Luck, timing have helped CSU's Brown

Success in any endeavor comes through hard work and preparation. Timing doesn't hurt.

For Charleston Southern senior receiver Dee Brown, the timing could not have been better for him to become the Buccaneers' primary threat in the passing game last season.

As a highly regarded cornerback at Garden City (Kansas) Community College, Brown was signed by CSU head coach Jay Mills as a receiver. However, with the best receiver in the Big South Conference, Maurice Price, slated to return for his senior year at CSU, Brown's touches would have been limited. In fact, Brown would have likely ended up in the defensive secondary last year.

This is where timing takes over. In a surprise move during the late winter of 2007, Price announced that he was leaving CSU and was headed to the NFL. Price's departure left a door open for Brown, who had never played receiver before.

"We signed Dee even before Maurice had declared for the draft and we signed him as a receiver," said Mills. "At the same time, we knew how good a defensive back he was in junior college. Had Maurice stayed for his senior year, in all honesty, Dee would have likely ended up as a corner last season. With Maurice leaving, we knew we had to have him on the offensive side of the ball."

Brown's speed and quickness quickly became a weapon for the offense, and he ended last season with 69 receptions for 898 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned first-team All-Big South honors, leading the league in receptions and yards.

Not bad for a cornerback.

In fact, Brown says his experience as a defensive back has helped him as a pass catcher.

"I played a little receiver in high school, but not enough to really know how to play the position," said Brown. "I think being a defensive back has helped me. I know the coverages that I see and I know how to beat them. I think being able to think like a defensive back would think gives me an advantage in terms of where to go and things like that."

Even with the success of last season, Mills says Brown is still developing his pass-catching skills. He believes Brown will have an even better season in 2008.

"He has really improved over the last year," said the coach. "He has learned so many of the intricate details that come with being a complete receiver. Last year, he was sort of learning on the run and he still led the league in receptions and yards. He's a much better all-around receiver this year and he's a bullet for our offense."

Brown says the potential for bigger and better things is evident as he and his teammates prepare for the season opener at Miami on Aug. 28.

"We can be a pretty good offensive team," he said. "I'm just one receiver of some really good ones. We have some guys with experience and talent at receiver and I think we all have a chance to put up big numbers."