Entering summer conditioning, Ball State University's linebacker core looked to be an experienced group led by Cortlan Booker and Wendell Brown, two of the top three returning tacklers from last season.
However, Brown tore his pectoral tendon weight lifting early in July, an injury that will keep him from participating in the 2007 season. Brown's injury left Booker, who is switching to linebacker after playing defensive end last season, as the only player with college experience at that position.
"Wendall is a very passionate football player and he's a good leader," Booker said. "It's not like you can just replace him when he's not on the field. But the good thing is he's still around the football complex, and he's still on the sidelines for every play. Just seeing him there lifts us up."
In 2006, the Cardinals' linebackers were part of a defense that allowed 433.5 yards per game and 257.8 passing yards per game, both were worst in the Mid-American Conference. On the ground, the Cardinals surrendered 175.7 rushing yards per game, which was third worst in the MAC.
Though all 11 players on defense work together, Booker said linebacker is the most difficult position because of the demands that are put on a player lining up in that position.
"It's amazing how mental of a position linebacker is, even when compared to [other positions]," Booker said. "There are so many things as a linebacker you have to be aware of. Some plays you're going to be in the box playing the run, and then the next play you have to drop back and defend the pass. It definitely keeps you on your toes at all times."
While the defense had its moments of struggle, it also was able to perform better deep in its own territory. Ball State ranked fifth in the MAC in red zone defense, allowing points 76 percent of the time. The defense was also fourth in the MAC in fourth down conversions allowed, stopping the opposing offense 55 percent of the time.
Brown led all Ball State linebackers last season with 83 tackles and was second to Erik Keys, who graduated, on the team. Also gone is Jason Sieman, who was second behind Brown with 53 tackles at the position while adding 10 tackles for loss and two sacks last season.
While there are three senior linebackers on this season's roster, five of the Cardinals' 13 players at that position are freshmen. However, Cardinals' head coach Brady Hoke said he has full confidence in the underclassmen.
"Those young guys may be inexperienced to a degree, but they can sure play," Hoke said. "Those are guys who are going to be able to come right in and contribute one way or another to what we're trying to do."
Booker said the youth along the linebacker position makes for fun times when the players are not playing football.
"We definitely have our moments when we need a maturity check," Booker said with a laugh. "We're just a lot of guys who love to joke around and goof off a little bit when we're not playing football. But when we step onto the field the joking stops and we take care of business."
Booker said the Cardinals' linebackers underlying goal for the 2007 season is to take more steps toward becoming a more solidified unit.
"There were a lot of [negative] things that happened last year on defense that aren't going to happen this year," Booker said.
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