PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
-----
 |
Keys to the
Game
Friday,
November 5, 2010
By Kevin Monroe |
|
East Carolina vs. Navy
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, 3:30 p.m. • TV: MASN
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
|
For the fifth
straight year, Kevin Monroe, color analyst for the Pirate ISP Sports
Radio Network, provides “Kevin’s Keys to The Game,”
his weekly breakdown of what East Carolina must do to beat its
upcoming opponent.
Monroe brings a unique perspective to the task as a
member of the broadcast team and as a former star defensive
back for the Pirates (1995-99). |
©2010 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Navy if it prevails in these key aspects
of the game:
Apply Pressure
The East Carolina defenders have a tough day ahead of them. Navy’s triple
option rushing attack is and for years has been one of the best in the
country. The best way to solve the Midshipmen's offense is to not let it get
on the field. In all seriousness, preparing for this offense and stopping it
with one week of preparation is nearly impossible. The best the Pirates can
hope for is to slow the Middies down, cause some turnovers, and hope that
Navy makes some mistakes on its own. The way to increase the likelihood of
those mistakes is to force Navy into uncomfortable situations — 2nd and
long, 3rd and long. ECU needs to force Middies quarterback Ricky Dobbs to
throw the football more often then he would like to. Dobbs is a capable
passer but he has attempted only 107 passes through 8 games, completing just
50 percent.
Light
It Up
I
mentioned keeping the Midshipmen’s offense off the field. The way to
accomplish that is for the Pirate offense to have long, sustained drives
that end in touchdowns. Last week, Duke got up on Navy 24-0 and completely
changed Navy’s game plan. The Middies did make a comeback, but the deficit
was just too much to overcome. Quarterback Dominique Davis and the ECU
offense have been hitting on all cylinders. After the 21-point first quarter
and solid fourth quarter and overtime finish against N.C. State, followed by
a 37-point showing versus Marshall and a 35-point day at Central Florida,
things appear to be clicking offensively. The running game has been steadily
improving and the passing game is working like it's supposed to. If the
Pirates can score early and often and force Navy to play from behind, their
chances for victory go way up.
Tackle, Tackle, Tackle
There
was no way to hide the obvious last Saturday in Orlando. The Pirates
experienced a defensive meltdown. UCF was able to run and pass on East
Carolina at will. That game set this defense back at least four weeks. I can
remember thinking midway through the first quarter that the Golden Knights
offense was either one of the best in the country, or ECU's defense wasn’t
quite where it needed to be. This week there will be no surprise as to what
Navy will do offensively. The Pirate corners will remain in pass coverage
and the other 9 defenders will be responsible for the run. In the triple
option, you have to be worried about the fullback dive first, then the
quarterback, and lastly the pitchman. There will be a player or three
assigned to each of them on every play. As a defensive player, your job
against the option is to handle your responsibility and that’s it. Tackle
your man every play. If you tackle poorly against Navy you get beat.
THE
BOTTOM LINE
This is a big game for the Pirates. The fruits of success would be a second
non-conference victory, a continuation of the home winning streak, and
achieving the 6 overall wins necessary for bowl eligibility. I didn’t
mention the kicking game in my keys, but continuing the strong play of the
return teams and not giving up the big play on the coverage teams is very
important. Offensively, ECU has to take advantage of every possession and
find a way to put points on the board. Defensively, the plan is
straightforward but must be executed. As Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody
has a plan until they get hit in the mouth." The Pirates need to punch Navy
right in the mouth.
Send an e-mail message to
Kevin Monroe.
Dig into Kevin Monroe's
archives.
11/05/2010 02:18:06 AM
----- |
