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GSU duo will enter spotlight
Scott Beder / Tech and GSU Reporter
Posted on August 28, 2002
GRAMBLING - Last season the play of Denmark Reed and Chris Brown was somewhat overshadowed on a Grambling State defense that featured Robert Taylor, Calvin Spears, Terrance Dukes and Kalvin Pearson.
It's safe to say this season Reed and Brown will emerge from the shadows and will have the bright light squarely on them.
"I think they were underrated," receiver Tramon Douglas said. "To me we had the best secondary in the conference last year."
It's a safe bet the Tigers will have the best secondary in the SWAC once again because of the presence of Reed and Brown.
Last season Reed, the free safety and Brown, a cornerback, combined to intercept 14 passes, breakup 27 passes, collect 101 tackles and force three fumbles.
"Those are two of the premier guys in the conference," defensive coordinator Mike Roach said. "They both do a super job. They are major, major keys."
Reed is a 6-1, 180-pounder from Baton Rouge. Last season he picked off six passes and ranked third on the team in tackles with 65 including four for losses.
Reed's performance proved to be a breakout season because when the season started, his position was not secure.
"It was pretty much a roller coaster because at the beginning of the season I got off to a slow start," Reed said. "I was just getting a feel for the game because it was my first year to start."
Reed came on strong and earned second-team All-SWAC honors.
"I think the off-season program really helped him," Douglas said. "We both stayed in Baton Rouge and worked out together with Chris also. (Reed) worked hard in the off-season last year and wanted to make the coaches believe and went out and proved himself every game."
Brown returns as the SWAC's leader in interceptions after picking off eight passes last season.
Brown stands out because of his size and athletic ability. He is big for a cornerback at 6-3, 200 pounds, but has the skill and speed to cover swift wide receivers.
"Chris Brown is a great man cover guy," Roach said. "He kind of reminds me of (NFL Hall of Famer) Mel Blount because he's a big corner and he's so physical."
Brown has always had the talent, but last season he put it together as maturity set in.
"When you go against Chris, he brings his A game every time," Douglas said. "If you slack off, he will embarrass you. When I go against him, I'm ready to fight every time."
Brown also earned second-team All-SWAC honors a year ago and ranked sixth on the team with 36 tackles. He also recovered two fumbles.
"Chris Brown has probably been the steadiest guy we've had in camp," Roach said. "He's shown a lot of leadership and a lot of maturity. When he first came here he was going in nine different directions, but he's shown a lot of maturity."
With an inexperienced set of linebackers and two new starters in the secondary, Reed and Brown are going to be two huge keys to Grambling's success on defense this year.
"We're really looking for a lot of leadership from those two guys on defense," head coach Doug Williams said. "We have some quality experience returning on that side of the ball and we're hoping they can go in there and establish control and give our offense a little more time to grow."
Scott Beder / Tech and GSU Reporter
Posted on August 28, 2002
GRAMBLING - Last season the play of Denmark Reed and Chris Brown was somewhat overshadowed on a Grambling State defense that featured Robert Taylor, Calvin Spears, Terrance Dukes and Kalvin Pearson.
It's safe to say this season Reed and Brown will emerge from the shadows and will have the bright light squarely on them.
"I think they were underrated," receiver Tramon Douglas said. "To me we had the best secondary in the conference last year."
It's a safe bet the Tigers will have the best secondary in the SWAC once again because of the presence of Reed and Brown.
Last season Reed, the free safety and Brown, a cornerback, combined to intercept 14 passes, breakup 27 passes, collect 101 tackles and force three fumbles.
"Those are two of the premier guys in the conference," defensive coordinator Mike Roach said. "They both do a super job. They are major, major keys."
Reed is a 6-1, 180-pounder from Baton Rouge. Last season he picked off six passes and ranked third on the team in tackles with 65 including four for losses.
Reed's performance proved to be a breakout season because when the season started, his position was not secure.
"It was pretty much a roller coaster because at the beginning of the season I got off to a slow start," Reed said. "I was just getting a feel for the game because it was my first year to start."
Reed came on strong and earned second-team All-SWAC honors.
"I think the off-season program really helped him," Douglas said. "We both stayed in Baton Rouge and worked out together with Chris also. (Reed) worked hard in the off-season last year and wanted to make the coaches believe and went out and proved himself every game."
Brown returns as the SWAC's leader in interceptions after picking off eight passes last season.
Brown stands out because of his size and athletic ability. He is big for a cornerback at 6-3, 200 pounds, but has the skill and speed to cover swift wide receivers.
"Chris Brown is a great man cover guy," Roach said. "He kind of reminds me of (NFL Hall of Famer) Mel Blount because he's a big corner and he's so physical."
Brown has always had the talent, but last season he put it together as maturity set in.
"When you go against Chris, he brings his A game every time," Douglas said. "If you slack off, he will embarrass you. When I go against him, I'm ready to fight every time."
Brown also earned second-team All-SWAC honors a year ago and ranked sixth on the team with 36 tackles. He also recovered two fumbles.
"Chris Brown has probably been the steadiest guy we've had in camp," Roach said. "He's shown a lot of leadership and a lot of maturity. When he first came here he was going in nine different directions, but he's shown a lot of maturity."
With an inexperienced set of linebackers and two new starters in the secondary, Reed and Brown are going to be two huge keys to Grambling's success on defense this year.
"We're really looking for a lot of leadership from those two guys on defense," head coach Doug Williams said. "We have some quality experience returning on that side of the ball and we're hoping they can go in there and establish control and give our offense a little more time to grow."
