With a defense that has had coverage issues in its secondary, UM looks to revamp and reload for next season.
By Barry Jackson
As UM gets set to face a dangerous California team in the Emerald Bowl and prepares for 2009, questions linger about a defense that faded badly late this season. Coach Randy Shannon spoke of the young players wearing down, but there's more to it. The secondary's four interceptions tied with Fresno State for last among 118 schools. The linebacker corps clearly missed Colin McCarthy over the final eight games. And the Canes' rushing defense ranked 70th in the country. (Overall, UM finished 25th in total defense and 56th in scoring defense at 24.2 points per game.)
A look at how the defense shapes up for 2009:
Defensive back: Though UM's pass defense was 13th nationally, the secondary ''has to play better . . . tackle better and play more aggressive,'' defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff conceded this week. And d-backs accounted for only two interceptions ( Brandon Harris, Bruce Johnson). UM believes Harris will be a big-time player. But with the disappointing Johnson departing after the bowl game, the other '09 starting cornerback spot should be competitive among Chavez Grant (seven starts), DeMarcus Van Dyke and, potentially, oral commitments Prince Kent and Brandon McGee, who arrive in January.
Why did Van Dyke fall off as a sophomore? ''He put a little too much pressure on himself instead of relaxing and allowing his ability to take over,'' McGriff said. UM thought freshman safety Vaughn Telemaque was ready to make an impact when a shoulder injury ended his season after the third game. ''He can make open-field tackles and bring some athleticism to that position,'' McGriff said. Expect two ''09 starters to come from a group including Telemaque, JoJo Nicolas (``He's got to get himself where he can stay healthy,'' McGriff said); Randy Phillips (expected to return with a medical red-shirt); Ryan Hill ( Sam Shields and Travis Benjamin are the only faster Canes); and possibly Anthony Reddick if he returns on a medical red-shirt.
Freshman Joe Wylie and C.J. Holton are positioned to red-shirt, but McGriff expects both to be in the mix next year. Seemingly forgotten is Jared Campbell, who played in two games in 2007, one in 2008. Departing: Johnson, Lovon Ponder, Carlos Armour.
Linebacker: The return of McCarthy will be big - he could replace departing Glenn Cook (team-high 72 tackles) at middle linebacker, allowing Sean Spence to stay on the weak-side. Spence (two sacks; third on the team with 62 tackles) was very good, but wore down late and has ''to be a little more sound in his technique,'' Cook said. ``Sometimes, he kind of loses focus.'' Beyond returning starter Darryl Sharpton, watch for Jordan Futch, who impressed coaches before a concussion ended his season in October. Cook says Futch ''can really run'' but must ''bulk up'' and ``get a little more physical.'' Cook said highly-touted Arthur Brown has ''improved tremendously'' and has picked up the system (a problem early on). But there are questions internally about how good Brown will be. Ramon Buchanan (who also can play safety) and incoming Antonio Harper (at prep school) also will compete, among others. Departing after the bowl: Cook, Romeo Davis, Spencer Adkins.
Defensive line: Defensive end should be the defense's '09 strength. Freshman Marcus Robinson (''immense talent,'' defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said), redshirt freshman Adewale Ojomo and sophomores Allen Bailey (team-high five sacks) and Steven Wesley should only improve. Freshman Andrew Smith ``progressed very nicely"; converted linebacker Gavin Hardin was named top scout team defensive player; and Eric Moncur's expected '09 return will be a huge boost. Hurtt said moving Bailey to tackle ``is not something we've discussed. It's hard to find a 290-pound defensive end.'' At defensive tackle, Hurtt said Marcus Forston and Micanor Regis played well, especially considering ''it's a huge adjustment'' from high school, and redshirting Jeremy Lewis was ''outstanding on the scout team.'' Those three -- with Joe Joseph and Josh Holmes -- must keep improving, with Antonio Dixon and Dwayne Hendricks departing after the bowl game.
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