View from the East Saturday, August 4, 2012 By Al Myatt

Three sides of the ball times three

By Al Myatt
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

GREENVILLE — Ruffin McNeill often refers to three sides of the ball when he talks about offense, defense and special teams. The East Carolina football coach, who enters his third season in charge of the Pirate program, did a lot of talking on media day Saturday. So did his coordinators, assistants and players.

McNeill was met by media as he came off the practice field after ECU's second day of preseason workouts. He cleaned up and talked with media again in the Murphy Center. He spoke to the media as a group from the podium and then sat for individual questions. [Audio: Replay Coach Ruffin McNeill's Media Day press conference...]

Players, position coaches and coordinators also were available for interviews.

There are some obvious issues facing each side of the ball as the Pirates gear up for the 2012 season, which begins at home on Sept. 1 against Appalachian State. There also are some important considerations lurking below the surface.

Here, then, is a three-sided approach to the three sides of the ball as preseason camp gets going — an obvious issue, a factor that might not be so apparent and a quick look at some new personnel that may impact that particular unit.

OFFENSE

The obvious factor: Uncertainty at quarterback

The "Air Raid" attack that McNeill and offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley brought from Texas Tech depends on a capable quarterback and the Pirates have precious little experience among their distributors of the ball.

McNeill said there's no hurry to determine a starter among Shane Carden, Rio Johnson, Cody Keith and Brad Wornick. It's more important to find the right guy. He'll be in place by game week with the Mountaineers.

The thinking here is that the redshirt freshman Keith is too young and the senior, Wornick, is too old. Neither will likely surpass Johnson, who was last year's backup and who finished spring as the apparent No. 1 or Carden. All factors being equal, the Pirates will go with a younger player and that may rule Wornick out since he's unlikely to put himself significantly in front in the position competition in the next couple of weeks.

Wornick's downside is that he's a gamer, not a practice player and, hey, the evaluations are being made in practice. Keith will be a good quarterback but not this year. McNeill has said as much.

That leaves Carden and Johnson who were very close until Carden hit his right, passing hand on a helmet in the spring and went to the sideline. Johnson may be the better pure passer. Carden may have the better leadership qualities. The coaches may not make a choice as much as a quarterback may simply emerge in the coming weeks.

The subtle factor: Running back by committee

There are even more running back candidates than the four-man field for the quarterback job.

McNeill has said it may be running back by committee. Injuries helped ECU develop some depth among its ball carriers last season. Reggie Bullock, Michael Dobson, Torrance Hunt and versatile Zico Pasut made starts last season. Hunter Furr sat out after transferring from North Carolina. The staff also likes redshirt freshman Chris Hairston, who ran six times for 52 yards in the spring game.

"Those guys have a lot of different abilities," said ECU alumnus Kirk Doll, the new running backs coach. "There are certain plays that they can each excel at. If we can keep them fresh and healthy, the fewer snaps they have to play, their health should be better. We're trying to develop them fully in all areas, but because of their body types or quickness or explosiveness, they each run certain plays a little bit better than some of the others.

"Who you play and the type of game situations you're in are also going to be factors. ... They all have talents they can help you with."

Certain backs may play in certain situations — or be used as decoys in other situations.

"This offense gives defenses a lot to think about," Doll said.

One plus for the Pirates is more depth on the offensive line. That should help whether ECU's mode of transportation is running or throwing.

Potential impact player

Lance Ray is not even due in preseason camp until Aug. 9. The Arkansas transfer by way of Northwest Mississippi Junior College is finishing up some summer school work. McNeill said he will have a chance to be on the field against the Mountaineers and will give the Pirates a potential big play performer as a receiver and a returner.

DEFENSE

The obvious factor: Strength up the middle

McNeill said strength up the middle is crucial in baseball as well as football. Pirates nose tackle Michael Brooks is a preseason All-Conference USA selection. Inside linebacker Jeremy Grove led the team with 122 tackles last season as a freshman. Free safety Damon Magazu was second with 80 stops.

"We're strong up the middle," McNeill said. "We can build out from there."

There is depth. McNeill said Ty Holmes and Zeek Bigger are right there with Groves. The entire program recognizes the value of competition in player development.

The subtle factor: Inexperience in the secondary

Emanuel Davis is gone. So are Derek Blacknall and Bradley Jacobs. What was the defense's most experienced group last season has become its least experienced.

Magazu, a virtual coach on the field, can provide direction and leadership and the guys up front can take some pressure off the DBs with an effective pass rush. Another positive is ample athleticism among the secondary candidates although they must grow up fast.

Potential impact players

McNeill has liked the work ethic and skill set of defensive backs Adonis Armstrong and Chip Thompson since they arrived from Hinds Community College in Jackson, MS.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The obvious factor: Key personnel losses

Placekicker Michael Barbour put the Pirates in field goal range from roughly the time he got off the bus. He was good from 57 and 58 yards in the last game of his career at Marshall. He must be replaced. Warren Harvey of Greenville Rose kicked well in the spring game. Trent Tignor and Phil McNaughton will compete as punters. Charlie Coggins is the leader at long snapper. There are a lot of candidates on returns and Doll, the special teams coordinator who has BCS championship experience at LSU and NFL experience with the Denver Broncos, will get the most out of his material.

The subtle factor: Rules changes

Kickoffs will move from the 30-yard line to the 35 with rule changes this season. Members of the kickoff team must line up within five yards of the ball. The receiving team will take the ball on the 25 rather than the 20 on touchbacks.

Doll said the changes, designed to reduce severe collisions, may result in some strategic considerations depending on situations, particularly late in the game. Some teams may prefer to kick high and deep and try to pin the opposition back on returns.

"The 25-yard line is a pretty good start," Doll said.

In another rule change, punt rushers are no longer allowed to leap over the punter's shield — the protective blockers in front of him.

Potential impact players

Ray has the ability to flip the field as a kickoff returner. He averaged a team high in return yards (22.5) as a freshman at Arkansas in 2010 with a team season best 66-yard return against Vanderbilt.

Harvey hit from 48 yards into the wind as the third quarter was ending in the spring game.

Article continues after the following picture

ECU head football coach Ruffin McNeill responds to media after the conclusion of practice on Saturday morning. (Photo by Al Myatt)

Quick hits

Coach McNeill said 2012 Pirate helmets will have the skull and cross bone design — like last year. He said that's what the players wanted. ... A mentor program matching former ECU football players with current Pirates will be called Brotherhood of Pirates.  Strength coach Jeff Connors is working with the new program, which is chronicled in the forthcoming edition of Bonesville the Magazine. ... Defensive end Matt Milner, a standout on the gridiron and classroom, hasn't spent any money on haircuts this summer. You wouldn't recognize him from his media guide photo. ... Lincoln Riley's annual goal on his summer vacation is to get out of cell phone range in the southern Rockies. "It's getting tougher and tougher," said the offensive coordinator. ... Tony Byers had the assist on Phil Perry's winning hoop against North Carolina that was discussed in View from the East on Friday. Former ECU hoops coach Eddie Payne assisted Lee Foye on a shot that sent Wake Forest into overtime with the Tar Heels. ... There were workmen on the job at the site of ECU's new basketball practice facility on Saturday. AD Terry Holland said the area is being prepared for football parking. Actual construction is supposed to start during the upcoming school year. ... Outside linebacker Justin Dixon squatted 700 pounds in summer workouts. Former Pirate Emmanuel McDaniel, who works on the strength staff, has a video of the lift on his cell phone. "He's from another planet," Connors said of the ease of Dixon's effort.

Audio: Replay Coach Ruffin McNeill's Media Day press conference...

E-mail Al Myatt

PAGE UPDATED 08/05/12 02:00 AM.