GREENLAND FOOTBALL : Greenland line looks to set the tone for defense
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
ANTHONY REYES Northwest Arkansas Times The Greenland first-team defense works through drills Tuesday on the school’s practice field in Greenland.
GREENLAND - Someone has to do the dirty work. Greenland coach Tracy Sutton said his grunts up front are up to the task.
Sutton said the defensive line will be the Pirates' strongest area if its can maximize an abundance of potential.
"If they can't, we're in trouble," Sutton said. "We've got to have that group step up and help force some turnovers or it's going to be long year. The defensive line should be our strength because we have some depth and talent.
"We've just got to get in a game and show it. Our defensive line has to keep them off our linebackers."
Sutton said the line will establish the tone on defense but listed overall consistency as the most vital factor for success.
"We can't give extra downs and make costly mistakes and commit stupid penalties," Sutton said. "Our defense has to force some turnovers for us to be successful. Our defense is more of a read defense. We have to read our keys and not be selfish. If we can't do that, we're going to need to put more points on the board to win games."
Greenland will soon find out where it stands. The Pirates have less than a week to prepare for a preseason scrimmage at Farmington Monday.
"We're not ready for that yet," Sutton said. "We've still got a long way to go. We need more reps and need a better rhythm and need someone to take charge."
Sutton, though, said his Pirates had one of their best defensive practices last Monday.
"We had a few good licks in practice," Sutton said. "Once we had a few it got contagious and that was good to see."
While most of the defense is set, Sutton said players are still working for playing time at several slots.
"We've got a pretty set lineup but we're still mixing and mingling a little trying to find the best at each position," Sutton said.
Senior Jacob Thompson (5-10, 250 ) has earned the starting gig at nose tackle.
Thompson will be joined on the line by senior defensive tackle Austin Ramsfield (6-0, 230 ). Ramsfield started last season until suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. Ramsfield is the one of the Pirates' most apt in the weightroom, bench pressing a teamhigh 340 pounds. Senior Christopher Arnold (6-4, 230 ) will man one defensive tackle slot.
Senior Guhy Brandt's toil and consistency has earned him the nod at defensive end. Seniors Cory Payne and James Chaparro (6-2, 215 ) will also spend time on the defensive line.
"We've got a five-man rotation on the line and those guys are going to give us some depth," Sutton said. "They can play at any position."
Sturdy senior Jose Ventura (5-7, 175 ) will start at Sam linebacker. Ventura is a returning all-conference performer, who benches 330 pounds and squats 480.
Junior Adrian Rojas (5-7, 150 ) will man Will linebacker. Chaparro, who bench-presses 275, will add linebacker to his list of chores on the defense to add depth.
"Jose gives us some experience returning and does a good job," Sutton said. "You look at Rojas and he doesn't look like a linebacker but he plays much bigger than he is and he will hit you. Then Chaparro could be one of the best players we have if we could get him in one spot and let him concentrate on it. Chaparro's going to be key for us but he's got to play with the light on all the time, not just sometimes."
Senior Herb Riggles (6-3, 220 ) returns at strong safety and Tyler Simpson is slated to start at free safety. Seniors Corey Caudle (5-7, 140 ) and Cody Ashworth (5-9, 160 ) will hold down the edges at cornerback. Sophomore Salvador Rojas will also logs snaps at corner.
"Herb's a returner and he's a leader for us," Sutton said. "Corey's physical but overall, our corners are an unknown because none of them were back there last year."
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