Moderator

  (1:52 PM)

Good afternoon, everybody. We'll get started with Coach Scelfo shortly. Keep sending in those questions and away we'll go!

Chris Scelfo

  (1:58 PM)

Hello everybody, glad to be here today and ready for your Green Wave football questions!

Josh: Senatobia, MS

Being an Ole Miss student let me just say good luck against MSU this season. How do you feel about the new C-USA?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:00 PM)

Well, thanks Josh. The new realignment will be more beneficial to Tulane from the standpoint of parity and competative equality in teams like SMU, Tulsa and Rice.

Pearl River,La.

Your recruiting seems to be the best in years, Is it you or the other coaches? Just kidding, i know it's you. How are our new recruits doing as a group?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:01 PM)

Recruiting is obviously a team effort and Tulane University does a lot to sell itself. We were very fortunate to sign some of the players this year. I'm really looking forward to watching them grow and develop and I'm sure they will be a great addition to our football team.

Josh (Pittsburgh, Pa)

Coach...first off, good luck in 2004. And my question for you is concerning the QB position (you've been Blessed with Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman) but who is your starter or front runner heading into the Miss State game and do they feel a sense of pressure because of the previous sucess of your QB's?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:03 PM)

Josh, the last three QBS have all been a 2nd round NFL draft choice or higher, so sure, they have raised the bar. I think all three of the guys battling -- Anthony Cannon, Lester Ricard and Richard Irvin all have the ability to reach that level, it's just a matter of their ability to understand out offensive philosophies. That will determine who gets the start.

Ricky (Venice, CA)

Coach Scelfo, Can you talk a little bit about the veteran skill player Lyneal Strain and the role he has taken working with a new starting QB?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:04 PM)

Ricky, I'd like for you to find me another QB out there in Venice like the last one we had! Lyneal is making some progress, he has a great attitude and great work ethic. There are some guys in line in front of him right now but he is a great asset and very beneficial to our football team.

Tony, New Orleans

Hey Coach, could you fill us in on the depth on the offensive line, and also a couple of players I have seen in practice...Josh Lumar and Michael Cox. Thanks.

Chris Scelfo

  (2:05 PM)

The depth of our OLine is a deep as it's been since I've been here. Josh Lumar, Michael Cox both are outstanding additions to our team and both are in position to contribute this fall.

Chris (Louisiana)

Besides LSU, who's the second best team in Louisiana this year?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:06 PM)

(laughing) Well, I think this season needs to play itself out before that decision is made.

Joe(Hammond, LA)

Hello Coach! The big question. How does the run defense appear to be shaping up for this season?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:07 PM)

It is something that we've worked hard on during this camp. We must improve on it, we're further along than we were last year b/c we don't have a receiver playing defensive end and a third team O-Lineman playing defensive tackle. We are banged up in that unit right now, but the forecast calls for most of them being ready to go by September 4.

Tyler (Columbia, MO)

If you could join one of the six BCS conferences, which would you join and why?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:08 PM)

Well Tyler, we have our hands full where we are right now. I think all the conferences are very demanding and tough from top to bottom.

Phil (New Orleans)

Hi Coach, I've got two questions: 1. Are there any plans to work Fred Smith more into the offense? With his speed, he could be devastating handling the ball. 2. What are your thoughts on the university hiring a band director and the rebirth of the Tulane Marching Band?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:09 PM)

Fred Smith willl play an important role in our O this year due to the loss of Christian Smith. He will also play a part in our special teams units. AND. .. I can't wait for the first time we score a touchdown to yell, "Strike up the band!"

Chris (Memphis, TN)

Have you given any thought to the historical significance of the Mississippi State game (Sylvester Croom's first at MSU) in Starkville on Sept. 4 or is it just another season opener for you? We'll do our best to make you feel welcome.

Chris Scelfo

  (2:11 PM)

Well, Chris. B/c Sylvester won't be out on the field playing, we haven't given that aspect of of the game any thought. As they say, 95% of people at the wedding go to see the bride ... 5% go to see the groom -- obviously, that will be us.

Wil (Atlanta, GA)

Coach, do you still have any ties to UGA & is there a chance there might be a Tulane & Georgia matchup in the future? Thanks & good luck this season.

Chris Scelfo

  (2:12 PM)

Well, Wil, I do have several ties in Georgia still. That's a very special place for me and my family. UGA is still a part of my family. I'm very proud of the way they have excelled there at UGA and I really hope it continues.

Joey, New orleans

Coach, any plans to use Spincer as a rush end?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:13 PM)

There are no plans to use Brandon Spincer as a rush end. Our plan is to develop him as a safety in our defensive scheme.

Joe(Atlanta, Ga)

Coach why type of season do you expect out of Sean Lucas?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:14 PM)

Joe, Sean Lucas has been one of our most consistant players as a Fr and Soph. He's from Stevenson HS in Atlanta and he is expected to have an outstanding year -- not only from my perspective, but from HIS. That is what makes Sean such an outstanding football player.

Mr. Bill, New Orleans

Coach, has Adam Wood left the team, and if he has, who besides Ian Miller can play fullback?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:16 PM)

Adam Wood did leave the team to concetrate on getting into medical school. Our starting fullback Tye Graham has been medically disqualified, so we're looking at Ian Miller to start along with Zach Viuf who has moved from tailback to fill that void.

Lance Manion, New Orleans, LA

i think it's a good idea that tulane plays a game in the smaller city park stadium. why don't you guys play all your games there? 20,000 fans looks MUCH better in that stadium than it does in the cavernous Superdome, don't you agree?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:17 PM)

Well, City Park Stadium isn't conducive to host a college football game week in and week out. It was built as a track stadium, so to get it ready for one game a year is a tremendous task. Our players really enjoy playing in the Superdome ... and hopefully we can put 40,000 in there so it doesn't look so cavernous.

Woody..Austin,tx

Please comment on your new defensive assistants good luck for a sucessful and healthy season...

Chris Scelfo

  (2:19 PM)

Thanks for your question Woody and good luck to your Longhorns. The d-assistants -- Billy D and Coach Z -- both bring tremendous technique and fundamental knowledge that our team needs as much as anything at this point. Both guys have proven that they are outstanding teachers and will be a big benefit to our defense.

Mimi, New Orlean

Please comment on the freshman tight end Ratcliff, he looks like a stud.

Chris Scelfo

  (2:21 PM)

Secratariat looked like a stud when he was a colt ... so you've got good eyes, Mimi. He really is a good player.

Joe(Hammond LA)

Coach, will any players be redshirted this year to concentrate on academics besides the one receiver I've read about a few weeks ago?

Chris Scelfo

  (2:21 PM)

Right now Christian Smith is the only one that we have, but we are still waiting on final summer school grades which will be announced in the middle/end of next week.

Sean (Austin,TX)

Coach, Tulane alumnus here, with the loss of both Losman and Moore, how will the Wave compensate to try to get to another Liberty Bowl? "Roll Wave Roll!"

Chris Scelfo

  (2:23 PM)

Well, Sean, thanks for keeping up the support from Austin. Our goal starting out every year is to get to that Liberty Bowl. We are hoping to acheive the level of success that you and all of our Tulane fans want and DESERVE without compromising our academic standards.

Chris Scelfo

  (2:25 PM)

Thanks for all of your interest in Tulane. I look forward to playing on ESPN September 4!