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Pirate Notebook No. 77
Wednesday, August 14, 2002

By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist

PIRATE NOTEBOOK OUT-TAKES:

Ready to step out of the shadows

4.4 forty not Brown's only skill

Double-barreled backfield possible

Counting on the O-Line

Art Brown Audio

East Carolina Football Media Day:
Junior fullback Art Brown (33) and sophomore Marvin Townes will jointly endeavor to carry the burden that was so ably manhandled by the departed Leonard Henry, who is plying his trade these days with the Miami Dolphins. In a one-on-one interview with Bonesville's Denny O'Brien, Brown reflected on Henry's effective style and commented on his own quest to be a skilled rusher, blocker and pass catcher...

Listen to the 6-minute interview...

GREENVILLE — Art Brown has spent much of his football career in the shadows of others.

As a standout at Winston-Salem's Mount Tabor High School, his 6,918 career rushing yards — which ranks second in NCHSAA history — weren't enough to steal the thunder from Nick Maddox, who was widely considered one of the nation's best running backs in '97 and signed with ACC bully Florida State.

After signing with Virginia, Brown was forced to spend a year in prep school to concentrate on academics. There, he shared carries with three other backs, but made enough of an impression on East Carolina coach Steve Logan to ink a letter of intent to play in Greenville.

Now, after two years of sitting second chair to All-American Leonard Henry, Brown is ready for his day in the sun. And despite the notion that he must pick up where Henry left off, Brown doesn't feel pressured by the benchmarks that were established by his predecessor.

"I don't think there are big shoes to fill or anything," Brown said. "I'm just really excited.

"I think our offensive line — the same offensive line that we had last year — should take a great deal of pressure off of (quarterback)Paul (Troth) and (myself). I'm really excited."

Brown offered the perfect compliment to Henry last season, rushing for 313 yards on 55 carries. His 5.7 yards per attempt was among the best in Conference USA.

The Winston-Salem native proved he was a more-than-serviceable receiver, too, hauling in 16 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. His 66-yard touchdown reception off a screen against Texas Christian was the Pirates' longest pass play last season.

So, you can understand why Logan isn't overly concerned about Henry's departure. In fact, the Pirates' 11th-year head coach is looking for Brown and backup Marvin Townes to shoulder much of the load as sophomore Troth gets his feet wet under center.

"The offensive line and the running backs that we have will allow us to go into the season and not ask Paul Troth to do much, other than run the offense and throw some play-action passes," Logan said. "We'll begin to open up more and more as the season goes along."

"But," Logan added, "it is comforting — on paper, anyway — to think that we can run the football."

Speed alone understates skills

This summer, Brown blazed through strength and conditioning coach Jim Whitten's "Strong Man" competition, posting a 4.4-second 40-yard dash time that was matched only by Townes. At 5'9", 200-pounds, Brown is quicker and more flamboyant than Henry, who preferred bowling over defenders in lieu of running around them.

Even though there is an obvious contrast in styles, Brown suggests that there are plenty of similarities between the two.

"Leonard was like a North-South guy," Brown said. "I'm a North-South guy, but I have a lot of elusiveness and quickness.

"Leonard — he was a homerun hitter. And I bring the same things to the table. There's not really that much of a difference in our styles. He's just more of a power back, and I'm more of an elusive, shifty type of back."

While it's true that Henry made a living between the tackles last season, many of his long-distance runs came via the option. With Troth now under center, some have suggested that the option will be a non-factor in the Pitt County Offense this season.

That couldn't be further from the truth, says Brown.

"That play will not leave our playbook," he said. "The option will be a part of our offense, and we will use it.

"Paul — he can run the option as well. He may not be as fast as Dave (Garrard), but he can get the job done."

When in doubt, Troth can pitch the pigskin to Brown. Brown will do the rest.

Two's company

Having two backs the caliber of Brown and Townes could potentially foster unhealthy relationships among teammates, especially if egos get in the way. But according to Brown, having a talented backup like Townes has been nothing but a plus.

"It's very comforting to me to know that if I'm tired, I can step out and get a break," Brown said. "He can come in, and we won't miss a beat."

Though Townes saw limited action last season as the Pirates' third-stringer, he did manage to tally 126 yards on 26 carries, including a touchdown. The Warrenton native also displayed his flashiness on a much larger scale as a kick returner, where his 25 yards per return was good enough to garner a preseason All C-USA selection.

With that kind of talent, you have to wonder why both aren't in the backfield simultaneously. According to Logan, that could happen on occasion this season.

"The trouble with both Art and Marvin in the backfield at the same time is they'll only let us play with one ball," Logan said. "So, I don't know what it gives us. Neither one of them are what you would call devastating blockers. They're really better in the one-back situation.

"Now, when we get into our two-back option game, that can happen from the standpoint of putting Art or Marvin on the midline with the threat of the trap, and then having one or another of them on the perimeter with the threat of the pitch. So, some of that can happen."