Jared Crick - Aug. 29th Press Conference

Senior Defensive Tackle Jared Crick
On how much he weighed when he first arrived at Nebraska
"250. 250-255, around there."

On if he surprised himself playing at the weight he played at
"Yeah, at first at I thought it was going to be a daunting task, gaining 30 pounds over a spring into a summer. It's kind of easy to gain 30 pounds the wrong way, but to do it the right way was really tough. I had to watch what I ate. I had to eat the right thing at the right times. After I worked out I always had to get a protein shake. At times it was rough. I wasn't used to being, you know, 260-265 all the way up to 280 going into my redshirt freshman year. It was a big adjustment for me really feeling comfortable being 30 pounds heavier. I gained a lot in the weight room that spring also, but just the fact that you're 30 pounds heavier, it doesn't matter how strong you are it's going to be awkward for you. It was a big adjustment for me, but once I did I felt a lot better. I started getting my speed back and it's worked out so far."

On how this year's defense compares to the past defenses at Nebraska
"We can be a lot better than the past two years. Not taking anything away from those defenses, we just have a lot more depth and a lot more experience this year, and I think that's going to pay dividends. You saw it pay dividends in the past, and I expect it to be the same this year. Although this year we have a lot more depth at every position, other than some positions more than others."

On what he has seen from Jason Ankrah this fall camp
"Ank (Ankrah) has come a long way, physically and mentally. He's starting to learn the game now, and I think that's one of the biggest things playing defensive line. You can be as strong as you want, but if you don't know the techniques, if you don't know what the schemes are and what's being asked of you, you're kind of worthless out there. He's come a long way physically, but I think mentally he's learning the game and learning what we want to do as a defense, and especially on the defensive line. I think that's where he made the biggest strides. That's why he's in the position he's in right now. He's worked so hard at that, and he's gotten so much better. If he's going to be out there starting with us, he definitely earned that."

On how anxious he is to get on the field
"We've been waiting for this for a long time, just getting out there and hitting somebody. We've been hitting ourselves the past couple weeks and spring, and it's time to get out there and hit somebody else and play games again. Get this bad taste out of our mouth. I think after we do that it's going to be a lot better, but we have to put this week's worth of preparation in and we have to execute on Saturday if we want to be there. We're excited. Obviously, first game everybody is excited, but given the circumstances that we had last year we're more anxious to be out there and get a 'W'."

On how he would compare this offseason to previous ones in his career
"As far as physical preparation it's been the same. Coach Dobson has done a great job with us every year he's been here, but this year we became a lot closer of a team. We've had barbeques. We've done things in individual groups, just becoming more of a team. Physically we have been doing the same thing, but the camaraderie has definitely intensified."

On how good the Nebraska offense is going to be this year
"The sky is the limit for them. They are getting better every single day, individually and as a unit. Going against them every single day, seeing how far they've came, seeing how much they are improving, it's definitely a great sign, but they have to execute on Saturday. They can be as good as they want Monday through Friday, if they can't execute on Saturday it's kind of all for nothing. Saturday they just have to go out and execute and do their responsibility and sky's the limit for those guys. They have talent across the board. The schemes are great. Coach (Tim) Beck is a great offensive coordinator, so if they go out and execute the sky is the limit."

On who's looked good on offense
"I think you have to start with (quarterback) Taylor (Martinez). Taylor has come a long way. He's definitely matured a lot. He's definitely throwing the ball great. He's still running great, he still has all his speed. He's definitely become more of a leader. The offensive line, once they get healthy again, they are a formidable bunch. They are really tough up front, and hopefully they can stay that way once they get healthy. We have a lot of talent at the receivers and running backs. All across the board we have talent, we just have to go out there and execute and prove it on Saturday."

On if he ever worries about not meeting the defensive expectations
"Not this year. Last year that might have hit me at points at the beginning of the season because I thought about it too much. Coach J.P. (John Papuchis) and I had a talk about it last year and it really helped me out the week of Oklahoma State. J.P. and I had a talk and I played better ever since that talk. I'm taking that same mindset into this year, just not worrying about anything. Go out and play my style of football. Be my own player. As long as I do that I think I'll be fine. But no, I don't pay attention to outside hype, or inside hype. I just have to know that if I go out and do my responsibility everything is going to work out for itself. That's really just my main goal, going out and playing my game. Really that's all I can do."

On how tough of a decision it was to pass on the NFL last year
"It really wasn't that tough of a decision. I talked to my parents about it. We weighed the pros and cons of both decisions. We just felt it was right to come back and get my degree, and spend another year under Coach Pelini, Coach J.P., and another year with my guys. I didn't want to leave my guys behind. I have no regrets for coming back at all."

On if Ndamukong Suh deciding to stay and winning numerous major awards effected his decision to say

"Personal accolades, I'm not big into that. The biggest thing in coming back was just becoming a better football player. Another year under Coach Pelini is going to make me that much better for future football, it that should come down the road. Awards and that kind of thing, I'm not into that, but definitely the main reason was to become a better football player."

On how much Lavonte David has improved from last year
"Lavonte knows exactly what we want to do as a defense. Last year he might have been playing on instinct, but this year he knows everything. He knows all the calls. He knows every situation that can be thrown at him. He's already a play-maker by the player that he is. He is going to make plays on Saturday no matter what, but just knowing the overall scheme of the defense, he knows where the guys like me are going to be on every play, and he's going to use that to his advantage. He won't have to run all the way across the field, he knows somebody will be there; all he has to do is play his assignment. We're an assignment-sound defense. We all rely on each other to do their responsibilities, so he knows that now, and he's only going to become a football player not only physically, but mentally knowing our schemes now."