Notes, Quotes and Slants
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Pirate
Notebook No. 140
Friday, September 5, 2003
By Denny O'Brien
Staff Writer and Columnist |
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Transition won't happen
quickly for Pirates
©2003 Bonesville.net
By the time East Carolina reached its first intermission
under new coach John Thompson, it was clear that a new regime would not
provide a painless solution to any problems the program may have been
enduring.
That's the
harsh dose of bitter reality Cincinnati delivered in its
40-3 shellacking of the Pirates Monday.
Not only did the Bearcats' 361-yard rushing performance
reaffirm the Pirates' deficiencies on defense, it suggested that schemes and
the overall philosophy of the program are not the primary issues. Personnel
is.
With a schedule that gets more daunting by the week, things
likely will get worse in Pirate Land before they get better. That means the
near-term objective for Thompson and his staff must be incremental
improvement, while keeping the enthusiasm and morale high when purple pride
gets wounded.
"I talked to almost everybody individually today and there's
a focus about our team," Thompson said Tuesday. "The coaching staff is the
same way. We've got some adversity to deal with, but we're in this thing for
the long haul. I have a better feel for where this team is now so maybe we
can focus and get better."
By and large, transition years produce one of two possible
results. Either the new coach's system is a glove fit for the talent he
inherited, producing a quick turnaround N.C. State, Maryland, Wake Forest
or the new schemes don't quite mesh with the previous years' holdovers
South Carolina, Florida, Georgia Tech.
Though it still is too soon for a jury ruling on East
Carolina, the early evidence is pointing toward the latter.
Here's why:
For the past 14 seasons, the Pirates program has been built
around an offense with a pass-first mentality, utilizing strong-armed
quarterbacks and a host of fleet-footed receivers. Successfully
transitioning to a power-rushing approach that occasionally takes shots
downfield doesn't occur overnight, especially when you consider ECU's talent
makeup.
Vonta Leach, though the physical blueprint of an NFL
fullback, has spent most of his career on defense. The offensive line, which
is veteran-stocked, battle tested, and highly-credentialed, is more
accustomed to out-finessing the opposition, not pushing the pile.
That goes without mentioning that Marvin Townes, the
Pirates' primary ball carrier Monday, is more comfortable as an outside
runner, while Kort Shankweiler and Josh Coffman were playing their first
games as Division-I tight ends.
Defensively, it could take even longer before East Carolina
becomes a respectable unit. Undersized at some positions and slow at others,
it should be no surprise that the Pirates still are susceptible to teams
that employ a smashmouth system.
The new staff is a work-in-progress, too, one which could
take a couple of seasons to gel. While there is a wealth of experience and
plenty of talent on the sidelines and in the booth, this group never has
worked together as a collective whole and many of them now are in positions
with greater responsibility than before.
In 20-plus years as a coach, Thompson never has been the man
in charge. This is Jerry Odom's first tour of duty as a Division-I defensive
coordinator. The last time Rick Stockstill called the offensive shots was
prior to the Tommy Bowden administration in Clemson.
Simply put, until Thompson reels in the type of talent that
best fits his schemes and the staff gets a year or two under its belt
winning won't be easy.
For the time being, a more competitive effort than a
37-point drubbing to Cincinnati shouldn't be too much to ask.
Low-level intensity?
Pirates defensive end Guy Whimper takes exception to the
notion that Cincinnati was physically dominant Monday. The Havelock
sophomore said the lopsided outcome had more to do with a lack of focus than
a matter of muscle.
"Basically, they just came out and played harder than us,"
Whimper said after the game. "That's basically it. They came out and they
wanted it more than us. It wasn't about overpowering us. They were just
playing harder and taking proper focus. We were not focused today."
That doesn't make it easier to swallow.
Scholarship athletes have a duty to perform to their maximum
ability, maintaining high levels of intensity and concentration in the
classroom and on the playing field. Anything less should be unacceptable.
Though part of the onus is on the head coach and
motivation certainly isn't one of Thompson's weaknesses much of that
responsibility lies on the player, who has an obligation to always give 100
percent.
QB questions
Though pulling the plug now on starting quarterback Desmond
Robinson would be unfair, it is something the Pirates staff may have to
consider. While his performance Monday wasn't dismal, it's obvious that his
presence under center played heavily into Cincinnati's successful plan on
defense.
From the opening snap, UC stacked eight in the box, daring
the Pirates to take their shots deep. Aside from the second play of the game
a flea-flicker that was badly underthrown ECU didn't exercise its
vertical passing game with Robinson on the field.
Expect a similar gameplan from West Virginia, which boasts
bigger, faster athletes. If the Pirates can't get the running game going
early, Stockstill will have to take a few shots downfield.
That means he seriously will have to consider yanking
Robinson in favor of Troth, who has a better arm and does a better job of
checking off his primary receiver.
Positive toe and foot
One of the primary question marks entering the season was
the kicking game, where the Pirates lost all-star performers Kevin Miller
(kicker) and Jared Preston (punter).
Kicker Cameron Broadwell, who nailed a 36-yard field goal,
and punter Ryan Dougherty, who averaged 45 yards per kick, certainly filled
the void Monday.
"Well, we made a couple of poor decisions coming out of the
end zone, but I think we're going to be okay in the kicking game," Thompson
said. "Ryan really kicked the ball well. We got some field position.
"I was happy to see Cam go in there and make our only field
goal. We're going to be okay there."
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02/23/2007 01:53:32 AM |