Dave Doeren Quotations

We made tremendous improvements (in 2004). Some people had started talking about our defense but I think they were shocked that we finished where we did in some categories.

(Hodge) came in with all those guys and a couple of them played (last season) and had success. Now, he has to show what he's made of.

He's a long ways from where he was two weeks ago - and he's getting better every day. He's really athletic, strong, big and he can close. He's got the tools. He just has to learn all the little details of the position. But he's getting there.

We're trying to attack. If the play is in your gap you've got to show up and make it. That is what he did. That is the nice thing about a 4-3 - you can't run away from the middle linebacker.

There's really not much difference between what they were a year ago and what they are now. We just wanted the heavier guy to be over the tight end more.

That's part of the excitement, too - it's fun to be around new people and learn. After awhile, being with the same guys, you have the same ideas and the same discussions year-in and year-out. So it's kind of nice being around fresh thoughts and ideas. It makes you think about some things that maybe in the past you didn't have to think about.

That (recruiting) has kind of been what I've made my mark at it. Until you are a coordinator full-time, that's one area where you can make an impact as an assistant, and that's something I've tried to do.