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Princeton University Athletics
New Line, Additional Depth Key Defensive Efforts For Spring Campaign
April 27, 2005 | Football
April 27, 2005
PRINCETON - Head coach Roger Hughes has no interest in going to battle next season without the likes of Justin Stull, Jay McCareins and J.J. Artis in uniform. In the spring, it's a different story. While it is always beneficial to get your starters work, the 2005 spring was beneficial to the Princeton defense because of how much work the non-"name" players received.
What is a name player?
Well, if you follow Princeton football, then you can probably name the positions of Stull, McCareins and Artis without a problem. Hence, they're name players.
(And if you're new, that would be linebacker, cornerback, cornerback.)
That trio was among an array returning starters from 2004 who missed at least part of the spring season, if not the whole thing. While most should be fine by the time preseason rolls around, their absence allowed the coaching staff to get a good look at some of the other faces on the roster. It could be several of those faces who will make the play here or the tackle there that decide a crucial game in 2005.
The Defensive Backfield
Let's start with the cornerbacks. McCareins and Artis both missed the entire spring. Assuming both rehab at the expected pace, both are favorites to start on opposite corners in 2005. Simply put, they have the potential to be the dominant cover corners in the league.
The safeties got more attention from the coaching staff. All-league free safety Brandon Mueller graduates this year, which opens one spot. Starting strong safety Tim Strickland, who tied a Princeton record with three interceptions at Colgate this season, was injured and missed camp. That allowed current juniors David Ochotorena and Rob Anderson the chance to stake their claims to the positions. "The silver lining to all the injuries we had in the backfield," Hughes said, "was that the younger players got a lot of reps. The safeties needed a lot of work, and they showed improvement by the end of camp."
Ochotorena saw plenty of action last season, and his experience, combined with the dividends earned via his work in the weight room, have given him an added confidence and toughness. He is a potential replacement for Mueller at free safety. Anderson took most of Strickland's snaps at strong safety and could factor into the race for that position, although with the variety of formations run by the Princeton defense, it is certainly possible to see both Strickland and Anderson called upon often next season.
Linebackers
With Princeton likely to keep the 3-4 defense, spectacular play from the linebackers will be critical next season.
Barring injury, one inside linebacker will be Stull. With 220 tackles over the last two seasons, the first two-time captain since 1916 is a lock for that position.
He could replace Zak Keasey as more of a blitzing, freelancing type, which means somebody would have to replace Stull as a primary run stopper. Two potential favorites for that spot could be Abi Fadeyi, a 2004 starter who missed half of camp with injury, and Rob Holuba. Fadeyi is a fierce competitor with a true physical toughness who made several key defensive plays last season.
Holuba is a bit more of an unknown to the common fan, but his coaches appreciate the versatility he brings to the position.
"He really is a utility man who can play either of the inside or outside positions," Hughes said. "With all of the injuries, we have moved him around a lot, and we know that he can handle any of the positions, although it probably has not allowed him to get comfortable in one position."
Holuba was a backup inside linebacker last season, so he is likely more familiar with that role. A converted linebacker who is probably more comfortable inside is Tim Boardman, a rising sophomore who saw plenty of action as a defensive tackle last season. Boardman has slimmed down and added some necessary speed, and he seems to have taken to the position. Classmate Doori Song is among several talented freshmen linebackers who will definitely contribute on special teams and could earn snaps on the defense.
The outside linebackers are also up in the air. If Fadeyi plays one of the outside positions, the other could be handled by Nate Starrett, who did a fine job in the Dartmouth game as an emergency starter. Luke Steckel also impressed the coaches during the spring and should earn time. Fadeyi started all 10 games as an outside linebacker and proved capable in both the run and pass defense.
Defensive Line
When you lose two seniors from a three-man line, it would seem that inexperience would be a major concern at the position. That isn't the case for this squad, thanks to a decision made by the coaching staff prior to the Colgate game.
The starting defensive line throughout 2004 was ends Chris Browne and James Williams and nose tackle Peter Kelly. Browne and Kelly are graduated, while Williams is the likely starter on one end.
Before playing Colgate, the staff, especially defensive line coach and defensive coordinator Steve Verbit, put together a rotation that included Boardman, Jake Marshall and Mike Meehan. As already stated, Boardman is moving to linebacker, which leaves Marshall and Meehan to team with Williams.
Three experienced players for a three-man line.
Clearly there will not be the same amount of experience, nor will there be the immediate depth, of the 2004 line, but that hardly makes this line a major question mark. Williams, who scored two of Princeton's most memorable touchdowns last season, came into his own during the season on one end and will be the leader up front. Meehan has deceptive quickness to go along with strength and a very strong grasp of the defensive basics Verbit demands.
Marshall brings size and toughness into the middle, and he will be joined by converted offensive lineman Paul Daou, who is raw on the defensive side but has the type of size that makes him tough on the inside runs.
Punting
You don't consider a punter to be a member of the defense? If the role of the defense is to keep the opposing team as far away from your end zone as possible, than the punter certainly has those credentials.
Colin McDonough was the first-team All-Ivy punter in 2003, and he showed that form this spring. What was the difference?
"We have white jerseys for the offense and orange jerseys for the defense," Hughes said. "He was punting in orange in 2003, but last year he had white. The defense would razz him a little, but now he's back in orange and looking like the first-team Colin."
Hey, whatever works.
What does it all mean? Well, it gives the coaches a foundation to prepare for the preseason, but it also does not guarantee a starting spot when Princeton travels to Lafayette on Sept. 17. There is still plenty of work to be done, but it was a very encouraging step for Hughes.
"On the whole, there was a higher intensity and greater physicality this spring," Hughes said. "We came out tougher than we went in."
On Friday, GoPrincetonTigers.com will look at the Princeton offense coming out of the spring. Coverage of the offseason has already included a look at the 2005 captains, which can be found here.