One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at defensive backs:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season hoping that the return of defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, who coached Nebraska in that capacity in 2003, would equate to the return of many interceptions. With current head coach Bo Pelini as the defensive coordinator and Sanders the defensive backs coach, the Huskers generated 47 turnovers, 32 of which came via the interception in 2003.
Takeaways certainly did not come by the bushel this past season, however, with the Huskers generating just 17 one year after producing a mere 11. The Huskers intercepted 12 passes with just six coming from the secondary. Those low numbers, however, should not be construed as an indictment of Pelini or Sanders.
Things were a bit of an adventure at times for the Husker secondary.
At the cornerback position, Armando Murrillo and Anthony West generally did a serviceable job with the former being the more consistent player while the latter was more of a gambler, resulting in feast or famine success. Eric Hagg, Prince Amukamara and Lance Thorell gained valuable experience. Amukamara was an occasional starter. Hagg and Thorell did some good things at times but also a few things that drove the coaching staff crazy.
The safety position was pretty similar with Larry Asante, Matt O’Hanlon, Major Culbert and Ricky Thenarse. Sometimes they did some very good things. Other times. Well, let’s not go there.
Looking ahead: Nebraska led the Big 12 in pass defense but that was more a reflection of a powerful defensive line generating a pass rush (a foreign concept in 2007 under former defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove) and an offense that emphasized time of possession than it was the strength of the secondary.
The Huskers only loss of consequence in the secondary is Murillo and while the secondary play was erratic in 2008, it could wind up as a team strength in 2009. The main cogs in the machinery return and should get better if for no other reason that having a full year of Pelini and Sanders’ tutelage.
The return of Anthony Blue from a knee injury would be an enormous boost. The starting cornerback jobs are West and Amukamara’s to lose. Both guys bring good athleticism and decent size. Hagg also adds the dimension of being a good corner-blitzer. Look for Alfonso Dennard, who shined on special teams last season, to also be a factor. Courtney Osborne and John Levorson, both of whom redshirted in 2008, are two guys the coaching staff is high on and also are similar players to Hagg.
At safety, O’Hanlon, Asante, Culbert and Thenarse are all seniors. Could Pelini burn a redshirt or two at this position? Pelini is normally reluctant to burn redshirts but none of these guys are proficient in coverage the way Pelini is used to seeing. In Culbert’s case, it bears pointing out that he has made several position changes over the coarse of his career.
Of that foursome, Asante showed the most improvement from the start of the season. Thenarse is the one that has much to prove. He plays with passion and can deliver bone-rattling hits but he falls short on discipline at times.
Right now, my money is on Dennard to enjoy a break through season in 2009.
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