2004 Cardinal Football Preview - Defensive Line
August 17, 2004 | Football
Aug. 17, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville defense returns eight starters and 23 letterwinners to a unit that needs to improve if the Cardinals have aspirations of a Conference USA title. Louisville allowed an average of 428.0 yards per game and 27.8 points, but yielded an average of 44.7 points per contest in the final three games of the year. This unit is a year older and a year stronger and is expected to rebound from a disappointing second half of the season. Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Mike Cassity, the Cardinals improved their technique and showed they improved their team speed. This unit will be improved and could be the key to the team's success this fall. The defensive line lost just one player on the line in defensive tackle Scott Lopez and have a great deal of talent and potential upfront, and could be a much improved unit. Heading this group is senior defensive end Marcus Jones, one of the top pass rushers in Conference USA. Jones, a second team All-Conference honoree, led the team in sacks with 10 and had 17 tackles for loss. Jones is a high-energy player who provides relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jones was fifth on the team in tackles with 62 and could be in for a big season in Cassity's scheme. Junior Elvis Dumervil is an athletic defensive end who is coming off a 28-tackle season and could be even better as he enters the fall. He also added six tackles for loss and two sacks. Chad Rimpsey played in a reserve role in 2003, but is expected to be a consistent performer along the line this year. Playing in 12 games, Rimpsey registered 23 tackles and two tackles for loss. Red-shirt freshman Shane Bailey showed promise in the spring and will likely be the starter at one of the defensive end positions. Senior Bobby Leffew missed spring practice and will be a huge addition to the line if he can stay healthy. Leffew stayed healthy most of the season and recorded 37 tackles and seven tackles for loss. Junior Montavious Stanley, who started the year at defensive end, was moved to defensive tackle in the bowl game and worked there all spring. The 6-2, 302-pounder might be more efficient inside with his size and speed. Playing outside last season, Stanley recorded 37 tackles, including 13 behind the line of scrimmage. Sophomore Amobi Okoye was the youngest player in football last season, will be a player to watch this fall. Having had a full season and a winter workout session, the 6-1, 317-pounder could be a player to look out for after a year of maturity. Playing in 13 games, Okoye tallied 17 tackles playing limited time. Freshmen Brandon Cox from Douglass High School in Atlanta, Ga., and Adrian Grady from Coffee High School in Nichols, Ga., will be counted on to add depth along the defensive front.
