Binns not disappointed in '10

The highlight of Broderick Binns' 2010 season happened in week 3.

The junior defensive end reached up and snatched a Nick Foles pass and returned it 20 yards untouched for a TD that tied it in the fourth quarter at Arizona. From there, it wasn't necessarily down hill for the 6-foot-2, 261-pounder, but it was certainly a plateau.

After starting 13 games in '09, Binns has only four this season and hasn't started in the last four weeks. Binns was productive in 2009, with 63 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and a team-high nine passes broken up.

Going into the '10 regular-season finale, Binns has 24 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup.

This has been tackle Mike Daniels' year. The junior leads Iowa in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (4.0). He carved a permanent spot for himself in the lineup four weeks ago and hasn't budged.

Binns, who started the season on suspension because of a summer OWI, didn't duck the question.

"I'm not disappointed at all," Binns said. "I give all the credit to Mike Daniels. He came in and did a phenomenal job and still is doing a phenomenal job. I wasn't playing up to my best ability, like I did last year. I'm a team player and that's fine.

"My role this year is a lot different than it was last year. I'm a team player. That's fine. I get in there and do what I can, but there are other guys who are producing and who do play. I'm not disappointed at all."

But he is motivated.

"It's not like I'm out here slacking at practice," Binns said. "I'm still working hard. The coaches say I'm still one of the starters or what-not, so I'm still pushing guys, still getting younger guys involved more. I'm still doing little things behind the scenes, whereas last year I'm starting all the games. I'm still out there working hard. It's not like I'm slacking."