Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Safeties Need to Get Healthy
8/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT -- The biggest concern with Central Michigan University's safeties right now is getting them healthy. "We're battling the injury bug," said Chippewa head coach Mike DeBord. "It's nothing serious, just bumps and bruises, but we need everyone healthy because they're so crucial to our defense.
"They're the guys who have to make plays. We think they'll be back shortly and be ready for the season."
The 2002 season opens on Thursday, Aug. 29, at home against Sam Houston State at 7:30 p.m.
The Chippewas play a defense that features three safeties -- the Free, Buck and Sam.
James King (Oak Park/Western), a fourth team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News in 2001, moved from outside linebacker to free safety in the spring. King blocked a school-record eight kicks in 2001, and finished with 86 tackles.
"James is a good tackler, and at free safety you'd better be because there's nobody behind you," DeBord said.
The Buck and Sam slots will be handled by a quartet of sophomores -- Ron Bartell (Detroit/Renaissance), Omari Colen (Lathrup Village/Lathrup), Jon Nelson (Coral Springs, Ill./Lake Zurich) and Mike Thomas (Ft. Myers, Fla./Riverdale). All but Thomas have been slowed by nagging injuries.
"It's a good group of young players with experience," DeBord said. "They just need to get more reps in practice."
Bartell and Colen played in all 11 games last season, Bartell starting five times and Colen thrice. Bartell was fourth on the team in tackles with 68 while Colen had 17 stops.
Nelson, who had an outstanding scrimmage this morning, played in only five games last fall because of injury, and Thomas played in four. "Jon really lit it up today," DeBord said. "The defense was outstanding, and he was a big reason."
Two promising true freshmen, Doug Kress (Lapeer/West) and Jason Smith (Detroit/Bishop Borgess), have benefited from their teammates injuries by getting additional reps in practice.
***After a slow start in Wednesday's first scrimmage of the fall, the defense came on strong to dominate the offense.
"The offense got off to a quick start but it was the defense that took over and finished strong," DeBord said. "It wasn't for a lack of effort ... the offense just didn't execute. No quarterback played well, and we had way too many dropped balls."
