Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Cris Tiller
Bombek's Game the Result of Blended Work
10/16/2019 6:00:00 PM | Football
Senior leads team in sacks, tackles for loss
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The transitions have led to a perfect blend.
In his second and final year at Colorado State, Jan-Phillip Bombek feels faster. Not just what he can do physically, but also mentally. His first step is faster, and his tank is larger – both good things – parts of his game he further developed in the offseason.
That alone would prove beneficial. But the junior college transfer from two seasons ago has a better understanding of the speed of the game at the FBS level, is more in tune with the current Colorado State defensive scheme and the way opposing offensive lines play. By understanding his job and those of the players around him, he now reacts quicker to what he sees.
Converging concepts working in synch.
"I definitely have had that feeling for a while, probably since spring ball," Bombek said. "I feel like this is what I'm supposed to be, and at this point, I'm just trying to show I'm that type of player coaches' trust."
A season ago, he was mainly a pass rusher the Rams could employ in those specific situations. He was as active as anybody against San Jose State, constantly harassing the quarterback, recording his two sacks in that one contest. Against the run, he wasn't doing as much, posting 19 tackles in 12 games, including 4.0 tackles for loss.
This year, he is up to 22 stops in just seven games, with a team-leading 5.0 sacks, a number which ranks him second in the Mountain West. He also leads the Rams with 6.0 tackles for loss, ranking sixth in the conference.
Now, every game he plays feels like it did at San Jose State in 2018, actually better, because he's become more of a reliable force against the run, which the Rams needed in the win over New Mexico with Manny Jones sidelined.
"I think Bombek is in really good shape. He played every snap the other night," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "He played 76 snaps, he was one of our players of the game on defense. He has gotten bigger, he's gotten stronger. He's learned our defense, where he fits in our defense when we bring pressure, when we don't, when he's got to set an edge, when he's got to come under and force a ball outside, and I think that's helped him a lot.
"But the biggest thing is him being able to play longer and play harder. He's always had kind of a relentless motor to rush the passer, but we're able to play him on more normal downs because of his ability to do a better job stopping the run, doing his job."
His speed off the ball, once a weakness, has developed into a major attribute. Again, he goes back to having a better feel for the game, and no one understands the improvement better than Barry Wesley, who has seen his teammate progress.
Wesley is further impressed by what more Bombek brings to practice, showing more of a willingness to try new things to improve his pass-rushing skills, and the sophomore tackle is often his guinea pig.
"He definitely put his head down this offseason," Wesley said. "He was at one point and he wanted to get to the finish line. He's not there – none of us are there – but he's definitely made strides to get better. Jan has done an amazing job.
"He's pulled out some moves. I'll be like, 'Jan, what the heck was that?' Some of them work, some of them don't, but that's what practice is for. You try things you might use in a game, and if it doesn't work, you do something else. You find things that work for you."
Not satisfied with an even expanded role, Bombek is looking to improve through the remainder of the schedule. Bobo knows Bombek was upset after the Toledo loss, having failed to set an edge on a few occasions, but there's no question for Bobo whether or not to leave him in for expected rushing situations, knowing he's been more reliable than not. He may not have the size of Jones or even Jalen Bates, but he's learned to use his frame wisely to do the task required.
For fun, Bombek finished Tuesday's practice by kicking 40- and 45-yard field goals.
"They were right down the middle today, so hell, he might kick next week," Bobo joked.
Against the Lobos, he finished with a career-best six stops. With Air Force remaining, he understands sacks may be hard to come by, but he feels he can definitely make an impact against the option by being strong on the edge. Wyoming, which hasn't thrown much either, his tasks will be similar.
The other games, he expects to amplify pressure on quarterbacks. In Boise State, Fresno State and UNLV, the Rams face teams averaging more than 32 attempts per game. His sacks have been spread out, too. He posted 1.5 against both Western Illinois and San Diego State, notching sacks in four of seven games.
"I feel like I have a good shot to get to my season goal, which is double-digit sack numbers," he said. "If I just keep playing like that and don't miss any opportunities, I think I should be able to get to that number."
Which would be a historical feat for a Ram, since no player has reached 10 sacks since 2013, when Shaquil Barrett posted 12 on his way to conference defensive player of the year honors. Before that, Nordly Capi had 10 in 2011. Before that, Clark Haggans had 10 in 1998, the same year Joey Porter posted 14.
For a defense which hasn't seen a sack leader with at least six in the past four years, it has most definitely been an impactful blend.
In his second and final year at Colorado State, Jan-Phillip Bombek feels faster. Not just what he can do physically, but also mentally. His first step is faster, and his tank is larger – both good things – parts of his game he further developed in the offseason.
That alone would prove beneficial. But the junior college transfer from two seasons ago has a better understanding of the speed of the game at the FBS level, is more in tune with the current Colorado State defensive scheme and the way opposing offensive lines play. By understanding his job and those of the players around him, he now reacts quicker to what he sees.
Converging concepts working in synch.
"I definitely have had that feeling for a while, probably since spring ball," Bombek said. "I feel like this is what I'm supposed to be, and at this point, I'm just trying to show I'm that type of player coaches' trust."
A season ago, he was mainly a pass rusher the Rams could employ in those specific situations. He was as active as anybody against San Jose State, constantly harassing the quarterback, recording his two sacks in that one contest. Against the run, he wasn't doing as much, posting 19 tackles in 12 games, including 4.0 tackles for loss.
This year, he is up to 22 stops in just seven games, with a team-leading 5.0 sacks, a number which ranks him second in the Mountain West. He also leads the Rams with 6.0 tackles for loss, ranking sixth in the conference.
Now, every game he plays feels like it did at San Jose State in 2018, actually better, because he's become more of a reliable force against the run, which the Rams needed in the win over New Mexico with Manny Jones sidelined.
"I think Bombek is in really good shape. He played every snap the other night," CSU head coach Mike Bobo said. "He played 76 snaps, he was one of our players of the game on defense. He has gotten bigger, he's gotten stronger. He's learned our defense, where he fits in our defense when we bring pressure, when we don't, when he's got to set an edge, when he's got to come under and force a ball outside, and I think that's helped him a lot.
"But the biggest thing is him being able to play longer and play harder. He's always had kind of a relentless motor to rush the passer, but we're able to play him on more normal downs because of his ability to do a better job stopping the run, doing his job."
His speed off the ball, once a weakness, has developed into a major attribute. Again, he goes back to having a better feel for the game, and no one understands the improvement better than Barry Wesley, who has seen his teammate progress.
Wesley is further impressed by what more Bombek brings to practice, showing more of a willingness to try new things to improve his pass-rushing skills, and the sophomore tackle is often his guinea pig.
"He definitely put his head down this offseason," Wesley said. "He was at one point and he wanted to get to the finish line. He's not there – none of us are there – but he's definitely made strides to get better. Jan has done an amazing job.
"He's pulled out some moves. I'll be like, 'Jan, what the heck was that?' Some of them work, some of them don't, but that's what practice is for. You try things you might use in a game, and if it doesn't work, you do something else. You find things that work for you."
Not satisfied with an even expanded role, Bombek is looking to improve through the remainder of the schedule. Bobo knows Bombek was upset after the Toledo loss, having failed to set an edge on a few occasions, but there's no question for Bobo whether or not to leave him in for expected rushing situations, knowing he's been more reliable than not. He may not have the size of Jones or even Jalen Bates, but he's learned to use his frame wisely to do the task required.
For fun, Bombek finished Tuesday's practice by kicking 40- and 45-yard field goals.
"They were right down the middle today, so hell, he might kick next week," Bobo joked.
Against the Lobos, he finished with a career-best six stops. With Air Force remaining, he understands sacks may be hard to come by, but he feels he can definitely make an impact against the option by being strong on the edge. Wyoming, which hasn't thrown much either, his tasks will be similar.
The other games, he expects to amplify pressure on quarterbacks. In Boise State, Fresno State and UNLV, the Rams face teams averaging more than 32 attempts per game. His sacks have been spread out, too. He posted 1.5 against both Western Illinois and San Diego State, notching sacks in four of seven games.
"I feel like I have a good shot to get to my season goal, which is double-digit sack numbers," he said. "If I just keep playing like that and don't miss any opportunities, I think I should be able to get to that number."
Which would be a historical feat for a Ram, since no player has reached 10 sacks since 2013, when Shaquil Barrett posted 12 on his way to conference defensive player of the year honors. Before that, Nordly Capi had 10 in 2011. Before that, Clark Haggans had 10 in 1998, the same year Joey Porter posted 14.
For a defense which hasn't seen a sack leader with at least six in the past four years, it has most definitely been an impactful blend.
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