Spring Break
Veteran defense to anchor Bulldogs
Brown to lead Bulldogs defense on, off field in senior season
Jonathan Brown
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Sports
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That is no longer the case. Brown has become the leader in a new group of young defensive linemen.
Brown, a senior from Tuscaloosa, Ala., said he doesn't mind the questions because they come with the role of being a team leader.
"Being a leader is a tough role, you have all the younger guys watching you, but I don't mind because I had guys I would turn to," Brown said. "I take it very seriously."
The Bulldogs need Brown to take it seriously, as he has the task of helping anchor a defensive line that must rebuild after the loss of key players last season.
Gone are the likes of Michael Heard, Andrew Powell, Antonio Johnson and Deljuan Robinson, guys in which Brown says he often turned to, with both Heard and Johnson moving on to the NFL.
Also gone is Brick Haley, who had coached the defensive line since head coach Sylvester Croom's arrival in 2004. Haley left to work in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
New defensive line coach David Turner, who joins the staff after serving the past season as defensive ends coach at Alabama, said he sees improvement in his group of men.
"We've had some good days in this fall practice," he said. "I think it's a combination of the guys getting zeroed in on LSU, as well as them getting more comfortable with me. They understand some of the techniques better as well."
Moving into the starting role as the defensive end opposite Brown will be senior Avery Hannibal.
Hannibal played in all 12 games last season as a reserve, recording eight tackles and one sack. He said Brown helped him get a better understanding of what it takes to play defensive end.
"He's helped me learn to use things I already have as my strengths, like my speed and hands," Hannibal said.
"I think more like a defensive end."
The 6-foot-1-inch, 250-pound Brown hasn't always had it so easy at defensive end.
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