Beckman places the bar high
Pokes aim for top 50 rank on defense
Beckman places the bar high

By Mike Baldwin

Published: March 10, 2008

Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman has set a lofty goal for the Cowboys: rank in the top 50 nationally on defense.

Considering the Cowboys haven't been in the top 60 since 1999, and were ranked 101st last season, Beckman's goal seems unrealistic.

Beckman disagrees.

New York Giants defensive back R.W. McQuarters recently visited his alma mater. Something McQuarters said reinforced Beckman's top 50 goal.

"R.W. told them that coach (Tom) Coughlin said from the start the goal was to get to the Super Bowl,” Beckman said, "but nobody believed it other than the players in that locker room.

"I think finishing in the top 50 is a realistic goal for us. Like Tom Coughlin, R.W. and the Giants, what matters most is what we believe in that room. We just need to get better every day in practice.”

It was a frustrating season for Beckman, who experienced success his two seasons at Ohio State and seven years as Bowling Green's defensive coordinator.

"I haven't been in a situation like that before,” Beckman. "No question we've got to get better. I'm very competitive. I promise you I want our defense to get better worse than anyone else.”

To address the problem, OSU signed eight junior college players. Six play defense. Five are participating in spring drills. Linebacker Donald Booker will arrive this summer.

Several newcomers have impressed teammates, especially defensive tackle Swanson Miller and safety Lucien Antoine. Defensive back Maurice Gray should be a factor. Defensive linemen Jeremiah Price and Chris Donaldson should provide depth.

"That's why we recruited them, so they could come in and compete for starting spots,” Beckman said. "Kansas State did it when coach (Bill) Snyder was there. He won with junior college kids.”

Six of OSU's juco transfers played in the Jayhawk Conference, the same league Snyder mined for years. Most recruiting analysts claim it's the elite juco conference in the country.

"Every one of the players came from a quality, winning programs and played in (juco) bowl games,” Beckman said. "They're all from programs that make sure their kids are ready to play.”

Last season defensive players spoke of Beckman's intensity. They're used to his pedal-to-the-medal approach. Newcomers, though, are discovering Beckman's top 50 goal isn't just coach-speak.

"We have a ways to go,” Beckman said. "But I love coaching. That's why we grade them every day in practice. From the feedback we've already seen, they know what it takes to win. It's up to us to show them what it takes to compete at this level.

"The first thing to being successful is understanding how to be a Division I-A college student. It's not just how they handle themselves on a football field.”

By the end of 15 spring practices, Beckman hopes the newcomers and several young players have improved to the point reaching his top 50 goal is realistic when two-a-days begin in August.

"When you go against the eighth-rated offense in the country you better be pretty darn good,” Beckman said. "You get better by playing hard in every practice.

"That's something we'll stress all spring.”

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