Los Angeles Daily News

LOS ANGELES -- It must be spring again, because UCLA's Marques Anderson is bigger, stronger and faster. And, of course, he's playing a new position.

Anderson, a former starter at cornerback and strong safety, has been moved to free safety this spring. It's the only significant personnel change that new defensive coordinator Phil Snow has made to the Bruins' much maligned unit.

Snow said it's a matter of putting one of his best athletes in a position to make more plays.

Anderson, at strong safety last season, was fourth on the team with 73 tackles and led the defense with four recovered fumbles, three forced fumbles and 11 tackles for loss. He was also second with 12 passes broken up and three sacks.

"He's going to make a ton of plays in the run game and the passing game," Snow said. "The free (safety) and the (weakside linebacker, Ryan Nece or Marcus Reese) and the (middle linebacker) positions are designed to make a lot of plays, so we're going to put our three best players there."

If Anderson, who moved from cornerback to strong safety at the end of last spring, is reticent about the move, his smile does a good job of hiding it.

"It's flattering," said the fifth-year senior, who is aware it will help his NFL stock if he demonstrates he can play both safety spots competently. "(Snow) said `My defense is based around the free safety.'

"So far, it's going real well. The big thing (Snow) has emphasized is trusting your eyes to make plays."

Anderson, who is 6-foot and 212 pounds, already runs a sub-4.4 40-yard dash. He improved his bench press to 385 pounds, a mark bettered by only three other defensive players who were fit enough to lift this spring.

"The big adjustment is he's got to play more man coverage," Snow said. "Everything else he's done."

4/14/01