Communication among defensive backs is crucial and it has been a point of emphasis during Cal’s fall camp practices. Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon says that the unit counting on a several players either learning a new position or lacking substantial playing time is coming along.
“They are getting more comfortable,” Sirmon said in a Zoom call before the Bears took the field Thursday for their 13th practice. “Half the battle is communicating to the other guys on the defense what techniques they are playing, and we stress non-verbal. Because it’s hard for us to know what techniques we are even coaching if we can’t see it on film. And as they get better at communicating, they are getting more confident in what they are saying. Early on, with some of
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the inexperienced players, they are very hesitant, they don’t want to over-communicate because they don’t want to be wrong. Just like all of us. Nobody wants to be wrong. Part of that is coaching up the confidence. It’s ok to be wrong. But be vocal, as long as we are all on the same page we have the chance to have a successful play.”
During this block of practices, the Bears have been working on some high-stress tactics such as “two-huddle” and “fastball.”
“We had our second installment of two-huddle yesterday,” Sirmon said. “We had fastball several times….The spirit and intensity of two-huddles were really good. We had better execution on both sides. We are continuing the practice more favorably together. ...A big point of emphasis for Coach Wilcox has been how we take care of each other and we continue to practice at a high level.”
The Injury to Curley Young has left the Bears a little thin at outside linebacker.
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“Braxten (Croteau) and Cam (Goode) are taking a significant workload ... Orin Patu and Myles Jernigan and are getting increased reps …. So those guys are getting a significant amount of work. When there are injuries you are going to start cross-training some different people. There might be some bigger guys who get the opportunity cross-train as backups.”
One choice might be tight end Nick Alftin who began his career as an outside linebacker. Sirmon said only that Alftin “is doing most of his work now at tight end.”
Inside linebacker Kuony Deng was also made available to the media Thursday. The garrulous Deng was asked which players on the defense had impressed him. Deng ran through virtually the entire depth chart and guess what, he was impressed by everybody.
As far as he was concerned, Deng promised he would be better.
“I think I am in the natural curve of progression,” he said. “I’ve added some weight. You work hard all year for a certain amount of games and you get excited when those games come around you showcase the work you put in…..I feel I have improved my game in every single aspect. I honestly do. I have been trying to work on everything.”
And the offensive players verify he is hitting harder. “I do get feedback,” Deng said.
garrulous: excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
I enjoyed Kuony's interview and thought it was one of the best player interviews in years. I wouldn't call it garrulous, in fact it was quite the opposite. It was interesting, informative and detailed. Kuony provided a lot of insight that one doesn't normally get from a coach or player.
garrulous: excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
I enjoyed Kuony's interview and thought it was one of the best player interviews in years. I wouldn't call it garrulous, in fact it was quite the opposite. It was interesting, informative and detailed. Kuony provided a lot of insight that one doesn't normally get from a coach or player.
Can't wait to see this new offense.
Glad to see the focus on communication among the safeties and DB's. After watching a number of high-scoring games this Fall it is apparent to me that one big reason for the high scoring is poor communication among safeties and DB's. One missed communication immediately leads to a score or "big chunk" play.
