JMU preseason camp notebook: Day 2

HARRISONBURG – James Madison’s defensive players are quite clear what areas they need to improve upon to get better as a unit in 2011. Almost to a man they answer the same way when asked.

Create more turnovers and do a better job stopping the run.

The Dukes ranked fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association in run defense while going 6-5 last season, giving up 126.5 yards per game. Their 18 forced turnovers (nine interceptions and nine fumble recoveries) ranked seventh.

“We can be better in a lot of places,” senior defensive end D.J. Bryant said. “Better against the run and get more turnovers. Hopefully this camp, we’ll be able to improve on that.”

Tuesday, at JMU’s second preseason practice, the turnover thing appeared to be taking shape. The sometimes drop-prone secondary picked off a number of passes, including an interception on a Justin Thorpe deep ball by cornerback Mike Allen, and one over the middle by senior safety Vidal Nelson on a zipped throw by Billy Cosh.

As for addressing the run defense, JMU has been working since the spring with a 4-3 package in which Nelson slides down closer to the line of scrimmage – into the box, to use the popular terminology – and plays like an outside linebacker.

In fact, Tuesday, it was linebacker Pat Williams – the Dukes’ leading tackler last season – who was backing up Nelson at the strong safety position.

Catch of the day: Freshman wide receiver Amir Waller made a diving, over the shoulder catch on a well-placed deep throw up the sideline by Billy Cosh. Waller made the catch despite tight coverage from a defensive back, and as he jogged by the defensive sideline, cornerback Ricky Nicholls could be heard remarking, “That was good ‘D’.” And a great catch.

Quote of the day: Tight ends coach Jeff Durden – after having his verbal instructions ignored by Chris Ferguson – tried to color code things for his pupil.

“I want you to run to green grass,” Durden said. “Say that, ‘Green grass.’”

Just visiting: For the second straight day, UNC Charlotte coach Brad Lambert – who coached with Matthews at Georgia and Marshall – took in the JMU practice. Lambert, whose 49ers start play in 2013, said he’s already visited UT-San Antonio – which is launching a football program – and will make trips to Eastern Kentucky, East Carolina and Clemson this fall.

After all, Lambert pointed out, Charlotte doesn’t have any players yet for him to coach.

When the 49ers do start looking for talent, Lambert said Virginia won’t be one of the states he focuses on. Lambert said the main recruiting footprint for his program will be North and South Carolina and Georgia.

But Lambert’s team won’t be a stranger to the commonwealth. He said Old Dominion, which starts CAA play this year, is on the schedule in 2013.

For up-to-the-minute camp updates on Twitter, follow @MikeABarber