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BAILEY'S TAKE
ON PIRATE SPORTS
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From the Anchor Desk
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
By Brian Bailey |
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Injuries dampen summer
camp
By
Brian Bailey
©2008 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
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BONESVILLE
THE MAGAZINE |
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ON
SALE NOW |
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Injuries are a big part
of the game of football.
Perhaps that’s why games
mean so much to so many.
Any single play could
turn out to be the last
of a player’s individual
career.
East Carolina lost a
couple of key players to
injuries last week.
Brandon Setzer and
Dominique Lindsay were
both knocked out with
knee injuries.
The Pirates finally
thought they had depth
on the defensive line.
But all of a sudden,
that depth is in
question.
Lindsay and Brandon
Simmons were expected to
get the bulk of the load
at the running back
position. The Pirates do
have a stable of young
backs behind them. One
of those players must
now step it up and do so
in a hurry.
“There are three very
talented running backs
behind him (Simmons),”
said Pirate coach Skip
Holts. “Jon Williams,
Norman Whitley and J.R.
Rogers are all talented.
They’ll be evaluated,
not on what they do with
the ball under their
arm, but the guy who’s
going to be number two
is the guy who plays
without the ball, who
steps up in pass
protection, who will run
block, who will do all
of the little things.”
Holtz said he was sick
about the injury to
Lindsay. He also said
that his other senior
has really been
impressive this summer.
“Brandon Simmons is
really playing like a
workhorse right now,”
said Holtz. “He’s a
senior. He’s big. He’s
strong. He’s physical.
He’s doing a great job
for us. He’s had a
phenomenal camp.
"Now he’s really got to
step it up and take on
more of the load.”
Simmons was looking
forward to sharing the
backfield with his good
friend, Dominique
Lindsay.
“I’m really close with
Dominique,” said
Simmons. “When he went
down I was really hoping
it wasn’t serious. It is
a part of football and
those things happen.”
Simmons has been a
valuable member of this
team for a while. That
value, though, has
increased this summer.
“My focus has always
been on doing whatever
it takes to help the
team win,” said Simmons.
“I’ve mainly been on
special teams since I’ve
been here. I really try
hard to accept my role,
play my position and be
patient.”
That patience has
certainly paid off.
Simmons credits
co-offensive coordinator
Todd Fitch for his
attitude toward the game
of football.
“Coach Fitch really
emphasizes to make your
play when your number is
called,” said Simmons.
“So if I get 50 plays,
or if I get just one
play, I want to make it
count!”
Radio show moving
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BONESVILLE
THE MAGAZINE |
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|
ON
SALE NOW |
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We made the official
announcement on Monday
that my radio show is
moving to Pirate Radio
1250 and 930.
My show will still air
from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on
Mondays. As has been the
case in the past, it
will feature many of the
coaches at East
Carolina.
“The Brian Bailey Show”
will debut on Pirate
Radio next Monday night.
ECU defensive
coordinator Greg Hudson
will be my first guest.
As always, your comments
and calls are welcome.
I will also be working
on the pregame and
postgame shows with
Pirate Radio. It’s a
tremendous opportunity
and I look forward to
continuing with the
longest running sports
call-in show in Eastern
North Carolina.
BB
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08/19/2008 01:23:10 AM |
