Spring Break
The Daily OrangeScouting Cincinnati with Da'Mon Merkerson
By Tyler Dunne
Posted: 10/30/09, 2:13 AM EST Section: Sports
Last year, he switched from cornerback to wide receiver. This year, he successfully made the switch from wide receiver back to cornerback. In short, junior speedster Da'Mon Merkerson may be the most versatile player on Syracuse's roster.
The move to defense was a must for both parties this fall. Merkerson was sick of standing on the sideline at receiver, and the secondary sunk to one of the lowest ranked units in the nation. Eventually, Merkerson approached SU coaches about the change. Here's what he had to say about his position switch and preparing for Cincinnati's high-octane passing attack:
Q: Three games in, how has the switch back to cornerback been for you?
A: It's been good. Football is always a joy for me. The main thing for me was to get back onto the field.
Q: How did the switch happen?
A: I asked on the Sunday after the Maine game if I could switch back to defense. I felt like I wasn't getting as much time on offense as I wanted. So I thought I could help the defense. I just wanted the opportunity. I went and talked to Coach Marrone and asked if I could be switched. He talked to all the defensive coaches and agreed to it."
Q: And now you're out there on a play-to-play basis. How has the transition been from being a utility guy on offense to being a starter on defense?
A: It's an opportunity. Everybody on the team wants an opportunity. Getting an opportunity is an exciting thing and keeping it. I'm just another guy trying to help the team.
Q: Are you surprised that you're playing so much?
A: I guess that's a "yes," and "no" because the theme of this coaching staff is that if you play well in practice, you'll play in the game. I felt that I would have to work my way up of course, but if I produced in practice, I would get an opportunity to play on the field.
Q: Was it hard to stand idly by when you were a receiver?
A: Not playing, it took me to another mindset. When you're not playing, you have to wonder if it's because you're not getting a fair opportunity or because I'm not playing hard enough. I went along the lines that I wasn't playing hard enough. It made me sharpen every one of my skills on offense and work so hard that when I made the switch to defense, I had already put in so much work.
The move to defense was a must for both parties this fall. Merkerson was sick of standing on the sideline at receiver, and the secondary sunk to one of the lowest ranked units in the nation. Eventually, Merkerson approached SU coaches about the change. Here's what he had to say about his position switch and preparing for Cincinnati's high-octane passing attack:
Q: Three games in, how has the switch back to cornerback been for you?
A: It's been good. Football is always a joy for me. The main thing for me was to get back onto the field.
Q: How did the switch happen?
A: I asked on the Sunday after the Maine game if I could switch back to defense. I felt like I wasn't getting as much time on offense as I wanted. So I thought I could help the defense. I just wanted the opportunity. I went and talked to Coach Marrone and asked if I could be switched. He talked to all the defensive coaches and agreed to it."
Q: And now you're out there on a play-to-play basis. How has the transition been from being a utility guy on offense to being a starter on defense?
A: It's an opportunity. Everybody on the team wants an opportunity. Getting an opportunity is an exciting thing and keeping it. I'm just another guy trying to help the team.
Q: Are you surprised that you're playing so much?
A: I guess that's a "yes," and "no" because the theme of this coaching staff is that if you play well in practice, you'll play in the game. I felt that I would have to work my way up of course, but if I produced in practice, I would get an opportunity to play on the field.
Q: Was it hard to stand idly by when you were a receiver?
A: Not playing, it took me to another mindset. When you're not playing, you have to wonder if it's because you're not getting a fair opportunity or because I'm not playing hard enough. I went along the lines that I wasn't playing hard enough. It made me sharpen every one of my skills on offense and work so hard that when I made the switch to defense, I had already put in so much work.
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