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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.
Will Simmons’ reputation as a bulldog in the interior line at East Carolina
is well known, so much so that he is being touted as an All-Conference
USA-caliber guard heading into 2012. Long-heralded as the model lineman by
offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, Simmons also represents the most stable
lineman on an emerging unit.
At 6-5, 336 pounds, he is also a load and a half working from the right
guard position. A common observation among ECU’s defensive players,
particularly the front seven, is that the offensive line is noticeably
bigger and stronger than it has been in the past, indicating that the unit
has been busy in Camp (Jeff) Connors in the off-season. Given the gains in
strength Simmons had in one off-season, adding 212 pounds to his standard
three-lift combination (+40 on the bench, +105 on the back squat, and +67 on
the power clean), it is a scary thought what a guy who already had a rep for
destruction might do this year.
The backs have noted, particularly, that the interior line has been
effective in creating inside running lanes and doing so against a pretty
stout defensive front. Simmons is a leader for this OL, and as he goes, may
go the full unit.
Will was kind enough to sit down for a chat with Bonesville to share his
insights on the upcoming season.
Will Simmons in action
(ECU SID photo)
One-on-One with Will Simmons
Q: One thing that has
been clear in talking to the defensive players
through spring and now in fall camp is that it is
noticeable that you guys have all gotten bigger and,
more importantly, stronger in the off-season. Is
there a bit of a chip or attitude within the OL
group that helped drive that effort?
A: Definitely. (We) have
a big chip on all of ours shoulders. Really, the
whole offense does, but all summer we have had a big
chip. We all want this offense to do what it does,
you know, score points. We want to score 60 points a
game. You could see the (chip) over with Coach
(Jeff) Connors. He pushes you anyways, everything
you do there is nothing but pushing… but each of us
are pushing ourselves.
Q: You were the one guy
on the OL last year that started and finished the
same in the same place and made it through the whole
schedule. Tell us why this OL is going to be a much
improved unit this year?
A: I think we will be
much more durable as a group. Of course, we all have
nicks and bruises, but we’re healthy and stronger.
And I think we are all pretty settled in at the
positions we will play this season.
Q: Though the battle at
center is not settled, it appears that Jordan
Davis’s move to the other guard is set. Coach
Lincoln Riley indicated that between you two, we may
have the most physical guard tandem in the league.
Are you and he cut from similar molds?
A: Yes, I think he and I
make a good pair. Jordan has improved a lot (at
guard) and plays the same way, very physical, very
strong. We want to be dominant.
Q: Coach Riley said he
was really pleased about your progress as a leader
within the OL. Is this a role you expected? Do you
enjoy the role?
A: I kind of (enjoy it).
It is a role I sort of have to have, but I am
comfortable with it. I know all the guys well and
they all know that they can count on me when they
need help with something. I do want to be a good
leader so I work at that as well.
Q: What defensive player
on our D gets you hyped up when you go head-to-head
against him?
A: We have a lot good
guys to work against, you know,
Michael (Brooks),
Chrishon (Rose), Jonathan (White) —but I would say
that I kind of like hammering with Michael. We go at
it and it makes me a better player.
Q: Based on last season
and also having played against some pretty good DLs,
do you believe our defensive line has the makings of
a legitimate, big-time group?
A: Now they are pretty
good. I personally think that they are one of the
best defenses we ware going to face this season. So
if we can block them, I feel good about how we are
going to do this year.
Q: I know you respect
all of your teammates, but is there a guy out there
that you really just hold in high regard and why?
A: There are a few guys
I could name right now, but I will give you two.
Shane Carden,
I have a lot of respect for him. He is just a
fearless leader and that is how he plays. He’s tough
and he knows how to push me and when he pushes me, I
push harder. I like that. And another guy, Jordan
(Davis), I have great respect for him. He has worked
very, very hard and his improvement has been
amazing. He is good and I know how much he wants to
be good and works for it.
Q: Talk about the huddle
some. Sure it is different with Dominique (Davis) no
longer in there. Are any of the QB candidates
appearing to be stepping up as a leader in the
huddle yet?
A: Well, I really don’t
get into (the quarterback battle). They are all good
and I think we can win with any of them. We work
with them all and they roll in and out (of the
huddle). We need to have depth at that position,
too, and we have some good quarterbacks working in
there right now.
E-mail
Ron Cherubini
PAGE UPDATED
08/16/12 03:17 AM.
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