Q&A: UT’s Da’Rick Rogers says Georgia game is ’sort of personal’
Rogers
Tennessee wide receiver Da’Rick Rogers was an AJC Super 11 selection and the No. 1 prospect in the state Georgia for the Class of 2010. He was actually committed to the Georgia Bulldogs for seven months, from June 2009 until he flipped his commitment to the Vols in January of 2010. Now a sophomore, the Calhoun resident enters Saturday’s game against Georgia in Neyland Stadium as Tennessee’s No. 1 offensive threat. He leads the Vols in receptions (27) and receiving yards (442). Rogers talked to reporters on a teleconference call on Wednesday and here’s what he had to say. . . .
Q: Can you please remind folks about how you came to sign with Tennessee after being committed to Georgia for so long?
A: “Really I just came on a visit [to Knoxville] and I fell in love with the team and the city. I just really wanted to be a part of a program that was rebuilding and that’s what really changed it for me.”
Q: Did Georgia have any hints or signs that you were going to flip on them? Did you surprise the coaches when you switched to Tennessee?
A. “I don’t know. I don’t know about the coaches. They can feel however they might have felt. It was all for me. You know, I had to go where I could be happy and I’m in a great place now. I’m happy here.”
Q: Word is the people of Calhoun were pretty upset with your decision. Has your hometown gotten over that?
A: “Oh, yeah, they’ve calmed down. At first people were just bitter because I went to a rival school. But now it’s just like, ‘we’ll cheer for Da’Rick wherever he is. We’re still Georgia fans but we’ll just be Tennessee fans, too.’
Q: Have you exchanged any tweets or Facebook messages with Bacarri Rambo this year?
A: “No, none at all.”
Q: Do you get especially fired up for playing Georgia?
A: “Most definitely. It’s sort of personal, this game is. But I’ll just be taking it like any other game. It’ll be a team effort and we’ll come out and play hard against a good team and see where it ends.”
Q: You didn’t have much of an impact in last year’s game against Georgia. What kind of improvements have you made since last year to put you in the position you are now?
A: “Mainly just with route-running and speed off the ball. College and the SEC are all about how fast it is. Once I got a hang of that and got the playbook down pat, I was just able to play fast. And then it was about who’s the better athlete.”
Q: What was playing in Sanford Stadium like for you last year?
A: “It was sort of new, being booed by the whole stadium. That was new to me. It was crazy to hear that. It didn’t really affect me. It was just a new environment, a new thing. I’m ready this year. I’ve trained a lot harder. It’ll be a good game.”
Q: How excited you going to be on Saturday?
A: “Well, of course, we’ll all be excited. But I’m going to do a good job of keeping my team levelheaded and play well. I’m going to try to be a leader and be calm for the team and not let my emotions get to me.”
Q: How has your role changed since Justin Hunter went down with the knee injury against Florida?
A: “It really hasn’t changed that much. The objective is always to catch balls and score touchdowns. The thing is, I’m the go-to guy now and I know that. I just have to make plays when the ball is thrown to me.”
Q: What’s it like playing with Tyler Bray as quarterback?
A: “To be honest, it’s pretty easy. He usually puts the ball where it needs to be, where only I can get it. It’s pretty much as simple as that.”
Q: What has made Bray such a better quarterback this season?
A: “Really just his work ethic and his composure. His composure is through the roof now. Last year he didn’t say much in the huddle. This year he’s definitely a vocal leader and keeps everything calm in the huddle. He’s really worked on his composure this year.”
Q: What are your thoughts on Georgia’s defense?
A: “Really they’re just an athletic front. They play fast. They always run to the ball. They’re great athletes and they make plays.”
Q: Do you feel like there was more talk between these two teams last year?
A: “I think so. But I’m the kind of guy, I feed off any kind of energy, whether it be a negative or a positive I flip it to a positive. So, you know, trash talking and everything, it just makes the game more intense for the fans to watch and makes it a more fun environment.”
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248 comments Add your comment
WDE
October 5th, 2011
3:32 pm
Nothing to see here people move along…..
Where's Nash Nance?
October 5th, 2011
3:32 pm
Look’s real good holding that clipboard on the sidelines.
Win P
October 5th, 2011
3:33 pm
Atl-VOl @ 2:49pm., you made your point, however I don’t think education had anything to do with his decision. More likely his best friend’s father who wanted an education for his son was the over ridding factor.
dawggirl
October 5th, 2011
3:33 pm
“Crowell is simply a low class punk who will never grow into anything better. That’s the simple reality.”
And yet he’s earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors three times already this season.
McDawg
October 5th, 2011
3:35 pm
say helllo to Nancee for me
dawggirl
October 5th, 2011
3:38 pm
Oh okay. And Da ‘Rick is…Gandhi in disguise?
Robinwood
October 5th, 2011
3:41 pm
Rogers was a perfect fit for our previous Fulmer Cup-caliber classes. Given the definite change in culture of the team, he would be head of the class in the Energy Vampire category had he come to Athens.
Hahahah
October 5th, 2011
3:41 pm
The only reason he switched to hillbilly town is because Dooley is an ex Dawg and a lawyer who can get him out of jail.
Mad Dog One
October 5th, 2011
3:42 pm
@ class04 I had to read your blog a couple of times to see if you are a DOG fan or not. I’m still not sure it sure as he!! didn’t sound like it. What I saw last year was a good old UGA a$$ whipping. As always GO DOGS
fishook dawg
October 5th, 2011
3:42 pm
I guess that good character DaPrick has is the reason he’d led UGA on for almost a year and then when he got to UT, he gets locked up during a bar fight, but that good character of his kept him from getting suspended for zero games. No wonder he went to UT. Do that at UGA and he definitely would have been suspended.
DaPrick Nash
October 5th, 2011
3:44 pm
Man let me tell you, the money this cat is giving up is redunkulous. You see if I went to uga I would have cut off the money tree and since uga did not offer my boy I said no.
NCDAWG
October 5th, 2011
3:44 pm
Forgot how much I disliked this guy. I think before the year is up Malcom Mitchell willl help me forget about him completly, Go Dawgs!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 5th, 2011
3:44 pm
Hey Fabrizio,
Might wanna ask that off duty police officer that Da’Rick has. He may beg to differ with you since he was repeatedly kicked in the head breaking up a scuffle. Thats class I guess in Knoxville for ya..
INDawgfan
October 5th, 2011
3:45 pm
@Fabrizio. . . . .well then, I guess be prepared to get PUNK’D!! Go Dawgs!!
athdog
October 5th, 2011
3:45 pm
We got Marlon Brown, they got DaRick Rogers…..so far they win.
Marlon, when healthy, will even the score.
Fabrizio, ease up, dude…these are 18-19 year olds’ that you’re trashing. Do you know either one of them? I thought not.
Security Dawg…I’m sure the your God is proud of your attitude.
Yo
October 5th, 2011
3:46 pm
He was jealous of AJ Green and didn’t want to have to live up to those expectations.
ARdawg
October 5th, 2011
3:46 pm
I have to go the the consensus here Chip, Really, who fuggin cares?
Father Nance
October 5th, 2011
3:48 pm
Let me tell you all something. This kid is like gold to me. This is an investment into his future and I tell you it will pay me back 100 times over. Once he reaches the draft daddy gets his money back and a future career signing top talent.
AJC ALERT
October 5th, 2011
3:51 pm
Why on GODS earth did you do a story on this peckerhead? This kid lied to UGA for over a year!
me sistarr is more than me friend here in tennersay
October 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
da’trick//da’slick//da’prick//da’hick//da’sick//da’freak//da’lick//datick—what ever you call him
————–he is just one big a$$–hole——-mountain mutt
Yo
October 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
Dannon these classes are advanced courses at hillbilly hick town UTK
D BAG TROLLS!!!!
October 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
Dannon: YOU WIN!!!!!! D BAG OF THE DAY!!!!
INDawgfan
October 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
Come on now Dannon. . . . .let’s be real mature and put-down a kid we don’t know by lying about him. Well played my man. . . ..seriously!?
Destin Dawg
October 5th, 2011
3:57 pm
Dannon = GT… tickets are down to $9.00 for several home Tech games..
bittertooth-less wounders
October 5th, 2011
3:58 pm
@dannon————nice bac-cer chewer—–get back to your register at wal-mart—–and try and get
—————– saturday off so you can watch “CROW”–run up 200 yards on rocky tooth
sldkfjslk
October 5th, 2011
3:58 pm
Forget your personal feelings UGA fans. In case you haven’t noticed we sorely lack a secondary target at WR and would be a much better team with Rogers. Our top wideout is very good but against a good defense, which I don’t think we’ve faced since week 1, he can be neutralized. We need someone to step up. King has been disappointing and Brown has yet to contribute. We targeted Bradberry in the red zone two weeks ago to tell you how thin we are at WR. Richt should tell Branden Smith or Crowell to get over the need to wear the #1 jersey so we can have both on offense at the same time. But that would take putting your players in their place for the betterment of the program and that’s something Richt still can’t do. We wouldn’t have won the 2009 Carolina game without Smith’s contributions on offense.
ATL_Vol
October 5th, 2011
3:59 pm
Da’Rick didn’t have any involvement in the bar fight. That was Darren Myles Jr who assaulted an off duty police officer, and he was dismissed from UT.
Da’Rick has already been more productive in 16 games than Marlon Brown in 2.5 seasons. Take Marlon…David Ricky aka Da’Rick is much better. He’s a beast, and it will show Saturday. Take all your hate and animosity towards Tennessee and choke on it. We have more national titles, sec titles, all Americans, bowl wins and overall wins, we even have the head to head matchup. UGAy doesn’t compare to the greatness that is Tennessee.
1eyedJack
October 5th, 2011
4:00 pm
Grantham needs to put in a walk on to do a Jeff Gillooly on Da’Prick.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 5th, 2011
4:02 pm
ATL_VOL
Sorry to burst your bubble…kick, hit, punch, whatever you wanna call it.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2010/jul/14/report-rogers-tried-to-hit-man/
bitter tooth-less wounders
October 5th, 2011
4:02 pm
WALKER—bates———————WALKER—bates——————hahahahahah—–mountain mutts
BILLY JACK
October 5th, 2011
4:05 pm
HE TALKS ABOUT HIMSELF IN THE 3RD PERSON GOOD GRIEF-WHAT A CLASSLESS PUNK HOPEFULLY UGA WILL SHUT HIS MOUTH GOOD ON SAT.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 5th, 2011
4:05 pm
I also believe it was in Knoxville where the great saying was first spoken of Vol Nation. “UT, where the men are men and the sheep are scared.” Dont forget to mention that in the great loire of UT history.
bitter tooth-less wounders
October 5th, 2011
4:05 pm
who picks orange for team colors——————DA’slick——look out—–just like last year—
——————————————————RAMBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BILLY JACK
October 5th, 2011
4:10 pm
What a waste of newspaper space,at least Chip didnt mention his no talent friend in the piece.
Taj Boyd
October 5th, 2011
4:11 pm
If I was in UT we be undefeated like we are in Clempsun. Boy those hicks sure be smart. Which Vowel will start playing dueling banjo’s first after UGA whips you boys? Then they bring out that mmonshine and drown our there sorrows but I coulda been a Vowel just not good enough for you tweekers.
BoykinWillShutHImDown
October 5th, 2011
4:11 pm
@Vols2thaWall it had nothing to do with Da’rick like Tennessee better. It was all about his boyfriend Nash Nance.
INDawgfan
October 5th, 2011
4:11 pm
@sldkfjslk
Be patient. We have some good quality YOUNG Wrs this year. Of course he would be a great addition and I agree about having B.Smith on the offense, however, just wait. Those young WRs will come along. This team has improved from day 1 up until now and will continue to do so.
DawginLex
October 5th, 2011
4:12 pm
Nah Dannon
Here are IC’s classes:
1.)Punking you if you try and tackle him
2.)Punking you for thinking about tackling him
3.)Leaving your jock strap on the field when he punks you for trying to tackle him
4.)Stealing your girlfriend because she wants to be with a winner
5.)Repeat class 1-4
old Dawg
October 5th, 2011
4:12 pm
they wear Orange so they can go to the games on Parole… and collect garbage on Mon. A.M. without changing… Fat women too…. Knoxville ’s not a cool place…
DawginLex
October 5th, 2011
4:13 pm
Sucky top
you’ll always beeeee
2nd Rate to meeeee
Vile ole’ Sucky Top
Peeeeewwwwwww!!
Sucky Top Tennerseeee
Have you got your GED???
OkieDawg
October 5th, 2011
4:14 pm
Da’Rick and Duh’Nash were a package deal. Speaking of Duh’ Nash, is he still at UT?
Frank Lane
October 5th, 2011
4:14 pm
Fabrizio, you are the one who is a low-classed punk. At least IMHO.
DawginLex
October 5th, 2011
4:14 pm
Road crew
Hunting
Football game
Wardrobe never changes
Including underwear. I’ve sat next to some of them……………..
Taj Boyd
October 5th, 2011
4:15 pm
Yeah Nancy Nash is Da’Ricks roommate in Knoxvegas. I wonder who gets the top bunk?
henry from TN
October 5th, 2011
4:17 pm
the vols are gonna upset the dogs on sat.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 5th, 2011
4:20 pm
Henry,
Get back to your job as the tour guide in Rock City. You know the place in Tennessee where you can see seven states. Yep, thats Tennessee for ya.
Columbus
October 5th, 2011
4:23 pm
Shut him down I say. he left UGA hanging out to dry without warning. He made his choice and so be it. Now he will pay for this choice. UGA defense wins this game….Tenn has no defense
Jim Tressel
October 5th, 2011
4:28 pm
After Mr. Rogers bar fight, he would fit in nicely at Ohio State.
Barbara Dooley
October 5th, 2011
4:29 pm
To all the UT fans,
Don’t leave at halftime when your down like you did against Oregon last year. My son is a good coach!
EDawg71
October 5th, 2011
4:33 pm
I’ll take Mitchell over this clown anyday. It’s personal??? If it’s personal, then you made it personal.