Defensive back starts to flash glimpses of potential in starting role
By Jay Heater
BERKELEY - The timing finally is right for Cal free safety Thomas DeCoud. Coming to Cal from Pinole Valley High School in 2003, DeCoud was football eye-candy the first day he walked onto the Berkeley campus. Tall (6-foot-3) and muscular (190 pounds), DeCoud was exactly the kind of defensive back that college coaches drool over -- big enough to cover the Pac-10's physically dominant wide receivers and fast enough to stick to some of the nation's swiftest athletes. But there was that little thing about timing. According to Cal's coaching staff, learning the college game and adjusting to the Bears' system left DeCoud with a half-second's worth of indecision, the kind that prevented him from imposing his physical will.
So when DeCoud twisted his knee during preseason camp in 2005, Bears defensive coordinator Bob Gregory decided to shift cornerback Harrison Smith back to free safety. It was DeCoud's third season at Cal and, already, he appeared to be a bit overdue to land a starting job. "It was one of those little hits that you have to take in stride," DeCoud said. He took the hit and spent last season in a familiar role, that of key special teams player and part-time defensive back. It was an important role (he has blocked six kicks during his career), but it was short of his own expectations to become an every-down, impact player. The clock on his career was ticking.
So when DeCoud finally lined up for his first career start against Tennessee on Saturday, no one knew what to expect. In a game full of defensive lowlights, DeCoud stood tall. He had 13 tackles and played the role of eraser all over the field. The years of waiting for DeCoud to be intimidating appear to be over. "He has the confidence in his abilities now," Bears coach Jeff Tedford said. "I was impressed with the way he got to the ball. He was a sure tackler." Ten of DeCoud's 13 tackles were unassisted. The punishing, physical player had arrived.
"I keep bragging on him," said Cal defensive backs coach R. Todd Littlejohn. "He should be a physical presence, and that will come with experience. I've just tried to instill a little confidence in him and that comes with understanding the position. "He certainly has the desire to be good. He hangs on every word I say." Recognizing situations has allowed DeCoud to be explosive toward the ball carrier. "I didn't know I would get 13 tackles," DeCoud said. "But I wanted to take care of business. "I had a lot of adrenaline going," he said. "My neck and shoulders are sore right now, but you get used to it. A free safety is supposed to be an imposing presence."
With a starting assignment under his belt, DeCoud said he will work hard to achieve that status. "Who doesn't want people to fear him?" he said. "If people put an asterisk by my name when they game plan, that's more confidence for me." Against Tennessee, Cal struggled in several areas that were of major concern heading into the opener. The offensive line didn't have a good game and the quarterbacks struggled. The other area of concern was in the defensive backfield, where Cal made plenty of mistakes. Although Littlejohn said that DeCoud had a solid overall game, he said he did make mistakes that must be corrected before Pac-10 play begins. "I do have to know everyone else's responsibilities," DeCoud said. "I need to know how they are playing. I have to process a lot of information. "But I've gained a lot of experience. This year I will play 50 to 60 snaps (per game). It's going to show my growth as a player."
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