TCU's secondary ready for first test
While roaming the secondary during practice, TCU coach Gary Patterson becomes football's version of Bob Knight.
He gets in the face of safeties, chastises corners and constantly quizzes his secondary on every minor detail.
"I'm harder on the safeties than any other position on the field," Patterson said. "The thing is, if a quarterback makes a mistake, we can usually get past it with a punt. But if one of those safeties messes up, cannons are going off and the other team's band is playing. We can't allow that."
The No. 25 Horned Frogs open the season against Tulane on Monday having lost three starters from the secondary of last season's No. 2 pass efficiency defense.
In this year's secondary, Mark Walker, Jeremy Modkins and Brandon Williams, along with weak safety Marvin Godbolt and corner Tyrone Sanders, have a combined 40 career tackles and one interception.
The new players offer a variety of tackling skills and speed, but the real question is how they will handle Tulane's passing offense.
"They can score on any play," Godbolt said. "We're going to be challenged, but we plan on putting all the questions about us to rest Monday night. And we're going to answer those questions in a good way."
Tulane's offense, led by quarterback J.P. Losman and running back Mewelde Moore, didn't race up and down the field last season. The Green Wave averaged 203.5 passing yards per game and finished 10th in Conference USA in total offense.
But the Frogs aren't fooled. There is speed at receiver.
"They make you respect them going deep and you don't want to allow a big play," Patterson said. "But when you look at last season's bowl victory over Hawaii, the way they beat you is by getting short gains with J.P. Losman and Mewelde Moore. They can just move the chains."
A strong TCU defensive line could help such concerns by delivering pressure, but ultimately the 4-2-5 defense depends on the play of safeties.
The Frogs' defensive backs know it. The secondary has been meeting after practice for players-only film sessions.
"We've talked about the team goals and what we have to do for us to achieve them," Modkins said. "We've gone over every set and defense without the coaches there. We all want to make sure we know what we're supposed to be doing."
Otherwise, they'll meet Patterson on the practice field Tuesday morning to get filled in.
Evans Braziel ineligible
TCU starting defensive tackle Richard Evans and reserve cornerback Jerome Braziel have been declared academically ineligible and will not travel with the Horned Frogs to New Orleans.
Both players are out indefinitely, and coach Gary Patterson is checking into their availability for the remainder of the season.
Evans, expected to fill the void left by John Turntine, had 30 tackles and five sacks last season. The 6-foot-3, 253-pound senior was one of TCU's top pass rushers.
Brandon Johnson, a highly touted junior out of Carrollton Smith, will start in Evans' place.
Braziel has seen little action in his career but was a backup behind Tyrone Sanders.
While roaming the secondary during practice, TCU coach Gary Patterson becomes football's version of Bob Knight.
He gets in the face of safeties, chastises corners and constantly quizzes his secondary on every minor detail.
"I'm harder on the safeties than any other position on the field," Patterson said. "The thing is, if a quarterback makes a mistake, we can usually get past it with a punt. But if one of those safeties messes up, cannons are going off and the other team's band is playing. We can't allow that."
The No. 25 Horned Frogs open the season against Tulane on Monday having lost three starters from the secondary of last season's No. 2 pass efficiency defense.
In this year's secondary, Mark Walker, Jeremy Modkins and Brandon Williams, along with weak safety Marvin Godbolt and corner Tyrone Sanders, have a combined 40 career tackles and one interception.
The new players offer a variety of tackling skills and speed, but the real question is how they will handle Tulane's passing offense.
"They can score on any play," Godbolt said. "We're going to be challenged, but we plan on putting all the questions about us to rest Monday night. And we're going to answer those questions in a good way."
Tulane's offense, led by quarterback J.P. Losman and running back Mewelde Moore, didn't race up and down the field last season. The Green Wave averaged 203.5 passing yards per game and finished 10th in Conference USA in total offense.
But the Frogs aren't fooled. There is speed at receiver.
"They make you respect them going deep and you don't want to allow a big play," Patterson said. "But when you look at last season's bowl victory over Hawaii, the way they beat you is by getting short gains with J.P. Losman and Mewelde Moore. They can just move the chains."
A strong TCU defensive line could help such concerns by delivering pressure, but ultimately the 4-2-5 defense depends on the play of safeties.
The Frogs' defensive backs know it. The secondary has been meeting after practice for players-only film sessions.
"We've talked about the team goals and what we have to do for us to achieve them," Modkins said. "We've gone over every set and defense without the coaches there. We all want to make sure we know what we're supposed to be doing."
Otherwise, they'll meet Patterson on the practice field Tuesday morning to get filled in.
Evans Braziel ineligible
TCU starting defensive tackle Richard Evans and reserve cornerback Jerome Braziel have been declared academically ineligible and will not travel with the Horned Frogs to New Orleans.
Both players are out indefinitely, and coach Gary Patterson is checking into their availability for the remainder of the season.
Evans, expected to fill the void left by John Turntine, had 30 tackles and five sacks last season. The 6-foot-3, 253-pound senior was one of TCU's top pass rushers.
Brandon Johnson, a highly touted junior out of Carrollton Smith, will start in Evans' place.
Braziel has seen little action in his career but was a backup behind Tyrone Sanders.
