Login to quickly see unread posts
Brown becomes K-State's middle man Posted: April 12, 2011 - 5:24pm By Austin Meek MANHATTAN – Arthur Brown walks into the room, and already Kansas State’s defense looks different.Brown is 223 pounds of muscle with a smooth Barry White voice. He looks like a stud linebacker, and honestly, how many players on K-State’s defense fit that description in recent seasons?“On scout team, nobody could block him,†wide receiver Chris Harper said. “A lot of times you’d see him just run past the running back. A lot of linemen, it’s hard for them to even get a hand on him.â€Will this be enough to fix a defense that allowed nearly six yards per rush last season? That won’t be determined until the fall, but Brown at least provides some instant credibility.Brown, one of the most hyped recruits to come from the prep ranks, signed with Miami and transferred to K-State after two seasons as a Hurricane. He wasn’t a star at Miami, but the Wildcats hope he can become one in Manhattan, where he will be the focal point of a redesigned defense.“The defensive scheme we have now, which we have changed from last year, I feel like it’s coming together real well,†Brown said.K-State has worked primarily in a 4-3 defense this spring after running the 4-2-5 the past two seasons. While the five-man secondary was used to counter the Big 12’s spread offenses, the 4-3 could signal a renewed emphasis on stopping the run, K-State’s soft spot last season.“I think it allows the defensive line and us as linebackers to stay clean and clear from the offensive line,†said Brown, a middle linebacker. “It allows us to move around more in the backfield.â€Coach Bill Snyder was noncommittal about any schematic changes but acknowledged K-State has more options at linebacker this season. Tre Walker, Blake Slaughter, Jarell Childs and Alex Hrebec all have starting experience, as does converted safety Emmanuel Lamur.“I think we’re more athletic at the linebacker positions collectively than we were a year ago,†Snyder said. “Now, you can be more athletic and still have some issues.“Arthur, Tre and Emmanuel are all works in progress, but they’re making progress and they’re making headway. They bring more athleticism to the position.â€In terms of raw talent, no one possesses more than Brown. His scout squad exploits became legendary last season, though his time was divided between mimicking other team's systems and learning his own.“When you’re a scout squad guy, you play off the seat of your pants,†Snyder said. “You try to incorporate an opponent’s system, so you’re moving from system to system week in and week out. No matter how hard you try to implement somebody else’s system in a week, it’s pretty doggone hard to do.“That’s not a bad thing in term of (Brown’s) future here, because it gave us a chance to see the innate abilities he had.â€The innate abilities are plentiful. The impact, for now, remains uncertain.“I expect a lot out of myself,†Brown said, “and the fans can expect a lot, too.â€Davis ahead of scheduleDefensive end Adam Davis, a four-star recruit who missed last season with a back injury, is back with the team for spring drills, Snyder said.“He’s going through spring practice and has surprised me a little bit,†Snyder said. “He’s progressing more rapidly than I thought.â€Davis, a Hutchinson Community College transfer, was the top-rated recruit in K-State's 2010 class. Position swaps aboundSeveral players are working at multiple positions this spring, which is hardly unusual for Snyder’s teams.David Garrett is practicing at cornerback and safety, and the 5-foot-7 senior jokingly added “nose tackle†to the list. Braden Wilson is splitting time at fullback and defensive end, while Jordan Allred is concentrating on defensive tackle after playing offensive line last season.
K-State’s defense is counting on help from linebacker Arthur BrownBY KELLIS ROBINETTThe Kansas City StarLinebacker Arthur Brown (above left) played two seasons at Miami but will now be playing for Kansas State, and expectations are lofty.More NewsK-State’s defense is counting on help from linebacker Arthur Brown K-State grants Wally Judge his release K-State baseball team rallies past Wichita State Surprising fact in Martin-to-Miami speculation K-State’s choice of starting quarterback still up in air K-State Notes: Defense could be revamped Martin says salary concerns might have scared off Miami K-State, West Virginia to meet Dec. 8 in Wichita K-State’s Martin and agent haven’t heard from Miami K-State football practice kicks off K-State's Martin eligible for contract extension Martin’s roots make him likely candidate for Miami job Tex Winter named to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Haith situation causing stress at MU and K-State Pullen bests Morningstar in three-point contest Pullen wins award and will play in all-star game KU's Marcus Morris, K-State's Pullen are Wooden Award finalists KU’s Marcus Morris second-team All-American; K-State’s Pullen is third team Wildcats' high expectations finally realized Jacob Pullen, one more time K-State women knocked out in NCAA first round Pullen scores 38 but can’t get K-State past Wisconsin Despite NCAA exit, Pullen’s effort has been unforgettable K-State notebook K-State women to open tourney play K-State – Wisconsin men’s basketball box Pullen placing himself among K-State’s all-time greats K-State’s Kelly shows a mean streak Tucson buzz: Pullen set to meet his match against Wisconsin NCAA preview: K-State vs. Wisconsin MANHATTAN, Kan. | Some players hide from expectations. Not Arthur Brown.Since arriving at Kansas State, an unmistakable buzz has surrounded Brown, a Wichita native. Fans bring up his name during football discussions, and teammates have gushed over him for months.Before the Pinstripe Bowl last season, former offensive lineman Zach Kendall compared Brown to Texas A&M’s Von Miller, who many expect to be a top-five pick in this month’s NFL draft, and labeled Brown the top linebacker in the Big 12. Quite the compliment considering it came when Brown was stuck on the scout team after transferring from Miami.“Nobody could block him,†junior wide receiver Chris Harper said. “I mean, a lot of times you would see him just run past the running back. It was hard for the linemen to even get a hand on him.â€Comments like that, combined with his All-America status in high school, are what drove the Brown hype. Soon it will be time for him to take over. He got off to a good start last week during spring practice. While speaking to reporters for the first time as a member of the K-State football program, Brown was asked almost immediately about those expectations. What does he think of them? Can he live up to them? He took little time answering. “I expect a lot out of myself,†said Brown, a junior, “and the fans can expect a lot as well.â€Even though he didn’t accomplish much during his two seasons at Miami — 17 tackles and one fumble recovery — most envision Brown regaining his form with the Wildcats. He transferred to K-State in search of a new beginning and to be closer to his family. He looks forward to once again playing in his home state, and he enjoys living with his younger brother, Bryce. He is happy now, and he feels comfortable around his teammates. They feel comfortable around him. Why wouldn’t they? In many ways, he is exactly the type of player they need. Big, physical, confident. He certainly looks the part.A season ago, the Wildcats were one of the nation’s worst defenses, especially up front and in the middle. They lacked run stoppers and allowed more than 230 rushing yards per game.Add Brown, a 6-foot-1, 233-pound linebacker whom coaches are so impressed with that they are considering leaning on him this season out of the 4-3, and hope emerges.“He’s making it a lot easier on the safeties,†senior defensive back David Garrett said. “Cleaning stuff up. Hitting the right holes when you need to. I think he will be a great asset to the team this year.â€That much was apparent last season watching him on the scout team.“It gave us an opportunity to see what his innate capabilities happen to be,†K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “We realized he had those, and he’s got some innate ability to play the game.â€Brown watched each K-State home game from the sideline last season, and it pained him to continually watch his teammates miss tackles. The Wildcats’ loss to Nebraska, in which they allowed 451 rushing yards, still gets to him.He offered as much support as he could, but realizing the work that needed to be done, he has tried to become a vocal leader this year. He points to April 30, the date of K-State’s spring game, as an opportunity for redemption.“We’ve had four spring practices so far, and I feel like with each one we’re improving as a defense,†Brown said last week. “So I can’t complain or ask for anything more.â€Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/15/2803599/k-states-defense-is-counting-on.html#ixzz1JuNuRM7V
If you have ESPN Insider the top "Rumor" is around Arthor Brown. Don't really know why it is in the "Rumors" section, but it pulled a Kellis and stole words from Meeks article. I guess the "Rumor" is the he is really good???
