News, Analysis and Opinion from Bonesville's Denny O'Brien

Pirate Notebook No. 135
Wednesday, August 13, 2003

By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist

Over the years, East Carolina has established a solid gridiron reputation as an underdog program which traditionally performs best when the cards are stacked against it.

With a cloud of uncertainty hanging over ECU's future league affiliation — along with a predicted sixth-place finish in Conference USA — the Pirates have an opportunity to once again confound the fortune tellers and add another surprise chapter to the program's historical journal.

Although Pirates players have little say in the future landscape of college athletics, they do control their own destiny on the field, and have aspirations that far exceed what many pontificators are expecting.

"They don't know what they're talking about," senior fullback Vonta Leach said in reference to the sixth-place prediction. "We've got an All-American lineman, we've got a 1,000-yard rusher in the backfield, we've got the number eight center in the nation. We've got a lot of good people returning.

"They picked us sixth in the conference? Everybody else must have a lot of really good players on their team. We're going to finish a lot higher than sixth."

ECU receiver Richard Hourigan echoes that sentiment and notes that the team's work ethic this summer resembled anything but a sixth-place performance.

"It's easy to sit there and write in the paper that we're not going to do well," Hourigan said. "We're out there working hard, and we feel like if we just go out there and execute the plays well, we'll be successful."

For the rising senior class, last season was the first time the group did not participate in a postseason game. Many of them were redshirts in1999, which was the first of three-consecutive seasons in which East Carolina attended a bowl.

Last year's uncharacteristic 4-8 finish, along with a change at the captain's wheel, has many prognosticators doubting ECU's ability to immediately return to its winning form. That was more than enough motivation for the Pirates during the offseason.

"This has probably been one of the more intense summers we've had as far as training goes," Rimpf said. "The skill positions have been working hard this summer trying to get better.

"The offensive linemen and defensive linemen were meeting early in the morning to try to get better both ways. We did a lot of one-on-one pass-rushing stuff. Just the whole Iron Man competition and the maxing out, the weightlifting we did — we wanted to make sure that we pushed ourselves and were prepared physically for this season."

That work ethic hasn't gone unnoticed by first-year coach John Thompson, who has often praised his team for adjusting well to the new staff.

"There have been a lot of changes we have thrown at a lot of people. Our players have accepted that change and our players have adapted better than anybody," Thompson said. "Not one time have our players ever said why don't we do it this way or that way."

Instead, it is a team driven to succeed, especially after a rebuilding season in which the Pirate ship veered off course path last fall.

Thompson says the ingredients are there for a quick turnaround, but it is up to the Pirates staff to cook a winning formula.

"The key thing with this team is obviously our personnel," Thompson said. "We've got good people, good guys on this team — good quality human beings — and I think we've got some good football players on this team, too. It's our job as a coaching staff to get them into the right spot and to get them developed to get where we need, to be to be a factor in this conference."

You can throw out any gloomy predictions, as far as these Pirates are concerned. They have their eyes on the big prize.

"Our goal for the past three years has been to win a conference championship," Rimpf said. "We've finished second the last two out of three years. We've been right there on the doorstep.

"We feel like we can get there this year because we have a lot of returning people. Overall, we've got a new attitude."

For Pirates fans who have witnessed the program rise over the years against all odds, it's an awfully familiar one.

Former Pirates coach Steve Logan de-emphasized the need for a go-to receiver, often citing the disadvantages the concept presented.

The return of preseason All-C-USA performer Terrance Copper, who emerged as a major threat during the spring, could change that philosophy.

"Coming out of spring and with our first three practices, he has been our go-to guy and there is no secret to that," Thompson said. "I am sure that Cincinnati is going to double him and do some things.

"The key to his importance is maybe we will draw some coverage off some other guys and let them step up. I enjoy his physical nature as a receiver. He is a tough guy and catches the ball over the middle well. He has really caught the ball well in this weather the last couple of days. We have not had a dry ball yet, and I haven't seen him drop one."

Quiet and confident, Copper embraces the 'go-to guy' billing, but also notes that the roster is filled with other capable targets.

"It's exciting for Coach to give me that label, but we have a lot of receivers who can do the job that I can do," Copper said. "We've just got to go out there and work hard every day."

And when the Washington, NC, senior snares a pass over the middle, he takes on the mentality of a running back who is quite comfortable running around defenders — or over them.

"I think that's an aspect that a lot of receivers don't have," Copper said. "I think it makes you more of a complete player if you are physical and also have a lot of agility."

Though Copper is the go-to playmaker on the outside, Hourigan might be the Pirates steadiest option between the hashes.

Reminiscent of former ECU receivers Hunter Gallimore and Pete Zophy, Hourigan has a reliable pair of mitts and a knack for finding the third-down marker. A former walk-on, he has risen steadily up the depth chart and recently was rewarded for his resilience when Thompson extended a scholarship offer last week.

"It just shows that if you work hard, good things will happen for you," Hourigan said. "It's just been a great ride all four yours."

That ride will be much easier on the family bank account, now that ECU is picking up the tab. But don't think for a second that Hourigan won't earn his keep.

The Cary senior, who last season hauled in 19 passes for 197 yards and a score, assures he will more than uphold his end of the bargain.

"I'm going to do anything I can to help our team win," Hourigan said. "If they throw me the ball, hopefully I'll catch it and make a play.

"I'm trying to be a leader. I'm a senior, it's my last go around. I'm trying to make sure everybody stays up and does the best that they can."