New starters a a'to step up' on secondary
SanLuisObispo.com
August 11, 2007
Gone are the days of Courtney Brown, Randy Samuel, Kenny Chicoine and Anthony Randolph roaming the secondary for the Cal Poly football team.
Last year's defensive back unit, which combined to make 65 tackles, nine interceptions and 24 pass breakups, is gone. The four defensive backs played a key role in a defense that allowed only 12 passing touchdowns all season and held opponents to an average of 133 passing yards per game.
'There has been a lot of talk about losing most of the team from a secondary standpoint but I think we have a good group of guys and I think we are ready for it,' cornerback Andre Thomas said. 'Everyone is ready to step up.'
Thomas played behind Brown last year and is the lone senior projected to start this season in the secondary. But playing behind Brown, who was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, lent Thomas an opportunity to learn from an NFL-caliber player.
'I just tried to take as much information from him as I could,' Thomas said. 'I was watching his technique and the effort he made. Now I'm trying to fill his spot, make plays and be a leader on the team being a senior this year.'
Thomas is one of four players who have been given an opportunity to lead this season's secondary. Junior cornerback Xavier Gardner sits atop the preseason depth chart as the right cornerback playing opposite Thomas.
Gardner has moved from offense to defense and left behind his spot as a backup wide receiver to try his hand as a cornerback.
Matt Kirschner is pushing Gardner for the 'field' cornerback position but neither player has experience there. Last season Kirschner saw some time as the left cornerback but is new to the right side.
'The whole secondary is going to be a little bit new and the only guy who comes back with a couple starts under his belt is Thomas,' Cal Poly head coach Rich Ellerson said.
At the safety positions, the projected starters are sophomore David Fullerton and junior Martin Mares.
Thomas and Fullerton have seen the most playing time of the group.
Thomas played in nine games last year, including three starts at the end of the season. He made 22 tackles (eight solo) and broke up two passes.
In 2006, Fullerton appeared in all 11 games at strong safety and made six tackles but this season he is being asked to move to free safety, which allows Mares to play strong safety.
Mares enters into the starting lineup despite never playing a down for the Mustangs. He used his redshirt last year after transferring from Golden West College.
'Mares competed well against Randy Samuel a year ago but he had a redshirt year and Randy didn't so Randy played his senior year,' Ellerson said.
'We expect some things from Martin, but he hasn't played here yet.'
Along with being the expected starter at strong safety, Mares is also moving from his his natural position of cornerback.
'Its a little difficult for me right now because I'm used to playing corner,' Mares said.
'They moved me to strong safety, but it's a good position for me to be in. It's a struggle to change from one position to another, but I'm getting a good hang of it right now and of course it's good to be first string.'
* * *
CAL POLY FOOTBALL KEY DATESAug. 23 Camp ends with 2 p.m. scrimmage at Alex G. Spanos Stadium
Aug. 26 Begin preparations for season opener at Texas State
Sept. 1 Season opener at Texas State, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 8 Game 2 at Idaho, 2:05 p.m.
Sept. 15 Home opener vs. Weber State, 6:05 p.m.
August 11, 2007
Gone are the days of Courtney Brown, Randy Samuel, Kenny Chicoine and Anthony Randolph roaming the secondary for the Cal Poly football team.
Last year's defensive back unit, which combined to make 65 tackles, nine interceptions and 24 pass breakups, is gone. The four defensive backs played a key role in a defense that allowed only 12 passing touchdowns all season and held opponents to an average of 133 passing yards per game.
'There has been a lot of talk about losing most of the team from a secondary standpoint but I think we have a good group of guys and I think we are ready for it,' cornerback Andre Thomas said. 'Everyone is ready to step up.'
Thomas played behind Brown last year and is the lone senior projected to start this season in the secondary. But playing behind Brown, who was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, lent Thomas an opportunity to learn from an NFL-caliber player.
'I just tried to take as much information from him as I could,' Thomas said. 'I was watching his technique and the effort he made. Now I'm trying to fill his spot, make plays and be a leader on the team being a senior this year.'
Thomas is one of four players who have been given an opportunity to lead this season's secondary. Junior cornerback Xavier Gardner sits atop the preseason depth chart as the right cornerback playing opposite Thomas.
Gardner has moved from offense to defense and left behind his spot as a backup wide receiver to try his hand as a cornerback.
Matt Kirschner is pushing Gardner for the 'field' cornerback position but neither player has experience there. Last season Kirschner saw some time as the left cornerback but is new to the right side.
'The whole secondary is going to be a little bit new and the only guy who comes back with a couple starts under his belt is Thomas,' Cal Poly head coach Rich Ellerson said.
At the safety positions, the projected starters are sophomore David Fullerton and junior Martin Mares.
Thomas and Fullerton have seen the most playing time of the group.
Thomas played in nine games last year, including three starts at the end of the season. He made 22 tackles (eight solo) and broke up two passes.
In 2006, Fullerton appeared in all 11 games at strong safety and made six tackles but this season he is being asked to move to free safety, which allows Mares to play strong safety.
Mares enters into the starting lineup despite never playing a down for the Mustangs. He used his redshirt last year after transferring from Golden West College.
'Mares competed well against Randy Samuel a year ago but he had a redshirt year and Randy didn't so Randy played his senior year,' Ellerson said.
'We expect some things from Martin, but he hasn't played here yet.'
Along with being the expected starter at strong safety, Mares is also moving from his his natural position of cornerback.
'Its a little difficult for me right now because I'm used to playing corner,' Mares said.
'They moved me to strong safety, but it's a good position for me to be in. It's a struggle to change from one position to another, but I'm getting a good hang of it right now and of course it's good to be first string.'
* * *
CAL POLY FOOTBALL KEY DATESAug. 23 Camp ends with 2 p.m. scrimmage at Alex G. Spanos Stadium
Aug. 26 Begin preparations for season opener at Texas State
Sept. 1 Season opener at Texas State, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 8 Game 2 at Idaho, 2:05 p.m.
Sept. 15 Home opener vs. Weber State, 6:05 p.m.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:08 AM
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