Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: DBs Climb The Charts
August 09, 2009 | Football, B.G. Brooks
BOULDER - Since 2003, when Colorado ranked 114th nationally in pass defense, it's been a long, tedious climb out of the dungeon.
The Buffaloes aren't completely free of it yet, but they're methodically clawing their way towards sunlight. And what's even more impressive, they're doing it in a conference that's top-heavy with top-tier quarterbacks, guys who look at 400 air yards and five touchdown passes as an average Saturday between (or above) the hash marks.
Since straggling home at No. 114 six seasons ago, CU's pass defense has checked in with the following finishes:
- 2004 - No. 105.
- 2005 - No. 87.
- 2006 - No. 94.
- 2007 - No. 73.
- 2008 - No. 72.
The Buffs' ranking last season topped the Big 12 Conference, and they accomplished it with what was, at best, a moderate pass rush (CU's 23 QB sacks was seventh in the league).
The goal this season is to be at least that air-tight while strengthening the run defense (ninth in the Big 12 at 166.2 yards a game). A deep and talented linebacker corps should help in that pursuit, as should a secondary that on paper appears as experienced and brimming with potential as any position coach Greg Brown has had in his second CU tour.
But Brown is wary of paper trails, untapped potential and the gunslingers behind center that litter Big 12 rosters.
"We have some depth, but it can be a little misleading at some spots," he said. "Everybody who's watched us play knows that (corner) Jimmy Smith has a world of talent.
"But when you think about it, he only has three starts under his belt. That's it - three."
Then, he proceeds to tick off the career starts by his other front line corners - six for Jalil Brown, 15 for Ben Burney (13 of them in 2007), 24 for Cha'pelle Brown (at least half as a "nickel" back as a freshman and sophomore).
Added Greg Brown: "But you've got to say, 'Hey, Cha'pelle had a significant injury bug this spring and basically missed our spring.' And you've got to get him totally clear and see where he is right now."
By his account and most others, Cha'pelle Brown has regained the weight he lost and is in peak condition. His importance to the defense can't be overstated and is best illustrated by a pre-camp survey the defensive coaches and football office personnel were given by head coach Dan Hawkins.
In a ranking of the top 15 players on each side of the ball, Cha'pelle Brown was a near unanimous choice on defense. It wasn't surprising considering his contributions last season (see Stat line below).
But Cha'pelle Brown isn't his coach's only steady hand in the secondary. Smith, at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, could be the lockdown corner CU needs to cope with the Big 12's weekly diet of dynamic receivers.
Jalil Brown, last season's special teams points leader; Travis Sandersfield, another special teams mainstay; and Burney, back from multiple surgeries that sidelined him in 2008, are expected to be major contributors.
At the safeties, sophomores Anthony Perkins and Patrick Mahnke each saw late-season duty in 2008 filling in for injured seniors D.J. Dykes and Ryan Walters.
Both gained valuable experience during the last month of the season, but Greg Brown again turns wary about overhyping the Perkins/Mahnke duo.
"The experience (last season) was huge for both 'Perk' and Patrick, but we're also going to temper that by saying 'Perk' started only four games - they were significant games - and Mahnke started one," Greg Brown said.
"We're thin at safety as far as guys who have started in their careers - that's kind of flip-flopped from a year ago when we had Walters and D.J. and they had all those starts under their belts."
Players Greg Brown was anxious to see once camp opened included corners Anthony Wright, who missed spring drills with a knee injury, and Paul Vigo, a 2008 signee who grayshirted, and incoming freshmen Deji Olatoye, a corner, and Parker Orms, a safety.
Both of the incoming freshmen received good reviews by the veterans during the summer's seven-on-seven passing work.
Olatoye, who impressed his future position coach in high school tapes featuring run support, appears to be a Jimmy Smith clone - tall and rangy with an impressive wingspan.
Olatoye said his long reach plays well for him in coverage: "Because of my long arms, if I get beat, I'm not totally beat because the quarterback has to make that perfect throw . . . I'm probably better in man; the biggest thing I have to work on is my 'off' man, eight yards off, and my reads."
And then there's Ray Polk, the celebrated 2008 running back signee who asked to switch to safety last winter but missed spring drills after undergoing surgery on both shoulders.
Polk also had surgery in May to correct sleep apnea and lost weight while being bed-ridden for two weeks. He's gained the poundage back, though, and said he's ready to begin challenging the learning curve associated with a position switch.
"It was good to have it all done; I'm definitely happy about it," Polk said of his surgeries.
He concedes there is ground to be made up, but added, "I think I can compete pretty fast, and I'm excited about it. I know I've got a long road ahead of me, that's for sure. But I think I can make up a lot of ground in this camp."
Greg Brown believes it, too: "He was a heck of a defensive player in high school. He's got the mentality and the genes; his father was drafted and played in the NFL as a defensive back, so there's some defense in Ray's blood. We're excited to get him."
Polk hasn't had any regrets about pursuing defense instead of offense.
"I haven't had a second thought yet," he said. "I'm really happy I made the switch. I'm ready to have a good time."
THE LOWDOWN ON . . .
Secondary
Coach: Greg Brown, seventh season overall at CU, fourth under Dan Hawkins.
Returning starters: LCB Jimmy Smith, RCB Cha'pelle Brown, FS Anthony Perkins, SS Patrick Mahnke.
Returnees:Â LCB Jalil Brown, Jonathan Hawkins, Anthony Wright; RCB Benjamin Burney, Paul Vigo, Arthur Jaffe, Steven Hicks; FS Travis Sandersfield, Bret Smith, Erik Manarino; SS Vince Ewing, Matt Meyer, Ray Polk.
Newcomers: CB Deji Olatoye, S Parker Orms.
Key losses: S Ryan Walters, D.J. Dykes, Joel Adams; CB Gardner McKay.
Stat line: Among the 2008 DBs, Cha'pelle Brown trailed Walters (graduated) 87-84 in total tackles. But the prolific Brown led the team in third-down stops (14) and passes broken up (10), was tied for the lead in interceptions (2), and contributed six tackles for loss (one QB sack). He also had four TD-saving tackles, three QB hurries and a forced fumble. Yeah, a pretty fair season.
Bottom line: The Buffs led the pass-happy Big 12 in pass defense last season, surrendering 215.3 yards a game and 16 touchdowns. They'll try to maintain that spot this season, but improving run defense (ninth in the league) has been prioritized, which could put more of a single coverage burden on the corners in certain situations. That's a delicate balance CU is hoping to achieve, but the secondary's returning experience and Greg Brown's tutelage can make it work.
NEXT: RUNNING BACKS
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
