Quote:Positive changes seen at practice

By Sam Khan Jr.
The Daily Cougar

This year, it's all about change for Cougar football.

Whether it's the coaches, the players or the schemes, the Cougars want to ensure that what happened last season -- specifically, losing eight games and winning only three -- doesn't happen again in 2005.

UH begins its mission toward improvement from the forgettable 2004 season, as spring football practice is in full swing, much to the pleasure of the Cougar fans, players and, of course, football head coach Art Briles.

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Daily Cougar File Photo

The Cougar football team is in the middle of spring training and has seen many changes, including new staff, different defensive schemes and position changes.
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"The first week of spring ball was really outstanding," Briles said. "I'm really pleased with our guys' effort and enthusiasm."

Aside from the coaching staff, which underwent quite a few changes itself in the offseason, one of the major changes from last year to this year is the defense. The Cougars are switching their base defense from the 4-3 to the 3-4.

There are a few reasons for the change. Personnel has a little to do with it; the coaches feel they have better depth at linebacker than on the defensive line. Guys like senior Lance Everson, junior Wade Koehl and sophomore Brendan Pahulu all served as playmakers at the linebacker spot last season and are keys to the switch.

Generating pressure on the quarterback is another reason - the 3-4 gives a defense the flexibility to bring blitzes from many different spots. Since teams normally rush at least four players, opposing offensive lines can never be too sure where the fourth (or fifth or sixth) rusher will come from when there are only three down linemen.

"It's a deal where we feel like we can disguise some blitzes and some defensive (personnel) packages a little better," Briles said. "Plus, it gives us a chance to get the guys on the field that fit the 3-4 a little better as opposed to the 4-3. It fits our personnel better."

Another change the Cougars are undergoing is the way they approach everyday business. Briles hinted that last season things didn't go the way he would have liked from a preparation standpoint; that much could be seen in the fact that they lost many players to academic ineligibility. But Briles said that has changed, and they're doing things the right way now.

"The first thing we did is we started with accountability," he said. "With the coaches, with our staff and with our players -- we're making sure that we don't leave any stone unturned. We're going to do the best we can do on a daily basis and we're going to be (held) accountable if we don't."

Of course, there are changes among the players. Aside from the normal roster turnover that occurs every season, there is some shuffling going on at a few positions, such as the offensive line. Sophomore tackle SirVincent Rogers, who made a surprising impact as a freshman at right tackle last season, moved to left tackle to protect quarterback Kevin Kolb's blind side.

"He's doing real good," Kolb said of Rogers' progress so far. "He's got as much talent as anybody on this field. I think this year he recognizes that it's time for him to be the best guy out here."

Another change taking place is at the wide receiver position, where former cornerback Ricky Wilson is switching to the offensive side of the ball so the Cougars can take advantage of his athleticism as a receiver. Wilson was an All-Conference USA selection in 2003 as a freshman kick returner, when he displayed his explosiveness by averaging 26.1 yards per kick return, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown that season against Louisville. Wilson is expected to return to that role, as well as returning punts, in addition to his role on offense.

"Ricky Wilson's a big-time-play guy," Kolb said of his new target. "He can make anybody miss at any time, and I've wanted him on the offensive side of the ball since I first saw him."

There's one thing that hasn't changed -- the backfield. Kolb returns for his junior season, no doubt looking to improve on what some called a sophomore slump. Behind him is a plethora of running backs who all contributed last year -- senior Anthony Evans, junior Jackie Battle, senior Ryan Gilbert and sophomore Harold Taylor. Sophomore Anthony Alridge joins the fray after sitting out last season.

Other than Wilson's addition to the passing game, the receiving corps should be stable as guys like sophomores Donnie Avery and Perry McDaniel return. Leading the way for the crop is senior Vincent Marshall, who became only the eighth Cougar in history to have a 1,000-yard receiving season by recording 1,040 on 61 receptions in 2004.

While it's only the second week and much work remains to be done, it's never too early to start thinking big. How far can this team go?

"Real far," Kolb said. "I've got a good gut instinct about this team. I like the way things are rolling right now. There are no big shots and little guys, we're all mixed in together and I like that about this team