Cornerbacks coach David Brown is getting accustomed to replacing top-shelf talent.
Mark Parson, who is preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft, is the latest in a string of cornerbacks that became solid coverage corners by his senior season. Parson's numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, but that's because opposing quarterbacks tried to avoid throwing his way.
We've been in that position here for a while now
Brown said. As far as guys that become seniors and end up being really good players and guys have to find a way to replace them.
Parson had to step up and fill in for T.J. Wright, who was a first team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2006. Wright in turn filled in for Dion Byrum, who was first team All-MAC in 2005.
One reason for optimism is the competition that arises when guys try to emulate a past player's success.
Senior Idris Lawrence said that whoever fills in for Parson will be challenged by opposing quarterbacks who will look to take advantage of a new guy.
We have to step up to the plate Lawrence said. That means getting more balls.
Ohio has a lot of depth at the position. They have five guys who are competing for spots.
We have a good group of corners coming back
head coach Frank Solich said. It will be interesting in regards to who's all going to start and who's going to be the backups.
In addition to the depth, something this year's batch of cornerbacks will be able to boast is experience.
Both Solich and Brown said seniors Thad Turner and Lawrence are the two guys at the top of the depth chart at this point, largely because of their experience. Turner was a starter a year ago and Lawrence appeared in all 12 games.
Right behind Turner and Lawrence are redshirt junior Julian Posey and sophomore Travis Carrie. Redshirt junior Shannon Ballard also adds depth to the position.
Posey is recovering from a leg injury he suffered last season, so how he factors into this season is still up in the air. But, like Lawrence and Turner, Posey has experience. In 2007, he appeared in all 12 games, notching 54 tackles and six pass breakups.
He was positioning himself to really be a heavy part of things when that injury occurred
Solich said. Julian
we hope
will be able to come back for fall camp and get some work done this summer.
Carrie was recruited as a cornerback, but the coaching staff toyed with the idea of moving him to safety. Brown said that Carrie never actually took a snap at safety, but did say that Carrie is now unquestionably a cornerback. Last season, Carrie played in 11 games primarily as a nickleback, a role he will likely take up again this season.
They found a way to scheme me in at nickel
Carrie said. I was very comfortable with that.
Carrie said that no particular guy is the nickleback and that all the corners learn the position. He said they all rotate.
Solich said that, unlike other positions, cornerback could have some definitive structure when they break spring camp. Depending on how many actual scrimmage snaps they can get, a clear depth chart may be in place going into the summer, he said.
We're hurting at the offensive line
Solich said. That limits the number of snaps you get in scrimmages
which means you can't get as good an evaluation
which means it might have to carry over into the fall.
But hopefully we can have that pinned down.",",2,Sports,Joe Ragazzo,",",",",",","
27790,2009-04-09 23:15:00,Softball: 'Cats out to 'start a new streak',The Bobcats
