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Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

The Burn List: Check-up with Dr. Pain

Dr. Pain answers to no one -- except, of course, Momma Pain.

The Burn List recently caught up with Merced College safety Dion Bland to talk to him about his return to the city of Merced and the defense's takeover of last Saturday's game.

The Blue Devils had five takeaways and scored three defensive touchdowns in a 42-20 rout of Chabot College.

Bland found the end zone on a scoop-and-score, and provided the home crowd with few of his patented head-rattling hits.

But while receivers may cringe when he's near, TBL knows one of person who can make the big, bad Bland squirm.

His mother.

"Hold on," he said, pausing our telephone interview for a minute or two. "I'm on the phone, mom.

"Sorry," he said picking the conversation back up, "that was my mom."

So we kept the interview quick. The last place The Burn List wants to be is on Momma Pain's bad side.

TBL: Looking back, was it tough leaving Fresno City for a program in transition?

DB: Was it tough leaving Fresno? No. The reason why I left was because the living conditions forced me back. Since I've been back, I've been nothing but grateful for the opportunities I've had. The season is going well, so I really couldn't be any happier. I'm just focused on getting my AA and deciding where to transfer.

TBL: Which will be?

DB: Well, coming out of Fresno, I had a torn groin. As soon as schools heard about it, it was like they gave me the cold shoulder. And I really haven't heard from any since. I did hear from Cal, and they said they were looking forward to seeing me play. That's about the only school ... except the University of West Alabama. They called the other day, so they're keeping tabs on me now.

TBL: Looking back on last Saturday, a game dominated by the defense, how much fun was that?

DB: Oh, man, I had a lot of fun. It was exciting to get back into the end zone, let alone do what I do best, which is hitting. Whenever I get a big hit, it not only boosts my level of play but also my teammates. They see me hit and it makes them get crazy and rowdy. We feed off each other's energy.

But I try not to focus too much on laying the wood, as they say. I'm trying to practice on wrapping up and not missing the tackle. That's my main focus. In the beginning of the season, I was going for the hit. I got ripped out by my coach, so I've been focusing on making sure I get the tackle. I think I only missed one tackle on Saturday.

TBL: Speaking of coach, what's it like playing for defensive coordinator Keith Millard, a guy who's tasted success in the NFL?

DB: Knowing he's been to the league and back, makes me think I've got to be perfect or as perfect as I can be. I try to make as few mistakes as possible, because I know if I do ... man.

(TBL: Because if you do make a mistake, he'll let you hear it? He's not shy about cussing you out?)

Is he shy about cussing us out? Nah, he's not shy. I appreciate it, though. I look at like it's love. If he didn't care so much, he wouldn't say anything at all. Him criticising us the way he does shows he wants us to be better. He's preparing us to play at the next level.

TBL: My colleague Sean Lynch, the Merced College beat reporter, said in his mid-season report that the defense needed to make more big plays. Is that something you guys discussed during the bye?

DB: Oh, yeah, all the time. Going into the Chabot game, we knew their quarterback (Antione Young) was lousy with the ball, throwing wise. We had it in our minds that it was going to be pick season.

Not only that, it's like for the sophomore, we know we only have five games left. We know we have to do something to be remembered for. All we're worried about is ... We want a ring, so we're going to play to our full potential.

James Burns is sports editor of the Sun-Star. He can be reached at jburns@mercedsun-star.com.