Huskers' Mckeon Urges Teammates To Speak Up On Field

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ When Corey McKeon says he wants the Nebraska defense to make some noise this year, that's exactly what he means. <br/><br/>Trash-talking, jawing, chirping. Whatever you call it,

Saturday, August 11th 2007, 5:24 pm

By: News On 6

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ When Corey McKeon says he wants the Nebraska defense to make some noise this year, that's exactly what he means.

Trash-talking, jawing, chirping. Whatever you call it, the senior linebacker wants to hear it from his Blackshirt teammates.

``One of my concerns going into fall camp with this defense is there's not a lot of loud, brash guys with a lot of personality,'' McKeon said. ``We need louder guys _ guys who are more intense, guys who are more willing to be an idiot.''

Emotion is the fuel that powers great defensive players, McKeon said. The celebration of big plays and hard hits can serve as motivation, he said, or help offset the effects of fatigue. Verbal sparring also can get into an opponent's head, he said.

Defensive lineman Barry Turner said McKeon doesn't need to worry about him.

``Trust me, I'm one of the loudest at practice,'' he said. ``If you come out to practice, you'll hear me, for sure.''

But Turner said outward emotion can't be forced.

``Some guys need it, some guys don't,'' he said.

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh prefers being the strong, silent type.

``I'm one of those people (McKeon's) talking about, who isn't loud and obnoxious,'' Suh said. ``I'm one of those people who gets in your face when I make a play and come and get you to make a tackle. I'm more of a laid-back person.''

McKeon has long been the vocal leader of the defense. He said he sorely misses his running mate, Stewart Bradley, a noted talker who is in camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fellow linebackers Bo Ruud and Lance Brandenburgh are quiet, by comparison. But McKeon said he has confidence that Steve Octavien and Phillip Dillard, among others, can make their voices heard.

Among the newcomers, McKeon said, cornerbacks Anthony Blue and Prince Amukamara have shown themselves to have a way with words.

``For us to be the fast, dominant defense I think we can be, we need to get people down on the ground and let them know we're hitting them hard,'' McKeon said. ``We've got to see that emerge this fall.''

Bravado can't be taught, though.

``It's something that comes naturally,'' McKeon said. ``You can't make guys be loud. Guys can catch on and start doing it on their own, but a coach can't demand that of a player.''

McKeon just hopes he's not the lone voice on the defense.

``To be the only one yelling and the only one joking around, it gets frustrating,'' he said.