A Sea Of Red

Our final position review is the defensive backfield for the Flames:

1. Kent Hicks (starter)
2. Ryan Greiser (starter)
3. Pat Dickerson (starter)
4. Pat Calvary (starter)
5. Ryan Best
6. Tim Torrence
7. Chris Rocco
8. Donald Manns
9. Chuck Duffey
10. Ron Gerondale
11. Pierre Penn
12. Jonathan Brummel
13. Champ Dulcio
14. Al Bailey (redshirt)
15. Larry Claiborne (redshirt)


1. Kent Hicks- the Virginia Tech transfer, although he had issues with personal foul penalties at times early in the season, finished solidly with 43 total tackles (25 solo) and finished #2 on the team in interceptions with 3.
2. Ryan Greiser- the hard hitting defensive back from PA finished #1 on the team in solo tackles in 2007 (43), # 3 overall in total tackles (67), recovered a fumble and an interception
3. Pat Dickerson- the only senior among the starters in the defensive backfield finished with 40 total tackles (18 solo), and one interception
4. Pat Calvary- The junior finished with 33 total tackles, led the team in interceptions (4) and and finished as one of three defensive backs with interception returns for touchdowns (Greiser and Ryan Best were the other two)
5. Ryan Best- the senior finished with 36 total tackles (16 solo) and a 1 interception (which he returned for a TD)
6. Tim Torrence- the true sophomore finished with 33 total tackles (16 solo) and forced two fumbles
7. Chris Rocco- the former all-state quarterback and defensive back at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg went all defense as a freshman and in 2007 had a solid year, finishing as one of only two players with at least 10 tackles to have the exact same number of solo and assist tackles (22 total 11 solo 11 assist)
8. Donald Manns- the sophomore out of Florida finished with 19 total tackles in 9 games
9. Pierre Tinsley- the former Amherst COunty product recorded 18 total tackles (6 solo) and a fumble recovery in 9 games
10. Ron Gerondale- the senior appeared in 2 games (when the outcome was largely decided) and recorded 1 solo tackle
11. Pierre Penn- the sophomore from nearby Heritage High School appeared in all 11 games and finished with 12 total tackles (7 solo) in 2007

12. Jonathan Brummel- did not factor in the defensive statistics in 2007
13. Champ Dulcio- did not factor in the defensive statistics in 2007
14. Al Bailey- Redshirted in 2007
15. Larry Claiborne- Redshirted in 2007


The defensive backfield had somewhat of a checkered 2007, with the a number of good plays made across the board, but a couple questionable games against William and Mary and Elon. That said, only Pat Dickerson is not returning for 2008 among the starters, so there will be a battle for the safety spot opposite Ryan Greiser during spring ball.

Tomorrow: Special Teams

Dickerson's a safety, so the battle would be at the safety spot, but Chris Rocco will more than likely take it. Kent Hicks started most of the games not Manns.

The defensive back writeup has been updated so have at. I think that Rocco will likely be #1 for the other safety spot going into the spring (as jc mentioned), and that will also create some interesting possibilities for who comes in for nickel and dime situations

agree that there is a lot of talent here (24) but it is a bit disconcerting that your DB's are making all those tackles.

I'd think you'd like to see a little more balance next year- with more RB's getting taken down at the line, if not in the backfield. Of course, with teams more oriented to a passing offense, its likely the DBs will continue to make most of the hits.