DeBord to announce QB soon
Greg Burghardt
No. 1 quarterback, following inconsistent play out of the position last season.
“I believe that we need to determine a No. 1 guy,” DeBord said. “I’m looking for a guy who is accurate. Someone who can get the ball to our guys.”
Junior Jeff Perry has emerged as a pleasant surprise during camp, and DeBord speaks highly of his steady play.
“Perry’s been very, very accurate,” DeBord said. “He’s been a guy who has been very consistent. He has been a surprise only because he hasn’t played a lot because of injuries.”
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Perry was not in the mix last season because of injuries that have plagued him through his college career. Perry set school and league passing records at Silverado High in Apple Valley, Calif.
Also in the four-way race for the quarterback position are senior and three-year incumbent starter Derrick Vickers, sophomore Kent Smith and junior Grant Arnoldink.
DeBord said he is close to reaching his decision.
“The players see a guy out there that has been very accurate and consistent with moving the offense,” DeBord said. “In my mind, I feel like there is a No. 1, but I’m not going to say ‘This guy is the No. 1,’ because this is a process. I want to finish spring ball, see where we’re going to get to and then I might come out and say it.”
The passing game is one area in which the team needs improvement. The Chippewas limped to a 4-8 record, and their total offense and passing offense ranked No.11 in the MAC.
“You see guys open, and we’re not getting the ball to them,” DeBord said. “That just kills you on offense. It takes away the flow.”
NOTES:
NOTES:
- Another area in which Central had serious problems, the secondary, will
continue its overhaul as the team likely will go without its 2002 starting
cornerbacks.
Ron Bartell, who switched from safety to cornerback last season, has decided to transfer to another school, while senior Dante McKnight is not participating in spring drills because of off-the-field problems. DeBord is unsure whether McKnight will partcipate in the fall.
Despite these setbacks, DeBord is happy with the progress of the secondary, led by new Secondary Coach Bill Bartolemeo. DeBord credited junior safety James King and sophomore cornerback Marlin Maxwell as having a strong spring.
“You don’t see as many blown assignments and guys running free,” DeBord said. “We’re tackling better back there. We’re a lot farther along as a tackling team, and a lot of that is because of the secondary. I really believe we’ll be better.”
- Senior running back Terrence Jackson suffered through an injury-plagued
2002 season. Now that he is back at 100 percent, Jackson is primed to have
a solid season as a player and as a leader.
“He brings a fire out there,” DeBord said. “He plays with emotion, but also is a quiet leader in some ways.”DeBord is pleased with the overall performance of his running backs, a group that includes Jackson, Kenan Lawhorne, Spencer Lewis, Mike Pryce, Adam Supianoski and Bryan Lindstrom.
- After a disappointing practice Tuesday, DeBord was happy with the effort
that his team showed during Thursday’s practice.
“I thought we had a pretty good practice,” DeBord said. “I wasn’t happy with the defense Tuesday. I was really upset with the way we played up front. I got after them pretty good, and I think that they responded today. Overall, the consistency was a lot better.”
Defensive players whom DeBord credits with playing well in the spring include linemen Matt Wohlgemuth, Ike Ajoku and Dan Bazuin and linebackers Ed Hillery and Anthony Tyus, Jr.
On the offensive end, receivers Justin Harper, Willie Hill and Markus Naves have stepped up, as have linemen Derek McLaughlin and Eric Ghiaciuc.
- CMU has two more weeks of spring practice. The conclusion of the spring will bring the tenative April 18 spring game at Kelly-Shorts Stadium.
