Head coach Kyle Flood formally introduced Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator Tuesday after a nearly two-month search. (AP photo)

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

Joe Rossi was introduced Tuesday as Rutgers' third defensive coordinator in the post-Greg Schiano era on the premise that he would keep the team's defensive system intact.

The third-year assistant, who spoke along with head coach Kyle Flood, Ralph Friedgen and Bob Fraser, expressed as much on Tuesday's teleconference.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

I published a story for Wednesday's Trentonian on Rutgers' declining sack numbers from defensive ends, but here's more that didn't make it to print: 

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Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen allegedly verbally abused former player Jevon Tyree during a spring study session. (AP photo)

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

Clarice Tyree, the mother of former Rutgers player Jevon Tyree, said Sunday on ESPNews that her son received repeated text messages from defensive coordinator Dave Cohen in the spring but Jevon did not want to respond.

Jevon Tyree and the Tyree family alleged Friday via NJ.com that Cohen verbally abused Jevon Tyree and bullied him, which led to him being ostracized from and quitting the team.

Clarice Tyree called it a "verbal assault" Sunday.
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Allegations involving defensive coordinator Dave Cohen, pictured, could be potentially troubling, but Rutgers' on-field performance could caution recruits more. (AP photo)

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

PISCATAWAY — At 3:29 p.m. Saturday, Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen quietly jogged off the field at High Point Solutions Stadium escorted by the team's director of athletic relations.

The first into the tunnel, Cohen made his way under the veil of cover.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

T.J. Taylor took trips in middle school to watch his cousin, Syam Rhodes, play football at Elizabeth High School. He'll attempt to make a transition seven years later that Rhodes' teammate nearly perfected in Piscataway.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Head coach Kyle Flood said Wednesday he gives Rutgers' coordinators flexibility within the overall framework of the program.
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Rutgers' defense hasn't relied solely on redshirt freshman Steve Longa to identify personnel and make defensive calls. (AP Photo)

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

Defensive coordinator Dave Cohen cautioned against lofty comparisons for Steve Longa during the team's Aug. 10 media day, saying, "He's not going to be Steve Beauharnais his first game. That was a work of art for four years."
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Linebacker Jamal Merrell says the pass-coverage role he played at Fresno State will remain throughout the season. (AP Photo)

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

Jamal Merrell says the pass-coverage role he adopted Aug. 29 at Fresno State is here to stay.

The fifth-year senior often lined up outside the far hash mark, serving as a de-facto nickel cornerback. While most teams will not stretch the line of scrimmage as much as Fresno State, Merrell expects a similar game plan from coordinator Dave Cohen.
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Jamal Merrell said he expected to take on a pass-rushing role in 2013, but coordinator Dave Cohen might rely on his base defense against pass-heavy offenses. (Tyler Barto)

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

The busiest man on the field Thursday in Fresno, Calif.? That'd be Jamal Merrell, the 6-foot-4 linebacker Rutgers often asked to play along the perimeter.

Merrell finished with eight tackles, second on the team, but no defender endured more responsibility in coordinator Dave Cohen's first outing. 
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Head coach Kyle Flood begins his first and only season in the American in nearly 24 hours. His close friend, Dave Cohen, will do the same but with more responsibility. (Tyler Barto/ file photo)

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

Dave Cohen, 46, has never called plays at a potential BCS-qualifying school. That will change Thursday night, when Cohen becomes the first coordinator directly outside Greg Schiano's coaching tree to impact Rutgers.

The Trentonian profiled Cohen in its season preview, but here's what Cohen said Aug. 10 at Rutgers' media day that didn't make the cut:

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

Dave Cohen, the new man pulling the strings behind Rutgers' defense, takes his first test Thursday night.
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Steve Longa's philosophy shift came after several blunders during a defensive meeting before a 2012 home game. (Tyler Barto)

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

Steve Longa spent the early part of the 2012 season in a trance.

Longa, eventually destined to redshirt, peered ahead and saw four more years of eligibility remaining. So when veteran Steve Beauharnais told him to enjoy every moment, Longa brushed it off.
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By Tyler Barto 
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Steve Longa is staring.

He squats in a two-point stance, trying to read a developing play run during positional drills Tuesday. Three linebackers line up as a center and guards in front of him.

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Defensive coordinator Dave Cohen has yet to call a play, but a few details about his defense are starting to emerge. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Unmasking new coordinator Dave Cohen's defense isn't easy, especially without a training camp practice or pads. But a few things about Cohen's system are clear.
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Max Issaka would be hard-pressed to start 2013 less conventionally than his redshirt freshman season. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than three weeks remain until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013. 
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Junior Lorenzo Waters made subtle strides in pass defense last season after being taken out Sept. 22 at Arkansas. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto

Twitter: Tyler_Barto

tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than a month remains until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013.

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Redshirt freshman Steve Longa (3) could inherit Rutgers' vacant middle linebacker spot. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

Less than a month remains until the start of Rutgers training camp. This top-20 countdown will run infrequently, documenting who's got the most to prove in 2013.
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By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — After practicing at each of the linebacker positions during spring practice in 2012 and doing much of the same this spring, Kevin Snyder says he's best suited for the weakside.

“I haven’t played much MIKE, but as of right now I think I fit pretty well at the WILL," Snyder, a junior, said Wednesday. "I think I’m good at the WILL, playing backside running things down.”
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