Players Press Conferences from Monday, November 28, 2005
Georgia players DeMario Minter, D.J. Shockley and Thomas Brown spoke from 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET, and LSU players Andrew Whitworth, Kyle Williams and JaMarcus Russell talked from 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. ET.
Listen to Monday's SEC Players Press Conference!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S SEC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP STUDENT-ATHLETE TELECONFERENCE (Monday, Nov. 28)
GEORGIA CORNERBACK DEMARIO MINTER
(On facing LSU) "It's going to be a good match up. We are excited to get back; being there three out of four years is impressive."
(On DJ Shockley) "It shows a lot about DJ's character. He sat behind a great quarterback in David Greene for three years, and for him to come out it shows a lot about his perseverance and we are glad he stuck with it and he is a leader for this team. We rally around him and follow him and you know he is a strong person."
(On lack of attention in preseason) "I think the team liked flying under the radar. There wasn't a lot of attention and we were able to come out and surprise some folks. I think it helped us being under the radar."
GEORGIA QUARTERBACK DJ SHOCKLEY
(On facing LSU) "We have a good opponent coming in with LSU. It will be a tough challenge but I know we will be ready."
(On being the starter) "It feels pretty good. David Greene did some much for this university and sitting behind him I learned so much. I just tried to carry on the tradition of the great quarterbacks that have played here. There were some hard times. There is a silver lining behind everything. It's helped me so much."
(On Georgia Tech) "I think they matched up pretty good. As far as scheme wise and players wise, they have as good athletes as they do in the SEC. They are one of the better opponents we have played all year long, including teams in the SEC."
GEORGIA TAILBACK THOMAS BROWN
(On facing LSU) "I am really excited that we are fortunate enough to be in the championship. I feel fortunate and I am excited to be in my first championship game."
(On DJ Shockley) "He's done a great job for us. I am so happy for him because of everything that he had to go through. He has done a tremendous job. He has stepped up his level of being a leader for this team."
(On rivalry between Georgia and LSU) "It's been a good rivalry. There are good athletes on both sides and we both play four full quarters."
LSU OFFENSIVE TACKLE ANDREW WHITWORTH
(On facing Georgia) "It's going to be a big game for us, one we are looking forward to. It is definitely a game that both teams will be prepared for."
(On looking back at UT loss) "I don't think we think about it a lot now, because it is something we can't control. Right now in front of us is one of our goals, winning the SEC Championship. You can't change it, so there is no point in thinking about it."
(On rivalry between LSU and Georgia) "I think it is two SEC teams that are competing nationally at a high level. They characterize what the SEC is about, they have speed and strength and they are going to be physical."
LSU DEFENSIVE TACKLE KYLE WILLIAMS
(On facing Georgia) "I think it is something that this team has look forward to all year. It is on of the goals we set forward this season and it is exciting to get there."
(On Skyler Green) "It means a great deal. He provides us with somebody that can take the ball the distance and score quickly for us. Skyler has been a guy here the past few years, and it has gotten to the point that they won't kick the ball to him. He has helped the offense and defense tremendously."
(On looking back at the UT loss) "It just goes with the territory I think. When you are good football team and you are 10-1, there is always going to be a question about what if. I feel like USC and Texas has been the most consistent teams all year, and if they continue to win they deserve where they are at. We weren't able to play that consistent, and I am happy with where we are at."
LSU QUARTERBACK JAMARCUS RUSSELL
(On facing Georgia) "I think it is going to very big. We will have to continue to do things the way we do."
(On Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent) "The biggest difference they both can catch the ball out of the backfield, but Joseph is a bit stronger than Justin and can take a bit more of a pounding. They both bring something special to the offense and it is tough to prepare for both of them."
(On drops in the passing game) "You can't say too much because you never know when you might screw up. It's not about pointing fingers. You always try to keep them up, because if you say something to them it might bring them down more than they are."