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Bailey's
Take on Pirate Sports
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From the Anchor Desk
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
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By Brian Bailey |
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Thompson fighting through
difficult times
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Bonesville Magazine
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� PAT DYE: Short on Tenure, Long on Impact
� INSIDE PIRATE FOOTBALL
� Recruit Profiles
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� Tracking the Classes
� Florida Pipeline
� NCHSAA & ECU: Smooth Sailing Again
� HIGH HOPES FOR HOOPS
� STEVE BALLARD:
New Leader Takes Charge
� SCOTT COWEN: Busting Down the Door
� KEITH LECLAIR on ECU's Field of Dreams
� BETH GRANT: Actress Still a Pirate
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�2004 Bonesville.net
John Thompson is as positive a person as I have ever run across.
But even the coach may be wearing down a bit.
�I�m going to say the same things,� said Thompson on Tuesday. �I know
that people want to hear something different, but this is a struggle. This
is a test of perseverance.
"But I really believe this. We are in the toughest part of some of the
toughest lessons we will learn or are taught in this business.�
The Pirates are desperate for something good to happen. This team, this
program, this town � we all need a glimpse of hope.
John Thompson has lost 15 of the 16 games that he has been the head coach
of the Pirates. There was a groundswell of support for J.T. with his arrival
in Greenville, but the natives are getting restless.
Still, the Pirate coach has more pressing concerns then job security.
�I am concerned with getting this football team better,� said Thompson.
�That is my 100 percent focus. All of that is a distraction. You can�t coach
scared. I am only concerned about getting better, every day and every game.�
�I want to win every football game," Thompson continued. "I want to teach
this team how to win. But more importantly, I want to teach this team to
persevere.
"I am not down. I am not going to get down. No one on this team is going
to get down. We are going to bust this thing down and we�re going to look
back and know how tough it was, and how much fun it is down the road.�
East Carolina is a four-point favorite to beat Tulane this weekend for
homecoming.
By the way, is there any better game than a homecoming game? Think back
through the years at all of the folks you�ve been able to catch up with at
homecoming. It�s always a festive day in Greenville. Here�s hoping the
Pirates will give everyone something to cheer about on Saturday.
Happy days for L-Train
Former East Carolina running back Leonard Henry turned some heads in his
first ever NFL start on Sunday.
Henry raced 53 yards on one carry on a day when he compiled 85 rushing
yards in a 17-9 loss to the New York Jets. Henry�s long run was the longest
play from scrimmage for the Dolphins' offense this year.
Last week, Leonard told me that he always keeps an eye on what�s
happening at East Carolina. This week couldn�t have been easy, because
Dolphins' cornerback Sam Madison is from Louisville.
�The guys are always checking up on their school,� said Leonard. �It�s
been rough on me of late, but I know my school will turn it around.�
Henry also had high praise for the new Pirate athletic director, Terry
Holland.
�He�s a Clinton guy,� Henry said, referring to the fact that both he and
Holland were once Dark Horses at Clinton High School. �He�s the only guy
that has his jersey retired, but I hope I can join him someday.�
Leonard was so focused during his senior year at East Carolina that he
refused to do interviews until after the season.
Believe it or not, Leonard worked for the media as an intern at WNCT-TV
in our sports department. Now, the former Pirate is a media star.
In fact, this week he is fielding questions on the Internet at
www.miamidolphins.com. Leonard�s
answers will appear on Friday, October 8th.
 Send an e-mail message to
Brian Bailey.
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archives.
02/23/2007 01:29:46 AM |
