Q & A with Joe Haden
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:42 am
Joe Haden came to Florida expecting to play wide receiver but when asked, he jumped at the chance to play corner. After a freshman season where there were the typical ups and downs, Haden is off to a tremendous start as the Gators begin their preparations for 2008. He has the look of a playmaker now, not the look of a kid trying to feel his way through each game. Gator Country caught up with him for a few minutes after practice Wednesday.
JEFF SQUIRES: Do you think the secondary is better than it was at this point last year?
JOE HADEN: Definitely. A whole lot better. It’s a whole different secondary [because of] experience. We know what’s going on. We’re not afraid to jump routes and we’re not afraid to play aggressive, and that’s what we’re doing now.
JS: Is the secondary going to be all right at the safety position due to the lack of depth?
JH: We’re not really worried about it. We’ve got Major [Wright] and he can play the whole game. He can do what he needs to do, and we’ve got Ahmad Black, Will Hill, T.J. [Lawrence] and them boys. Ahmad Black is doing real well, so confidence is up.
JS: Does the defense need to match the level of productivity of the offense?
JH: Definitely, because they held it down for us last year, so we just want to even it out. Then we can have a complete team.
JS: The defense forced 11 interceptions last year. Are you going to top that number?
JH: I’m looking for 11. Me and Wondy [Pierre-Louis] are looking for 11 each.
JS: What was the toughest workout your father made you do?
JH: I don’t even know—think every workout I did with my dad was hard…ever since 7th grade, all the way through my senior year.
JS: What’s it like being the oldest brother of a football family?
JH: It feels good, just trying to lead by example. I talk to my brother who plays at Boston College [Josh Haden] all the time about what he’s going through.
JS: What schools do younger brother and 2010 recruit Jordan like?
JH: He likes Florida a whole lot. He plays safety and outside linebacker. I talked to him earlier today. He likes it here and he also likes Illinois.
JEFF SQUIRES: Do you think the secondary is better than it was at this point last year?
JOE HADEN: Definitely. A whole lot better. It’s a whole different secondary [because of] experience. We know what’s going on. We’re not afraid to jump routes and we’re not afraid to play aggressive, and that’s what we’re doing now.
JS: Is the secondary going to be all right at the safety position due to the lack of depth?
JH: We’re not really worried about it. We’ve got Major [Wright] and he can play the whole game. He can do what he needs to do, and we’ve got Ahmad Black, Will Hill, T.J. [Lawrence] and them boys. Ahmad Black is doing real well, so confidence is up.
JS: Does the defense need to match the level of productivity of the offense?
JH: Definitely, because they held it down for us last year, so we just want to even it out. Then we can have a complete team.
JS: The defense forced 11 interceptions last year. Are you going to top that number?
JH: I’m looking for 11. Me and Wondy [Pierre-Louis] are looking for 11 each.
JS: What was the toughest workout your father made you do?
JH: I don’t even know—think every workout I did with my dad was hard…ever since 7th grade, all the way through my senior year.
JS: What’s it like being the oldest brother of a football family?
JH: It feels good, just trying to lead by example. I talk to my brother who plays at Boston College [Josh Haden] all the time about what he’s going through.
JS: What schools do younger brother and 2010 recruit Jordan like?
JH: He likes Florida a whole lot. He plays safety and outside linebacker. I talked to him earlier today. He likes it here and he also likes Illinois.