Bowl Bites: A Conversation With DeAndra Cobb
12/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 23, 2003
How are you enjoying the trip to San Antonio?
"It's a nice city. I like it. It has been great getting back in the warm weather."
Has making the adjustment from junior college football to Michigan State been tough?
"The workouts have been tougher than I thought. When I came in, I was going full steam ahead after sitting out a year, but the workouts were way tougher than I thought they were going to be. I think I've adjusted well to the changes. I think the biggest difference now is that I have a better understanding of our offensive system - the blitz pick-ups, my pass routes and adjustments. I really have to be a little more focused on what's going on because there are so many adjustments to make. I must be aware of everything that's taking place on the field."
You've had a lot of success as a kickoff returner this season. What has been the key to your success?
"It's the other 10 guys getting on their man. We design our kickoff returns to go downhill, most of the time at full speed, so you have to have a lot of faith in the other 10 guys. I get most of the credit but they've all been doing their jobs pretty well."
Are you surprised at the amount of success you've had, garnering several postseason awards?
"(Linebacker) Seth Mitchell said when I came in as a recruit, 'You know, if you do a great job on returns, you can make All-American.' I was like 'Really?' and he said, 'Yeah, and I think you're going to do it.' I kind of set a goal based on what he said to me and that's how it's gone for me."
You've also been seeing a lot of time at tailback. What do you like doing more - returning kicks or running the ball?
"I enjoy both because that means I have the ball in my hands with a chance to make things happen."
You were a running back in high school but played cornerback in junior college. Has it been difficult getting used to playing running back again?
"Yeah, the transition has been a little tough. At first, my main downfall was trying to account for the linebackers and making the proper adjustments in pass protection. Thankfully, I've made a lot of progress in the area of pass protection."
You're one of four guys who have been getting significant playing time at tailback.
"As a unit, we're all as one. When someone does something positive, we congratulate him and celebrate it as a group. I think the coaches see differences in all of us, and they have certain plays that they want each of us to run. We've all taken turns contributing this season. None of us have been concerned about playing time because we've all been given opportunities."
Special Teams Coach Jim McElwain On DeAndra Cobb . . .
What has been the impact that DeAndra Cobb has had on the kickoff return unit?
"He's brought excitement to that part of the game for us. That kickoff return unit is something people have to take notice of and of course, DeAndra Cobb's a big part of that because of his natural speed."
What's been the key to his success as a kick returner - his speed or something else?
"Coach (John L.) Smith has always put a lot of emphasis on special teams and sometimes, those other 10 guys get lost when it comes to recognition. The kickoff return team has been productive because the guys have done a nice job of taking care of their responsibilities. And it certainly helps that DeAndra has that extra gear which allows him to make a guy miss and then take it and finish the play."
DeAndra wasn't the kickoff returner to open the season. What was it that got him into the lineup?
"We didn't use DeAndra as a kick returner in the season opener (vs. Western Michigan) because he simply didn't feel comfortable back there under the football. He stuck with fielding kicks in practice and he proved that he could handle it. We're glad the way things turned out."
