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One-on-One with the
Pirates
Thursday,
August 16, 2010
By Ron Cherubini |
By
Ron Cherubini
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
High-impact junior college transfers are not uncommon for East Carolina. You
have the likes of Andre Allison, Lance Lewis, and Dominique Davis to draw on
for comparison. But it has been awhile since a defensive JUCO came aboard
that was so eagerly anticipated. Defensive end John Lattimore is one of
those guys who everyone was that excited about when he came into the program
in 2011.
An odd accident in his first day or two in spring camp in 2011 delayed his
“arrival” on the field a year, but that delay, in hindsight, may be one of
this year’s blessings. At 6-4, 277 pounds, Lattimore is sort of a tweener
for the 3-4 defensive end position. But the trade-off between his weight and
his speed — particularly his acceleration into the backfield once he has
engaged the tackle — creates some very interesting opportunities to get a
true pass rush out of a DE without losing containment. His JUCO reputation
was one of being a massive backfield disruptor.
Lattimore's
abilities, along with the emergence of fellow DE
Lee Pegues, allowed the
Pirates to drop
Derrell Johnson and Maurice
Falls to the second level, thereby creating more depth and athleticism —
particularly pass rushing skills — in the linebacker ranks. Lattimore has
yet to play in a game for the Pirates, but play in games he will and the
junior is likely to be a notable contributor.
John was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his
insights on the upcoming season.
John Lattimore in action
(ECU SID photo)
One-on-One with John Lattimore
Q: Last year’s injury
must have really just got under your skin. You were
a player that the defense really was counting on
coming in and jumping in right away. You missed the
season, you are now healthy. How are you feeling
heading into the season? Are you hyped up having had
to wait so long to get out there?
A: I am very excited for
the season and I am ready to see what I can do out
there in (a) game. I feel good, I’m 100% healthy.
Q: You came in as a DE
with a reputation for getting to the QB. Do you see
opportunities to put on the heat in this 3-4 scheme?
Talk about how you guys expect to get more pressure
on the QB this year.
A: I will have
opportunities but the position is about stopping the
run game. The transition was a little tough at
first, but I got a feel for it and like playing the
position much more now. We stop the run, but if
there is an opportunity to get to the quarterback,
we all can make that play.
Q: Assess the defensive
line and what you see out there. Do you guys have a
chance to be a special group?
A: Really happy with how
we are all doing out here. I do think we have a
chance to be a really special, good group. I feel
like the whole defense, not just the defensive line
could be pretty special.
Q: What player on this
team do you most respect and why?
A:
Lee Pegues.
He is so passionate about the game and is always
going 100% at all times. He works hard and it shows.
Whenever I have a question about the position, I go
to him. I definitely hold a lot respect for Lee.
Q: Do you feel like with
the depth being developed at the DE positions, there
are enough reps for all of you? Does the rotation
help you out there?
A: Really, to me the
rotation is good. I run with the ones and the twos
and we mix it up, so really, whether you are the
starter or not doesn’t matter because we rotate to
keep everyone fresh and at the top of their game. It
allows you to go full speed, full strength every
play you are out there.
Q: You’ve had to sit out
for so long since you last played in a real game. Do
you think you are going to be able to make it to the
Appalachian State game without going crazy?
A: Oh, man, I am
excited. I’m also a little nervous. It’s been more
than a year since I last played in a game. Excited
to get out there and see what I can do, make that
first play. I’m really looking forward to the first
game.
Q: How is the OL looking
from your perspective thus far?
A: They look real good,
all of them. They are a strong and I think that they
will surprise people.
E-mail
Ron Cherubini
PAGE UPDATED
08/16/12 03:18 AM.
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