Colorado University Athletics
Defensive Backs Ready To Lead
BOULDER -- As the University of Colorado football team is immersed in the middle of spring practices, one of the aspects that everyone is interested in is the progress at various positions, and the defensive backs are no exception. With a nice blend of talent, depth and experience, the group will be looked upon to help anchor the defense this year.
GÇ£WeGÇÖve got some players back who have proven themselves on the field as being good players,GÇ¥ passing game coordinator/secondary coach Greg Brown said. GÇ£We have some good depth and we feel like weGÇÖre on track to be leaders on defense and that we should wear that mantle with pride.GÇ¥
The defensive backs are intriguing because of the people involved, they have a ton of experience at various levels and it all starts at the top. Besides Brown, who has NFL coaching experience, defensive technical intern Ashley Ambrose is also on staff. Ambrose canGÇÖt directly coach, but he brings experience in the form of a successful 13 year career in the NFL at cornerback. He played for coach Brown for part of his career.
Playing in the pass happy Big 12, having a reliable secondary is essential. Despite losing their two primary starting safeties in Ryan Walters and Daniel Dykes from 2008, the Buffs return two young safeties that were able to gain experience early in their respective careers in Anthony Perkins and Patrick Mahnke.
GÇ£(Perkins) is smart,GÇ¥ coach Brown said. GÇ£He started in a number of big games for us last year, he was a backup to Ryan Walters, but Ryan was also injured and missed a number of games, so he answered the bell. HeGÇÖs a heads-up player, he has ball skills, he knows what heGÇÖs doing and heGÇÖll tackle.GÇ¥
Mahnke should see the field opposite of Perkins, as he really came on at the end of last year and proved that he is capable of playing against the better teams in the Big 12.
GÇ£A big smile comes to my face when we talk about Pat Mahnke,GÇ¥ coach Brown said. GÇ£He was a true freshman last year; we didnGÇÖt have the luxury of redshirting him because we were very thin at safety. It paid dividends towards the end of the year because he started playing and he played all of the last two games against Oklahoma State and Nebraska?and really performed well. He can make big plays, heGÇÖs smart, heGÇÖs tough and he still has three more years of eligibility.GÇ¥
At the corner, the Buffs return three of their top four cornerbacks from a year ago, as they lost Gardner McKay to graduation but return ChaGÇÖpelle Brown, Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith. In addition to returning those three, senior Benjamin Burney will return to the mix after missing all of 2008 due to five offseason surgeries (the surgeries were performed on both shoulders, both wrists and one knee).
GÇ£Ben is a very good player for us,GÇ¥ coach Brown explained. GÇ£He is a very solid corner, he started the entire 2007 season opposite (former CU standout and current New England Patriot) Terrence Wheatley. That meant that Ben was going to get his fair share of throws in his direction and he more than held his own. WeGÇÖre excited to get him back.GÇ¥
ChaGÇÖpelle Brown is coming off of a season in which he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and has seen extensive playing time during his first three seasons on the team. He was the teamGÇÖs primary nickel back defender during his freshman and sophomore campaigns before becoming a full-time starter last year.
GÇ£ChaGÇÖpelle Brown is a baller,GÇ¥ coach Brown explained. GÇ£HeGÇÖs a gym rat, whatever term you want to use, the guy can flat out play. WeGÇÖre a better team when heGÇÖs on the field every single snap because chances are when heGÇÖs out there; heGÇÖs going to make something happen.GÇ¥
Jalil Brown is going into his junior season, and is fairly experienced after earning his way into the cornerback rotation last fall.
GÇ£Jalil Brown is a big corner,GÇ¥ coach Brown explained. GÇ£HeGÇÖs a big corner who can run, heGÇÖs got good feet and heGÇÖs tough and he played a fair number of plays for us last year. WeGÇÖre looking for big things out of him in the future.GÇ¥
Jimmy Smith is probably the Buffs most imposing defensive back and his unmatched combination of physical tools and skill set is sure to start getting some serious attention from NFL scouts.
GÇ£He is blessed with tools,GÇ¥ coach Brown said. GÇ£For somebody to have the height that heGÇÖs got, the strength of his body and the speed that heGÇÖs got, itGÇÖs rare. Jimmy has ball skills, heGÇÖs smart, heGÇÖs tough, heGÇÖll tackle, heGÇÖs got unlimited potential in his future, he really does.GÇ¥
Additionally, the coaches are excited to get Paul
Vigo on the field. Vigo signed with CU on signing
day 2008 but delayed his enrollment until January. The teamGÇÖs
depth at safety also got a needed boost when Ray
Polk, a four-star running back out of high school, made
the position switch the offseason. He is out rehabbing during
the spring but is expected back by the fall camp.