April 18, 2005
Peoria, Ill. - Rough Riders back likes being defensive
Jones making a big impact on different side of the ball
By DAVE EMINIAN -- Peoria Journal Star
Marcus James has been the best defensive back in the UIF during the first month of the 2005 season.
Even if he is a wide receiver/kick returner from the University of Missouri.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder from Liberal, Kan., has 18 tackles and two interceptions in two games at safety for Peoria after switching to defense on the second day of training camp.
That effort was good enough to earn UIF Defensive Player of the Week honors after Peoria's victory at Tupelo in March.
"I prepared all winter at receiver, studied the plays, was ready to go, then they sent me over to the defense," said James, 23, whose nickname was Mighty Mouse in high school, where he scored TDs by receiving, rushing, blocked punt, intercepton and kick return to earn consensus all-state honors, played basketball and was a four-event track athlete. "The trend in pro football is going toward big receivers. I feel like I still have some things to prove as a receiver, and that's what I am at heart.
"But I love bending facemasks. It's been a blast playing defense."
James played four years at Missouri, where he was one of the top punt returners in the Big 12, averaging 15.2 yards per punt return in 2003. The reserve appeared in 45 games, catching 23 passes for 254 yards and a TD.
Tigers coach Gary Pinkel moved him temporarily to defensive back in 2001 to cover injuries. James - who earned a reputation as an ultimate team guy - was on the field for two punt returns and two tackles in the most memorable game of his career, Oct. 11, 2003.
"We were playing at home against Nebraska, which is the team I grew up rooting for, and I think the most storied team in college football," said James, the oldest in a family that includes five boys and a girl. "We rallied for 27 points in the fourth quarter and beat Nebraska 41-24. They were (No. 10) in the polls.
"My dream growing up was to play for the greatest team in college football, or be on the team that beat them. I always figured that was the best way to be remembered."
James was in training camp for CFL Montreal in 2004.
He worked last fall as a receivers coach for a high school team, Columbia (Mo.) Hickman, that won the Class 6 state title. He returned to Missouri to finish a teaching degree, and was about to take a job as a teacher at Hickman when Peoria called.
"I had a great time at Missouri, but I don't think I made a big enough impact there," James said. "I'm trying to do that in Peoria."