As usual, most of the talk surrounding Georgia Southern’s spring practices has revolved around offense. And quite frankly, that’s precisely what Ashley Anders, the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, is accustomed to.
Anders came to Georgia Southern after five years at Valdosta State, where first-year Eagle coach Chris Hatcher’s offense — the Hatch Attack —usually took center stage. Anders didn’t mind and quietly built a staunch defense to compliment the high-powered offense.
In 2006, the Blazers allowed 15.7 points per game — 25th best in Division II — and 270 yards per contest, ranking 35th nationally in total defense. Valdosta totaled 24 takeaways in 10 games and had 69 tackles for a loss, 22 sacks, 13 interceptions and 38 pass break-ups. When Hatcher took over at GSU in mid-January, bringing Anders to Statesboro with him was a no-brainer. For the most part, Hatcher gives Anders free reign of the defense.
“We’ve always had some good defensive teams,” Hatcher said. “He knows how I like the defense to play. We know each other very well, and I think that’s very important in having a defensive coach that you pretty much turn everything over to. His job is to coach defense, and my job is to coach offense.”
Under Anders, the Eagles will run a multiple 4-3 that’ll try to give some different looks to the offensive line.
“Our philosophy on defense is first of all, we want to be able to stop the run. We want to make offenses as one-dimensional as possible,” Anders said. “Our saying through the defense is we want to swarm the ball to create turnovers. The more we can fly around and be physical, things may go our way. As long as they are flying around, having fun and looking to make plays — that’s all we can ask for as a coaching staff.”
At the moment, Anders is in the process of learning his players’ abilities. A couple of defensive backs and linemen with quick feet have caught his eye, but no one in particular has stood out thus far.
“We’re still feeling the guys out,” Anders said. “We’ll know a little bit more Saturday after we put the pads on and start banging around a little bit. That’ll be when we really take the leash off of them. What we’ll be able to do defensively is the main thing we are trying to look for right now.”
A lot of focus will be at linebacker where the Eagles lost the heart-and-soul of their defense in departed senior John Mohring, who had team-high 93 tackles — almost twice as many as any other player. GSU will also miss the services of Jason Earwood, another veteran who anchored the position a year ago. Sophomores Terrione Benefield and David Lewis saw time at linebacker last year, but Anders said it’s too early in the spring to have a good feel for the unit. Like every other position on the field, the starting jobs are wide open.
“What I told them to begin with is it’s not based on what you did last year, it’s what you do now,” Anders said. “Some guys we may not have seen or may not have gotten the opportunity last year.
“David Lewis had done a good job with some of his pass drops, and (freshman) E.J. Webb has got a lot of quickness. They’ve just got to settle in basically as we install the defense, know it inside and out and be able to react to it. When put the pads on and I feel comfortable with us stopping the run, then I’ll start making more evaluations.”
Junior lineman Brandon Daniel, who led the team with 4.5 sacks during 2006 — his first year as an Eagle — said it’s great to be back on the field after a disappointing season.
“I’m really excited to see what the defense is going to do,” Daniel said. “We’ve got a new system, a lot of returning players back – it’s going to be real fun to get out there and run around on defense. Our new philosophy is making it simple for us so we can just go out there and play fast with our given talent.”
First day in full pads
The Eagles were in full pads Wednesday for the first time this spring and practiced full-speed without tackling.
“It was a good day,” Hatcher said. “We had good effort. The guys seem to be excited. They are buying into what we want them to do, and I thought we got a little better today. Again, that’s all we can ask right now — just to get a little better each day.”
Hatcher was pleased with the offense, which he said looked like it had been practicing for a couple weeks.
“That’s a good sign to see,” he said. “The guys were picking up on all their signals and the plays.”
Foster catching eyes
Four days into spring practice and senior receiver/running back/return specialist Jayson Foster has already caught Hatcher’s eyes. Last year’s coaching staff was often criticized for limited use of Foster, arguably one of the most dangerous and fastest players in the Southern Conference.
“I tell you, I found out that ol’ Jayson Foster — he’s a pretty good ballplayer,” Hatcher said Wednesday afternoon.
First scrimmage Saturday
Georgia Southern will hold its first scrimmage Saturday morning around 10 at Beautiful Eagle Creek.
Anders came to Georgia Southern after five years at Valdosta State, where first-year Eagle coach Chris Hatcher’s offense — the Hatch Attack —usually took center stage. Anders didn’t mind and quietly built a staunch defense to compliment the high-powered offense.
In 2006, the Blazers allowed 15.7 points per game — 25th best in Division II — and 270 yards per contest, ranking 35th nationally in total defense. Valdosta totaled 24 takeaways in 10 games and had 69 tackles for a loss, 22 sacks, 13 interceptions and 38 pass break-ups. When Hatcher took over at GSU in mid-January, bringing Anders to Statesboro with him was a no-brainer. For the most part, Hatcher gives Anders free reign of the defense.
“We’ve always had some good defensive teams,” Hatcher said. “He knows how I like the defense to play. We know each other very well, and I think that’s very important in having a defensive coach that you pretty much turn everything over to. His job is to coach defense, and my job is to coach offense.”
Under Anders, the Eagles will run a multiple 4-3 that’ll try to give some different looks to the offensive line.
“Our philosophy on defense is first of all, we want to be able to stop the run. We want to make offenses as one-dimensional as possible,” Anders said. “Our saying through the defense is we want to swarm the ball to create turnovers. The more we can fly around and be physical, things may go our way. As long as they are flying around, having fun and looking to make plays — that’s all we can ask for as a coaching staff.”
At the moment, Anders is in the process of learning his players’ abilities. A couple of defensive backs and linemen with quick feet have caught his eye, but no one in particular has stood out thus far.
“We’re still feeling the guys out,” Anders said. “We’ll know a little bit more Saturday after we put the pads on and start banging around a little bit. That’ll be when we really take the leash off of them. What we’ll be able to do defensively is the main thing we are trying to look for right now.”
A lot of focus will be at linebacker where the Eagles lost the heart-and-soul of their defense in departed senior John Mohring, who had team-high 93 tackles — almost twice as many as any other player. GSU will also miss the services of Jason Earwood, another veteran who anchored the position a year ago. Sophomores Terrione Benefield and David Lewis saw time at linebacker last year, but Anders said it’s too early in the spring to have a good feel for the unit. Like every other position on the field, the starting jobs are wide open.
“What I told them to begin with is it’s not based on what you did last year, it’s what you do now,” Anders said. “Some guys we may not have seen or may not have gotten the opportunity last year.
“David Lewis had done a good job with some of his pass drops, and (freshman) E.J. Webb has got a lot of quickness. They’ve just got to settle in basically as we install the defense, know it inside and out and be able to react to it. When put the pads on and I feel comfortable with us stopping the run, then I’ll start making more evaluations.”
Junior lineman Brandon Daniel, who led the team with 4.5 sacks during 2006 — his first year as an Eagle — said it’s great to be back on the field after a disappointing season.
“I’m really excited to see what the defense is going to do,” Daniel said. “We’ve got a new system, a lot of returning players back – it’s going to be real fun to get out there and run around on defense. Our new philosophy is making it simple for us so we can just go out there and play fast with our given talent.”
First day in full pads
The Eagles were in full pads Wednesday for the first time this spring and practiced full-speed without tackling.
“It was a good day,” Hatcher said. “We had good effort. The guys seem to be excited. They are buying into what we want them to do, and I thought we got a little better today. Again, that’s all we can ask right now — just to get a little better each day.”
Hatcher was pleased with the offense, which he said looked like it had been practicing for a couple weeks.
“That’s a good sign to see,” he said. “The guys were picking up on all their signals and the plays.”
Foster catching eyes
Four days into spring practice and senior receiver/running back/return specialist Jayson Foster has already caught Hatcher’s eyes. Last year’s coaching staff was often criticized for limited use of Foster, arguably one of the most dangerous and fastest players in the Southern Conference.
“I tell you, I found out that ol’ Jayson Foster — he’s a pretty good ballplayer,” Hatcher said Wednesday afternoon.
First scrimmage Saturday
Georgia Southern will hold its first scrimmage Saturday morning around 10 at Beautiful Eagle Creek.
