Bowling Green is building depth on defense.Falcon
head coach Dave Clawson hopes that pays off this season, especially with having
fresher players at the end of games."We have been so thin on defense that
players have had to play too many reps (repetitions)," Clawson said
"We are hoping we can play 21, 22 guys on defense and keep guys
fresh."We want to keep the competitions going. I want a lot of guys coming
back in August thinking they have a chance to play a lot of football for
us."The added depth should also help the special teams, Clawson said.The
Falcons need improvement on defense as in six of eight Mid-American Conference
games last season, BG allowed 27 or more points. Overall in conference games, BG
allowed an average of 29.4 points per game in 2011.Two all-conference first-team
performers return to anchor the defense – Chris Jones at defensive tackle, and
Dwayne Woods at linebacker. Both will be seniors in 2012.Jones had 47 tackles, 8
1/2 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles last year as a force in
the middle of the line.Woods led the MAC in tackles with 134 in 2010 and
followed that up with 111 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, last season as
BG’s middle linebacker."You have the best defensive tackle in the league
coming back in Chris Jones," Clawson said.Joining Jones at tackle are
Jairus Campbell and Ted Ouelett, both of whom have starting experience, along
with Hunter Maynard and Darius Gilbert.Clawson is hoping to have at least a
three-player rotation at tackle.At defensive end, Charlie Walker (27 tackles a
year ago), Ronnie Goble, Zach Colvin, and Bryan Thomas return. Bryan Baird and
Shaq Hall were both redshirted last season and are ready to compete for playing
time."All those guys need is some reps, some sun and some water, and
they’ll grow up," Clawson said. "Age-wise, we’re still young, but a
lot of these guys have played."I’d rather have a sophomore who has played,
rather than a senior who hasn’t played," Clawson added. "We just need
to find out who can make plays."There is also depth at linebacker with
Woods and Paul Swan, 53 tackles a year ago, returning as starters. D.J. Lynch
and Gabe Martin saw playing time last season.Coy Brown, a freshman who enrolled
at BG in January, is making a quick impression."We have to get him (Brown)
ready as if he’s going to play. Coy will be an outstanding special teams
guy," Clawson said."We didn’t lose anybody, they’re all a year older,
and you’ve added somebody to the mix."At cornerback, DeVon McKoy, Darrell
Hunter, and Cameron Truss return. The trio combined for 24 starts in
2011."It’s very important that we find a fourth corner," Clawson
said."The starters have to get better. They are good players and They are
going to develop," he added.Johnny Joseph, who was redshirted last season,
and Jude Adjei-Barimah, who has been at safety, are in the mix at corner.With BG
playing a 4-2-5 defense, there is need for a hybird player who can play rover,
sometimes as a linebacker and sometimes playing in pass coverage.Jerry ‘Boo Boo’
Gates filled the rover spot last and finished with 73 tackles and two
interceptions.Clawson is having Gates learn the safety position this
spring."If a rover steps up, you can leave ‘Boo Boo’ at safety. If a safety
steps up, you can move him back to rover," Clawson said. "It’s easier
to move a guy closer (to the line of scrimmage) than it is further, so we’re
going to start him at safety. But we’ll continue to work him as a rover. He can
play man on a slot (receiver)."Also at safety are Ryland Ward, who started
all 12 games in 2011 and had 69 tackles and an interception, and Aaron Foster,
11 starts, 69 tackles.Brian Sutton also gained experience last season and could
be the rover if Gates remains at safety.Josh Pettus, a junior college transfer,
will also be given an opportunity at safety when he arrives in August.Clawon
said several players are learning two positions in an effort to have the 11 best
players in the field at all times."Gates, Ward, Foster, are in their second
year and they should be able to cross-train so that you have your three best
safeties out there." Clawson said. "That’s because sometimes you are
playing your sixth best if kids only learn one position."For all the guys
who have played back there, the challenge for the spring is we want them to
master their position and learn a second position," Clawson added.The
cross-training is also a factor at linebacker and on the line, Clawson
said.(Wednesday: A look at special teams.)