Rod Perry working the DBs in practice.
New Oregon State DB coach Rod Perry has had some positive reviews by players and coaches.
Check out how the The NFL vet is doing in his first spring practice in my story in Friday’s GT.
The DBs as a whole have been playing well this spring. Starting CBs Jordan Poyer and Rashaad Reynolds have made coaching easy for Perry.
S Ryan Murphy has been making QB Sean Mannion‘s life in practice difficult.
“It has been going really well,” Poyer said. “I’m working hard to be the best Ican with the time I have left. The secondary is coming together really well. We are closer than we have been in recent years.”
The second-tier guys have come on strong, too. Look for CB Malcolm Marable and S Tyrequek Zimmerman to make some plays in the fall.
S Anthony Watkins didn’t practice due to a shoulder injury, but is expected back in the fall. He was the team’s leading tackler last season.
7 comments
ObjCritic says:
Apr 27, 2012
Encouraging to hear Zimmerman and Marable are making progress after position switches. Zimmerman should bring greater speed to the position than has been there recently.
I am curious about more details of Marable’s development, moving from RB to CB seems like a pretty significant change. Also, he’s listed at 5’7″ – doesn’t that present match-up limitations?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Apr 27, 2012
He’s a good athlete, and that’s what’s needed at corner. There are many shorter corners. That’s why taller guys can be an advantage catching a pass.
73GradMike says:
Apr 27, 2012
Fortunately, quickness, speed and technique can overcome height disadvantages in most circumstances. Very few routes beyond the goal line are basically jump-balls. I’d like to hear Perry’s take on those trade-offs.
oneoldbeav says:
Apr 27, 2012
Interesting and somewhat disturbing to read in the main article that Perry says, “I try to teach down to our lesser athletes”. I’m pretty sure Chip Kelly has said that he gears his teaching, instead, to the best players.
Will he have enough time and energy to impart a full measure of his vast knowledge to the very best athletes if he focuses on working with the “lesser athletes”?
Don’t get me wrong, I think Perry is going to make a positive difference and was a good choice. However, if the DT question isn’t solved opposing teams will run up the gut till the DB’s commit to the run and negate some of the talent/teaching in the secondary.
bone says:
Apr 27, 2012
one thing that I have seen at the practices that I go to is that corners are working quite a bit on shedding blocks and getting to the ball carrier.
As we saw last season injuries can happen so if we have to rely on “lesser athletes” they better have the great technique.
Mark says:
Apr 27, 2012
I’m sure Perry means he is teaching the Newbies as well as the veterans so nothing is assumed and we develop depth and nobody gets left behind. I’m sure he is well aware of how to coach DB’s.
oneoldbeav says:
Apr 29, 2012
Mark, probably splitting hairs here, but a philosophy which is more focused on seeing that “nobody gets left behind” doesn’t seem compatible with getting the very most from your group.
I agree it probably isn’t an all or nothing thing, but Kelly’s focus on helping the best players get to an even higher level while letting the others see what makes an outstanding performer makes a lot of sense to me. I doubt a coach with Kelly’s approach would keep his teaching secret between himself and the top level players; the second string would hear the same advice.
I too am sure he is well aware of how to coach DB’s. Solid fundamentals have to come first, maybe Perry sees that as lacking in all his guys? I doubt it.