Transcript From Bill Burke Live Chat
11/15/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 1999
Michigan State's senior quarterback Bill Burke took some time on Monday, Nov. 15, to answer some questions from Spartan fans during an ESPN.com Live Chat. Here's a transcript from that chat session:
Spartans Rule
Do you think you're going to be healthy enough to play against Penn State this Saturday?
Bill Burke:
I definitely plan on playing. I'm going to work with the doctors and trainers and get myself feeling as good as possible.
Eddie
Hey Bill, big fan here. What do you think your chances of making the NFL are next year?
Bill Burke:
It's hard to tell. I've just been focusing on this season. I'll evaluate my options at the end of the year and after the Bowl game is over.
Mike
What do you think you guys have to do to beat the Penn State defense?
Bill Burke:
I think first we have to match their physical play. And that's not easy. We will have to play as intense as they do. We're going to have to make alot of big plays and execute when we have to.
Michael Thomas
Bill, with the defense you guys have I think if you keep everything in front of you and don't give up big plays you guys will beat Penn State. Is there anything that you'd like to accomplish in this game that you've never really done before and would like to before your college career ends? Go Spartans !!
Bill Burke:
Not really, not anything I can think of. I just want to help our team win and but points on the board. We're really looking forward to the game and the competition.
jdog
Bill. I'm a huge fan. Which team do you think is the best you have played against this year? Good luck against PSU, we need one more big win!
Bill Burke:
I think overall it was Wisconsin. They're an all-around solid team, on both sides of the ball. They just win games, they're not flashy about it but they put together a lot of wins.
Rich
If given the chance, how do you think MSU would do against Virginia Tech or Florida State?
Bill Burke:
I think we would have to be at the top of our game. I think we have the talent to compete with anyone. It all comes down to executing. But when we are on our game, I think we can compete with anyone in the country.
spartan1
Are you scared of Lamarr Arrington?
Bill Burke:
No, I'm not scared of him. We're all college football players. He puts his pants on just like I do. I'm looking forward to playing against him.
jarryd
Who do you think will win the Heisman? National Championship?
Bill Burke:
I think the Heisman will go to Ron Dayne because he broke the record. I guess I have to give the Championship to Florida State because they have the big-game experience.
Alan Jeffers
What kind of relationship do you and Coach Nick Saban have?
Bill Burke:
We have a good working relationship. We talk about what is going on with the team. He has a good system going here. He's about making us better football players, and the more we as players come to understand that, the better this team we will be.
Joel
If given the opportunity would you run up the score against an opponent simply to improve your rankings?
Bill Burke:
That's really a coach's decision. Normally I would say no, but it's really up to the coach and what effect he thinks it will have on the ranking.
Deni Marie
Congratulations on a great year. Even though I attend U of M, I must say that you were very impressive during that game. Do you plan on entering the draft this year, or is that something that you have not though much about?
Bill Burke:
I do plan on entering. It's been a dream of mine, as I'm sure it is for every college football player.
Kevin
What do you think MSU's chances are of getting a BCS bid if you beat Penn State?
Bill Burke:
I think they are pretty good. I don't know everything about it, how they analyze it, so I just play the games. It's really complicated so we just have to focus on the game.
Mojo
Who are the most impressive young players on the team? Who can we expect to step up next year?
Bill Burke:
T.J. Duckett, definitely. He's got a lot of talent. I think Ryan Van Dyke is going to have a good career ahead of him also.
Mark4MSU
Bill, can you tell us how the team approached the 2 game skid Purdue & Wisconsin and got back on track to being a top 10 team?
Bill Burke:
We realized that if we wanted to end the year on good terms, and get to a bowl game, we just had to get back to what we were doing in the early part of the season.
Scott L
Have you heard if Plaxico will stay and do you think he is Heisman quality?
Bill Burke:
Plax has a lot of talent. The sky is the limit with him. I have no idea if he will stay, you would have to ask him.
Bobby Shewmaker
How do you think you stack up against the other QB's entering the draft. What round do you think you will go in
Bill Burke:
It's difficult. I haven't been able to really look at everyone that is entering the draft. I'm just concentrating on my skills and on improving so I can go as high as possible.
Clay
What do you like to do in your free time?
Bill Burke:
I try to get as much rest as possible. I just take it easy and relax. I don't do anything outrageous.
NC Spartan
If you got to go to the NFL who would you want to play for.
Bill Burke:
I would say Pittsburgh. I've been a big fan ever since I was a little kid. It would be a dream come true to be able to put on that uniform.
Scott L
What area will need the most improvement to compete at this level next year give the loss of senior leadership?
Bill Burke:
This happens every year. The younger guys just have to step up. I think that is going to happen again. The guys will just have to come together and decide how good they want to be.
Brent
I am a Texas Longhorn fan...but you guys are a lot of fun to watch. Is it work to you or is it still a game? Do you enjoy what you do?
Bill Burke:
It's definitely hard work. This year has really been fun. I've made a conscious effort to soak everything up, knowing this was my last year. But it's been a lot of fun.
That's all the time I have for now. Thanks everyone for writing in and thanks for your support. I'd like to wish everybody the best.