Welcome to Bonesville, Swabbie! News, Analysis, Opinion & Booty for Internet Plunderers

Pirate Notebook No. 10
Monday, September 24, 2001

By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist

Three games into the 2001 season, East Carolina's defense is somewhat of an enigma. Its tendency has been to give up yards by the bushel — except when its back is against the wall.

Statistically, the Pirates are anything but impressive, ranking 99th in total defense and 93rd against the run.

The Pirates were again accommodating on Saturday versus William & Mary, allowing the Tribe to net 180 yards rushing. And if it weren't for six East Carolina sacks, William & Mary would have churned up 233 on the ground.

But when opposing offenses penetrate the ECU 30-yard line, the Pirate defense generally answers the call. Several William & Mary trips inside the Pirate red zone produced just two touchdowns on Saturday, one of which occurred in the final seconds when the game was well in hand.

"They're bending and they haven't broken yet," said Steve Logan, ECU's head coach. "They're getting pushed. I think we've got some gap control issues that (defensive coordinator) Tim (Rose) is concerned about. I think it's correctable."

With the exception of a somewhat unusual 80-yard scoring pass from Tribe quarterback David Corley to Rich Musinski — a play during which two ECU defensive backs collided as they converged on the receiver — the Pirate defense has limited big plays thus far, which is encouraging to Logan.

"We're not giving up explosion plays per se. They're pushing us for fours, and sixes, and eights, and those kinds of things," he said. "If we're patient, we usually end up making a play, because we are a fairly fast defense.

"If they were 60-yard runs, I could begin to get concerned. I would like to stop them every time three and out, but it doesn't look like that's who we are this year."

What Logan is discovering, though, is that his defense has become very opportunistic. Against Tulane, outside linebacker Christshawn Gilliam intercepted an errant Patrick Ramsey pass, returning it for a score.

On Saturday, he almost did it again, this time returning a William & Mary fumble 24 yards to the Tribe four-yard line. From there, quarterback David Garrard took it in on an option keeper.

"I was trying to set my block up, but they tackled me," said Gilliam, a converted running back. "I showed a little bit of speed on the play."

Logan hopes his defense can continue the trend of forcing turnovers and converting them to points.

"The characteristic that is evolving out of our defense that I'm really proud of is we scored on defense against Tulane, and dagdum if we didn't almost do it today," he said. "That's a huge, huge characteristic if, in fact, we can keep that going."

The defense got a boost with the return of outside linebacker John Williamson, who has been nursing a groin injury since the Wake Forest game. Williamson recorded six tackles and one-and-a-half sacks.

The junior from Cerro Gordo wasn't 100 percent, though, which made the performance even more impressive.

"John (Williamson) has fought back," Logan said. "I think he was playing with a little bit of pain, quite honestly. I'm talking to John — I want to see him be a warrior spirit type guy. I was pleased to see him go back out there and fight through it today."

Williamson's return couldn't be more timely, as ECU travels to surging Syracuse next week. The Orangemen pounded Auburn 31-14 on Saturday.

Special Teams Continue to Shine

Perhaps the biggest surprise thus far is the performance of ECU's special teams. Labeled a question mark during the preseason, the kicking game has been the most consistent phase of the Pirates' game this year.

"Our kicking game is a bright, bright spot right now," Logan said. "By kicking game, I'm talking about our coverage units, our protection units, and obviously the men that are kicking the ball. Our long-snapper was good today — that's been a bright spot.

"Right now, our special teams are a well-rounded unit. We've got a return threat. You saw their kickoff cover unit wouldn't even entertain kicking the ball to Marvin (Townes). We did a nice job one time of rotating Art Brown up, and he got the ball back out to about the 40."

In punter Jarad Preston and return specialist Marvin Townes, the Pirates boast two of the best at their respective positions.

Preston, who averaged 50.3 yards on four kicks against the Tribe, currently ranks 11th nationally in punting. Townes, who boasts more moves than a Michael Jackson video, currently ranks 5th in kickoff returns.

Golfer turned place-kicker Kevin Miller is enjoying his best year to date, connecting on four of five field goals thus far. The Virginia Beach junior has also made noticeable improvements on his kickoffs.

"Kevin Miller is giving us great hang time on the kickoff," Logan said. "It's not deep, but that isn't what we're majoring in. We're majoring in hang time.

"He's giving us a 3.8 and a 4.0 hang time, and we're getting down, and people are getting the ball 12 yards after the catch. That's very, very good football."

Three's Company in Pirate Backfield

Even in pass-happy offensive schemes, most coaches would relish having a single major threat at the running back position. It's beginning to look like Logan has three.

Leonard Henry, Art Brown, and Marvin Townes make up a triumvirate of tailbacks that could play for most programs in the country. Having the luxury of such depth at the position enables Logan to keep his backs fresh as the game wears on.

"The running back situation at East Carolina is just a wonderful situation," Logan noted. "I love Leonard Henry. Marvin Townes is awfully fun to watch. Art Brown's got great talent."

Brown saw his first significant action on Saturday, rushing for 26 yards on four carries, all of which came on a crucial third quarter drive that pushed the Pirates' lead to 28-17. Brown's 12-yard carry on first-and-ten sparked an eight-play, 66-yard drive.

"Art Brown has begun to mature a bit, and practice like a pro," Logan said. "And guess what? Now he gets to play. And guess what? Now he plays pretty well. He's an infinitely talented young man."

You won't find many schools that rotate three tailbacks. As long as Brown and Townes continue to improve, Logan intends to get them some playing time instead putting the entire burden of churning out ground yards on Henry.

"We're getting all three of them in the game and not dropping off much," Logan added. "Our pass protection and blocking is not where it needs to be with Marvin and Art yet, but it will."

Good to be Back in the Routine

After the week layoff due to the national tragedy, ECU coaches and players felt good to be back in action. The Pirates were originally scheduled to play at Syracuse last Saturday, before all NCAA Division-I football games were cancelled.

"We had a week off last week," said junior receiver Torey Morris, who snared a David Garrard pass and juked around a couple of Tribe defenders for a 56-yard score. "We handled it (the tragedy) well, and got back on the field this week."

Logan, who has used a similar approach to the one taken in '99 when East Carolina had to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd, is happy to see a return to normalcy.

"I'm a believer in routine," Logan said. "I think there is tremendous strength and power in routine. When we got flooded out here in 1999, living down there in that hotel, the idea was to go to practice, get ready for the game, and go play the game.

"That was what we held on to, and we did OK with that. I'm glad to see everybody back up and running. That's what we ought to be doing."