Sidelined, Anusiem Still Making an Impact

Standing on the sidelines isn't the vantage point he wants, but it is what he has. Off-season surgery and the subsequent rehab made it necessary.

It doesn't mean Chigozie Anusiem is missing anything this spring. It doesn't mean the Colorado State defense isn't putting him to good use, either.

The reality is Anusiem has played long enough, taken so many reps in his career, physically being out of the field isn't a necessity for the graduate student. Mentally, however, is another story.

"We were talking about it last week. This is his sixth spring ball, so he knows how to play the game," CSU cornerbacks coach Marcus Patton said. "What's been really cool about this spring is him showing his leadership and helping the younger guys out. We also talked about the mastery of a position is when you can teach it to guys. Sometimes that can help you learn the little nuances you don't do well.

"He's getting a lot out of this spring ball even though he hasn't been practicing because he's a focused guy. He's going to get himself back into form when he starts to move around, but the mental part of the game, I think it's been good for him to step back, watch it and coach some of the younger guys and help them get better."

Not just him, but the newest members of the secondary. Transfers Ron Hardge III and Dominic Morris have become his students, as has redshirt freshman Corey Lambert Jr. During practice, Anusiem isn't just fritzing around on the sidelines, he's completely engaged. When a player comes off the field, Anusiem is there to greet them, to pass along a tip or two about what just happened on the field.

Maybe it's how to play a certain coverage. How to maximize using their hands. What a player can get away with versus what will draw a flag.

Coach Anusiem is loving every minute of camp.

"I've definitely embraced that role. I genuinely enjoy helping people out if I see things, helping little technical stuff they have going on," Anusiem said. "It's been a fun transition for me. I can also see what the safeties and nickels are doing, as well as the linebackers, so it's understanding the entire scheme of our defense on why we do things and how we do things. It's definitely helped instead of just focusing on the corner position.

"I don't think I'm missing anything. I feel like I'm getting a different aspect of the game now, looking at things like a coach. In terms of the physical side, yeah, I miss the reaction and just being comfortable with just playing certain situations at a simulated game speed, but I feel mentally it was probably the best thing for me. It was like a blessing in disguise."

Patton can see it clearly.

When he's out on the field, his attention will be drawn to one corner or the other, because it's hard to watch both at the same time. He'll know what they're trying to improve and if they're grasping the information and transitioning it to the field. When a play or a series of plays is over, he can provide feedback. At the same time, Anusiem can keep a key on the other side of the field, doing the same exact thing.

And when those players leave the field, he can hear what Patton has told them. And when they get to the sideline, he can take that instruction deeper.

"It is good to have somebody, a player, who knows the situations you get in," Hardge III said. "You get a coach's perspective and a player's perspective. Him, playing at Cal and coming over here, he's seen a lot. I've seen a lot, too, but getting extra coaching advice from a player is always good. With him, he's definitely helped me a lot. Since I've gotten here, he's taught me plenty of techniques, little cheat codes to my game to help me build my career.

"It's an extension of the learning. When Coach Patton says something and Chigi hears it, he'll come over and say this is what he means. If I didn't understand how Coach Patton put it, he'll put it in a way I do understand it and we go on to the next play."

Hardge III, who has one year of junior college and two seasons at Oregon State under his belt, said that's been the case ever since he arrived on campus. Anusiem has been there every step of the way, going through the playbook with him, then going out on the field with each other to walk through it all. Time and time again. Hardge III feels he can go to Anusiem and trust the information he receives just as much as if it was coming from Patton himself.

Which has been the other benefit for Anusiem. Not only is he saving a little wear in tear on his veteran body, he's seeing the defense he plays from a unique vantage point. That has allowed him to understand the bigger picture. That's information he knows will only benefit him on the field when it's his turn this summer.

"It's understanding the concepts of how our zone coverage is supposed to work, how to make plays and when to make plays, where I can be a little more risky in this call or I need to play back in this call," Anusiem said. "It's definitely helped in that aspect of me seeing the game from a different lens. I try to meet extra as much as I can between classes and rehab, but it's given me an overview of not just defensive schemes but what offenses do against different defenses."

Patton knew he wouldn't have his top corner on the field this spring, but it didn't concern him. He knew the added reps wouldn't hurt, but not taking them wasn't going to be a setback, either. His experience and play is proof positive.

The coach also knew Anusiem was going to get something out of camp, somehow, somewhat, which would be a benefit to the entire room. And he was correct.

As much as he's enjoyed it, Anusiem would still prefer the alternative.

"One of my biggest goals is, if I had the knowledge I have now as a freshman, I would have been a lot better a lot sooner in my career. So I want to give them all the tricks of the trade in the book and give it to them as much as I can, the best I can," Anusiem said. "Not only tell them, it's physically showing them what it looks like more than what I'm saying, and I think it's helping the guys a lot.

"I'm itching to get back. One, I feel I've learned so much information I'm excited to apply it and see it come to fruition in a game and in practice. I've enjoyed it and I'm getting a lot out of it, but I'm ready to come back for sure."

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