AMES - During this day and age, no one's job is safe.

A veteran's position can disappear at any moment, regardless of past performance. The powers-that-be, after all, seek to streamline production in the wake of a recent crisis.

We're speaking, of course, about the Iowa State football program in its first spring under new head coach Paul Rhoads.

Rhoads spoke like a corporate recruiter at times during Monday's press conference as he identified his team's assets - as well as its liabilities.

"I think every position is always open," the first-time coach said sternly. "The minute a player starts to get overconfident or rest with where he's at … somebody's always going to sneak up."

Later, Rhoads added that his team "has a lot of work to do."

Rhoads inherited an Iowa State team with the longest current road losing streak in the nation (17 games, dating back to 2005).

The Cyclones possessed one of the worst defenses in the nation last season, surrendering 41.8 points per game in Big 12 play.

The coach, a former defensive back at Missouri Western in the late 1980s, knows he must shore up a porous front seven before Iowa State can compete in the brutally tough Big 12. And, unfortunately for him, Rhoads said his defense is behind schedule so far this spring.

"I think defensively we lag behind where we are offensively," said the 42-year-old coach.

"I mean, this isn't a team that walks around like they're the Steel Curtain," he added, joking that his team may need to "try to get 12, 13 guys on the field."

Rhoads hammered home the importance of smashmouth play last Friday, when his first spring practice in pads lasted until roughly 10:30 p.m.

Said Rashawn Parker, a senior defensive end: "It comes down to players making plays - driving through the tackle. That's one thing we're really working on in spring practice."

Other items on ISU's to-do list include:

- Avoiding bone-headed mental lapses that led to 57.4 penalty yards per game in 2008.

- Shoring up an offensive line that got overwhelmed in run-blocking situations last season.

- Increasing team speed and quickness under new strength coach Yancy McKnight. "Speed," said Rhoads, "is needed everywhere."

- And, of course, building team chemistry under a coach who didn't arrive in Ames until last Dec. 20.

"They've been eager to learn and be sponges," Rhoads said, citing his most encouraging spring observation. "You don't just change habits and ways of life overnight. … But they're eager to please. If we can have that, and improve daily, we'll get better as a football team - much better."

Iowa State's most tangible reason for excitement is its passing game, which has thrived in new offensive coordinator Tom Herman's no-huddle, spread offense, which often employs five wide receivers.

"The possibilities are endless," said running back Alexander Robinson.

So far, the state of Iowa has learned a lot about Paul Rhoads the person - that he's an avid motorcycle man, a Civil War buff and a Fran Tarkenton fan.

Now the Cyclones and everyone else are getting to know Paul Rhoads the field general - namely, that he's eager to quickly turn the Cyclones around.

Rhoads glanced at his watch a time or two Monday. And why wouldn't he? Lord knows Iowa State's new boss needs to maximize both production and efficiency this spring.

"He's a very energetic person," said Robinson, "and he carries that onto the practice field."

Cyclone sidebars

Decorah native Taylor Mansfield, who often started at fullback last season, has moved to defensive end under the Rhoads regime. Mansfield, a 6-foot-1, 258-pound junior, played defensive end as a junior at Decorah, where he was a two-time, first-team all-stater.

Senior receiver Wallace Franklin, who was suspended indefinitely in the 2008 preseason due to a pair of arrests, is once again listed on the Cyclones' roster. Franklin, who originally signed with Nebraska out of high school, caught one touchdown pass in 2007 with ISU.

Numerous Iowa State linemen have beefed up in the offseason. But offensive linemen Scott Haughton and Reggie Stephens especially opened eyes. Haughton, a 6-4 sophomore, added 45 pounds since last August, bulking up to 355 pounds. Stephens, a 6-4 senior, added 38 pounds, ballooning up to 338.

When asked Monday if he had spoken with former Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik, Rhoads had a succinct reply of "no." Rhoads, of course, was defensive coordinator at Auburn last year. Chizik is now Auburn's head coach.

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com