North Carolina State University Athletics
Pressure Up Front A Big Key For Pack Defense
8/17/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
NC State football coach Chuck Amato rarely goes through a media interview without being asked about the Wolfpack's tenuous cornerback situation. It's no secret that finding two capable replacements for reliable veterans Lloyd Harrison and Tony Scott has proven to be a difficult challenge.
Regardless of who ends up lining up on the corners opening day, it's already a given that the Wolfpack will have two inexperienced players occupying perhaps the most difficult position on the football field when it hosts Arkansas State on September 2.
Although it's been said many times that cornerbacks play out on an island, it's also important to remember that they also have nine other players around them. And in many cases, corners are only as good as the people in front of them.
The best way to shut down a great passing team-and to help young cornerbacks--is to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, preferably without blitzing.
"When we get to the point where [the front four] is so dominant, then we'll be where we need to be," Amato said. "We need to get where we don't need to blitz and do tricks to stop the run. That front four needs to get penetration because penetration kills offenses."
It remains to be seen if the Wolfpack's current front four has enough overall speed and strength to consistently win the battle of the trenches. Last season, NC State often had a difficult time pressuring quarterbacks without blitzing. If the same problems persist this fall, the Pack's young cornerbacks will certainly be exposed, especially when they're in man-to-man coverage.
"It's just a matter of getting the job done," said senior defensive tackle Jeff Fisher. "It all starts with the D-line up front. If we can go out there and do our job to the best of our ability it will make things a lot easier for the rest of the defense."
Fisher, Darius Bryant, Jerrick Hall and Nate Goodson are the best the candidates to get pressure up the middle. Ends Corey Smith, George Anderson, Brian Jamison and Mark Pelshak will try to bring some heat from the outside. The loss of Drew Wimsatt has depleted some of the depth at defensive end. Wimsatt, a 6'4, 244 pound redshirt sophomore, was listed as a starter prior to going down with a back injury before the start of preseason camp.
As far as the cornerback positions are concerned, junior Brian Williams and freshman James Walker have been working with the first team defense. Williams, who was NC State's leading tackler as a free safety last season, continues to make the transition to a new position.
"The switch from safety to corner is mostly mental," Williams said. "There are a lot more responsibilities at corner. You have to focus more on your man and read the quarterback more. At safety, you're involved more in run support. Corner is tougher than free safety."
But cornerback is not a position that's totally unfamiliar to Williams; he played corner at Southwest Guilford High School.
Walker is also making an adjustment. The true freshman was moved to cornerback after working as a wide receiver during the spring.
"He's got a lot of ability," Amato said. "He doesn't look pretty doing everything, but he's only been over there for seven practices. He'll get better because he does have a lot of ability."
Redshirt freshman J.J. Washington and sophomore Julius Patterson may also receive some playing time at cornerback. A wide receiver last season, Patterson was moved to defense during the spring. Following a brief flirtation at the wide receiver position in preseason camp, he's back at cornerback for now.
