Coach's Corner Opens with Defensive Backs
8/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coach's Corner Interview with Marshall Roberts
For the second-straight season, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage will feature the Coach's Corner, an in-depth position-by-position breakdown for each of the Flames' player units.
The coaching vignettes will include an article on the position, that position's preseason depth chart and an audio interview with the spotlighted unit's position coach. The 10-part series opens up today with a look into Liberty's defensive backs.
Defensive Backs
The defensive backs, a developing group the first two years under Flames Head Coach Danny Rocco, has turned into what he believes is going to be the team's defensive strong suit.
"In my mind, the secondary is an area where, all of a sudden, this has become the most mature group of our defense," stated Rocco. "Our first two years here, I always thought the secondary was the younger group who needed to develop. But now we have some great leadership back there in Patrick Calvary and Ryan Greiser."
On the inside is Greiser at strong safety, and on the outside is Calvary at cornerback, giving Rocco two skilled players to lead this deep position.
"Patrick Calvary has started here since he was a true freshman, while Ryan Greiser has been starting here for a long time as well," added Rocco. "Both know the system and both can operate effectively. We are excited about their senior years."
Calvary led the Big South with four interceptions for a total of 100 return yards, ranking No. 29 nationally in the statistical category. The senior has started 31-consecutive games and needs just four more pass break-ups (21) to crack the Flames' career top 5.
Greiser had a breakout year in 2007, leading the squad with 43 solo tackles, while ranking third overall with 67 stops. He tied Calvary with six pass break-ups and added 4.5 tackles for a loss of 17 total yards.
Joining Calvary on the outside at left cornerback is Kent Hicks. In his first season after transferring from Virginia Tech, Hicks ranked eighth on the team in tackles (43), while following behind Calvary with three interceptions.
"Kent Hicks is a young man with an awful lot of talent," said Rocco. "He has made a great deal of progress since transferring to Liberty."
Rounding out the scheduled backfield starters is Chris Rocco at free safety. Rocco finished last year with 22 tackles, equally recording 11 solo and 11 assisted tackles.
Contending for playing time at the corner positions will be Donald Manns and Tim Torrence, who both have two years of eligibility remaining with the program. Manns recorded 19 stops in nine games last year, while Torrence had a career year with 33 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two pass break-ups.
"Both Donald and Tim have been back-ups for two years, gaining valuable playing experience," added Rocco. "These guys are very capable of going in there and starting a game at corner."
Pushing Rocco and Greiser inside will be Chuck Duffey and Larry Claiborne. Duffey saw playing time in all 11 games, finishing with 13 tackles, while Claiborne developed during the season as a redshirt freshman.
"Larry has a wealth of talent and we are hoping that he can have a breakthrough come this fall, because he could be the future at this position," wrapped up Rocco on his defensive backs.
Defensive Backs at a Glance
Front Runners
LCB - Kent Hicks (R-Sr., 6-2, 200)
FS - Chris Rocco (Jr., 5-10, 200)
SS - Ryan Greiser (Sr., 6-1, 205)
RCB - Patrick Calvary (Jr., 5-9, 180)
Contenders
Chuck Duffey (R-Jr., 6-0, 190)
Larry Claiborne (R-Fr., 6-1, 180)
Donald Manns (Jr., 5-10, 180)
Tim Torrence (Jr., 5-8, 165)
Up-and-Comers
Alfonso Bailey (So., 5-9, 185)
Omar Clark (R-Fr., 6-0, 185)
Kajuan Lee (R-Fr., 5-11, 180)
Reggie Matthews (Fr., 6-0, 190)
Chris McAlister (R-Fr., 6-1, 180)
Brandon Robinson (Fr., 6-1, 175)
Brandon Saunders (So., 6-0, 185)
Manny Willis (R-Jr., 5-10, 200)
To catch previous installments of the Coach's Corner or to take a look at future position segments, below is a complete Coach's Corner training camp schedule:
Links to Previous Installments
Coach's Corner Preview (Aug. 1)
Schedule of Future Features
Coach's Corner No. 2 – Offensive Line (Aug. 5)
Coach's Corner No. 3 – Tight Ends (Aug. 6)
Coach's Corner No. 4 – Linebackers (Aug. 10)
Coach's Corner No. 5 – Wide Receivers (Aug. 13)
Coach's Corner No. 6 – Defensive Line (Aug. 18)
Coach's Corner No. 7 – Special Teams (Aug. 20)
Coach's Corner No. 8 – Defensive Coordinator (Aug. 23)
Coach's Corner No. 9 – Running Backs (Aug. 24)
Coach's Corner No. 10 – Quarterbacks (Aug. 26)
For the second-straight season, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage will feature the Coach's Corner, an in-depth position-by-position breakdown for each of the Flames' player units.
The coaching vignettes will include an article on the position, that position's preseason depth chart and an audio interview with the spotlighted unit's position coach. The 10-part series opens up today with a look into Liberty's defensive backs.
Defensive Backs
The defensive backs, a developing group the first two years under Flames Head Coach Danny Rocco, has turned into what he believes is going to be the team's defensive strong suit.
"In my mind, the secondary is an area where, all of a sudden, this has become the most mature group of our defense," stated Rocco. "Our first two years here, I always thought the secondary was the younger group who needed to develop. But now we have some great leadership back there in Patrick Calvary and Ryan Greiser."
On the inside is Greiser at strong safety, and on the outside is Calvary at cornerback, giving Rocco two skilled players to lead this deep position.
"Patrick Calvary has started here since he was a true freshman, while Ryan Greiser has been starting here for a long time as well," added Rocco. "Both know the system and both can operate effectively. We are excited about their senior years."
Calvary led the Big South with four interceptions for a total of 100 return yards, ranking No. 29 nationally in the statistical category. The senior has started 31-consecutive games and needs just four more pass break-ups (21) to crack the Flames' career top 5.
Greiser had a breakout year in 2007, leading the squad with 43 solo tackles, while ranking third overall with 67 stops. He tied Calvary with six pass break-ups and added 4.5 tackles for a loss of 17 total yards.
Joining Calvary on the outside at left cornerback is Kent Hicks. In his first season after transferring from Virginia Tech, Hicks ranked eighth on the team in tackles (43), while following behind Calvary with three interceptions.
"Kent Hicks is a young man with an awful lot of talent," said Rocco. "He has made a great deal of progress since transferring to Liberty."
Rounding out the scheduled backfield starters is Chris Rocco at free safety. Rocco finished last year with 22 tackles, equally recording 11 solo and 11 assisted tackles.
Contending for playing time at the corner positions will be Donald Manns and Tim Torrence, who both have two years of eligibility remaining with the program. Manns recorded 19 stops in nine games last year, while Torrence had a career year with 33 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two pass break-ups.
"Both Donald and Tim have been back-ups for two years, gaining valuable playing experience," added Rocco. "These guys are very capable of going in there and starting a game at corner."
Pushing Rocco and Greiser inside will be Chuck Duffey and Larry Claiborne. Duffey saw playing time in all 11 games, finishing with 13 tackles, while Claiborne developed during the season as a redshirt freshman.
"Larry has a wealth of talent and we are hoping that he can have a breakthrough come this fall, because he could be the future at this position," wrapped up Rocco on his defensive backs.
Defensive Backs at a Glance
Front Runners
LCB - Kent Hicks (R-Sr., 6-2, 200)
FS - Chris Rocco (Jr., 5-10, 200)
SS - Ryan Greiser (Sr., 6-1, 205)
RCB - Patrick Calvary (Jr., 5-9, 180)
Contenders
Chuck Duffey (R-Jr., 6-0, 190)
Larry Claiborne (R-Fr., 6-1, 180)
Donald Manns (Jr., 5-10, 180)
Tim Torrence (Jr., 5-8, 165)
Up-and-Comers
Alfonso Bailey (So., 5-9, 185)
Omar Clark (R-Fr., 6-0, 185)
Kajuan Lee (R-Fr., 5-11, 180)
Reggie Matthews (Fr., 6-0, 190)
Chris McAlister (R-Fr., 6-1, 180)
Brandon Robinson (Fr., 6-1, 175)
Brandon Saunders (So., 6-0, 185)
Manny Willis (R-Jr., 5-10, 200)
To catch previous installments of the Coach's Corner or to take a look at future position segments, below is a complete Coach's Corner training camp schedule:
Links to Previous Installments
Coach's Corner Preview (Aug. 1)
Schedule of Future Features
Coach's Corner No. 2 – Offensive Line (Aug. 5)
Coach's Corner No. 3 – Tight Ends (Aug. 6)
Coach's Corner No. 4 – Linebackers (Aug. 10)
Coach's Corner No. 5 – Wide Receivers (Aug. 13)
Coach's Corner No. 6 – Defensive Line (Aug. 18)
Coach's Corner No. 7 – Special Teams (Aug. 20)
Coach's Corner No. 8 – Defensive Coordinator (Aug. 23)
Coach's Corner No. 9 – Running Backs (Aug. 24)
Coach's Corner No. 10 – Quarterbacks (Aug. 26)
Get To Know Liberty Quarterback Deshawn Purdie
Wednesday, May 13
Get To Know Liberty Running Back Jaylon Coleman
Thursday, May 07
Get To Know Liberty Defensive End Michael Floyde
Thursday, April 30
Get To Know Liberty Linebacker Deuce Spurlock
Friday, April 24