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Schwartz: Defensive Guru Salgado To Impart Wisdom At Long Island Camp

By Peter Schwartz
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There are a number of things that a football team needs to have a successful defense.

They are, among others, a solid line up front that is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run, and linebackers that get to the signal-caller, stop the run and drop into coverage.

There is also the need for four capable defensive backs.

Two cornerbacks and two safeties make up the secondary in a base defense and are mainly involved in pass coverage, especially out wide as a shutdown guy or two is needed to cover the other team's top receivers. The safeties also have tremendous responsibilities, including pass coverage and helping out on the blitz.

Playing defensive back is a tough job as you generally don't hear the names of the good ones when watching a game on television because the quarterback is not throwing the ball in their direction.

Think of the Jets' Darrelle Revis.

You hear their names when they make an interception, or a good play to knock a ball away, or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, when a DB gets beat badly by an opposing pass-catcher.

What is in the DNA of a top-notch defensive back?

"I feel that a good DB has to be a good athlete, mentally tough, smart, have a short memory and be a playmaker," said Jim Salgado, co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Princeton University.

Jim Salgado
Princeton University defensive coach Jim Salgado (Photo: Jim Salgado)

Salgado, a Long Island native and former Hofstra University star, will be back on his home turf this weekend to conduct his first Pick 6 Defensive Backs Camp at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale. The camp takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until noon.

"I am very excited to come back home and work with the young men at the camp," said Salgado, who ran the Big Daddy Youth Football Camp on Long Island earlier this summer. "Being able to share my experiences and help them develop their games is something I am looking forward to."

Salgado was a three-year starting cornerback at Hofstra from 1991-93 and was on the 1990 team that advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals. He joined the Hofstra coaching staff in 1994 and returned to his alma mater from 2002-03. He also coached at Northeasten, Millersville, Boston University and Western Connecticut before joining the Syracuse staff in 2005.

This season will be Salgado's seventh at Princeton, where he coached four-time All-Ivy League defensive back Anthony Gaffney, as well as current Jets defensive end Mike Catapano.

When it comes to teaching the ins and outs of being a defensive back, Salgado has a simple philosophy that he said he will bring to the camp. He will stress the fundamentals to young defensive backs, including the use of feet, hips, and hands. Salgado used that blueprint to put together a defense that led Princeton to the 2013 Ivy League championship.

His coaching journey has also had multiple NFL fellowships, including a stint with the Giants last summer during training camp.

"My experience interning with the Giants was amazing," Salgado said. "Having the ability to work for coach (Tom) Coughlin and his staff helped me grow as a coach from an organizational, schematical and leadership standpoint."

Salgado's football career started on Long Island when he played for New Hyde Park High School. His coaching career began at the high school level for Long Island Lutheran and that let to what has been a very successful collegiate career.

And now, it has all come full circle as he will bring all of that experience into this weekend's camp, an opportunity to work with a plethora of young defensive backs.

"It means the world to me to come back home and have this camp here on Long Island," Salgado said. "I was raised here, learned the game of football here, and played my high school and college football here as well."

When it comes to learning the game of football, there is no substitute for experience. That is especially true for defensive backs and the Pick 6 camp this weekend could be a valuable tool for any player to quickly improve.

Without question, Salgado brings a wealth of experience.

To sign up for the camp, go to www.pick6camp.com. If you have any questions, send them to pick6camp@gmail.com.

Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow Jim Salgado @CoachSalgado 

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