teams in the Big Ten.  They are playing their best football right now.

No changes on the defensive staff.  Just met with the defensive staff for 3 hours.  Heard about the rumor, which was un-true.

It's not the scheme on defense it's the execution. 

Need to try to get Craig Roh more involved.

Greg Banks:

• Spirit still seems to be high
• Need to have upperclassmen step up
• Defense needs to make plays and play together as a unit
• Haven't looked at Illinois much yet.  Will look at film today
• Need to improve tackling and 3rd down stops. 
• Going to hit practice hard this week

Kovacs

• Trying to improve this week
• Hadn't heard about the Robinson rumor
• Thought Ray Vinopal was a little wide eyed but had a good week in practice last week
• Has moved past the Penn State game, now focusing on Illinois
• Tries to avoid ESPN, SI and the Blogs.  (what?)
• This group fights and hungry
• Practicing agaist Denard will help preparing for a similar offense in Illinois
• Playing a lot of freshman, which are improving daily and will continue to get better

David Molk

• Attitude adjustment can't be half assed
• Losing isn't good and looks bad.  We have worked to hard and come to far.
• I am going to do everything I can do (to show leadership)
• We have the ability, effort is no problem, it's the mental aspect. 
• The mental part can come in days or weeks.  It's an acquired talent
• We are moving toward the place we want to be, were just not there yet.
• We are a team and we won't point fingers
• Practices are intense
• He doesn't pay any attention to the Coach Rod Hot seat talk.  Doesn't read or watch the media and will do anything for this team.  "This is my team!".

On a side note:  David Molk is a man who is clearly frustrated and pissed off.  Michigan needs a 100 more David Molks.