Arkansas defense changes captures former wide receiver Brown

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Posted 5:46PM on Friday, August 12, 2005

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) When Arkansas hired a new defensive assistant last winter, a wide receiver might have benefited the most. ``I had never played defense in my life,'' Anthony Brown said at Razorbacks media day last week. After an impressive sophomore season at Mississippi Delta Community College, Brown worked with the Arkansas scout team in 2004 while sitting out as a redshirt. This year, he figured to compete for playing time with an experienced group of receivers. Then, during spring practice, Brown caught defensive coordinator Reggie Herring's eye, and he began quickly climbing the depth chart at defensive end. ``Coach (Houston) Nutt and coach Herring made a decision,'' Brown said. ``If I could help the team, that's where they wanted me to be, so I was all for it.'' Herring, who came to Arkansas from North Carolina State in December, wants a smaller, faster, more athletic defensive line. Returning linemen were asked to lose weight, and another player linebacker Desmond Sims was also converted to defensive end. So as far as Herring is concerned, the 6-foot, 6-inch, 223-pound Brown should fit right in. ``He's got height, and he's got speed,'' Herring said. ``He's got long arms. We put him down, and he's a very natural, instinctive defensive player. He just had never been put in that situation.'' Brown has worked hard, studying Herring's system and learning the fundamentals of pass rushing from defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. ``He's taken this thing and run with it,'' Rocker said. ``The thing about Anthony, he's put forth work to become good at his position. He's learned the whole playbook and he wants to be good at that position.'' Brown arrived at Arkansas after an impressive sophomore season at Mississippi Delta Community College. He made 35 catches for 603 yards, and his 10 touchdowns were second in Mississippi among junior college wide receivers. But the Razorbacks have a deep group of receivers. Marcus Monk, a sophomore, leads a unit that includes juniors Cedric Washington and Chris Baker. The three combined for 63 catches last season and Brown was asked to move to a position of greater need. Monk said Brown will be missed by the receivers, but he understands why the coaching staff thinks Brown can make the switch. ``He was so physical at receiver, so I can see how he can do it,'' Monk said. ``He's very athletic.'' Although he was never afraid of contact as a receiver, Brown knows defense requires a new attitude. ``Different mindsets offense to defense,'' Brown said. ``Having the mindset you know you've got to go and hit somebody.'' And as Rocker said, even veteran linemen become worn down during a season of pounding at the line of scrimmage. ``My concern is when you get a little bit beat up, your hands hurt or your shoulders hurt. That's my concern,'' Rocker said. ``Not just Anthony ... up front, you're constantly in contact, and a lot of times that decides if you really are truly a defensive lineman.'' For now, though, the coaching staff will trade size and experience for Brown's speed and athleticism. Brown's quick adjustment has been encouraging, and Herring thinks he will be a key player in Arkansas' new-look defense. ``He's a guy that right now looks like he's been there four years,'' Herring said. ``It's just been a natural move for him. ... Regardless of the size, our package is built so that he's going to be very productive for us.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)