Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Secondary Making Strides
8/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Led by junior strong safety James King, the reknowned kick-blocking specialist, head coach Mike DeBord sees the defensive backfield as one of the most improved areas on the 2003 Central Michigan University football team.
"We have some new faces back there but they've been in the program and it's their time to play," he said. "I'm a lot more confident this year than I was a year ago. Every practice I can see improvement. They take coaching well and have a good attitude about them."
The Chippewas were second to last in the Mid-American Conference in 2002, allowing 264.4 yards per game through the air.
DeBord is high on the 6-1, 215-pound King who gained national attention in 2001 when he blocked eight kicks including four punts at Michigan State.
"When James King is focused, he is as good a football player as there is anywhere at his position," DeBord said. "He's tough and he has skill."
The only other player in the secondary with much game experience is at left cornerback where junior Derrick Holoman is the starter. He played cornerback as a true freshman in 2001 but saw limited time a year ago when he gave wide receiver a shot.
"Derrick is focused in every practice and on every play," DeBord said. "He's one of our most improved football players."
Sophomore Marlin Maxwell, one of the fastest players on the team, holds down the right cornerback position and will see the first action of his career this season.
"What Marlin lacks in size (he's 5-9), he makes up for with speed," DeBord said.
Pushing both starters for playing time is junior Richard Kiel who missed the entire 2002 season with an injury.
"Richard was rusty at the start of training camp," DeBord said. "But, his technique has come around as has his ability to take coaching. He'll be our 'nickel' back and is battling for a starting job."
The fourth starter in the secondary is junior Mike Thomas who has battled the injury bug. "He's a smart player," DeBord said. "He does a great job as the quarterback of the defense."
A pair of redshirt freshmen are behind Thomas in Doug Kress, also a backup to King, and Orlando Walton. Depth at cornerback will come from sophomores Jesse Dailey and Fabrice Raymond, and redshirt freshman Scooter Archie.
The Chippewas will put those drills to use on Aug. 30 when they open the 2003 season at the University of Michigan at noon. CMU then returns to Kelly/Shorts for a pair of home encounters with New Hampshire (Sept. 6) and Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 13).
