Troy University Athletics
Barry Valcin
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Spring Practice Position Breakdown: Defensive Backs
4/13/2012 12:19:00 PM | Football
With last year's disappointing 3-9 record leaving a bad taste in their mouths, the Troy Trojans are looking to get back to the top of the Sun Belt. In order to do that, Troy must discover what they'll be working with as they head into battle for the 2012 season. TroyTrojans.com is offering a positional breakdown of the Trojans during the coming days as spring practice unfolds.
Today's installment will focus on the defensive backs, where All-Sun Belt safety Brynden Trawick looks to lead the Troy defense while the Trojans look to acclimate new cornerbacks coach Julius Brown into the fold.
Brown, who trekked from Boise State in hopes of turning up the quality of play at corner, has gotten rave reviews from head coach Larry Blakeney.
“I think he's made a hit with the players and is working them hard,” Blakeney said in a prior interview with the Troy Messenger. “The safeties and corners will get double the reps and more concentrated work.
“It's good that we can break that up and get them more individual attention. They have two different responsibilities when it comes to their job on the field and we need to coach them that way.”
The Trojan secondary will be loaded with veteran players. Along with Trawick, seniors Bryan Willis (who was all-conference as a freshman) and Barry Valcin return for the 2012 season. Blakeney is expecting these players along with others to start the improvement process.
“We're trying to get him (Valcin) back to level he was before he got hurt,” Blakeney said. “We've got some guys but we want to see who will identify themselves as players. We've got a lot of names but we've still got a long way to go.”
Names Blakeney listed off included cornerback Ethan Davis, who looks to have the inside track on the starting corner slot opposite Willis, as well as safeties Camren Hudson and Joe Lofton. The head man for Troy is also looking for an increase in turnovers forced. Troy forced 19 turnovers last season, but so far the secondary has shown intentions on increasing that number, if spring practice is any indication.
“We got several turnovers in the first week of practice, and a lot of those turnovers were interceptions. But, until you put the gear on, you don't really know what you have,” Blakeney said.
Well, there is the old adage that practice makes perfect and if this is the case, then perhaps Troy's secondary will be improved as the Men of Troy look to return to championship-level play.
Today's installment will focus on the defensive backs, where All-Sun Belt safety Brynden Trawick looks to lead the Troy defense while the Trojans look to acclimate new cornerbacks coach Julius Brown into the fold.
Brown, who trekked from Boise State in hopes of turning up the quality of play at corner, has gotten rave reviews from head coach Larry Blakeney.
“I think he's made a hit with the players and is working them hard,” Blakeney said in a prior interview with the Troy Messenger. “The safeties and corners will get double the reps and more concentrated work.
“It's good that we can break that up and get them more individual attention. They have two different responsibilities when it comes to their job on the field and we need to coach them that way.”
The Trojan secondary will be loaded with veteran players. Along with Trawick, seniors Bryan Willis (who was all-conference as a freshman) and Barry Valcin return for the 2012 season. Blakeney is expecting these players along with others to start the improvement process.
“We're trying to get him (Valcin) back to level he was before he got hurt,” Blakeney said. “We've got some guys but we want to see who will identify themselves as players. We've got a lot of names but we've still got a long way to go.”
Names Blakeney listed off included cornerback Ethan Davis, who looks to have the inside track on the starting corner slot opposite Willis, as well as safeties Camren Hudson and Joe Lofton. The head man for Troy is also looking for an increase in turnovers forced. Troy forced 19 turnovers last season, but so far the secondary has shown intentions on increasing that number, if spring practice is any indication.
“We got several turnovers in the first week of practice, and a lot of those turnovers were interceptions. But, until you put the gear on, you don't really know what you have,” Blakeney said.
Well, there is the old adage that practice makes perfect and if this is the case, then perhaps Troy's secondary will be improved as the Men of Troy look to return to championship-level play.
Thursday, May 28
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18