091211 DENNY O'BRIEN ::: Scheme, talent are upgrading defense [fb]

McNeill insisted that the Pirates’ defensive shortcomings were not the product of Mitchell’s inability to implement a system capable of delivering respectable results.

Two games into the 2011 season, it appears that McNeill was operating on more than a hunch.

Against the nation’s 11th- and 12th-ranked opponents, Mitchell’s defense more than held its own. And it did so against personnel headlined by several future first round draft picks.

Much of that can be attributed to a new 3-4 alignment that seems to accentuate the speed and talent of ECU’s defensive personnel. It has allowed Mitchell to showcase the significant talent upgrade the Pirates have experienced within their linebacker unit, while also opening opportunities to mix up personnel groupings.

There seems to a specialized package for almost every scenario. The Pirates can go with a supersized package in short-yardage situations, or a smaller and faster one on definitive passing downs.

Both are luxuries ECU did not enjoy in 2010. And the result has been a unit that applies more pressure on opposing quarterbacks while forcing five turnovers in two weeks of action, six if you count the fumble recovered by the Pirates’ punting unit last week against South Carolina.

The most notable improvement has been a pass defense that has allowed opponents to complete only 40% of their passes while limiting them to 111 yards per game. The Pirates already have broken up 10 passes this year, including four from cornerback Derek Blacknall.

“I feel good about the progress of this defense,” McNeill said. “I think that Brian Mitchell, John Wiley, Marc Yellock, and Duane Price have done a great job of schematically installing this defense.

“They’ve got some parts for the run and then a pass defensive package. They’ve done a great job of fundamentally installing the defense, because there is a different thought process, operation, and fundamentals for each group.”

Starting safety Damon Magazu, whose tightrope interception in the end zone nullified a Hokies scoring drive, credits the success of the ECU secondary to a new system that opens more opportunities to make plays.

“Last year we ran a 4-3, but we had a bunch of stand up defensive end type of guys,” Magazu said. “The 3-4 really makes it easy on the defensive backs because the defensive line and (outside linebackers) are getting into the quarterback’s face, and the ball is starting to float and go to places that the quarterback doesn’t want it to go.

“That gives us an extra step or two to get to the ball and make plays. That alone helps. Also, the coverages that we’ve been running have been helping as well.”

Looking back, it’s clear that East Carolina’s primary defensive flaws in 2010 were twofold: 1) an overall shortage of talent; and, 2) a rash of injuries that depleted an already thin group.

If the Pirates can remain healthy, this is a defense that will continue to improve.

Conditioned bunch

East Carolina’s inability to extend drives against Virginia Tech created a huge advantage for the Hokies in time of possession.

Nearly 16 minutes separated the two teams in a scenario that ordinarily would cause the disadvantaged team to wilt. But the Hokies’ 17-10 victory was not the product of wearing down the Pirates.

“I don’t think any of us were tired, honestly,” Magazu said. “At the end of the game, I felt like I could go another half. I felt like I played only a half.”

“Coach (Jeff) Connors, his staff, and his offseason program, I don’t think anyone has a better staff coaching them. I don’t thinking anyone is as well-conditioned as we are.”

Better physical conditioning and depth should keep the Pirates fresh late in games. And considering ECU already has played its two most physical opponents, the results of the Pirates’ conditioning will likely be more reflective on the scoreboard moving forward.

Disciplined effort

Penalties were a huge issue for East Carolina last year. The Pirates were flagged often, and it ranged from an epidemic of false starts to too many senseless 15-yard infractions.

Against a historically disciplined Virginia Tech program, the Pirates were cited for zero penalties while the Hokies were whistled 12 times. That’s an amazing statistic when you consider the Pirates’ inexperience along the offensive front, the effectiveness of Virginia Tech’s pass rush, and the new abandon with which ECU now plays on defense.

For the year, ECU has been flagged only 3 times for 30 yards. Needless to say, it’s much easier to stay in games against elite opponents when you don’t shoot yourself in the foot.