I watched a video of the internet boys interviewing Newton this morning...love his attitude. Here is the session for the most part.
Asked about being named starter...
first off, I'm thankful and grateful to have this opportunity to be named starter after Spring evaluation. Hard work and dedication was the main focus for me. But I'm just blessed to be in the situation that I am....I can't just put all the credit on me...a lot of guys on the team push me to be at my best....coaches as well. I'm just happy to where I'm at right now.
What were your emotions when you first found out...
you can't even imagine. I felt jittery...I didn't know what to do. Did he want me to say something...just see the reaction on my face? I wanted to smile, but I didn't want to smile because he'd think I was joking around. I was happy inside, I was full of joy...words can't even explain how I felt. But this is, this is not the end of a road.....if anything the microscope gets more focused on what I do on and off the field...so I'm gonna need 100% focus all throughout on whatever it is I'm doing
Does your roll change now? More leadership?
I won't change what I've already been doing. I won't put anymore to what's already on my back...you know, no unneeded pressure. I'm just going to continue doing what I've been trying to do....and that's just lead by example. I'm not gonna go outside my means or my persona to do something or be something I'm not, so I;m just gonna do what I've done that's worked so far (he says all of that with a very humble demeanor too)
Was there a time in the Spring when you were concerned about not being named the starter?
No, I wasn't concerned, not at all. That didn't cross my mind, not once. It was just....I'm just trying to do my part....because, if I think I, at any time, needed to focus on if I'm starting or not....that's selfish on my part. I just wanted to go out and get better and make people around me better....so we can get ready and you know, and produce.
Do you feel like you've picked up a lot of the offense?
In the short time that I was here, you know, I think I did an okay job. I think I could have done better with a lot of stuff....with a lot more stuff than I did, but it's not over yet...I'm gonna continually get better daily whether in the film room or physically
Did you think it was a closed issue until August? Any indication?
This was a surprise to me. I didn't know...you know, it wasn't marked on everyone's calendar, we're gonna name the starter or let the media know what the starter....it was new to me....they told me yesterday
Chizick said that Malzahn coached you hard this Spring....was Gus tough on you?
Uhhh, that's coach Malzahn from what I've heard (with a smile). He's had a lot of former players come back and...to my surprise, they say he's gotten nicer (laughter). So I would be curious to see how he was before....but I like the way Coach Malzahn's approach to coaching is....I mean...in my eyes, if he's not that hard on me, I don't see myself getting better.
Did you have a chance to talk to Neil afterward, or anyone?
I think the whole overall vibe I got from the team is they're behind me 100%....I've talked to Barrett, Clint, all the guys....you know, it's nothing I see as being a problem. I hope to God it's not a problem....I don't sense that from anybody, by no means....you know, I've been getting a lot of nudges to push me to success
So you feel the teams reaction was positive?
Yes, well, that's my sense of it (hesitantly)...if not, I haven't seen it or heard it
Does this change anything you planned on doing this summer?
Oh no, if anything I've gotta turn the knobs a little bit up....because, you know my plate load has just been increased....but as far as my strategy as how to motivate the team or anything, that's not gonna change. As far as the pressure on myself...or, or what I expect of myself...that goes up a lot more.
Is the toughest part going to be getting from now to September? Anxiousness waiting to finally be starting in the SEC?
You could say it. But you know, it's just a day to day thing that, when I go to sleep at night...am I happy with what I put in that day....that specific day....did I get better, you know, in watching film, being around the guys, throwing the ball, accuracy. It's a whole lot of things I can work on. I just want to be comfortable sleeping at night knowing I did the most I could
Considering you got here in January, could you have scripted it any better?
Nope. It's just a work from God. I'm so blessed to be in this whole situation. I owe it all to God
I know it's hard to pick up on demeanor and tone in just reading the quotes, but he just seems so humble and grounded. When he's answering questions about how he won the job or he's a leader...he almost seems uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable with the role, but uncomfortable talking about himself in the role. Or when asked if the team was behind him, he didn't just boldly pronounce he's the leader of the free world. He answered the question, but without a hint of pride.
I just like the guy. Love the attitude, work ethic, and focus.
Now win some games!
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