BUILDING BLOCKS: Penn must replace pair of all-Ivy safeties

"We have big shoes to fill," was the common refrain from the four defensive backs competing for the starting safety jobs on the Penn football team. The quartet of young and relatively inexperienced Quakers will be trying to step into the prodigious cleats left vacant by the departure of possibly the best safety tandem ever at Penn, Dana Lyons and Nick Morris. Last season, Morris led the Quakers in tackles and tied with Lyons for the team lead with three interceptions. Of Lyons's three picks, two were returned for touchdowns. For their efforts, Morris gained first team all-Ivy recognition while Lyons earned a spot on the all-Ivy second team. Although their graduations have created a hole in the defensive backfield, they also opened the door for senior John Bishop, junior Mike Ferguson and sophomores Jim Finn, Bruce Rossignol and Mike Elko. "It will be a great challenge trying to replace their athletic ability and leadership," Bishop said. "We just have to go out there and make the most of every practice." The safeties, however, do not feel any additional pressure because of the predecessors at their position. They also do not believe that their lack of previous playing time will cause the safety spots to be the Achilles' heel of the Penn defense. "The guys we have now are just as talented as the ones we had in the past," Finn said. "People might think the safety spots will be weak, but we're not. We're just young." The high level of playing ability shown by all four possible starters has led to an intensely competitive battle for a starting position. Practices have taken on almost a game-like atmosphere as the players constantly try to one-up each other. "Last year, too many of the guys behind the starters said 'I'm never going to play,'" Quakers secondary coach Rick Flanders said. "So at times I was always trying to motivate them to continue working and believe in the fact that they have to be ready when their time comes. This year, at times, I have to tone them back." While the competition has been fierce, it has not been malicious. The safeties are good friends, and Ferguson, Finn and Bishop all live together. "It's always better when you have some internal competition," Flanders said. "I think they all understand they are in a healthy battle." The free safety spot will be manned by either Ferguson or Bishop. Both players saw action in all nine games last year, and Ferguson recorded one interception. Bishop, who is also competing for one of the cornerback positions, is considered the better cover man. But as Flanders said, the mental aspect of the position, including making reads, is crucial, and that is where Ferguson might have the advantage. "As far as physical talent goes, it is real close," Ferguson said. "Although I may not be as fast or as strong as the others, I have been at free safety for the longest, and I feel like I know the defense the best." The decision at strong safety will be between Finn and Rossignol. Both are extremely physical players who defend the run well. If the decision to start came down solely to run support, Flanders said Finn and Rossignol would likely fill both the free and strong positions. Elko also figures to get a look. Both Finn and Rossignol are converted running backs who have had limited time on the other side of the ball. But despite the difficulties he might have had at first when trying to learn how to run backwards and make open-field tackles, Rossignol is confident the switch has gone well. "It really doesn't matter what position you are," Rossignol said. "If you are an athlete on the field, playing football is playing football." Regardless of who is determined to be the starters, the safeties know the opposition will take advantage of their inexperience. "To some extent, I think you'll see some teams take a chance at throwing the ball up against us," Flanders said. "But most people in the league won't throw 30 to 40 times a game." Still, the safeties relish the chance to prove wrong any coach who thinks he can throw at will against the Quakers. "If you are a coach and you are smart, you attack the part of the defense that hasn't proven itself," Rossignol said. "In fact, we hope they do. We are not going to back down to anyone this year."