Three weeks ago, the safety position was a mystery for the Cal football team.

Three weeks ago, defensive coordinator Bob Gregory said that the team "certainly need(ed) to get better there."

Three weeks ago, when asked whether the team had settled on a starter adjacent to Marcus Ezeff, coach Jeff Tedford tersely answered, "No," in front of 30-some Bay Area media members.

Brett Johnson heard all that, and so did the other defensive backs.

Then they took it to heart -- during the Bears' 24-14 win over Arizona State on Oct. 4, the junior emerged with seven tackles and a forced fumble. Alongside cornerback Darian Hagan, Johnson roamed the other half of the Cal secondary, which is now arguably a top unit in the traditionally high-flying Pac-10.

"We kind of took that personally," he said. "Because as safeties, you have to be hitters, you have to be physical. So we as a group took it as a responsibility to become more physical, come downhill more and be more of a presence in the running game."

Speaking for all defensive backs, Johnson attributed the unit's recent play against the run to practices led by first-year DB's coach Al Simmons.

"Every day, we practice tackling drills, practice turnover circuits," he said. "That's part of the reason why we're plus-six right now in turnovers, and why our defensive backs are making such great open-field tackles and coming downhill. Our practice habits are carrying over into the game very well."

Considering senior safety Bernard Hicks' injury, Johnson's emergence has had critical implications for a team that had drawn a big question mark opposite Ezeff entering the season.

Before the senior went down with a leg injury, Hicks and Johnson were mired in a deep position battle, as the coaches delayed settling on a clear-cut choice. Today, as Hicks continues to sit indefinitely, the fate of the secondary -- whether the unit can become a BCS-worthy group -- seems to hinge on Johnson's development.

Not that he needs a boost in sense of urgency.

"Me being a junior, my time is running short ... It is literally make it or break it," Johnson said. "The only thing I felt was missing was game experience, and I'm getting more game experience and getting relaxed. The more relaxed I get, the more the game slows down and I'm able to make plays."

When Johnson and Ezeff are both making plays -- whether they're plugging rushing lanes or dropping back into coverage -- they seem to do so interchangeably.

Earlier in the season, it was Ezeff posting nine tackles against Michigan State. Against the Sun Devils, it was Johnson who would meet Dimitri Nance before Nance could make it downfield.

It turns out their distinction is merely east and west for the most part.

"It's more so a right and left thing and however the formation falls on our side," Johnson said. "That's how we play. We're both able to play both sides of the ball, both strong and free safety.

"(Ezeff) is more so the cover guy than me -- I'm more of the post player, over the top. He's more of the cover down. But if we ever get caught up in a reverse role, we can play either side of the ball, so we're versatile in that way."

Tags: AL SIMMONS, BRETT JOHNSON, CAL FOOTBALL