SLU HAS NEW LOOK: But LB Cryts happy to see Farr return

CANTON — When St. Lawrence University linebacker Ben Cryts heard last spring that Saints coach Chris Phelps was leaving to become the head coach at a prep school, he began to worry a bit about the future.

Losing the head coach was a blow, but the senior-to-be also wondered about the fate of SLU defensive coordinator Kevin Farr.

When word came that new head coach Mark Raymond was going to bring Farr back for his ninth year as the school's defensive coordinator, Cryts was able to relax.

"I'm really happy coach Raymond decided to keep him for the staff," Cryts said. "I know everybody on defense was psyched he'd be coming back. It's really hard to explain when you have a good coach why he's such a good coach. Whether it be him explaining things perfectly, or being easy to talk to. If you sat in a meeting with (Farr) you'd understand. Everything you do, from where your feet are to how far apart they are, has to be perfect with him and you respect that."

Cryts may be happy that Farr is still working on campus, but Farr and Raymond are equally happy to have the senior from Derry, N.H., as one of the team captains heading into the 2010 season.

Cryts ranked third on the team in tackles last year with 59 and he made three interceptions from his outside linebacker position.

"He played at kind of a hybrid (cornerback) in high school and that experience in the secondary has allowed him to understand passing concepts and routes and things like that allow him to put himself in the right spot," Farr said. "We've moved him around and he's been really good in every role we've asked him to do. He's really stepped into a leadership role this year and we're expecting big things from him."

Raymond has not had as long as Farr to get to know Cryts, but the senior has made a quick impression on the new coach.

"Ben's a tremendously competitive kid," Raymond said. "Every drill we run, every situation we run in practice, he has been incredibly competitive, intense and focused on his task. He's been a great leader. He leads by example and I've been impressed with his intensity, and his work ethic is phenomenal."

Cryts did not have an easy start to his career, spending most of his first season as a backup. He saw limited time as a sophomore, making seven tackles in nine games before emerging as a standout last year.

"Coach Farr puts you in situations where in practice you feel like you are in a game situation," Cryts said. "Even though I wasn't playing on Saturdays, I was playing Monday through Fridays. I was prepared when I was a junior."

Cryts also impressed his teammates enough that they voted him as one of the captains prior to the start of camp.

"It meant a lot to me when I got voted in to be a captain," Cryts said. "The only thing I can do is what I've done the past three years. The players voted me in because of what I've done the last three years."

Cryts role may be more enhanced this year after the program lost standout defensive end Gerard Bryant to graduation. Bryant had 92 tackles last year and made 101/2 of the squad's 29 sacks.

"Gerard was definitely a special player," Cryts said. "His physical attributes were amazing. The team chemistry on defense, when the focal point is one player, wasn't as strong as it is now. We need everyone to step up."

The Saints struggled to a 3-7 record last year and were 2-5 in Liberty League games. The team also went just 1-4 at home.

But only two of the losses were blowouts and the defense played well, giving Raymond reasons to think results could improve this year, especially if the team continues to follow the example set by Crtys in practices.

"I think the work ethic has been outstanding," Raymond said. "That's the biggest thing. No matter how talented you are, you can always give a great effort. Our attention to detail has been outstanding. There's been a lot of mental adjustments they've had to make, and they've put in the time to do so."