Today's scrimmage could define BYU's team defensively

PROVO -- What kind of football team will BYU field when it opens the season in Mississippi in less than a month?

We'll be closer to answers today when Bronco Mendenhall puts his squad through the first major scrimmage of fall camp.

"We need to come out with a better idea of exactly where we are execution-wise, and then we also have to make some personnel decisions," said Mendenhall Friday of today's 10:15 a.m. scrimmage.

So far, the offense has looked like it should with very smooth big plays and impressive execution.

Veteran.

The defense, looking to rebuild its secondary, has given up some big plays but it has also delivered impressive stops, registered "touch sacks," pass breakups, interceptions and big hits since putting on pads.

Cornerback Corby Eason says this kind of camp is how it should be.

"This is a lot better this way to have practices where both the defense and offense have good days," he said. "It is not good if one is dominating the other."

And after the first week of drills that parity has been the trademark of the Cougars in Camp 2011 with the offense slightly ahead.

What we've seen is Daniel Sorensen step in with Mike Hague as the safeties and they've looked serviceable.

We've seen secondary coach Nick Howell shuffle in a cadre of cornerbacks, trying to beat out Eason and Robbie Buckner, who are the early camp favorites. Preston Hadley has seen time opposite Eason, while Jordan Johnson and Cameron Comer have backed Eason up.

The secondary will be the deal to watch today.

It is the most unsettled area on the team. But there are choices, and in Provo, having choices with a secondary is a unique luxury.

Eason says he's feeling the pressure, but he's not panicking. He is confident he can hold on to the starting spot.

On the other side, JC transfer Joe Sampson, DeQuan Everett and Skye PoVey have seen time playing with the second and third string.

There is a sifting going on with the secondary.

It's a process whereby a coach and staff place as many guys in play as possible and then break down the good, bad and ugly.