Mark Graham
Free Safety - Football

What was your original reaction to finding out that the coaching staff switched you from cornerback to free safety?
I remembered one of the first things I thought about was what Craig Rohlfs did the season before – and knowing I’d get the opportunity to make a lot more plays. I also knew I’d have to improve upon my tackling skills, as well as getting bigger.

Discuss the process of going through the position change.
After the first week of spring practice, I felt pretty comfortable at free safety. I knew I’d have the size and ability to play the position – so I accepted it and was ready for the challenge.

In Thurmond Moore’s defense, what is your role as free safety defined as?
I’m the clean-up guy who has to make the touchdown-saving tackle. If I don’t, it’s usually six points for the other team. That can lead to a very long day. But free safety is also a position from which I can make a lot of plays.

Talk about bringing both Kevin Concepcion and Dahnel Singfield along at your old cornerback position.
Those guys are really confident and solid at that spot. But every once in a while, I can give them both some pointers. Of course, they’re real good about accepting whatever I have to offer. I think their transitions into that spot have gone really well.

You picked off your sixth pass of the 2002 season last Saturday versus Kent State. What do you do to get into position to come up with interceptions?
All I do is study film. For instance, from that game – corner routes were Kent State’s bread and butter. Just watching them and studying what the coaches give us help me become a student of the game.

During that same game, you also registered your second sack of the season. Elaborate on how you approach a situation in which you’re allowed to go after the quarterback.
When we go to our nickel package, I move over to strong safety. It’s a lot of fun to do that, because you don’t get that many opportunities to do so. I know how it is from a defensive back’s perspective – to not have any pressure on a quarterback. So I get there for my teammates in the defensive backfield.

At this point in the season, you lead the team in tackles with 68. What is the key in becoming a sound tackler?
Well, I still miss one or two tackles here or there. So that’s an area I feel I can still improve in my game. But, I definitely have increased my confidence level as far as becoming a stout tackler.

Against Kent State, the defense truly gave up just three points. Is it now a point in the season where everything is coming together on that side of the ball?
That game was a great confidence booster for us. We didn’t give up and I’m proud of that. The entire defense – the front-seven and the other defensive backs – made my job so much easier in that game.

How much will this upcoming bye week help you in preparation for the remainder of the season?
It’ll give us a chance to rest up and heal some of the guys that are injured. It also provides us the opportunity to get in a couple more practices prior to taking on Central Florida. We will also have a chance to watch a lot more film.

Describe how difficult it is to play in the Mid-American Conference’s Eastern Division with Marshall, Central Florida and Miami on your schedule each season?
That’s why we play the game – to play against the best. I’ve seen Byron Leftwich for three straight years and it forces you to bring your game up another level. This conference is getting better each year.

-The ’10 Questions with…’ feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.

10/29/2002