James Pinkney carries much more than an 0-3 record into the 2004 season. The East Carolina quarterback also must bear a disproportionate share of the burden of hauling the Pirate ship off the sandbar on which it grounded last season.

That is the weighty mission Pinkney inherited when he claimed the starting job during spring practice. Add two years of turmoil to last season's 1-11 finish and the pressure is so deep he may need a pair of waders.

Even former standout David Garrard wasn't confronted with the type of distress Pinkney is facing in his first year as the full-time starter. The unfair demands fans placed on blue chipper Paul Troth pale in comparison to the challenging path ahead of J.P.

The stakes are higher because of circumstances which for East Carolina are unprecedented � and an unsuccessful reign under center could nudge the program into a rut with no clear means of climbing out for awhile.

The Pirates' current lowly position in the national pecking order has magnified the sense of urgency Down East. With its desires for inclusion in a BCS conference extinguished last fall � for the time being, at least � ECU must better position itself for the next round of conference shuffling.

It's a solid bet the Big East will break apart and reconfigure within the next three-to-five years, so the Pirates don't have the luxury of spacious wiggle room. If Pinkney struggles, expect the same from the Pirates at a time when they can't afford to wander in purgatory.

A successful tenure at quarterback would elevate Pinkney to the typical rock star status that ECU QB's tend to enjoy among the faithful, while simultaneously helping seam the division that still exists within the Pirate Nation. Though it wasn't the epicenter of ECU's internal war � former AD Mike Hamrick gets that honor � last year's QB controversy added fuel to the inferno.

If any wounds remain from the Troth versus Desmond Robinson debate, the presence of Pinkney in the huddle could provide an emotional salve. Fair or not, one of the unwritten duties of an ECU quarterback is to help unite the constituency.

More than likely, Pinkney is not burdened by the thought that achieving either of those intangibles is a part of his job description. In fact, it shouldn't cross his mind. His main focus should remain on the digestion of new offensive coordinator Noah Brindise's comprehensive playbook.

Pinkney's ability to effectively regurgitate the new offensive menu will indirectly dictate many of the peripheral aspects that would appear outside of his control.

"He�s impressed me with his smarts," Brindise said in the spring. "I didn�t know how smart he was because he doesn�t talk much, but he really has impressed me with his knowledge.

"He�s a very, very natural, pure passer. He�s always thrown a good ball. We just had to speed him up a little bit and get him understanding our offense. He's done a good job doing those things."

Grasping the offense is only half the battle. The bigger challenge will be to execute when the season begins, while limiting mistakes against defenses that adjust on the fly.

That's one area in which Pinkney struggled in his three starts last year. Meanwhile, the overwhelming weakness of the Pirates as a team was their inability to stretch the field with the passing game.

"We said that a year ago � we had to be a vertical team," Pirates coach John Thompson said. "We just weren't able to accomplish that.

"We've got to get the ball down the field. That's going to make us so much better on offense. It will take all the pressure off our quarterback and running backs if we could convert a 3rd-and-8."

Truthfully, it will be up to Pinkney to relieve the pressure himself. Sure, he will need protection from the line and solid production from his backs and receivers. Even the defense owns its share of responsibility in righting the ship.

But the a goodly portion of the season's fortunes is dependent upon a solid performance by ECU's field general. Probably not what Pinkney bargained for, but it's the torch he must carry.

McCoy provides options

Versatile? That only begins to describe Pirates outside linebacker Mickey McCoy.

Now a junior, McCoy is changing positions for the third time in his ECU career. Recruited as a receiver, he moved to defensive back last year and made the switch to linebacker this summer when Ike Emodi left the program due to academics.

Thompson said his logic for making the move was simple.

"Primarily, our job as coaches is to put the best product on the field," Thompson said. "We do that by putting the best players on the field.

"We really looked at it, tried some things in the spring. With him being our nickel guy, he's just not on the field enough. Mickey is no question one of our best 11 football players. He needs to be on the field the majority of the time. Sure, he's an undersized linebacker, but whether we're a 4-2-5, 4-3, 3-4 or whatever, Mickey needs to be on the field."

At 6-0, 180-pounds, McCoy is hardly the prototypical outside linebacker. But Thompson says his speed and nose for the pigskin give the Pirates more flexibility on defense.

"It will help us with match-ups," Thompson said. "It makes it easier to adjust, it makes it easier to make the calls on defense.

"He can be a safety. He's a good blitzer. He's a good cover guy � he can go out there and cover the guy in the slot. That gives us a lot more unpredictability on defense."

Jucos important to front line

With four starters missing from last year's offensive line, Thompson made sure he was prepared to handle the losses. The Pirates coach dipped into the junior college ranks and landed a foursome of talented behemoths.

The challenge in preseason camp is to assimilate the new faces and develop a cohesive offensive front.

"I'm a lot more comfortable with what it could be," Thompson said. "I really think we've got the right pieces. It's just putting it together.

"There's some talent there. With our two junior college guys, we've got to get those guys in the mix. Chris Sellars and Joel Renaud have got to get in the mix. Our two junior college tight ends � Shawn Harmon and Shawn Levesque � both make us better there."

Overall, Thompson likes the prospects of the offensive line, but knows it could take some time before the unit's first team is set.

"I think we can be a productive offensive line," Thompson said. "That's another position that's got to shake out. I think we might have to make some moves. Depends on who steps up."