 | | UNLV wide receiver Ryan Wolfe will chat with fans on Wednesday. |
UNLV wide receiver and All-America candidate Ryan Wolfe held a live chat with fans Wednesday. The senior wide out and the Rebels are preparing for their 2009 season opener against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sept. 5, with kickoff slated for 7:05 p.m. (PT) |
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 |  | UNLV Moderator: Fans -- We will start our chat with Ryan Wolfe in about 10 minutes. You can submit questions during the chat as well, and Wolfe will try and get to as many as he can. |
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| Santa Clarita: So this year there are a lot of returners on the offense, what do you think is the strongest part of the offensive unit this year the "Big Ez's" up front, the recievers, the quarterbacks, or running backs? |
 | | Ryan Wolfe: First of all, thanks for all the questions. Should be a fun chat. To answer your question, the entire offense as a whole is coming together nicely. The returners and seniors at each position group have done a good job to bring the new players along to give us good depth in all areas. |
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| Dave (Summerlin): I'm sure every player wants to have a successful season, but what is the motivation level for you (and the team) to get to a Bowl Game this year? |
 | | Ryan Wolfe: That is one of our number one priorities, is to put ourselves in position to play in a bowl game. At the same time, it is important to make sure we are ready each week and not get ahead of ourselves and look down the line too soon. The first step is to get to 1-0 following Sacramento State this weekend. |
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| Tricia (Henderson, NV): Ryan, you are one of my favorite Rebels to watch. How is the team getting ready for the first game Saturday against Sacramento State? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Thanks for the support! Our main focus at this point is to be mentally engaged in our preparation. In the first week's game anything can happen on the field, so we have to be ready for anything that Sacramento State throws at us. It will be great to open up at home in front of our fans. |
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| Khillar Wolfe, Stevenson Ranch: When are you coming home? I miss you! |
| | Ryan Wolfe: For those of you out there, I have a cat at home named Khillar who is obviously very good at submitting questions for chats. Hopefully I won't be able to come home until after Christmas break because we will have a 13th game to play in! |
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| Dan (LV): Hey Ryan, a few years ago we saw you throw the ball (Randle El style). Can we look for any throws this year? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: That pass play to Casey Flair against Wyoming last year was a lot of fun. I am willing to do anything I can to contribute to the success of the offense. That is what makes playing in Coach Sanford's offense fun. |
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| Bill B. (Boulder City): Mr. Wolfe, what is your favorite moment as a Rebel so far? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Without question it would be the Arizona State game last year. It is always fun to go into an opposing team's stadium where only us Rebels knew we had a chance to win. What made it even more special was big-time players making big-time plays, like Phillip's catch and Malo's game-winning blocked field goal. |
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| Roy Elia (Walla Walla, Wash.): How has the physical and mental approach of this year's Rebel team - leading up to a season opener - compared to past years? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: First off, physically I think our offseason workouts have been the best since I have been here. This has prepared us to be bigger, faster and stronger this year. Mentally, I feel like this team is much more mature than past years. The seniors have taken it upon themselves to make sure the team comes prepared and ready to work its hardest each and every day. That includes watching film on our own and doing the little things it takes to win. |
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| Greg M (Henderson): Which Mountain West city/stadium do you most enjoy playing at and why? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Besides Sam Boyd Stadium of course, I would say either BYU or Utah. You can always expect a packed house, and the intensity and emotion of the fans is motivating as a player. |
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| Jeff: I know as a football player you don't get a lot of time off, but what do you do in your spare time? Do you go to any of the many concerts or shows Las Vegas has? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Despite what most people think, I don't get out to see a lot of the shows or walk The Strip. When I do have down time during the season, I like to watch movies and relax. |
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| joe (fresno ca): hi ryan, i think u are a great player and im glad you have had so much success during you college career. how have ur pop warner and high school teams and teammates prepared for college and become the player u are today??? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: If this is the same Joe from my Pop Warner days when I was a back-up quarterback, taking snaps from you developed my hand-eye coordination, which has helped me to be a better receiver in my Rebel career. |
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| James (Las vegas): Ryan, First off congratulations on a great Rebel career I know we'll see big things from you this year. What is the biggest difference you see about this years defense vs. the defense from last year? You've practiced against them the whole summer, what improvements have been made from what you have seen personally? GO REBELS!!!! |
| | Ryan Wolfe: The returners we have in our front seven will really help solidify the interior of our defense. Jason Beauchamp and Ronnie Paulo have had great camps and I expect them to make a lot of plays on the field. With the new additions in the secondary, there is great competition amongst our team, which will help to bring out the best in everyone competing for playing time. Throughout camp it was a lot harder to win competitions against the No. 1 defense. |
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| Richie -- Las Vegas: ryan, who is the toughest DB you have ever played against in college? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: I would say that Rafael Priest of TCU is one of the best corners that I have faced and will have to face this year. He has started every game since his freshman year and with TCU's physical style of defense, he has a chance to make a lot of plays. He has a combination of speed and strength. |
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| Matt (Fort Collins): Ryan, congratulations on a great career so far. What's the limit on Clayton's potential? He's been great so far but so you think he still has a lot of room to grow? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Omar has really worked hard in the offseason to get himself physically ready for 2009. He is probably the toughest player I have ever played with. He has the ability to get outside the pocket and make difficult throws, which helps us receivers make more plays. |
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| | UNLV Moderator: Ryan will answer a couple more questions before he has to head out. The questions have been great so far! |
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| Brady, Las Vegas: How will not having Casey Flair on the field with you for the first time affect you and the offense? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: Casey was the emotional leader of the offense the past three years and he leaves big shoes to try and fill. It is up to the seniors, myself included, of the team to follow the lead that he has set. I attribute my hard work, attitude and professionalism to watching how hard Casey worked every day. |
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| Nancy (Palm Bay, Fla): How is your 40-time coming. What are you hearing about the NFL Draft? |
| | Ryan Wolfe: I ran my fastest 40 this spring but still have room for improvement. The NFL Draft is the furthest thing from my mind at this point. This team is focused and ready for this first week, and all I am thinking about is Sacramento State. |
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| | Ryan Wolfe: Thanks for all the great questions. Hope to see a lot of Rebel Red at the home opener this Saturday night! |
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| | UNLV Moderator: Hope everyone enjoyed chatting with Rebel senior wide receiver and All-America candidate Ryan Wolfe. Tickets are still available for Saturday's season opener against the Hornets of Sacramento State, with kickoff at Sam Boyd Stadium scheduled for 7:05. For ticket information call 739-FANS. |
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