LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – This is not a perfect University of Louisville football team. I know that because Charlie Strong, the team's head coach, said he is still looking for a fourth tight end.
Two years ago, Strong was looking for one tight end. Now he's concerned that he doesn't have a fourth. You don't need a tape measure to measure the progress in this program.
That was my first takeaway Wednesday at the University of Louisville football media day. The conversation was upbeat, confident and focused on the competition for playing time that is crackling throughout the Cardinals' fall camp.
Strong sounded like a guy ready to embrace the considerable expectations surrounding his team. The Cards will start the season as the team to beat in the Big East. Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and the Cardinals' players were equally optimistic.
Read this assortment of quotes. I think you'll agree.
Offensive tackle Alex Kupper on the Cards' improvement: "The talent level is tremendous. You go against second and third-team guys who are just as athletic as the guys that are in front of them. It's really competitive and that's a lot of fun."
Strong on the importance of increased fan support: "When you have the fan support that we have, the players start believing in the program."
Bedford on the challenge of getting his young talent to translate their abilities to making an impact in games: "On paper and on video, you like what you see. When you get out there (on the field) you don't know. They might start crying and have me bring some Pampers out there."
Watson was talking about the changes made by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater: "He's 40 pounds heavier than he was when he came in here … He's grown up quite a bit. As Teddy would probably tell you, he had a long way to go. He was a skinny dude."
Bedford on the improvements made by defensive lineman B.J. Dubose: "If you had asked me last year if he was going to be a player, I'd say he had no chance. He had two left feet."
Quarterback Will Stein on the improvement of his fellow Bridgewater: "Management skills. He's got all the physical tools you could think of in a quarterback – size, speed. Quarterback is a lot more than that. He's grown his IQ out there on the field, and I think the sky's the limit for him and this team this year."
Strong on the competition by five guys trying to develop into the team's dominant running back: "At some point, a guy is going to step up and say, ‘This is my job.' I'd like for that to happen."
Watson on the pressure on the five backs to compete: "If you lose a day, you get left behind. When there is competition, that is when you start to really get it."
Cornerback Adrian Bushell on why he'll be a better defender: "Last year I was kind of winging it sometimes. I didn't really know where I was supposed to be all the time. Now I'm good to go."
Watson on the improvement in his offensive line: "Last year we were trying to find out if we had five guys, much less the two deep. This year we have depth."
Strong on how he wants Stein to approach his competition with Bridgewater: "I still want you to push him. Don't take a back seat."
Bedford on Keith Brown and James Burgess, two of his talented freshmen linebackers: "Those two guys are as athletic as you're going to find."
Watson on what he likes about his offensive unit: "The thing that I love is the communication. It sounds like a football team that is on a mission."
Strong on one way to build a strong football team: "If you're strong down the middle, you've got a chance to win some football games."
Bedford on the great expectations: "Compared to the first two years, we're a lot more athletic. Does that mean more wins? I don't know that."
Strong on one of the biggest challenges of turning a program around: "A lot of times when you're down, it's hard to pull that confidence up."
Bedford on the improved depth in the U of L program: "You never have enough players. If I gave you $1 million, you'd want $2 million."
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Charlie Strong's third University of Louisville team is eager to embrace the high expectations for the 2012 season.
