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Notes, Quotes and Slants
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Pirate
Notebook No. 245
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
By Denny O'Brien |
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Schedule conducive to
reduced heartburn
�2005 Bonesville.net
It's a good thing the Surgeon
General didn't post a warning on the past two seasons of East Carolina
football. Had he done so, it may have deterred those prone to emotional
distress from attending home games.
But if you bleed purple and
the 'ol ticker toughed out the most tumultuous period in ECU's gridiron
history, odds are it can survive the next era just fine.
Now, that doesn't meant
an improved outcome is guaranteed in East Carolina's first season under Skip
Holtz. As tempting as it may be to tender such a prediction, I reserve the
right to withhold judgment at least until the status of James Pinkney has
been determined.
At that point, perhaps we all
will have a better gauge of ECU's outlook this fall. About the only safe
prediction that can be made about the upcoming season is the more favorable
set-up of
the Pirates' schedule.
Here's why:
DUKE: No disrespect to
the Devils, but you could pick a more difficult opening task. About 110 of
them to be exact. It is certainly far easier than last year, when the
Pirates opened in a place where they've never won (Morgantown) and against a club in the
Top 10.
The senior class had the
misfortune of making its college debut with a loss in Durham, so there could
be added motivation. And while Devils coach Ted Roof is an astute defensive
tactician, he doesn't have much game tape to gauge the new schemes the
Pirates will unveil this year.
AT WAKE FOREST: Who could
have imagined the Deacs would become East Carolina's biggest in-state
nemesis? Not me. But after four straight victories, Wake has taken firm
ownership of this series.
The fact that ECU has actually
been competitive in all four games does provide some comfort, as does the
extra week defensive coordinator Greg Hudson will have to prepare for Wake's
complex offense. Getting the Deacons one week after they've played at
Nebraska can't hurt, either.
AT WEST VIRGINIA: The
Mountaineers again will be the clear favorite, if for nothing else because
of the game's location. That said, West Virginia lacks many of the key
ingredients that have mixed a recipe of doom for the Pirates over the last
three years.
Though Kay-Jay Harris, Rasheed
Marshall, and Pacman Jones are gone, the Mountaineers still have plenty of
talent in the fold. Playing them earlier in the season should help, but how
much remains to be seen. A much easier challenge than last year, but still
more of a mountain than a molehill.
SOUTHERN MISS: The
Golden Eagles are always a solid contender for the Conference USA
championship, and this year is no different. However, there were many key
personnel losses from last season, the most notable of which is
all-everything linebacker Michael Boley.
Playing USM early should be to
the Pirates' benefit. It will be only the second home game for ECU and
likely one of the biggest crowds at Dowdy-Ficklen for the season. That
hasn't been a luxury for the Pirates throughout much of this series history.
RICE: This will rank
as the easiest test to date, as the Owls lost most of their offensive
firepower from last year. With so little returning experience and an
option-oriented attack, turnovers could be an issue, especially early in the
season.
Even so, facing the wishbone
is never an easy task. It requires discipline, patience, and a commitment
to assignment football. The Pirates have the better athletes, and an
upgrade in the coaching staff should make them something they haven't been
in a while � favored.
AT SOUTHERN METHODIST: Two straight Lone
Star opponents, and a legitimate chance for a winning streak. But if you're
thinking this one is a lock, think again.
The Mustangs return 11
offensive starters and have a coordinator � Rusty Burns � who has had his
share of success against the Pirates. Still, once-proud SMU would have to
rank among the nation's weakest programs since it moved off Death Row, and
the Texas heat isn't nearly as lethal in October.
AT MEMPHIS: If ECU is
riding a winning streak, this could be a dangerous game for the Tigers, who
probably don't need a reminder of what nearly happened in Greenville last
year. Rest assured Memphis coach Tommy West will do plenty of reminding,
just in case.
Even during their current
downslide, the Pirates for some reason have been competitive against the
more-talented Tigers. Danny Wimprine won't be under center, which gives ECU
a much better chance. The problem is, all-world running back DeAngelo
Williams is back.
CENTRAL FLORIDA:
Another home game in which the Pirates should be the favorite. The Knights
went winless last season and haven't won since late October in 2003.
It could be a while before
George O'Leary gets the type of personnel to which he has been accustomed at
the Division I level. Perhaps the most intriguing storyline in this
showdown is the Notre Dame ties the two head coaches share. Barely, that
is.
AT TULSA: The Golden
Hurricane may be the most mysterious of all of ECU's opponents. After a
solid debut by Steve Kragthorpe two years ago, Tulsa managed only four wins
last season.
Certainly not the most
attractive game on the gauntlet, but it could prove to be one of the most
entertaining. Tulsa scores plenty, but so do its opponents. That sets up
a scenario where anything could happen.
AT MARSHALL: If ever
there was a year to play the Herd in Huntington, 2005 would be it. Marshall
returns only seven starters and 35 lettermen overall, and also is without
legendary coach Bob Pruett, who retired.
A new coach, new schemes, and
inexperienced personnel make Marshall vulnerable in their first year of
C-USA play. However a mid-November snow isn't out of the question, which
definitely play to the Herd's favor.
UAB: Perhaps the
toughest home test, saving the Blazers for last could work to the Pirates'
advantage. UAB is the more experienced of the two teams, but the youthful Pirates
should be the ones who make the most strides throughout the season.
Generally speaking, younger
teams improve more than experienced ones, which makes this the best possible
time to face the Blazers. That said, there may not be a really good time to
play the club that many feel will match up against Texas-El Paso for the league
title.
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02/23/2007 02:00:06 AM |
