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Pirates have questions to answer

By Al Myatt
©2014 Bonesville.net
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GREENVILLE — The pertinent questions were asked at East Carolina's football media day on Saturday. The Pirate coaches essentially said we'll have to get back to you.

The quarterback situation in the absence of Shane Carden and the potential impact of Minnesota/Rutgers transfer Philip Nelson as well as the competition for placekicker are among the issues ECU is dealing with as the 2015 season approaches. Nelson walked on with the Pirates and his status for this season is to be determined.

It wasn't that Pirates coach Ruffin McNeill and staff were being evasive, but three sessions into preseason camp and not yet in full pads, there is still a lot of evaluating to be done before the Sept. 5 opener at home with Towson.

In a program that seeks to develop players through position competition with no entitlement, there are some important spots to be earned.

Kurt Benkert appeared to be the leader at quarterback coming out of spring. Left-hander Blake Kemp seemed to be the No. 2 guy. Cody Keith missed the spring completing his rehab from arm surgery.

"The offensive guys are comfortable with all three quarterbacks," said Keith who devoted his down time last season to film study and becoming thoroughly schooled in the playbook.

Dave Nichol, promoted from outside receivers coach to offensive coordinator with the departure of Lincoln Riley to Oklahoma, doesn't plan to study long and study wrong. He knows there is value in giving the starter more reps in preseason practice.

"With three quarterbacks, you'd rather have it at two," Nichol said. "Then you want to get to one so they're going to get exponentially better. But we've just got to figure that out and we've got to be fair to them. Trust me, the minute we think one doesn't need reps anymore, then we'll let them know."

Benkert has a strong arm. The big question would be his leadership skills in light of his lack of experience. Kemp has the highest level of experience having put up some good numbers in junior college. Keith has already graduated but is a junior on the field who has been in the program since 2011.

"All three are very smart," McNeill said. "They’re all team-first guys.”

Nichol said compliance personnel are sorting out Nelson's eligibility but the new OC said he isn't expecting Nelson to impact the quarterback picture this season.

The last time the Pirates had a preseason quarterback competition was 2012 when Rio Johnson won the starting job. Carden moved into the starting role the third game of the season at Southern Miss that year.

The potential for a productive running game and experience on the offensive line, even with the recent dismissal of Larry Williams, will reduce the load on the quarterback. Depth at receiver is a definite plus even with Justin Hardy and Cam Worthy gone.

ECU's defense looks like it may be improved. There is a wealth of experience and talent up front. Everyone is happy to see Terrell Stanley back up front after missing 2014 following an automobile accident. Last year's leader in tackles, Zeek Bigger, is back at mike linebacker and there are numerous candidates for the buck linebacker spot where Brandon Williams played so well last season. Outside linebacker Montese Overton appears poised for a breakout year.

Every team has a distinct personality which coaches and team leaders help shape.

"Zeek Bigger is a vocal leader," said defensive coordinator Rick Smith. "Brandon Williams was a leader by example."

Bigger was not in pads at the conclusion of practice Saturday.

"Cramps," Smith said.

Smith has made some position switches in the secondary. That group has the potential to be significantly improved.

Kicking competition

Consistent field goal kicking would be a huge plus for the Pirates. Special teams coordinator Kirk Doll is working on that.

"We have two of our placekickers from last spring, Connor Torruella and Davis Plowman," Doll said. "They've both been in our program now a couple of years. They're starting out ahead of everybody."

Doll said Caleb Pratt and Tucker Smith are also kicking candidates.

"They both are freshmen who we had in our camp two years ago," Doll said. "Caleb is a left-footer, very athletic, played four sports at Roanoke Rapids. Tucker was a highly-ranked high school placekicker out of (Blythewood) South Carolina. He had an injury and kind of got lost in the shuffle but because both of them had been in our summer camp, we're very fortunate to have them here.

"We're going to have competition for probably three weeks. We'll put them in different situations. We'll have a guy who has earned it, as Coach Ruff says. The best man wins and helps the team."

Colton Oliver is working as the No. 1 snapper on the field goal unit.

Punter Worth Gregory is back as holder.

"Having that part of the field goal unit back is a good thing," McNeill said of Gregory.

Productive walk-ons

Hardy won the Burlsworth Award last season as the nation's top former walk-on. He set the Football Bowl Subdivision record for career receptions in 2014.

ECU obviously gets a lot out of walk-ons, particularly on defense.

"Joe (Allely, will linebacker) started as a walk-on," Smith said. "Brandon Williams started as a walk-on. Terrell Richardson (strong safety) started as a walk-on. Josh Hawkins (field corner) started as a walk-on. Fred Presley (defensive end) started as a walk-on. This year, Bobby Fulp is a walk-on. He's my back-up strong safety – behind another walk-on.

"Recruiting is not an exact science. You can't measure a kid's heart. ... I feel guilty when some of those kids aren't on scholarship but you can't put one on until you get one available. Coach tells all the walk-ons, 'the first scholarship that becomes available, if you're a starter or a back-up, you will get.' Joe Allely was rewarded and he got one this spring. He was put on scholarship this spring and it was retroactive back to January.

"Josh Hawkns ended up being the starting corner the first spring I was here and we put him on in the summer. Coach has done a nice job of taking care of the good walk-ons. I look for Bobby Fulp to be put on scholarship when we get one available."

McNeill announced at a team gathering after last season's win over North Carolina that outside receiver Jimmy Williams was going on scholarship.

Rematch in the Swamp

The Pirates ended 2014 with a 28-20 loss to Florida in the Birmingham Bowl. ECU visits the Gators on Sept. 12.

"It's going to be a great atmosphere," said Hawkins, who led the Pirates with five interceptions last season. "It's going to be a fun game."

The bowl loss put ECU at 8-5 last season. The Pirates were 5-3 in their first time through the American Athletic Conference.

"I feel sorry that we didn't get that (conference championship) for our seniors last year but I think that makes us hungry this year," Hawkins said.

Offseason conditioning

Jeff Connors, assistant athletic director for strength and conditioning, was praised by coaches and players for his efforts in the offseason to prepare the Pirates for a schedule that includes 10 straight games without an open week.

"Jeff Connors is our secret weapon," Smith said. "I'm not going to let him leave as long as I'm here."

E-mail Al Myatt

PAGE UPDATED 08/09/15 02:19 AM.

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