Man on the move: Bulldogs' Culberson settles in the middle

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Quinton Culberson finally found a home in the middle of the Mississippi State defense. At least, he thinks so.<br> <br> The ex-safety, ex-cornerback and ex-outside linebacker is getting cozy as the key to the Bulldogs&#39; defense at middle linebacker.<br> <br> ``When I played those other positions, coach (Sylvester) Croom said I was a great tackler,&#39;&#39; Culberson said in a telephone conversation. ``He felt like playing (middle) linebacker with my speed and size would be a great help to the team. So, I changed my position.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Culberson&#39;s multiple position switches reflect attempts by Croom to place his faster, more aggressive defenders in the best spots.<br> <br> ``We wanted to get guys that can play winning football on the field,&#39;&#39; Croom said. ``Get the players in positions to make plays. We are football a team that uses players in different spots. We wanted to be a speed defense.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Culberson came to Mississippi State in 2003 as a 6-foot, 228-pound safety and started at cornerback in his first college game.<br> <br> When Croom took over for Jackie Sherrill as coach before last season, he said Culberson was too big to play corner and made him a backup safety.<br> <br> But after a 1-4 start to his first season as coach, Croom made wholesale changes to the defense.<br> <br> Culberson switched to weakside linebacker and moved into the starting lineup alongside freshmen Gabe O&#39;Neal and Titus Brown.<br> <br> In their first game, they kept quarterback Chris Leak and running back Ciatrick Fason in check in a 38-31 upset of then-No. 20 Florida. A week later, Culberson returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a 22-7 win over Kentucky.<br> <br> Brown was moved to defensive end this offseason and Culberson replaced him at middle linebacker. THe switch was made to try to keep Culberson from being blocked and instead force running backs to funnel to him.<br> <br> ``The only thing I have a problem with is the center I have to watch the ball and make plays,&#39;&#39; Culberson said.<br> <br> With so much experience at so many positions, does he have a favorite?<br> <br> ``I play all of them real well. I never thought I was bad at either one,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> Mississippi State plays host to Division I-AA Murray State on Saturday night. Kickoff is 6 p.m.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)