Feeling More at Home
10/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Editorial Note: This article ran in the Sept. 26 edition of Flames Illustrated, serving as the Flames senior football feature for the game program against James Madison. Cheek, one of three defensive team captains, is leading the Flames in many ways, both on and off the field of play in 2009. The outside linebacker currently leads the Flames with 34 tackles, including a team-high 15 solo stops. The senior has picked off two passes in 2009, helping the Flames rank No. 24 nationally in passes intercepted.
Most returning football players know what to expect when they arrive back at training camp for the beginning of a new season. During Liberty's 2008 training camp, Wes Cheek did not fit the traditional mold of the average returning player. Fresh off knee surgery heading into his junior season, he received word late in camp that he would be moving from running back to outside linebacker.
"We thought he could play [at outside backer] because he had the physicality," said defensive coordinator Tom Clark. "We knew he was a little undersized there, but we thought he could make up for it with his explosiveness."
Having every right to feel like a kindergartner on the first day of school, Cheek knew the switch would not be an easy one. After all, his comfort zone resided on the offensive side of the ball and he had not played a defensive down since suiting up at safety in high school.
"It was tough," Cheek recalled. "But the coaching staff and the players helped me transition as quickly as I could."
In his first season at linebacker, the Georgia native appeared in all 12 contests, finishing the season tied for eighth in total tackles (44) and third in pass breakups (5).
His lone start came during Liberty's 2008 season finale against No. 12 Elon, as the Flames put on a defensive display in their 26-3 win over the Southern Conference powerhouse. Cheek played an instrumental role in Liberty's dissection of the Phoenix's offense, posting five total tackles and one sack for a six-yard loss.
Cheek's ability to adjust to new surroundings did not go unnoticed by his peers, as coach Danny Rocco announced the linebacker as a defensive team captain during Liberty's 2009 spring game.
"I was more than honored for the guys and the coaches to look at me as a captain," Cheek said. "As I soon as I was announced I knew I had to be on the top of my game and be an example to the guys on and off the field. It was definitely a role I was glad to take on."
As a defensive leader for the Flames, Cheek realizes that his early success as a linebacker would not be possible without the experience he received at running back. Operating in the 3-4 defense, a formation that relies heavily on the speed and athleticism of linebackers, Cheek's personal running game enables him to effectively break up pass attempts and rush the opposing passer.
Although Cheek possesses the skill set needed to play the position, Clark believes his pupil's success is the product of more than just physical prowess.
"The kid is smart," the defensive coordinator said defiantly. "Outside backer is a tough position to learn. There's a lot of coverages. There are a lot of different run fits and adjustments. He was just remarkable in how quickly he picked it up. He continues to amaze the coaching staff in how well he adapts and sees things."
During his two-year stint at running back, Cheek became accustomed to Liberty's offensive schemes. After being assimilated into the 3-4 defense, the outside backer is now able to read formations, route combinations and tendencies in ways most of his defensive counterparts do not.
"For most people on the defense, what they know about offense is from a defensive perspective," Cheek said. "I've kind of had the inside look at it, so it definitely gives me an advantage."
"Our offense is extremely diverse," Clark added. "The fact the he knows our offense so well helps him against most teams we play."
Although Cheek is well versed on both sides of the ball, a humorous moment occurred when a new face in the Flames offense surprised the senior captain in a recent practice.
"Wes has a tendency to want to leave his feet and bat balls down," Clark stated. "We coach guys not to do that because sometimes the quarterback will pump fake, draw you up in the air and run around you. Wes had assured me several times that was not going to happen."
Thinking he had convinced his coach he knew when to leave his feet, Cheek realized he had spoken too soon when Flames starting quarterback Tommy Beecher forced him into the air and proceeded to run by him for a touchdown.
"We got a kick out of that," Clark chuckled. "He's not going to jump up in the air anymore."
While Cheek may have been outplayed for an instant in practice, he did not let the opposing offense get the best of him during the Flames' 19-13 road win over Lafayette on Sept. 19.
Leading the defensive charge, he recorded seven total tackles and posted Liberty's only interception, gaining 20 yards on the play. On the year, the senior has now picked off a pass in back-to-back games and leads the squad overall with 23 stops.
Cheek says he is often reminded of Rocco's words, "Let your inner most thoughts be about the team and not yourself."
When the coaching staff decided to move the team's third-string running back to linebacker, Cheek did not pout. Instead, he chose to live by the words of his head coach and filled the void on defense. Just over one year later, he is finding abundant success at the position — something he has come to expect.
------
Eric Brown is a copywriter for Liberty University's Advancement office, assigned to cover athletics.
Most returning football players know what to expect when they arrive back at training camp for the beginning of a new season. During Liberty's 2008 training camp, Wes Cheek did not fit the traditional mold of the average returning player. Fresh off knee surgery heading into his junior season, he received word late in camp that he would be moving from running back to outside linebacker.
"We thought he could play [at outside backer] because he had the physicality," said defensive coordinator Tom Clark. "We knew he was a little undersized there, but we thought he could make up for it with his explosiveness."
Having every right to feel like a kindergartner on the first day of school, Cheek knew the switch would not be an easy one. After all, his comfort zone resided on the offensive side of the ball and he had not played a defensive down since suiting up at safety in high school.
"It was tough," Cheek recalled. "But the coaching staff and the players helped me transition as quickly as I could."
In his first season at linebacker, the Georgia native appeared in all 12 contests, finishing the season tied for eighth in total tackles (44) and third in pass breakups (5).
His lone start came during Liberty's 2008 season finale against No. 12 Elon, as the Flames put on a defensive display in their 26-3 win over the Southern Conference powerhouse. Cheek played an instrumental role in Liberty's dissection of the Phoenix's offense, posting five total tackles and one sack for a six-yard loss.
Cheek's ability to adjust to new surroundings did not go unnoticed by his peers, as coach Danny Rocco announced the linebacker as a defensive team captain during Liberty's 2009 spring game.
"I was more than honored for the guys and the coaches to look at me as a captain," Cheek said. "As I soon as I was announced I knew I had to be on the top of my game and be an example to the guys on and off the field. It was definitely a role I was glad to take on."
As a defensive leader for the Flames, Cheek realizes that his early success as a linebacker would not be possible without the experience he received at running back. Operating in the 3-4 defense, a formation that relies heavily on the speed and athleticism of linebackers, Cheek's personal running game enables him to effectively break up pass attempts and rush the opposing passer.
Although Cheek possesses the skill set needed to play the position, Clark believes his pupil's success is the product of more than just physical prowess.
"The kid is smart," the defensive coordinator said defiantly. "Outside backer is a tough position to learn. There's a lot of coverages. There are a lot of different run fits and adjustments. He was just remarkable in how quickly he picked it up. He continues to amaze the coaching staff in how well he adapts and sees things."
During his two-year stint at running back, Cheek became accustomed to Liberty's offensive schemes. After being assimilated into the 3-4 defense, the outside backer is now able to read formations, route combinations and tendencies in ways most of his defensive counterparts do not.
"For most people on the defense, what they know about offense is from a defensive perspective," Cheek said. "I've kind of had the inside look at it, so it definitely gives me an advantage."
"Our offense is extremely diverse," Clark added. "The fact the he knows our offense so well helps him against most teams we play."
Although Cheek is well versed on both sides of the ball, a humorous moment occurred when a new face in the Flames offense surprised the senior captain in a recent practice.
"Wes has a tendency to want to leave his feet and bat balls down," Clark stated. "We coach guys not to do that because sometimes the quarterback will pump fake, draw you up in the air and run around you. Wes had assured me several times that was not going to happen."
Thinking he had convinced his coach he knew when to leave his feet, Cheek realized he had spoken too soon when Flames starting quarterback Tommy Beecher forced him into the air and proceeded to run by him for a touchdown.
"We got a kick out of that," Clark chuckled. "He's not going to jump up in the air anymore."
While Cheek may have been outplayed for an instant in practice, he did not let the opposing offense get the best of him during the Flames' 19-13 road win over Lafayette on Sept. 19.
Leading the defensive charge, he recorded seven total tackles and posted Liberty's only interception, gaining 20 yards on the play. On the year, the senior has now picked off a pass in back-to-back games and leads the squad overall with 23 stops.
Cheek says he is often reminded of Rocco's words, "Let your inner most thoughts be about the team and not yourself."
When the coaching staff decided to move the team's third-string running back to linebacker, Cheek did not pout. Instead, he chose to live by the words of his head coach and filled the void on defense. Just over one year later, he is finding abundant success at the position — something he has come to expect.
------
Eric Brown is a copywriter for Liberty University's Advancement office, assigned to cover athletics.
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 07
Thursday, April 30
Friday, April 24