6B the university daily kansan
sports
tuesday, april 6,2004
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ALL-AMERICAN: Coaches debate player's position JAYHAWKS: Coach wants to strengthen defense
He earned an admirer along the way in quarterback Adam Barmann.
"I'm probably biased, but I think he's the best receiver in the Big 12," Barmann said. "Charles is brilliant out there, he knows all the reads, all the coverages, and it really helps me out. He can beat you with speed, he can beat you with quickness and he's got great hands."
Those hands combined with great timing and jumping ability
led to Gordon catching several hail-mary jump balls last season. One of those jump-balls gave Kansas a 35-24 lead over Colorado in Boulder at halftime last season, while another set up Kansas's final opportunity to tie the Northwestern game.
"I adjusted pretty quick," Gordon said. "It was kind of fun."
He was tossed into the cornerback fray late last season as Kansas was trying to salvage a bowl game, which it eventually did. Despite the switch to a position he hadn't played before, Gordon said the change wasn't too bad.
While Gordon will be at cornerback for the next few practices to get him ready for the next scrimmage, don't be surprised if he switches back to wide receiver fairly soon.
Just don't expect him to try and kick again.
"I'm pretty much doing all that I can right now," Gordon said. "I can't kick."
- Edited by Ashley Arnold
KANSAS: Niang meeting with coaches, could leave
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have been filled, and someone would have to transfer or agree to go off scholarship for even one of them to sign.
Speculation increased that sophomore center Moulaye Niang was considering a transfer this week, and he is meeting with
the Kansas coach this week.
Niang's departure would open the way to give either Giles or Hairston a scholarship, but two people would have to leave for Kansas to have a spot for both of them. Kansas is not permitted to talk to Giles until he is released from his letter of intent, if Miami decides to let him go.
With or without Hairston and Giles, Kansas has an impressive recruiting class. Kaun and Jackson should help ease the loss of senior Jeff Graves. In Robinson, Kansas has a combo guard who can relieve junior point guard Aaron Miles or log minutes at shooting guard.
- Edited by Louise Stauffer
The no-holds-barred approach was the result of trying to force new quarterbacks to improvise and attempting to shore up a defense that allowed over 30 points per game last season.
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The first team defense that worked out yesterday was able to chase the quarterback through the defensive ends David McMillan and John McCoy and defensive tackle Travis Watkins up the middle. The other first-team defensive tackle, walk-on Chris Brant, was taken off the field by cart after sustaining an injury. The three first-team linebackers, Banks Floodman, Nick Reid and Kevin Kane, chased the ball well. Theo Baines and Charles Gordon were the cornerbacks and Rodney Harris and Tony Stubbs were the safeties.
Mangino said generating a strong pass rush was important.
"We've got to get some heat on the passer." Mangino said. "That
will help our defense tremendously when it comes to coverage."
That pass rush forced the quarterbacks to leave the pocket often, where they were able to throw well on the run. Both Adam Barmann and Jason Swanson threw accurately and responded to the defensive pressure with big plays. While Mangino said there was no separation between the starting-quarterback hopefuls, Barmann is taking the majority of the first team snaps.
Barmann, who was thrust into the starting spot after Whitteimore was injured last season, said he was less overwhelmed with the offense this year.
"Last year, the first game, I'm not going to lie, I was swimming a little bit mentally." Barmann said. "I feel so much more comfortable, it's just leaps and bounds compared with last year."
It showed. After scrambling and completing a 20-yard pass to
a sliding Mark Simmons just plays earlier, Barmann struck big. Barmann faked a handoff, then faked a reverse to the wide receiver. With the defense on its heels, Barmann launched a pass into the waiting arms of wide receiver Simmons for a 50-yard touchdown.
Kansas Football Notes;
Toomey and Green not playing Second team All-Big 12 linebacker Gabe Toomey took a limited part in yesterday's practice and Mangino said he would participate in limited contact this spring. Kevin Kane is working with the first-team defense in Toomev's absence.
Last season's leading rusher Clark Green didn't attend practice yesterday because Mangino said he had academic issues. John Randle and Jon Cornish both worked with the first-team offense in his place.
- Edited by Donovan Atkinson
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