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From CU at the Game

2010 Colorado Preveiw - Defense

Defensive Backs

Personnel: Senior Jimmy Smith; senior Jalil Brown; junior Anthony Perkins; senior Cameron Ham; junior Arthur Jaffee; junior Travis Sandersfeld; junior Jonathan Hawkins; junior Matt Meyer; sophomore Ray Polk; sophomore Vince Ewing; red-shirt freshman Deji Olatoye; red-shirt freshman Paul Vigo; and red-shirt freshman Parker Orms.

New in 2010: Red-shirt freshman Terdema Ussery (a 2009 wide receiver recruit); freshman Jered Bell; freshman Terrel Smith; freshman Josh Moten.

Losses from 2009: Senior starters Cha'pelle Brown at cornerback/nickel back and safety Ben Burney.

Strengths: Ask almost any defensive coordinator in the country what they would like first when setting up their defense - After a "monster defensive end", many coordinators would point to having two "shut down corners" as a foundation upon which to build a defense. Well, the Buffs may still be working on producing that monster defensive end, but they do have the two shut down corners in seniors Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown. Both are receiving pre-season accolades, with Smith being named to the watch list for the Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's top defensive back. "You can't take away the ability they have," said defensive backs coach Ashley Ambrose. "Now, the one thing that I want them both to do is be better technicians, be comfortable with what we're doing, and understand what offenses are going to do try and do against them."

With Smith and Brown ably manning the corners, a little of the pressure will be taken off the remainder of the defensive backfield. Junior Anthony Perkins and sophomore Ray Polk are atop the depth chart at safety, with red-shirt freshman Parker Orms filling the shoes of departed Cha'pelle Brown at nickel back. Last season, Brown was the Buffs' defensive MVP, so Orms has a significant role to play in the Colorado defense. "Parker has that same ability (as Brown), and he's only a freshman," said Ambrose. "Throughout the spring he made plays and reminded you of Cha'pelle. It's hard to find a guy who'll come in and do the things he did - he led the team in interceptions, forced fumbles, everything. I think when the lights are on, he's going to show up."

Weaknesses: There is great talent at the corners, and speed everywhere, but ... zero depth. Parker Orms will likely be out on the field for the first play of the season, and he is a freshman. Backing up cornerback Jimmy Smith? Red-shirt freshman Paul Vigo. Backing up cornerback Jalil Brown? True freshman Jered Bell. Backing up strong safety Anthony Perkins? Red-shirt freshman Deji Olatoye. Backing up free safety Ray Polk? Red-shirt freshman Parker Orms (if he isn't already busy in his role as a nickel back).

Detect a trend here? Three senior starters in the defensive backfield, then ... no experience. Coach Ashley Ambrose is not deterred. "I am liking the enthusiasm. They are running around, playing, competing against each other," said Ambrose. "They are focused and they are confident and feeling like they can really win a lot of ballgames ... We are faster, we're stronger, and it is amazing just over those couple of years the difference that has been made."

Colorado can go 8-4 if ... Parker Orms can live up to his billing, and Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown are high on Mel Kiper's draft board. The Colorado defense has question marks along the defensive line and at linebacker, with stars in the making in both units, but no proven stars there yet. The Buffs will need to keep opposing defenses honest - 15 plays last year went for over 40 yards; a mind-boggling 53 plays going for over 20 yards - if Colorado is going to be successful. If Smith and Brown can shut down the opposition's leading receivers, and force teams to be one-dimensional, Colorado can stay in most of its games this fall.

Colorado will go 4-8 if ... One or more of the three returning starters go down. There is good talent in the freshman class ... Ashley Ambrose on Terrel Smith: "He is a playmaker. He is a ball hawk. He is a downhill guy. He is all about hitting. I think he'll be somewhere in the rotation." ... Jered Bell on being a cornerback: "I'm learning everything I can from Jalil (Brown) and Jimmy (Smith)," said Bell. "You have to learn pretty much everything that happens on the field, and not just your position. That's a big change from high school", but good talent won't protect the Buffs from freshmen mistakes.

A starting lineup this fall which includes red-shirt freshman Orms, along with one or more of the true freshmen, could spell disaster for the Colorado defense.

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