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Pirate Notebook No. 61
Monday, April 1, 2002

By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist

Preseason prognosticators will likely suggest a significant decline in production for the East Carolina offense this fall. With the graduation of quarterback David Garrard and running back Leonard Henry to the professional ranks, few expect the Pirates to match their 2001 output of 33 points and 417 yards per game.

And with the six-foot-four, 238-pound Paul Troth stepping in at quarterback, many have proposed that offensive coordinator Doug Martin will have to revamp his philosophy to accommodate the drop-back style of his new field general.

According to Martin, ECU's multi-volume playbook enables him to tailor his system around the quarterback, without jumping outside the basic principles of the Pirates' scheme.

“Our offense is so comprehensive," he said. "We have so much that we’re able to jump into different systems within the system. That keeps us healthy because it keeps people from keying in on one aspect.

“Being multiple is the key to success nowadays. When you approach a season, it’s really like you have 11 one-game seasons. You need to be different in game one than you are in game four.”

Historically, that theory has held true. Under Martin's direction, the Pirate offense has featured a series of record-breaking signal callers, none of which were carbon-copies under center.

Marcus Crandell was an undersized, accurate passer who was comfortable in the pocket or rolling out. He was particularly adept in the intermediate passing game, and operated much of the time out of shotgun formation.

Dan Gonzales was a pocket passer in the purest sense. At six-foot-three, he possessed a rifle arm and Charmin-soft touch. Gonzo's only downfall was an inadequate ground attack, which was the result of an inexperienced offensive line.

On a bad day, David Garrard could chuck it a country mile, which during his career led to a bushel of quick-strike scores. The Durham native was strong as an ox, too, and often struck fear into would-be tacklers on option keepers.

With Troth assuming the reigns, the ECU staff has spent countless hours reviewing Crandell film. Much like Crandell in the mid-90s, Troth displayed pinpoint accuracy to go along with fluid footwork in the pocket during spring drills.

When the pocket breaks down, Troth has shown the presence of mind to avoid speedy sack artists, something for which he hasn't received a lot of credit by outside observers in the past.

"I kind of get upset when people say I'm not mobile," Troth said. "Mobility is not scrambling to get first downs. Mobility is the ability to not take a sack. I think I do a good job of that. I'm not going to give our team negative yardage.

"My idea of being a mobile quarterback is not so much the Michael Vick type, of running 50 yards and breaking tackles That's not me, and I accept that fact. If I can stand in the pocket and not take a sack, then that's my idea of being mobile and quick on your feet."

Troth has grasped the offense quicker than anticipated, and is said to be further along than Garrard at this stage. That has heightened Logan's expectations for next season, which were cautiously optimistic entering spring drills.

Another factor that should ease Troth's transition is a formidable rushing attack that averaged more than 200-yards per game last season. Though ECU loses its main ground weapon, Logan doesn't seem a bit concerned about his stable of runners.

"Leonard Henry... Is he a good player?," he asked. "Daggum right, he's a good player — probably a pro player.

"But with Art Brown and Marvin Townes, we're not going to miss a beat. It will be a different type of back. It won't be a banger like Leonard was. But, I'll bet you collectively those kids will have 1,300-1,400 yards. They're both going to play."

Both Brown and Townes post quicker 40 times than the L-Train, which will enhance the Pirates' home run ability on the ground. That's saying a lot, considering Henry averaged eight yards per carry last season.

With a comprehensive, flexible offensive system, it isn't a mouthful to suggest the Pirates should pick up right where they left off.

Ever the innovators, Logan and Martin have tweaked ECU's definition of the tight end position and given it a new name — FLEX. The transformation began halfway through the 2001 season, when Arnie Powell surfaced as the starting tight end against Army.

Not an ounce over 215 pounds, Powell was unimposing as a blocker, but effective at stretching the field when covered by linebackers. At six-foot-five, Powell offered the Pirates favorable matchups in the short-to-intermediate passing game.

The FLEX is somewhat of a hybrid position, and is utilized in the ECU playbook similar to the way the Tennessee Titans use H-back Frank Wycheck.

Ben Thomas and Seth Yates were listed atop the ECU post-spring depth chart, but they will be pushed by former walk-on Tutu Moye, who emerged last month as a viable option. Though relatively small, Moye brings good speed to the position, as well as a soft, dependable pair of hands.

Incoming recruits Kevin Roach (6'5"), Iverick Harris (6'3"), Bryson Bowling (6'3"), and Mickey McCoy (6'2") each bring a much-needed element to the ECU receiving corps — size. According to Logan, the ECU staff was focused on hauling in taller targets this year.

"We were a little bit conscious of the size at receiver," Logan said. "We were trying to get a couple of taller kids.

"Last year's class — DeMarcus Fox, Garrett Peterkin, and Eddie Rios — all of those kids were short, quick, H-back types. The flanker and split end in our offense usually has a little bit of height. We were on a mission to try to compliment the group we got last year with the group we've got coming in this year. They are tall kids that have good speed."

The added height should come in handy in the red zone, where former standouts Larry Shannon and Troy Smith were scoring machines in the mid-90s.

One of the names rumored to be a candidate to replace former ECU women's basketball coach Dee Stokes is Nebraska's Paul Sanderford. Sanderford, who just completed his 20th season as a head coach (the past five in Lincoln), boasts a 453-189 overall record.

Sanderford is widely respected as one of the best architects in the women's game. Prior to his arrival in Lincoln, Sanderford spent 15 seasons molding Western Kentucky into one of the nation's premiere programs. While there, he led the Hilltoppers to 12 NCAA tournaments, three Final Four appearances, and the 1992 national championship.

Sanderford immediately turned the Lady Huskers into a contender, directing them to the NCAA tournament in each of his first three seasons. Prior to his arrival, Nebraska had landed just three tourney berths.

There is speculation that Sanderford would like to close out an illustrious career in his home state of North Carolina. Born in Durham, Sanderford was an All-America catcher at both Louisburg Junior College and Methodist College. He also earned a Master's Degree from N.C. State in 1974.