Watson Addresses Media at Cardinal Caravan

Louisville offensive coordinator Shawn Watson addressed a group of reporters at the Annual Cardinal Club Caravan at Captain’s Quarters. Watson begins his second season as the leader of the offense and has plenty of returning weapons at his disposal. Here is what Watson had to say on Tuesday night at CQ:

On the players returning to campus and incoming freshmen also being on campus:

“It’s going really good. It’s always exciting to get everybody back. We have 100 percent of the guys here. Some of the incoming freshmen are finishing up but they’ll be joining us real soon. It’s an exciting time. We’re all excited about what the season holds. Everyone is excited about the possibilities and everyone is working really hard. There’s a real excitement in the building, but the thing that hasn’t changed is the work ethic and focus.”

On the luxury of having a number of weapons on offense:

“That’s the challenging part for us is to make sure we spread it around. As you saw last year that’s indicative of who we are. We had 18 different guys catch balls. That’s what we do. And with a guy who can distribute it like Teddy…that’s what gives us a chance to be really successful on offense.”

On QB Teddy Bridgewater:

“I think he’s very confident right now. You see him taking more ownership in the leading aspect. He’s always been a quiet leader by example. Now he’s the leader by conviction. That’s the biggest thing you see outwardly of him. As far as his game, we’re quickening up his release and making it a little more compact. We’re always working on his footwork.”

On Dominique Brown returing after suffering an injury last season:

“He adds a different dimension. We really missed him last year. Dominique is a physical presence. That’s what he did this spring. He’s in great shape and he’s playing with a confidence he didn’t play with in ’11. He played good in ’11 but he now has a confidence and feel for the position more than anything else. What you saw from him in the spring game is what he’s like. I think he’ll have a great year this year.”

Countdown to Kickoff

Senior Brandon Dunn is the swing man on the defensive line, playing either defensive tackle or nose. The massive tackle recorded 28 tackles and two sacks last season and is a big run-stopper in the middle of the defense.

Redshirt freshman Pedro Sibiea is another big body on the defensive line who will add depth to the defensive front. He had a solid spring and is a good addition to the line this season.

Senior Roy Philon has battled back injuries, which kept him out of spring practice. The Lexington, Ky., native registered 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year after playing through intense pain. If healthy, Philon can be a major force at tackle.

Junior B.J. Dubose is back after missing half of last year. A 6-foot-5, 273-pounder, Dubose registered 15 tackles in limited action, but proved to be a disruptive force. By adding additional weight, Dubose will likely move inside.

At the nose position, junior Jamaine Brooks came on last season and was an impact player for the Cardinals. Another big body at nose tackle, Brooks totaled 19 stops and could be headed for his best season in 2013. He suffered a leg injury that should keep him out for the first few weeks of the season.

Sophomore DeAngelo Brown received playing time last season as a true freshman and gives the Cardinals another big, athletic body at tackle. Incoming freshmen De’Asian Richardson and Kyle Shortridge also will be key contributors to the defensive line this season.

Louisville’s Big Play Wide Receiver

Player Focus: DeVante Parker from Vimeo.

Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker has been one of the nation’s most unknown receiver, but might has been the most productive. In two seasons, Parker has caught 58 passes for 1,035 yards and an amazing 16 touchdowns.

The 2012 season was the most productive for Parker, grabbing 40 receptions for 744 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns. In averaging 17.8 yards a reception, Parker tallied 13 plays of 20 or more yards, including a career-long 75-yard reception on the opening play of the second half in a win over Pittsburgh.

The wide receiver unit is one of the best in the country and Parker will be one of the highlighted players entering the 2013 season.

Carter to Appear on the Earlybirds Wednesday Morning

University of Louisville running backs coach Kenny Carter will appear with Howie Lindsey and Matt Willenger on the Earlybirds show on 790 AM at 8:07 a.m. to discuss the Fourth Annual Women’s Clinc and talk about the running back position heading into the 2013 season.

The Cardinals return two of their top rushers and will also benefit from the return of Dominique Brown, who missed 2011 with a knee injury.

Eighteen Cardinals Earn Phil Steele Preseason Honors

Teddy Bridgewater is one of Louisville’s seven first-team honorees.

Preseason recognition is beginning to roll in for the two-time defending conference champion and Sugar Bowl victors Louisville.

The Cardinals placed a conference-best 18 on Phil Steele’s 2013 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Team, headlined by Teddy Bridgewater as one of Louisville’s seven first-team honorees.

In addition to Bridgewater, DeVante Parker and Gerald Christian also earned first-team offense accolades. On defense, Roy Philon, Preston Brown, and the dynamic secondary of Calvin Pryor and Hakeem Smith picked up recognition.

Offensive lineman Jake Smith was the only Cardinal, offensively or defensively, on the second team, but Louisville had seven named to the third team.

Kicker John Wallace was Louisville’s lone special teams member on the squad.

The Cardinals open their 2013 campaign with consecutive home games, first playing host to Ohio on Sept. 1, and then facing Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 7 at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Louisville returns 19 starters from a squad that posted an 11-2 mark last season.

Cardinals on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Teams

First Team
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
DeVante Parker, WR
Gerald Christian, TE
Roy Philon, DT
Preston Brown, LB
Calvin Pryor, S
Hakeem Smith, S

Second Team
Jake Smith, OG
John Wallace, K

Third Team
Dominique Brown, RB
John Miller, OG
Jamon Brown, OT
Lorenzo Mauldin, DE
Jamaine Brooks, OT
Marcus Smith, DE
Terell Floyd, CB

Fourth Team
Damian Copeland, WR
Keith Brown, LB

Number of Selections on Phil Steele’s Preseason Teams
1. Louisville – 18
2. Cincinnati – 14
t-3. UCF – 13
t-3. Rutgers – 13
5. Houston – 12
6. SMU – 11
t-7. USF – 10
t-7. Memphis – 10
9. UConn – 9
10. Temple 2

Countdown to Kickoff

Countdown to Kickoff

Countdown to Kickoff

Countdown to Season Opener

Countdown to Season Opener

The 2013 University of Louisville football season opener versus Ohio is just 100 days away. The Cardinals take on a solid Bobcat team, who won nine games last season, including a win in the Independence Bowl.