Tindal, Nelson believe they can be nation’s best
MADISON - Derrick Tindal smiles naturally.
He is generally affable, loquacious and entertaining – whether the topic du jour is football or family.
Ask him about the reputation of Wisconsin’s secondary, however, and the senior cornerback undergoes a transformation.
Tindal remains eager to share his thoughts as long the other party is willing to listen but his tone is more forceful, his stance a bit defensive.
“For years everybody has been talking down on our DBs,” Tindal said. “You always hear how we’re not supposed to be that good. But you never hear how good we’re supposed to be.
“I think it is time for that to change and for people to realize we have great talent, great DBs here. And we’re going to play man-to-man defense, up in your face, and we’re going to make plays.
“Not to be conceited but we put in the same amount of work as everybody else. So why can’t we be?”
Tindal is one of two returning starters in the secondary. He started all 14 games last season, as did safety D’Cota Dixon. Senior Natrell Jamerson, UW’s No. 3 cornerback when healthy last season, is set to start at safety along with Dixon. Nick Nelson, who sat out last season after transferring from Hawaii, is set to start at cornerback with Tindal.
Tindal broke up 11 passes and intercepted three others last season as the secondary flourished under first-year coach Jim Leonhard. Dixon had four interceptions, the No. 2 mark on the team. Nelson started a combined 21 games in two seasons at Hawaii and recorded 21 passes broken up.
“Honestly, I feel like we’re going to be the best duo in the nation,” Tindal said, referring to the cornerbacks. “And our secondary, I feel we should be the best secondary in the nation.”
Nelson added: “You’ve got to pick your poison.” Bold words. “You’ve got to have that swag,” Nelson said. “You’ve got to have that confidence, especially at that position.”
Nelson, who is replacing Sojourn Shelton, has drawn raves from his teammates since last fall when he stood out on the scout team.
“He is going to bring a lot of flavor,” Tindal said. “By flavor, I mean swag. I trust him. Coach Leonhard trusts him. Everybody trusts him. I’m looking forward to what he is going to do. I know it is going to be big.
“The reason I can play so well is because if the ball’s not coming my way and it’s going somewhere else, there’s a good chance it is going to be knocked down or picked off.”
Players who make bold statements, particularly defensive backs, generally find themselves targeted by the opposition during games.
UW cornerback Jamar Fletcher talked a great game under Barry Alvarez from 1998-2000. Alvarez allowed Fletcher to talk because he generally spoke even more eloquently on the field through his play.
How does Leonhard, entering his first season as defensive coordinator, feel about Tindal making such bold statements weeks before the opener?
Told Saturday about Tindal’s comments, Leonhard beamed.
“The only thing you tell them is back it up,” Leonhard said. “Make those words true. I love confidence. But if you’re going to have it, work that way every day.
“And I’ll be all over him, knowing that he said that, every single day. Because it is consistency.
“If you want to be in that conversation, it shows up every day. It’s not every other day. It’s not two out of three. It’s every day.
“I’m glad. Now he gives me some stuff to work with.”
When Tindal made his comments, he was asked how he thought Leonhard might respond.
“If my coach didn’t have as much confidence as we have in each other and I have in myself and Nick has in himself I wouldn’t be talking like this,” Tindal said. “Like I said, I’m not trying to sound conceited. But we put in the work. We do it every day.
“And I kind of get tired of people talking down on us. We’re going to show them this year. It’s going to be big. And with Coach Leonhard coaching us, it’s going to be bigger than people expect.”