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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Saturday, August 11, 2012
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By Ron Cherubini
Staff Features
Writer |
By
Ron Cherubini
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
It is fitting that Michael Brooks goes into this, his senior season, as an
all-league candidate and likely NFL draft pick in 2013. Brooks splashed onto
the scene earning playing time as a true freshman in 2009.
That Brooks was able to garner actual playing time on a defensive line
that produced three NFL players and two Super Bowl Champions is
astounding. That he was able to garner Conference USA All-Freshman
honors that year only underscores that among the likes of Linval Joseph,
Jay Ross, and C.J. Wilson, he made enough plays to be noticed and
recognized for his talents.
Fast forward to his final season and Brooks is a big-time veteran on the
defensive line, serving as the heart of it at nose guard. He is widely
regarded among the top tier at his position nationally and, in the
league, is a player that opposing teams game-plan. He is as healthy as
he has ever been and appears to be finishing his career at East Carolina
just as he came into the league as a freshman, atop the league
defensively.
This season, Brooks will be asked to be a pivotal leader, a big
playmaker, and a guy who is known for making his teammates better around
him. And, he has the stuff to answer the call.
Michael was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share
his insights on the upcoming season.
Michael Brooks (92) in action
(ECU SID photo)
One-on-One with Michael Brooks
Q: You know, you came
into the ECU program and somehow carved out playing
time among guys like C.J. Wilson, Jay Ross, and
Linval Joseph on an outstanding championship
defense. Today, you guys as a unit seem poised to
make a push to be the best unit in the league and
maybe even one that makes noise nationally. Can you
talk a bit about that progression?
A: You know, we just got
back to working hard, just like we did on that
championship team (2009). We are all used to working
together, not just the defensive line but the whole
defense. It took a lot of work to go from worst in
the country to where we finished last year so we
know what it takes. Now we all want to do a lot
better than last year. We want to be a Top Ten
defense. Yeah, I am getting a special feeling… we
are going to be a lot better than last year.
Q: You seemingly made
the switch to the 3-4 unaffected. Do you believe
that your handle on it now versus last year is much
better? Do you expect that you will be even more
productive this season?
A: It was a hard move
for me, but I worked really with Coach (Marc)
Yellock to learn the position, the movement, and how
to play it. Now, it feels like second nature to me.
I don’t really consider it different than when we
are in an even front because I just love playing
football and it doesn’t matter whether I am at nose
tackle or at tackle.
Q: Last year, you were
used to looking to your side and seeing Derrell
Johnson there. Is it different to see him back a
level? Talk a bit about the guys left and right of
you and their abilities. Matt Milner, John
Lattimore, Lee Pegues, Justin Dixon?
A: Honestly, it is very
weird not seeing Derrell next to me, but the move
was a good one for him and for the team really. He
is going to be very good at linebacker. Now we are
working Lee (Pegues) at nose tackle with Terry
(Williams) out and he is doing really well there. I
think (Pegues) and John Lattimore are going to be
very good players for us this season. Same with Matt
and Justin — we are good at defensive end.
Q: You mentioned Terry
Williams not being available after he ran into some
off-field issues and with his status yet to be
known. Are you confident in the other guys you see
working behind you?
A: Definitely
comfortable. Of course, Terry is very good, but Lee
is good too and we have other guys who are working
there as well. I am totally comfortable with the
guys we got. Like Coach said, ‘the show must go on.’
Q: What player on this
team do you most respect and why?
A: If I have to give you
just one guy, it would definitely be Jacobi Jenkins.
From when we came in to the program to now, he has
worked hard and he has become a strong leader (for)
us. He is very good in that leadership role and a
good player, too. I really respect Jacobi.
Q: It’s been no secret
that the center position has been a struggle for
ECU, but now it seems that there are a few guys over
there that can get the job done. Is that a true
assumption based on having to knock heads with them?
A: I think both those
guys are great at center (Josh Clark and Taylor
Hudson). They both can play and we can do well with
either one in the lineup. Taylor is very good there.
I think we are pretty set at center now.
Q: You played with some
guys in the NFL ... and there is some thought that
you might join them. Do you think about that stuff?
Is it in the back of your mind?
A: Of course, it is
everybody’s dream to play in the NFL. But right now,
I want to win another conference championship. I try
to not to get ahead of myself.
E-mail
Ron Cherubini
PAGE UPDATED
08/11/12 07:52 AM.
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