Here is what Butch Jones had to say following spring practice # 5

Importance of "Competition Saturday"....

"Well, I think the big thing is we're creating an identity for next year and the identity of the 2010 Bearcats. There's so much being thrown at them right now from new terminology, a new system, procedure on offense and defense and then a way of practicing. Everything's going extremely fast.  Today, we were a little bit slower than we'd like to be.  Every practice is critical and we're taking strides each and every day.  I thought we took some baby steps today.  As we continue to go on through spring football, practices become of the utmost importance.  We've got to come out here Tuesday and really, really hone in on our fundamentals and continue to improve."

What identity are you looking for?

"The identity is a team that's going to place fast, going to be very sound fundamentally-a great tackling football team, a team that plays with passion, a team that takes care of the football, takes away the football on defense and executes.  Right now, there's so many things going through their minds.  We use the phrase, 'You can't let the mind tie the feet up,' today our feet were tied up a little bit.  Just the mentality of playing through the whistle, great effort-every football play takes about four to six seconds-we tell them on every football play you've got to play for six seconds and give three great efforts.  That's a mindset in everything that we do."

Difference in old offense and new?

"I think with any change offensively, it's a process.   There's little nuances to each offensive system.  A lot of it may be procedurally in terminology, but a lot of the plays are the same.  It's new terminology, it's new lingo, it's new tempo, you know all those things that are associated.  As coaches, we're extremely demanding and sometimes not very patient.  You know, we've been through five practices and I think we've got to keep that in perspective as we push on.  We've thrown a lot at these young men and I think they've handled it extremely well so far."

Is Zach Collaros perfectly suited for what you do?

"No question.  Sometimes when you're doing situations and the quarterback's not 'live', that takes away some of him running around, making a play, ad-libbing a little bit, keeping a play alive with his feet.  Right now, we're focusing in on the fundamentals of running the offense, understanding how to manage an offense, manage a football game, manage situations.  When we go 'live', and we'll go 'live' a few times this spring, you'll be able to see his ability to make a play."

Based on what you saw on tape, has Zach been that type of (playmaking) quarterback this spring?

"I think today showed me a little bit of his ability to extend a play, keep a play going.  He showed me a little bit today and I'm excited at the progress he's making.  I think we see progress being made each and every day here."

Is he the starter?

"He's becoming close, but I like what Chazz (Anderson) is doing as well.  Chazz is pushing him each and every day.  We'll make a decision right after the end of spring practice.  I really like the progress he's making and I think Chazz has done some good things as well."

Is he the frontrunner?

"I wouldn't say that at this point in time.  We've had to step back with the installation of our offense and this week we're going to throw a lot more in there.  We talk about having 'functional intelligence' and being able to take the meetings to the field and the drills to the game.  Next week's going to be a very big week in the evolution of our football team."

Has he done anything to lessen your opinion of him?

"No.  Absolutely not."

On the tragic death off St. Xavier offensive lineman Matt James,  recruited by UC who eventually signed with Brian Kelly and Notre Dame. Did their paths cross?

"Well, they have. What a respectful young man. I called him when he made his decision to go to Notre Dame and I told him how much I believed in him and what a great person he was-great family. In the end, we gave our respects to the James family and to Matt. My condolences to his family, our prayers are with them, our thoughts are with them and we wish nothing but the best. It's a very tragic incident and our hearts