Keeping healthy bodies on the field is key for UL's defense

[NewsCopy]

 Some of the final numbers for UL’s defense last season jumped off the stat sheet — but not in a good way.

Injuries took a serious toll on that side of the ball, forcing plenty of inexperienced players onto the field earlier than they would have liked and leaving several other veterans at less than 100 percent.

At the end of the year the Ragin’ Cajuns ranked near the bottom of the Sun Belt Conference in most defensive categories.

With nine returning starters on that side of the ball, head coach Rickey Bustle thinks the team will be better defensively in 2009. The keys: a better mindset and improved health.

The rest of the story

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 8, 2009

[DestinCajun]

The Cajun D's first challenge on Sept 5th

SU'S BRYANT LEE NAMED TO WALTER PAYTON AWARD LIST
The Payton Award is bestowed annually upon the top player in FCS

Bryant Lee is one of 20 candidates for the 2009 Walter Payton Award
July 14, 2009

Southern University senior quarterback, Bryant Lee, has been named one of the 20 candidates for the 2009 Walter Payton Award, signifying the top player in FCS.


SU'S JUAMORRIS STEWART NAMED PRESEASON 2ND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
One of three SWAC players named to the preseason squad

Juarmorris Stewart picks up preseason award
July 10, 2009

Southern University senior wide receiver, Juamorris Stewart, has been named to The Sports Network's preseason All-America.

[Just1More]

There's an article this morning in the Advocate about Bryant Lee saying that if he's tense he doesn't play well... we need to make him tense on September 5th. That takes care of Stewart as well. I'd like to see a disruptive UL defense to start the season.

[zephyr]

One thing we've overlooked thus far is our lack of depth at the CB position. With the loss of Rodney Gillis in the spring ( who happens to be one of our best cover CB's as a freshman) we really only have 3 CB's who have much experience. Junior Jean will provide some depth and Tim Jackson looked pretty good in the spring but is inexperienced. Other than that, we have guys who have been practice squad guys backing them up. If Bently and/or Aurienne go down, we're in trouble. Not to mention those teams like Troy and Southern who will consistently roll out 4-5 WR's at one time, that could make for an interesting scenario.

[DestinCajun]

_ There's an article this morning in the Advocate about Bryant Lee saying that if he's tense he doesn't play well... we need to make him tense on September 5th. That takes care of Stewart as well. I'd like to see a disruptive UL defense to start the season. _

I agree. Keep pressuring him all day long.

[Just1More]

_ One thing we've overlooked thus far is our lack of depth at the CB position. With the loss of Rodney Gillis in the spring ( who happens to be one of our best cover CB's as a freshman) we really only have 3 CB's who have much experience. Junior Jean will provide some depth and Tim Jackson looked pretty good in the spring but is inexperienced. Other than that, we have guys who have been practice squad guys backing them up. If Bently and/or Aurienne go down, we're in trouble. Not to mention those teams like Troy and Southern who will consistently roll out 4-5 WR's at one time, that could make for an interesting scenario. _

That is another reason staying healthy is so critical. Our DL has to be more of a factor this year. They absolutley have to start getting pressure on the QB. It is easy to slice and dice a secondary if you give a decent QB a lot of uncontested time. It all plays hand in hand. Corners and safeties can't be tackling someone on every play... and stay healthy. Last year, our secondary was involved in way too many collisions. We seriously need to see some opponents' plays busted in the backfield this year.

[zephyr]

_ That is another reason staying healthy is so critical. Our DL has to be more of a factor this year. They absolutley have to start getting pressure on the QB. It is easy to slice and dice a secondary if you give a decent QB a lot of uncontested time. It all plays hand in hand. Corners and safeties can't be tackling someone on every play... and stay healthy. Last year, our secondary was involved in way too many collisions. We seriously need to see some opponents' plays busted in the backfield this year. _

The front 4 has the size but now they need to incorporate the attitude and technique that allows them to be nasty. The best teams in our league have the best DL's. It's not by accident.

[Just1More]

_ The front 4 has the size but now they need to incorporate the attitude and technique that allows them to be nasty. The best teams in our league have the best DL's. It's not by accident. _

Gerald Broussard will help these guys in the attitude and technique department. The DL was so raw last year. I could tell they were aggressive, but lacked block shedding skills. Gerald is a good teacher. This is his first real year at getting to know these young men and being able to build their trust and confidence.

[zephyr]

_ Gerald Broussard will help these guys in the attitude and technique department. The DL was so raw last year. I could tell they were aggressive, but lacked block shedding skills. Gerald is a good teacher. This is his first real year at getting to know these young men and being able to build their trust and confidence. _

Well, let's hope they absorb the material quickly as we need them to step up in a big way.

[Just1More]

_ Well, let's hope they absorb the material quickly as we need them to step up in a big way. _

I here ya. Gerald has probably absorbed a lot of film of our interior guys natural abilities from last year and he can help them quickly if they have the desire and capacity to learn. Once they start operating in the trenches... it's back to basic instincts. You hope some of the teaching sinks into the instinctual segment of the brain. Play on the field is the only way to know.