By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Wearing a black non-contact jersey Friday in his second practice since suffering a lower-body injury, Anthony Cioffi isn't looking at the ball.

Part of Rutgers' pass defense philosophy, Cioffi says a trailing corner is taught to catch up to a receiver, get "in phase" — hip to hip — before leaning and locating a pass.

Cioffi, one of three true freshman to earn significant playing time in 2013, often struggled to do so on fade routes. He says it's one area he's improved this spring.

"I think technique-wise I'm more low," Cioffi said. "I'm getting in and out of my breaks. I'm cutting out the false step I have breaking."

Under defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, who recruited Cioffi in high school, each safety relays calls to the corners on his side of the field. Some systems require a single-high safety to make most play IDs.

"It's a joint effort, both safeties passing it down," Cioffi said. "Let's say if one of them makes a miscall, we'll tell them and we'll make that switch."

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